Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort

Mjau, after spending the last year in different countries our family was finally reunited in Walt Disney World for Christmas. As usual we spent the first night at Hyatt Regency at Orlando International Airport. The Siamese sisters flew in from United Kingdom while Bu and Grandpa finally returned from their trip to Australia and Hawaii.

The lobby looks extra cosy with the large Christmas tree.

The fireplace in the lobby has amazing details.

We were really excited to finally stay at the Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World. It has been a dream for a couple of Disney trips, when we visited the Geyser Point bar and grill and Whispering Canyon. We were even more excited to spend Christmas there with all the Christmas decorations, fireplace and the cosy lobby. The pool looks nice, although we did not try it as it was so cold outside.

Mjau, getting ready for a fun day at Magic Kingdom.

Our room at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.

The hotel looked as though we were at a hunting lodge in a national park. So cosy, mjau. The rooms had really nice details. The bedposts had carved animals on them. Mjau, a bit scary to sleep with a beaver staring at you! The headboard also had a carved scenery that reminded us of Bambi. The beds were a bit smaller compared to other resorts. The bed itself was comfortable although our butlers were being difficult. One was snoring and two of them were fighting over the pillow-border as they had to share a bed. Mjau, they could have let us cute Siamese sleep on the bed and share the big floor instead. No need for pillow-borders! Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

A scary beaver.

A cute rabbit.

A majestic squirrel.

Some kind of bird...

A closer look at the details of the carved headboard. I can just see Bambi's family and can imagine the hunter hiding behind a tree, mjauhihi.

The bathroom was nice and spacious with two sinks. By the bathtub they had four cute tiles of Chip, Dale, Bambi and Meeko. This room definitely has a woodland creature and critter feeling. Our butler that lives in Tampa brought a Christmas tree for our room so Santa knows where to bring our presents. Mjau we also had a nice surprise when Grandpa bought us our own Christmas stockings!

Mjau, two sinks so we can use one as a jacuzzi while our butlers share the second one.

Fun details on the tiles in the shower. Poor critters have to watch our hideous butlers use the restroom and shower.

Mjau, we also had a really nice view of the Wilderness Lodge Villas and a small lake (not the Seven Seas Lagoon). Mjau it was so nice to be able to see rabbits, squirrels and even deer. Mjauhihi, Disney really puts a lot of consideration into theming.

Mjau, a nice view from our balcony.

There are several dining options at Wilderness Lodge. They have quick service options at Roaring Fork, the food here is ok and is a good option for something quick to bring to the room. The service is excellent and we got free sausages with our French toast once. They also have character dining at Artist Point which we have not tried. We have a tradition to go to Whispering Canyon for Breakfast at least once during our Disney trip. Mjau, their delicious Banana French Toast is worth the visit. Mjau, Whispering Canyon is really loud but you can always request a corner table to get some privacy. Just do not ever ask for ketchup, ever! We also really like the Geyser Point bar and grill. However we only visit if we get to sit on the lounge chairs with the view of the lake. They have really nice drinks. The fried oysters were delicious and the burgers are ok too. It can be really windy but it reminds us so much of summer back in our home country, Finland, that we do not mind. Mjauhihi, just hold on to your whiskers! The territory lounge is also really nice, especially during the cold Florida winter. Mjauhihi, one of our butlers visits the bar and lounge so often that the waitress remembers her.

Mjau, cocktails at Geyser Point.

Mjau, delicious fried oysters! The carpenter and walrus have been in town!

Banana bread French toast!

Magic Kingdom is the park closest to Wilderness Lodge. You can go there by bus or by boat, as we prefer. It is important to note that Wilderness Lodge does not have a Monorail station. If the monorail is really important to your trip, it is better to stay at Polynesian, Contemporary or Grand Floridian. We prefer to just take the boat. You can take a boat directly to Magic Kingdom. We prefer to take the scenic route which first takes you to Fort Wilderness and then to Contemporary. From the contemporary we usually just walk to Magic Kingdom. Sometimes if you are lucky you can see Captain Hook and Smee at the docks at Contemporary.

To get to the other parks you will have to take a bus. The bus rides take really long, one evening we were shocked to find that the bus ride to Disney Springs took over an hour, mjau. The Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge also shares busses. We hope it is only temporary and will change. Mjau, we think it is unacceptable that deluxe resorts have to share busses! 

It is better to stay at Wilderness Lodge if you only want to visit Magic Kingdom or do resort hopping at the resorts surrounding Seven Seas Lagoon. For park hopping we recommend resorts near the Disney Springs area or Epcot and Hollywood Studios.