The Origin of the Wilderness Lodge Hotel

[loaloa]

Did you knew that the Wilderness Lodge hotel was totally inspired by the 100 years old "Old Faithful hotel" at Yellowstone park, Wyoming?

I always thought that the Wilderness Lodge was a pure Imagineers creation, but no, their inspiration came from this old hotel, definitely.

The Disney and more site have a report about it, with pictures of both hotels side by side to show how close the architectures of the two hotels are. Amazing!

 

[flaminjo]

i really didnt knew about the origin of the wilderness lodge, and i simply loved the whispering cafe, i think it was just awesome, the pool, the lobby, you name and it was simply out of this world!

 

[tigsmom]

Yep, I knew that! I remember riding the monorail and seeing them clearing the site, nobody knew what was going there. The next trip we were staying at the brand new WL....it's been our favorite ever since.

 

[Jack Sparrow]

I stayed at the Old Faithful Inn a few years after I saw the WL, they're both awesome buildings. Being the Disney fan I am, I automatically thought of WL when we got to the Old Faithful Inn. It would be great if they could somehow get a natural geyser in front of WL too!

 

[unkadug]

I stayed at the Old Faithful Inn a few years after I saw the WL, they're both awesome buildings. Being the Disney fan I am, I automatically thought of WL when we got to the Old Faithful Inn. It would be great if they could somehow get a natural geyser in front of WL too!

You mean like this?
<img src="http://hotels.about.com/library/photos/wdw_wl/wilderness-lodge_lg.jpg">

 

[flaminjo]

i have some great pictures of the place can somebody help me with posting them i dont know how to post it.

 

[marni1971]

Or... Wilderness Lodge grew from Cypress Point Lodge which was planned for the site in the late 70`s. From this came Wilderness Point Lodge, and also Buffalo Junction Resort in Fort Wilderness. The designs of these 2 - based on the Old Faithful Hotel - were combined and Wilderness Lodge was born.

 

[Mr.EPCOT]

I wonder if there is still any possibility of Wilderness Junction between the two?

 

[DAKOTADISNEY]

When we stayed at WL last Feb. we took a tour of the lodge from CM Stan. He's great and had tons of facts and figures on the history of WL. I think he has a tour every morning around 9:00am, starting in the lobby.

 

[Tinkerbella16]

I knew about that. I have to say that I've never stayed at the WL yet, but we visit for a meal almost every trip and everytime that place just blows us away with its charm and beauty. It is so amazing..from the architecture to the theme, to the food, to the grounds...it really is amazing. A friend of mine at work took his first trip to WDW in november and stayed at the WL, we were actually there the same week...and we ran into one another the night we had a ressie for Whispering Canyon...it was the 1st day of his trip and he was just blown away. He fell in love with the resort and he talks about it every single day. Sorry to keeping babbling on.. i just had to say how awesome the WL really is and i cant wait to stay there one day!!

 

[Sassagoula-Rvr]

The Grand Californian Hotel is based off of this one at Yosemite...they both are built in the "Parkitechture" style. Very Very cool places to stay at Disney.
http://www.yosemitepark.com/Accommodations_TheAhwahnee.aspx