Wilderness Lodge

Lightning McQueen

Lightning McQueen

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I have just booked my latest trip to the world. As the title suggests, I will be staying at Wilderness Lodge, one of the few hotels I have not yet stayed in and only visited! For those who have stayed before and therefore have more experience than me, any tips, things to do, things to avoid etc.... :-)
 
Weather_Lady

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
I'm looking forward to my first stay there in a few weeks. Things I've seen universally "recommended" for those staying there are: (1) watching the Electric Water Pageant from the beach (around 9:30pm I believe); (2) taking the 1-hour "Wonders of the Lodge" free tour (begins in the lobby at 9am, Wed-Sat); (3) strolling the path over to Fort Wilderness to visit the petting zoo or dine at the Hoop-de-Doo Revue or Trail's End buffet; (4) taking the ferry boat to the Magic Kingdom; (5) watching the Fire Rock Geyser erupt (every hour on the hour); and (6) walking over to the DVC villa building and checking out the Carolwood Pacific room (which is not only a quiet place to read or play checkers, but displays some of Walt Disney's own train cars).

I've also read good reviews of the on-site dining options, Artist Point (fine dining), Whispering Canyon Cafe (boisterous BBQ), the Roaring Fork (counter service) and Territory Lounge (bar with some unique appetizers).

There are some recommendations on this site: http://www.wildernesslodgesite.com/content/villas-wilderness-lodge
 
DanStat

DanStat

Well-Known Member
Wilderness Lodge is my favorite resort! It's beautiful. Plan some time to spend by the pool, it's so relaxing. Whispering Canyon for breakfast or dinner is a treat. On our last trip, we went to the food court, got a flatbread, one of the Magic Cookie Bars (don't miss!) and some drinks and sat by one of the fireplaces on level 3. It's such a detailed resort with so many little nooks to just relax.
 
Weather_Lady

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
DanStat said:
Wilderness Lodge is my favorite resort! It's beautiful. Plan some time to spend by the pool, it's so relaxing. Whispering Canyon for breakfast or dinner is a treat. On our last trip, we went to the food court, got a flatbread, one of the Magic Cookie Bars (don't miss!) and some drinks and sat by one of the fireplaces on level 3. It's such a detailed resort with so many little nooks to just relax.
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I'm so glad you mentioned the Magic Cookie bars! I've read about these wonderful, mythical things supposedly offered at the Roaring Fork, and cannot wait to try one.
 
Tinkerbell397

Tinkerbell397

Well-Known Member
When you get to the boat ramp, the boat to the left will take you to Fort Wilderness and the MK. The boat to the right will take you to the CR so you can access the monorail and all of the monorail resorts, TTC and the MK. At the TTC you can access the EPCOT monorail but I would recommend that you take bus transportation the EPCOT...much faster. Enjoy the lobby of the WL...so much to see and discover. The CM's are very helpful. As mentioned above, Artist Point is a wonderful place to eat....expensive but wonderful. Roaring Forks, the CS restaurant can be very crowded and slow in the AM before guests rush off to the parks. Grab a table outside to eat by the pool. Not much to say about Whispering Canyons...it's just not one of my favorites...but people seem to love it. Enjoy your visit!. :cat:
 
HouCuseChickie

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
Positives...We had a nice view of Wishes from our balcony, found the lobby to be very pretty, enjoyed sitting out at Trout Pass, like the offerings at Roaring Fork, Whispering Canyon was worth trying, also enjoyed Territory Lounge, and love the boat service. Negatives...we had our longest bus waits when we stayed at WL, check in was very slow, and the rooms were a bit cramped to us. Obviously, bus service varies and CMs rotate, so you may be fine with busing and check in. As for the cramped part, if you're able to, I'd "move in" to free up some space if you have a lot of stuff.
 
zurgandfriend

zurgandfriend

Well-Known Member
My favorite resort as well, sit in the lobby some morning and just look up at all the detail in the theme of the Lodge. Enjoy a meal at the Whispering Canyon Cafe and enjoy some drunkin donuts at the Territorial Lounge. Enjoy!
 
Webb

Webb

Member
Love Wilderness Lodge! It's so cozy and relaxing! Artist Point is a great meal, berry cobbler is delicious! Even when we are staying at a different resort we always make our way to WL just to hang out. The private lounge areas are really nice! Looking forward to being there in May! I am wondering if they still have room service?
 
DisneyJunkie

DisneyJunkie

Well-Known Member
Having stayed at the Wilderness Lodge more often than any other resort on-site, I can give a few tips. One, take the time to just enjoy the theming of the resort and take in the beauty of the lobby. It really is a gorgeous resort with most helpful cast members and I've never left there having had a bad stay. Two, it has some very good dining options (though I've yet to try Artist Point) in Roaring Forks and Whispering Canyon......in terms of food and in entertainment. Three, if you should go and use their bus transportation, see if you too find that the wait times for the buses exceeds the 20-25 minutes wait time it posts. For us, it never fails that the buses we don't need keep coming and going sometimes multiple times before the one we're really waiting on does arrive. Four, enjoy the ferry ride from the WL to the Magic Kingdom, it really is a great little relaxing ride in and of itself, and provides for some camera shots of the Contemporary, Bay Lake Tower, and on return, of the WL itself.
 
Kuzcotopia

Kuzcotopia

Well-Known Member
DisneyJunkie said:
Three, if you should go and use their bus transportation, see if you too find that the wait times for the buses exceeds the 20-25 minutes wait time it posts. For us, it never fails that the buses we don't need keep coming and going sometimes multiple times before the one we're really waiting on does arrive.
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I've had that experience before too, but for us it was the exception, not the rule.

As far as posting wait times, can you elaborate on that? Do you know where they post them? Thanks!
 

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