Complete Guide to Wilderness Lodge (w/ review)

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is a Deluxe Resort that can be found in the Magic Kingdom resort area.

From popular dining, to photographic views, to embracing the great outdoors, to its Pacific Northwest theme, Wilderness Lodge has a lot to offer.

This is 1 of 8 Deluxe Resort hotels (not including Deluxe Villas) on Disney World property. This is truly one of the most beautiful resorts on property.

You can also find 2 Disney Vacation Club resorts here as well. They are: Copper Creek Villas & Cabins and Boulder Ridge Villas.

Here’s everything else you need to know about Wilderness Lodge.

Pros and Cons

Pros: One of the most affordable of the Deluxes, great theming, beautiful grounds, can take boat to Magic Kingdom, can view Electrical Water Pageant, one of the most beautiful at Christmas

Cons: Shared buses, most rooms are smaller than other Deluxe Resort rooms and will only accommodate four people (can have 5th person if they are under 3)

Overview

Wilderness Lodge is a gorgeous resort offering guests a rustic vibe with stunning views, all while being located super close to Magic Kingdom.

There are pine forests, nature trails, a geyser, and other ways the resort celebrates the great outdoor. In addition to Wilderness Lodge being beloved for its overall theme, it features popular dining, including character dining with Snow White, the Whispering Canyon Café that offers unforgettable skillets, and several other options.

When it comes to rooms, there are a variety of styles you can book, in addition to rooms that have Club Level Access, which we go into more detail later.

Wilderness Lodge first opened in 1994 and continues to thrive. Let’s go over what else you need to know.

Guest Rooms And Bathrooms

Wilderness Lodge has a variety of room offerings. Depending on which room you book, you can sleep up to 4 adults. 

There are, of course, the standard amenities, including a hairdryer, TV, free WiFi, a Keurig coffee maker, telephone, in-room safe, and an iron and ironing board. There are also a range of views, including the pool, courtyard, woodlands, waterfall, Bay Lake, Copper Creek, and more.

The rooms also have both standard and USB outlets scattered around, with some near the beds and TV stands. Better yet, there is even space underneath the beds for storing luggage and whatever else you need to get out of the way.

As for the bathrooms, each offer a nice amount of counter space and drawers, cupboards, and cubbies to store belongings. 

Now, let’s take a look at the rooms and their offerings.

Standard Rooms And Suites Without Club Level Service

• Standard View: Views of Service Areas,  Rooftop or Parking Areas; 2 Queen Beds

• Courtyard View: Views of Courtyard, Pool, Waterfall or Bay Lake; 2 Queen Beds
• Nature View: Views of Landscape, Trees, or Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge; 2 Queen Beds

• Courtyard View — King Bed: Views of Courtyard, Pool, Waterfall or Bay Lake; 1 King Bed
• Nature Fireworks View: Views of Landscape or Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Partial View of Magic Kingdom Fireworks; 2 Queen Beds

• Standard View — King Bed: Views of Service Areas, Rooftop or Parking Areas; 1 King Bed
• Nature Fireworks View — King Bed: Views of Landscape or Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Partial View of Magic Kingdom Fireworks; 1 King Bed

• Nature View — King Bed: Views of Landscape, Trees, or Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge; 1 King Bed

Room And Suites With Club-Level Service

• Standard Room — Club Level: Views of Woodlands, Courtyard, Pool, Waterfall or Bay Lake; 1 Queen Bed and 1 Bunk Bed or 2 Queen Beds

• Standard Room — King Bed — Club Level: Views of Woodlands, Courtyard, Pool, Waterfall or Bay Lake; 1 King Bed 
• Deluxe Room — Club Level: Views of Bay Lake, Woodlands or Interior Courtyard; Deluxe Room is larger than Standard Room; 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa

Note: There are also both wheelchair and hearing accessible rooms available that include accessible bathrooms and visual alarms.

You can check out room layouts below.

Wilderness Lodge Resort Room Options

Room type(s)	Bed size	Max people per room	Floor plan
Standard View Views of Service Areas,  Rooftop or Parking Areas	2 Queen Beds	4
Courtyard View Views of Courtyard, Pool, Waterfall or Bay Lake	2 Queen Beds	4
Nature View Views of Landscape, Trees, or Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge	2 Queen Beds	4
Nature Fireworks View Views of the Pool, Courtyard or Parking Area	2 Queen Beds	4
Standard View – King Bed Views of Service Areas,  Rooftop or Parking Areas	1 King Bed	2
Courtyard View – King Bed Views of Courtyard, Pool, Waterfall or Bay Lake	1 King Bed	2
Nature View – King Bed Views of Landscape, Trees, or Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge	1 King Bed	2
Nature Fireworks View – King Bed Views of Landscape or Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Partial View of Magic Kingdom Fireworks	1 King Bed	2
Standard Room – Club Level Views of Woodlands, Courtyard, Pool, Waterfall or Bay Lake	2 Queen Beds	4
Standard Room – King Bed – Club Level Views of Woodlands, Courtyard, Pool, Waterfall or Bay Lake	1 King Bed	2
Deluxe Room – Club Level Access Views of Bay Lake, Woodlands or Interior Courtyard	2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa	6

VIDEO: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort tour (rooms, pools, dining)

Checking In And Out

When it comes to checking in and out, you have a few options: at the front desk, online through the official Walt Disney World website, or via the My Disney Experience app.

The front desk is located in the lobby of the main building of Wilderness Lodge. Even though the front desk is there to assist guests, especially with checking in and checking out, all Disney World Resort guests are encouraged to check-in online or by using MDE.

• Checking-In: After you check-in online or using the app, you’ll receive a room-ready notification via next. You can then use your MagicBand or MDE’s digital key feature to unlock your room door.
• Checking-Out: Currently, guests will automatically be checked out of their rooms. But, if you have unresolved charges to your hotel folio, you’ll need to visit the front desk.

Note: Guests also have the option of to chat virtually with resort Cast Members via MDE for any assistance. 

As for the pickup and dropoff location for Mears Connect (which is the replacement for Magical Express) and the bus stop, you can find those near the main lobby of Wilderness Lodge, along with luggage storage for those who have checked out or are waiting to check in.

Note: Resort Airline Check-In and Magical Express are no longer available.

Package Delivery & Pick Up

You can have packages and groceries delivered to your Disney Resort hotel, along with shipping select items home.

Disney used to have a service where you were able to purchase items in the parks and then have them delivered to your resort’s gift shop. However, that service has been unavailable for several years now.

Parking

Although parking at Disney World resort hotels used to cost a nightly fee for resort guests, Disney has changed their policy so that parking is now free for all on-site resort guests. This change was implemented on January 10, 2023.

Valet parking is also available for $33 per night.

Complimentary standard self-parking is available for non-resort guests exploring dining, shopping, entertainment, and other experiences during the day.

We also have a complete Walt Disney World parking guide you can browse.

Important: Valet parking might not always be available.

Resort Map

Wilderness Lodge Building

Wilderness Lodge guest rooms are located in the same area, within different buildings that are all connected.

The guest room buildings surround the courtyard and pool area. Depending on what you book, your room may offer some stunning views.

Once you enter the lobby, you simply follow the signs that will lead you to the guest rooms. There are elevators, as well.

Amenities And Shops

From gift shops, to a spa and fitness center, there are several amenities offered to guests staying at Wilderness Lodge.

Important note: Some of the following amenities might not be available at all times.

• Wilderness Lodge Mercantile: Find everyday essentials, souvenirs, beverages, and snacks.
• Laundry Services: There is a 24-hour self-service laundry room just beyond Roaring Fork.

• Dry Cleaning Services: Dry cleaning and valet laundry services are also an option.
• Electrical Water Pageant: A nighttime water parade that sails along on Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake
• Movies Under the Stars: Watch complimentary Disney movies between the marina and Geyser Point Bar & Grill.
• Salon by the Springs: A one-stop spot for manicures, pedicures, hair services, and more right by the pool.
• Sturdy Branches Health Club: A full-service fitness and center.

• Childcare Services: In-room babysitting for children 6 months to 12 years old.

Pools And Recreation

Wilderness Lodge offers several different types of recreation, along with swimming pools. If you need a non-park day, we recommended spending the day at your hotel and enjoying a Disney Resort pool.

Important note: Some of the pools and recreation options might not be available at all times.

There are two different pools to enjoy.

• Copper Creek Springs Pool: Features a 67-foot waterslide, hot and cold whirlpool spas, and an activity play area for kids.

• Boulder Ridge Cove Pool: A more relaxing pool with a whirlpool spa and a zero-depth entry pool. 

Some other recreational options include:

• Bike Rentals
• Motorized Boat Rentals
• Buttons and Bells Arcade
• Fishing
• Jogging Trails
• Campfire to roast marshmallows

How to get from Wilderness Lodge to anywhere at Disney World

There are two main forms of transportation: buses and watercraft transportation. Buses will take you to all four theme parks and Disney Springs. The boats will take you to either Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Check out all of the ways to get around Walt Disney World below.

Restaurant & Dining Options

There are several dining options at Wilderness Lodge. You can choose from both Quick Service and Table Service options, including character dining with Snow White, the Evil Queen, and some of the Seven Dwarfs at Artist Point. To make things easier, Roaring Fork has Mobile Order.

Whispering Canyon Cafe and Artist Point also offer Mobile Dine Check-In, meaning you’ll check-in using the My Disney Experience app rather than going to the host stand. When your table is ready, you’ll be notified to proceed to a specific location. You can read more about the dining options below.

Quick Service

Table Service

Everything Else

Scheduled Refurbishments

No scheduled refurbishments.

Other Info

• Wilderness Lodge Resort Maps
• Pros and Cons of on-site Walt Disney World Resort hotels

Wilderness Lodge Trip Reports