Let’s cut right to the chase: I love the Wilderness Lodge.  You must stay there!

Seriously though, there’s not a lot I can say that would cast the Wilderness Lodge in anything but a positive light.  Maybe a year ago I would have felt differently, since at that time WL rooms offered the finest in tacky wilderness decor. In the ensuing months, however, an extensive refurbishment project has made sure tacky went the way of the stagecoach. Wilderness Lodge rooms still offer the themeing that reminds you you’re staying at Walt Disney World, but also offer a refinement befitting the Deluxe resort price point. With that said, Wilderness Lodge might not be perfect, or perfect for everyone. My take:

Pros

For more budget-minded travelers who want a taste of the Deluxe resort experience, the Wilderness Lodge offers the (relative) convenience of the Polynesian, Contemporary, or Grand Floridian for a more modest rack rate.  Like these three resorts, the Wilderness Lodge puts you in close range of the Magic Kingdom, and also offers the amenities you’d expect at a Deluxe resort: numerous dining options, a large and well-landscaped pool area, beautiful public spaces, and services like in-room dining. And, unlike the more expensive Polynesian and Grand Floridian, the WL’s refurb means soft goods are more in line with what you’d find at a Marriott or, sadly, even a Hampton Inn – no ugly bedspreads to be found at the Wilderness Lodge!

One of the greatest Wilderness Lodge selling points is its proximity to the Magic Kingdom: you can get there by bus or boat, and both are quick trips. I’ve come to the conclusion that I can deal with driving to any of the other three Disney theme parks, but I can hardly bear to drive to the TTC anymore. Between the trams, the ferry, the monorail, and the crowds of clueless tourists, it takes too long and is just no fun. Staying at the WL eliminates this problem – we happily relied on the boat to get us to/from the Magic Kingdom, and happily drove to the other parks. Also, you can hop a boat from the Wilderness Lodge to the Contemporary Resort and Ft. Wilderness campground, significantly multiplying your options for dining and entertainment.

For me, the Wilderness Lodge is also one of the best Disney resorts for single adults or couples. Sure, there is themeing and whimsy and no doubt you’re on Disney property, but there is also a secluded, cozy lounge for cocktails and a very good and somewhat underrated signature restaurant.  Sunsets (and sunrises) on Bay Lake are romantic and transporting.  Similarly, the room refurbishments offer a much more modern hotel experience, but you’ll still find charming Disney touches. The Disney touches just aren’t in your face, a la the Caribbean Beach Resort or even the Polynesian.  It’s also a bit quieter than some of the other Disney properties, but I must caution that “quieter” is a relative term.

Since the Wilderness Lodge is also home to a DVC resort, the gift shop is better stocked than most, offering you the typical assortment of Disney gifts, but also snacks and sundries should you find yourself wanting something more than Disney food. It’s also just generally a better gift shop, although for my money it doesn’t beat the Polynesian. (This isn’t a huge selling point when you consider that Animal Kingdom Lodge, the BoardWalk, Beach Club, Contemporary, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs and soon Grand Floridian offer similar gift shops, but still – it’s a nice plus.)

That said, the Wilderness Lodge is a good food location for people of all tastes and budgets. Roaring Forks is one of the better quick service locations I’ve seen at a Disney resort; although small, the food is of good quality, and the space doesn’t have that slightly-off fried food smell you’ll encounter elsewhere (looking at you, Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Mara). Whispering Canyon Cafe is a decently-priced and pretty tasty table-service meal, although you have to have a certain tolerance for antics to eat there. (Don’t ask for ketchup, folks.) Artist Point offers a more refined (and more expensive) meal, but even my Midwestern grandparents who aren’t particularly adventurous eaters really liked the food here. If you want a good drink and/or an appetizer, Territory Lounge is a great option – I had some delicious French Onion soup and a killer Manhattan on our last visit.

The Wilderness Lodge really shines at the holidays. Not only does the physical building lend itself to a holiday atmosphere, but the Christmas decorations at the WL are top-notch. Even if you don’t stay here, you should see the Wilderness Lodge at Christmas at least once.

Cons:

Not many here, really.  If you’re a family of five, the Wilderness Lodge probably won’t work as well for you. The rooms are cramped to begin with, and bed configurations aren’t really accommodating of five guests. Indeed, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with more than three adults in a room, but that’s just me – I like my space.

Courtyard view rooms are going to give you a great view of the pool and likely Bay Lake, but they will also give you a lot of noise, especially in the afternoons when the pool activities are in high gear. Bear this in mind if you or your children are afternoon nappers.

If you’re unable to walk far distances – or if you’d just prefer not to walk long distances – do yourself a favor and request a room near an elevator. The Wilderness Lodge interior hallways are quite long, perhaps second only to the ridiculously long hallways at the BoardWalk.

Although the rooms are refurbished, the room HVAC systems are not. They are older, a bit clunky, and lack the digital refinements you might be accustomed to in other hotels. Not a dealbreaker by any means, but I mention it for one important (to me) reason: white noise. If you need white noise to sleep, you might want to bring a sleep machine or have an app on your phone – you’re not going to get much benefit from this unit. See – I’m really stretching for negatives!

Great for: Adult solo and couple travelers; families with kids, your grandparents, neighbors, and tax accountant. Pretty much anyone.

Not so great for: People who hate fun, or nature, or fun in nature. You really can’t escape the nature thing here. Larger traveling parties should look elsewhere. If you need character dining at your resort, the Lodge isn’t for you, either.

The bottom line: You’d be crazy not to stay here at least once. We started out thinking the Lodge would be a great holiday trip destination, but we loved it so much we’ll probably be back during other seasons, too.

And now, the photographic evidence: