{"id":16058,"date":"2011-08-02T07:00:48","date_gmt":"2011-08-02T12:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=16058"},"modified":"2017-03-20T14:40:30","modified_gmt":"2017-03-20T19:40:30","slug":"walt-disney-worlds-hidden-gem-disneys-wilderness-lodge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2011\/08\/walt-disney-worlds-hidden-gem-disneys-wilderness-lodge\/","title":{"rendered":"Disney World’s hidden gem: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Tap into your inner ranger at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, one of the cheaper themed resorts.<\/p><\/div>\n

By Jill E. Cooper<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cCrickets?\u00a0 Do you hear those crickets?\u201d I asked my five-year-old son as we disembarked the water launch at the back of our favorite Disney resort.\u00a0 We had just capped off an exhilarating day in the Magic Kingdom with an enchanting ride across a moonlit-drenched Seven Seas Lagoon.\u00a0 By Jiminy, those were crickets we heard as we strolled back to our room along the animal track-imprinted sidewalks that wind through this rustic resort.\u00a0 As we passed Fire Rock Geyser, it erupted one last time for the night, suggesting that we were more likely to be in Yellowstone National Park than in Central Florida.\u00a0 These are just a few of the touches Disney\u2019s Imagineers incorporated into the immersive experience at Disney\u2019s Wilderness Lodge<\/a>, a true hidden gem nestled along Bay Lake in the Walt Disney World Resort<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Disney\u2019s Wilderness Lodge exemplifies Disney theming at its finest.\u00a0 Inspired by the century-old National Park Service lodges of the Pacific Northwest, the property transports guests to a woodsy wonderland from the moment they arrive.\u00a0 While the transformation begins slowly along the drive up Timberline Drive, by the time they reach the main lobby there’s a feeling of having landed at a unique and magical destination.<\/p>\n

One of my favorite pastimes while on vacation at this resort is to station myself in one of the welcoming, overstuffed leather armchairs near the lodge\u2019s entrance to watch guests\u2019 reactions at the majestic seven-story lobby.\u00a0 Framed by fallen lodgepole pines, two hand-carved floor-to-ceiling totem poles, and an imposing fireplace representing the geological strata found in the Grand Canyon, it\u2019s easy to be enveloped by the resort\u2019s predominant western theme.\u00a0 Beautiful Native American artifacts, secluded alcoves, a bubbling spring soft but effective strains of cowboy music enhance the mood.<\/p>\n

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Timber and totem poles: The 7-story “wow” lobby at Wilderness Lodge.<\/p><\/div>\n

With this level of attention to detail, it\u2019s hard to believe that this is the least expensive resort in the Magic Kingdom area of Walt Disney World Resort.\u00a0 Because it is not on the monorail line like its neighbors — Disney\u2019s Contemporary<\/a>, Polynesian<\/a> and Grand Floridian<\/a> Resorts– rooms at Disney\u2019s Wilderness Lodge are often half the price of other deluxe resorts on property.\u00a0 Yet, its proximity to the Magic Kingdom, a mere four-minute complimentary bus ride away, makes it a perfect fit for families with small children.\u00a0 The kids will love the activities hosted at Silver Creek Springs pool.and the daily rubber duck races.\u00a0 Cast Members at Whispering Canyon Cafe host a lively family-style dinner.\u00a0 (Go ahead, order ketchup for those fries.\u00a0 Just don\u2019t say I didn\u2019t warn you). Boat and bike rentals and free Wonders of the Lodge tours appeal to older children as well.<\/p>\n

Parents can leave their little ones in the on-site Cub\u2019s Den supervised children\u2019s activity center for a few hours while they indulge in a sophisticated meal at Artist\u2019s Point. Don\u2019t miss the cedar plank-roasted salmon or the homemadeblack raspberry ice cream and cobbler.\u00a0 This restaurant offers stunning views of the resort grounds and has walls graced by a number of breathtaking western landscapes inspired by the great American painter, Albert Bierstadt.<\/p>\n

So, if you haven\u2019t yet explored Disney\u2019s Wilderness Lodge, I highly recommend you book a room here for your next Walt Disney World vacation.\u00a0 It\u2019s the perfect place to grab a rocking chair on the porch, soak in a hot tub or just listen to those delightful crickets after a busy day in the Disney theme parks.<\/p>\n

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