Edit: Whoops, forgot one!
The beginning of the pool.
As if the content of this website could get any more boring, we’ll head out to yet another Disney resort for a walk around.
This time it’s the Wilderness Lodge.
I had intended to put these pictures up closer to when they were taken, which was August 24th.
But something always seems to come up.
So if it feels like I start something and never finish it, I’m sorry, but there is a lot that needs to be done.
I think we last visited in December for the Christmas decorations.
Wilderness Lodge is probably my second favorite Disney resort to visit, slightly behind Animal Kingdom Lodge.
There is something about it.
Whispering Canyon Cafe, located in the back right as we look toward the main entrance, now offers a substantially different menu. The Lunch Skillet is no longer offered and for dinner, only the Skillet along with a few appetizers are offered. AllEars has the updated version near the end here.
The lobby is among the best-themed you’ll find.
Wilderness Lodge also has some of the best resort merchandise. Larger: http://www.easywdw.com/reports5/wildernessmerch.jpg.
Apparel:
I particularly like the “Tonight I’m Hibernating…” shirt.
But our real intention is get our drank on over at the Territory Lounge, which is located adjacent to Artist Point around this corner.
Territory Lounge is one of the calmer lounges on property.
As long as I’m not there, anyway.
I was meeting up with Brian and family to try some of the unique appetizers we learned about from DisneyFoodBlog, who also reviews some of the other items on the menu. And you can order anything off the Artist Point menu if you’re looking for a more informal meal.
A particularly cozy spot in the corner.
But it’s a comfortable place.
With Moosehead, Bud Light, Redhook ESB, and Widmer Hefeweizen on draft. I prefer the Hefeweizen.
We opted for the Sharp Cheddar-Beer Fondue with Pretzel Sticks(?), House-made Sourdough, Washington State Apples, and Dried Fruit ($11). Interestingly, the Pretzel Sticks seem to be missing, though I didn’t notice it at the time. In retrospect, VACATION RUINED! MEMORIES FORGOTTEN! This was quite enjoyable otherwise. The cheese fondue had a distinct cheddar flavor and there was so much of it we asked for more bread. It’s also a nice thing to nibble on as you pass the time . The cheese is warmed continuously by a small flame underneath. Recommended.
The Cognac-glazed Chicken Lollipops with Lemon Spritz and Cilantro ($9). These are basically chicken wings.
By my count there were eight point zero of them, but you know what they say about statistics! These were amazing and some of the best wings I’ve ever had. Though it’s worth noting that I eat exclusively Disney quick service food. There was a little tang to them, but they were more sweet than spicy. The meat “fell off the bone” and the presentation is about as classy as possible. At eight for nine bucks, they’re a pretty decent value too. I wouldn’t hesitate to order and you should consider popping in here if you’re at the resort.
Could use more antlers.
That’s better.
Back out to the lobby, where you can sit by the fire. In Florida. In August.
‘Merica please. With how important this election is to the future of the United States, I’m going to be taking a considerable amount of time to explain why I support Ross Perot for President.
A look outside just because we can:
I’m in the bushes.
Still in the bushes.
Hard HDR’d out.
Straight out of the camera.
Modified.
Marshmallows!
There’s a quick look around. It really is one of the most beautiful Disney resorts.
{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
Yay! Thanks for posting this. We will be staying at WL for the first time in 43 days:)
http://www.easywdw.com/reports5/mklaahha37.jpg
OMG! It’s a DISNEY PARKS napkin! They must have known you were coming.
Being a loyal twitter follower pays off and the fact I have nothing to do on a Friday night.
You must feel right at home in The Wilderness Lodge, no riff-raff and the Twin Peaks feel. The fondue looks good and the pictures look great don’t think you had your pancake lense yet. Thanks for the tour.
Ooh, I do love the Territory Lounge. And how cool is that pool? I don’t care about your nonsense with the pirate ship and wristbands required over at Castaway Bay – the Wilderness Lodge pool has the best design and execution I’ve seen yet. Granted, I think it doesn’t have zero-entry, which is a shame, but it is still quite beautiful as an architectural water feature and as a pool (or something – I’m having trouble coming up with the correct HGTV language).
I never noticed the one balcony up near the ceiling with a staircase that appears to lead UP and away from it. I wonder what that space is – a guestroom or hotel administrative space? Fancy schmancy suite? I want to go up there and look down at all the folks in the lobby!
(Also, for as much as I love the design of the resort, I can’t say I care much for the interior decor of the rooms. It’s a little too country kitsch for me, though I suppose it IS better than the FtW Cabins… Tone down the wood and the patterns and I’d love it. or maybe it’s just the WDW photography that makes me cringe, and actually being in the room isn’t so bad.)
I noticed the firepit for marshmallows when I was there at the beginning of the month, using the resort as my connection between DAK and MK. That’s pretty awesome – the kids were having a lot of fun, too, even though it was really hot that afternoon.
Wilderness Lodge is my favorite Disney resort. Hands down. You see that little beach area that overlooks the lake? I’ve had my most peaceful Disney moments sitting in one of those chairs, looking out at the lake, and drinking a cup of coffee while the kids played in the sand.
Why is the pool bar closed in your pics? What time were they taken?
Beautiful hotel….it’s where I stayed during my first WDW trip in May 2010. We didn’t eat anywhere there, though, except for Roaring Forks (arrival night) and got pizza delivered to the room one night. Tried for Whispering Canyon one night but it was too long a wait (didn’t have ADRs and we were starving). And I never noticed a beach area or playground before, but then we never really hung out at the hotel during that trip except for one afternoon at the pool. That lounge and its menu look good.
Great pictures Wilderness Lodge is one of my favorite resorts even though I’ve only stayed there once. I totally missed the Territory Lounge when I was there. Might be time for another trip. . .
We stayed at WL in 2006 and loved it. We now live in Alaska and I never want to stay there again- too much wilderness in my everyday life!
I can never stop myself shouting, ‘The Norwegians are coming’ when I see WL.
Great updates.
The time we stayed here was probably the most peaceful and relaxing Disney visit, ever. Territory Lounge ROCKS and they try to get to know you if you’re going to be staying on site for awhile.
I’m trying to decide on which part of Port Orleans to stay in – can you go visit there?! Pretty please?
Christy he went there earlier this year. Three parts – French Quarter, Riverside part 1 and riverside part 2. Links below.
http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/port-orleans-french-quarter-sassagoula-river-floatworks-scat-cats-lounge-pool-bar-grounds-etc/
http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/port-orleans-riverside-resort-mill-boatwrights-river-roost-boats-ol-man-island-magnolia-bend-alligator-bayou-part-2/
http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/port-orleans-riverside-resort-mill-boatwrights-river-roost-boats-ol-man-island-magnola-bend-alligator-bayou-part-1/
I might be crazy, but it looks like you did get the pretzel sticks and that they were cut-up chunks of pretzel bread (like a soft pretzel in breadstick form)?
@Christy – he already did a great POR/POFQ walk thru this past summer…I don’t know how to search and find anything on the site but it is there…somewhere!!!
Just payed off our trip to WL club level yesterday! This just gets me more excited. I wonder if I could get those chicken lollipops to go.
I’ve never stopped in at the Territory Lounge before, those appetizers look amazing. I will have to go there come February!
Where oh where is the picture of Brian?????
Speaking of not finishing things, the world is still waiting for the rest of the drinking around DTD story. Beautiful pictures of the Wilderness Lodge. My favorite resort hands down.
Widmer Hefeweizen on tap – nice! That lounge is very appealing.
Didn’t WCC and Artist Point flip flop their locations? I swear I remember WCC being in the back with the windows overlooking the lake/pool. This was 14 years ago though, anyone else that old who remembers that? Or I’m just losing my mind, which is entirely possible.
OH, and WCC had a character breakfast with Pooh and friends. Celebrated my 24th birthday there….. I think……
It is the best resort!
I love the look of this resort. I disagree with a previous comment that said it’s “country kitsch.” To me, it’s more of a mountain cabin feel. Cozy and warm. It doesn’t seem any more ‘kitsch’ than other WDW resorts.
@Christy -
http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/port-orleans-riverside-resort-mill-boatwrights-river-roost-boats-ol-man-island-magnola-bend-alligator-bayou-part-1/
http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/port-orleans-riverside-resort-mill-boatwrights-river-roost-boats-ol-man-island-magnolia-bend-alligator-bayou-part-2/
http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/port-orleans-french-quarter-sassagoula-river-floatworks-scat-cats-lounge-pool-bar-grounds-etc/
Christy try googling easywdw port orleans riverside Walkabout.
http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/port-orleans-riverside-resort-mill-boatwrights-river-roost-boats-ol-man-island-magnola-bend-alligator-bayou-part-1/
Keri, the rooms at WL began getting refurbed and should be done by the end of this month. They now feature white duvets no more of those printed bedspreads, they got new flooring, curtains, and tiles in the bathroom. There are still some kitchsy wilderness features but much easier on the eyes.
Josh, you may think it’s boring but to someone who only gets to Disney maybe once a year it’s great. I’d never get to every resort and see everything in so much detail. When I see a new post from you it’s like my 10 or 15 minutes to feel like I’m at Disney.
Christy also check out http://www.easywdw.com/disneybest/best-disney-world-moderate-resort-hotel/
Okay, now… My family will be vacationing in WDW early Oct this year. I am a “helicopter” parent of two (7 & 4 yr old) boys. So I am just curious if this is the exception in life that when my boys say, “MOM! THERE”S A CREEPY GUY HIDING IN THE BUSHES!!!!!” am I just ‘spose to smile and say, “It’s okay boys. That’s just Josh………..”
I posted three links to Josh’s Port Orleans threads. But it’s been awaiting moderation for an hour and a half. I guess you can’t post multiple links in one comment. Boo.
I’m sad that WCC has removed the skillet from their lunch menu. My family has taken a nice late lunch break from the Magic Kingdom to eat that skillet and enjoy the atmosphere a couple of different times. I wonder what caused the change. Probably realized that people were getting a better bargain to get the skillet at lunch than dinner. You’ve always said that if Disney figures out something is a deal they change it, right!?
@mserv – That is fantastic news! I’m going to bump the WL up on my wishlist, then, for my next trip. When I walked from the bus stop to the docks, I saw that all the rooms facing the DVC area were closed off with the beds wrapped in plastic, but I didn’t realize that meant the interiors were getting completely redone. I figured it was just deep-cleaning season or something along those lines, on account of it being September.
Josh: good man! I’m not sure if my comment on the GF article had anything to do with this getting posted, but in either case, we’d be glad to host you at the TOTWL during the first week of February, if you’re so inclined. Cheers.
@Jill Marie
Now that Josh un-moderated your comment:
“I love the look of this resort. I disagree with a previous comment that said it’s “country kitsch.” To me, it’s more of a mountain cabin feel. Cozy and warm. It doesn’t seem any more ‘kitsch’ than other WDW resorts.”
Perhaps! I am kind of picky, and also not familiar with mountain cabins and the like except from tv and movies. If it helps, I describe the Grand Floridian’s room decor as “Grandma’s Florals”, so…
(I don’t think there’s any resort’s decor that I really adore, except perhaps the Art of Animation for just being so over the top. I do prefer the Yacht Club, Boardwalk Villas (not Inn), and Riverside’s Alligator Bayou to others, though.)
Now I don’t feel so silly that I missed the links posted before me, as they weren’t yet moderated and weren’t there. Whew. ; )
Had to chuckle at the Ross Perot reference. Whenever I hear something about Ross Perot, I picture Dana Carvey as Ross Perot, not Ross Perot as Ross Perot.
Yeah, where my picture?
I’ll have to add this to our last day hotel touring… stopped there too many times to have never go in. Thanks Josh.
WordPress holds comments w/2 or more links in moderation to help fight spammers (though Josh could change that option if he wanted to – probably smart to leave it on though). If you want comments to show up right away, might want to create a different comment for each link.
Great tour of Wilderness Lodge. You might think this kind of stuff is boring but I think for many of us, it’s some of our favorite content on the whole site. It’s fantastic to see all the pics.
It really is beautiful. We’ve driven up to it on the Magical Express bus. Someday, when my kids are out of the house, I’m going to stay here.
@Britkate: good call!
Great pics, and agree with Angela
It is Disney Engineered nod to the great CCC lodges like Keewenaw. Many of the Native American artifacts are real and stunning examples. I was in heaven staying there a few years back. It is so relaxing to take the boat to MK. Coming back, you lose sight of MK so you can just relax. Also love the water electric light parade….