I had a good running friend call me the
other day and ask where they should stay when it comes to this years
Run Disney events. I figured it would be a good opportunity to delve
into some Disney resort reviews, and dust off my old skills as a
concierge and back office staffer.
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| Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Villas |
First for the series is one of my
unabashed favorite resort hotels, Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Villas. It is a vast property, and I apologize for the length of this
review. The short version is this, if you have the money, it's a
great value and should be your choice of Disney Resorts!
This 800+ resort consistently delivers
world-class service for it's guests. From the drive in through
imported Northern Pines, past the manicured wild flowers, and right
to the tin-roofed log facade based on lodges of the Pacific
Northwest, this property awes!
Stepping past the granite of the
porte-cochere and into the cathedral-like lobby makes every guest
stop and stare up, way up, over 100 feet to the exposed wood-beam
roof trusses. The lobby alone is a destination with ample seating, a
bubbling geyser and the unreal three-sided fireplace which displays
strata designed to replicate the sandstone layers of the Grand
Canyon. Two other fireplaces grace the lobby on higher floors
including my favorite niche for a nap, on the fourth floor right over
the entrance.
The Front Desk staff is exceptionally
knowledgeable, and separates into three basic sections: Main
Check-in, Online Check-in, and Concierge. If you are arriving via
Disney's Magical Express, please be prepared for lines as many
families surge for the desk. Instead, go on and leave your bags
locked up with bell services, a complimentary service plus tip, and
walk through the property. Grab a beverage at the handy quick service
location, Roaring Fork, and relax, you're on vacation. Let the other
travelers from the bus go crazy for their rooms, and when the desk is
no longer rushed, you can walk up with it being totally empty.
Once you have your room number, take
your time walking the halls. This building is an Urban Design Group
masterpiece, and it doesn’t let you forget it. Every corner, every
room and every wall is decorated like Teddy Roosevelt's Sagamore
hill. Details abound, and in fact, you can ask the Concierge for a
fact booklet on the Lodge and they also have a “Hidden Mickey”
hunt sheet.
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| Well appointed Bunk Bed Category Room |
The rooms are not exceptionally large
for the price in the Orlando market. They are what I call Disney
standard size, but they have wonderful balconies, and above-standard
baths. Depending on the season, rates run from $289 to $390 for most
rooms, about double that for Club Level. Accommodations come in many,
many, far-too-many different price categories based on view and bed
appointment. In general, but not always, “Standard” view is of
the service yard, rooftops, or bus loop. “Woods” view rooms are
just that, they look out at trees. “Courtyard” may refer to views
of one of the two pools. Within these are separate categories for two
queen beds, one queen and two bunks or one king; many king rooms are
ADA accessible, and feature a lower bed and a huge zero entry shower.
Honestly, aside from needing an ice bath after a marathon, I always
go for the giant shower!
For those who like a little extra luxury, there are Junior Suites which sleep six, and the Club Concierge Floor. The Club Floor rooms are run-of-the-house, meaning you do not get to specify view of bedding, it is all mixed, and no requests are guaranteed. Also, the 7th floor balconies and half those on the 6th floor are not slat-railed, they are privacy balconies that sort of “pop-up” from the green tin roof. This floor also houses the four Honeymoon suites which are just king bed rooms with a jacuzzi tub and a private balcony. The Junior Suites are located throughout the hotel, but none on the 7th Club Floor. All Guests staying in the suites do have card access to the Club level and Lounge. The Lounge has several small offerings throughout the day including a nice continental breakfast, snacks through the afternoon, several hot items in the evening, and dessert in the evening. Some beer, wine and spirits are available in the evening in moderation, and your ID will be checked, so don't leave it in your room.
Lastly
are the Presidential (Yellowstone) and Vice Presidential (Yosemite)
Suites. They are almost mirror images on the 7th floor.
The Vice has a very very large open balcony with an amazing view of
the sunrise on the lake. The Presidential has this area enclosed as
extra living space. Both have one King bed, one pull out sofa,
jacuzzi tub, and small meeting area.
One of the most exceptional Disney
restaurants is located just off the main lobby, Artist Point. This is
a lovely change to the darker hues of the rest of the decor in the
Lodge. Whitewash beams lighten the high ceilings while huge arts and
crafts windows look out over the pool and lake. The menu is small
because it can be. Stars of the menu include the cedar-plank salmon
and the astounding bison fillet. Let me explain the fillet this way,
have you ever been to a steakhouse and the smells are so
mouth-watering you want your steak to taste just like that smell, and
instead you get a chewy piece of tasteless cow. This is the first
place, since I dined at the Belvedere Hotel in Manhattan, where I
have found a meal which tastes just like that amazing aroma, and it
is the bison fillet, medium-rare!
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| Carolwood Pacific Room |
As amazing as the design, the rooms and
the dining are, the biggest draw for this resort is the state of mind
it should put you in. This hotel sits just across Bay Lake from The
Magic Kingdom, but it is hard to believe it. The Lodge is tranquil
and quiet, except for the kitschy Whispering Canyon Restaurant in the
lobby, though they quiet down by 9pm every night.
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| Walt Disney's Private Train Collection |
If you’re not
traveling with young kids, try the ambiance over in the Wilderness
Lodge Villas' lobby. There is a hidden gem getaway in the Carolwood
Pacific room where leather chairs and a warm private fire nestle
amongst some of Walt Disney's own train memorabilia. This is also
where you will find Sturdy Branches Spa and Fitness Center. Also, tucked into the pine forest out back, you will discover the smaller pool which has fewer guests, and best of all, the most incredible boil-your-skin-off sunken Jacuzzi!
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| Disney's Wilderness Lodge Villas Quiet Pool |
This covers just the surface of the
Wilderness Lodge. Put simply, assuming you do not expect a stark
white, modern-minimalist hotel, you will absolutely be pleased with
this property!
I do hope this is helpful! Other
reviews of Disney proberties will follow soon as you get geared up
for Run Disney!
******I do have to add a big disclaimer
with this review in particular, I worked many years at the Wilderness
Lodge Front Desk and Back Office. That being said, by no means did I
soft-ball this review, but I do think I'm almost an expert. Like I said in my original posting of my
Declaration of Principles, I will not endorse a product I do not
honestly believe in!******
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