Booked Wilderness Lodge for December-What Do I need to know

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

I am so excited and of course my son and mom are thrilled, we've never been able to stay Deluxe Level and due to a PIN code we will be staying at the Wilderness Lodge Dec. 17-23. I booked Friday. What do I need to know, not to miss, special little details etc...about this hotel? I am already looking forward to an evening or two spent in front of the fire in the rockers with some hot cocoa.

[GothMickey]

Wilderness Lodge is a wonderful resort. The lobby is one of the best I have seen. You can sit there for hours, literally. Take a stroll out to the pool. Ther rockwork out there is amazing. A little further down the pool path is a working geyser. Not sure how often it spouts water, but it is fun to watch.

When I last stayed in WIlderness Lodge, I took a stroll over to the DVC villas. One of the buildings has a lobby-like room that contains different artifacts.

The entire resort is worth a walk around. You'll love it there.

[TheRustyScupper]

Wilderness Lodge Neat Things:
. . . fantastic 8-floor grand lobby
. . . outside geyser every hour on-the-hour
. . . train cars from Walt's back yard at Villas
. . . marina for boat rentals *
. . . bike and surrey bike rentals *
. . . walkway to Fort Wilderness
. . . boats to FW and MK
. . . hunt for Hidden Mickey's
. . . tours of the Lodge, Wed-thru-Sat
. . . daily Flag Family gets to raise the flags
. . . walking/jogging trails
. . . fishing using your own gear
. . . fishing excursions *
. . . fitness room
. . . fireplace mimics Yellowstone rock strata
. . . totem poles in lobby

* fee based

[floridamom]

Yay! December is such a great time at Wilderness Lodge. So glad you will be able to experience it.

Loved Rusty's list. We are going back at the end of February and will have to check out Walt's trains. Didn't know they were there.

There is a back "porch" on the second floor that is such a great little spot.

Oh, and if you're into Hidden Mickeys there are a bunch both at WL and the villas. A cast member gave my daughter a clue sheet at check-in.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

The train and the hidden Mickey's sound awesome hope I get one of those sheets...I intend to spend some time at least on one early night in that awesome lobby...

The trail to Ft. Wilderness how long is it, is it scooter accessable? Mom will have some mobility issues due to her foot issues but the grounds look beautiful and I would love to take the trail on our way to Hoop Dee Doo

Thanks for the list Rusty!

[kakn7294]

Wander around the various floors of the main lobby - there are some great little hidden spots to sit and relax. In the evenings, there is a PhotoPass photographer in the lobby near the little bridge - great for a nice family photo! Ask about the Wonders of the Lodge tour - they explain alot about the resort. If you want to be the Flag Family (you go out on the roof in the morning to raise the flags), ask at check-in. It's difficult to get to do this with a short trip but you might get lucky!

[RedSoxFan]

We were there in December. Beautiful Christmas decorations. The tree in the lobby is gorgeous. Lots of great spots for pictures. Enjoy!!

[ibrowse17]

Agreed. You will love the atmosphere and the wonderful Christmas decorations

[RedSoxFan]

OH -- on our last day: Mickey/Minnie in their 'holiday outfits' were in the lobby posing for pictures. Very cool.

[Fastpasssteve]

I, too, enjoy the quiet lounges on some of the upper levels with comfy couches to read a book or sit and enjoy the moment.

I love both the Whispering Canyon and Artist Point for very different reasons!

One of the greatest advantages is the Lodge's proximity to the Magic Kingdom.

Enjoy your time there at the Wilderness Lodge!

[Mousemates]

also take time to visit the lobby area over at the villas...some interesting decor.

[CaptSmee]

also take time to visit the lobby area over at the villas...some interesting decor.

Walt's original train is there...I spend about an hour there everytime we stay there.

All I can say is have a WONDERFUL time! 1 of the best resorts on property!

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Great tips, thanks

[Tink1]

The chili in the food court is good and last time I was there it counted as a snack credit. It was more than enough for me for lunch though.

Nanc

[garymacd]

If you're easily embarassed, don't ask for ketchup at the Whispering Canyon Cafe.

[alaMode]

and we especially loved the late afternoon/early evening character meet & greets in front of the tree or by the little bridge in the lobby. Throughout the week we met Tigger, Pooh, Donald, Pluto, Goofy, Mickey, and Minnie-each in their holiday outfits.

It was a fun way to end the day or begin the evening!

When you check-in you will get a schedule of daily events with all kinds of fun things to do!

[Jillirose]

Get your ressie in for Whispering Canyon when you can, and consider taking a bike surrey ride through the woods to Fort Wilderness Campground. My kids loved it!

[Tigerinvestigator]

Congrats the WL is the best decorated resort at Christmas IMHO. Enjoy the fireplace, make an adr at Whispering Canyon for after the parks close if they close early. The grounds are breathtaking at night!

[LudwigVonDrake]

All you need to know is that it's a beautifully themed resort with a leisurely boat rIde to the MK One of my favorite resorts

[Figaro]

Congrats on your first stay at WL! It's a beautiful resort. I LOVE it at Christmas. I remember the first time I walked into the lobby, the only words I could manage were "WOW..." because of how awesome it is. I hope your family enjoys it!!

The train and the hidden Mickey's sound awesome hope I get one of those sheets...I intend to spend some time at least on one early night in that awesome lobby...

The trail to Ft. Wilderness how long is it, is it scooter accessable? Mom will have some mobility issues due to her foot issues but the grounds look beautiful and I would love to take the trail on our way to Hoop Dee Doo

Thanks for the list Rusty!

The path is 1 mile there 1 mile back. It's mostly on dirt and sand, so it's not scooter friendly. I almost got a golf cart stuck once or twice on the back path (Driving a company cart, not as a guest ;P). The path wanders close by the lake, so if you can't make the walking path, maybe rent a watercraft and take a cruise by the shore on the boats. Keep in mind, it'll most likely be cold, and the lake closes at either 50 or 40 degrees without wind chill factor. I can't recall which one. It's also windy anywhere along the lake. You could also jump onto one of the WDW busses.

Walt's original train is there...I spend about an hour there everytime we stay there.

All I can say is have a WONDERFUL time! 1 of the best resorts on property!

They also have a engineer come over from MK every soo often and do a train talk! I've never caught it, but it sounds interesting!