Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

DVC Deluxe Resort Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek Resorts

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is themed around the national parks service lodges and the pacific northwest. The lodges gran interior lobby is the over-the-top theming you want from Disney with character flourishes, but it makes you feel immediately like you are in a woodland lodge. The lobby features grand totem poles and a grand fireplace with giant oversized chairs that immediately give you the feel of security and grandeur. The immediate lobby area has the main check in, bell services, the Whispering Canyon restaurant, main elevators and the mercantile. The Mercantile has the first batch of Disney character flourish with a Mickey totem pole featuring Humphry the Bear amongst others. The Wilderness Lodge is also home to two Disney Vacation Club Properties (DVC) Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge.  DVC is Disney’s time share offering which is actively expanding around both Florida and California. Those rooms that are not DVC are referred to as the hotel side and resemble the hotel side of Disneyland’s Grand Californian Hotel. These DVC rooms are bookable by non-DVC guests for cash and feature a more in room amenities like full kitchens, in room washer/dryers and multiple bedrooms.

The main lobby makes two branches one to the DVC Copper Ridge wing and out to the Boulder Ridge building and left to the onsite main dining options and hotel side wings. On the right of the main lobby is the interior spring and bridge near the main elevators which make the illusion of the spring fed main pool. Further right is the Mercantile shop, more on that later, and the path to the DVC Boulder Ridge Building. Outside the main building is the arcade and path to the buses that will take you to all four parks, Disney Springs, and the Wilderness Camp Grounds. There is no resort hoping direct bus but you can catch the red line boats to the Magic Kingdom where you have access to the monorail where you can then resort hop around Bay Lake or take a bus to any of the Disney hotels. The blue line boats will take you to Contemporary Resort and the Wilderness Lodge Camp Grounds.

To the left side of the main lobby there are the main dining options of the resort, Territory Lounge, Artist Point, and the Roaring Fork. The Territory Lounge is often over looked due to its lounge designation but you can get some unique food items there as well as signature cocktails. The space has a good amount of space with plenty of comfy chairs and is open to families. Given its good selection of substantial food offerings, this can be a good alternative to the other restaurant options.

The Roaring Fork is the quick service housed within the main Lodge buildings and serves up a sampling of American fare, BBQ items and the main menu that you come to expect from Disney quick services. It also has a good selection of bakery items including the signature items Grizzly Bear Claw and the campfire cupcakes. This is also where you can get your refillable resort soft drink cup. Take note that the refillable cup has a chip programed time limit for your stay and they only work at your resort not at the parks.  

Artist Point is character dining experience and is part show, part character meetup featuring Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy and the Evil Queen. This show highlights the cheekiness of the evil queen, goodness of snow white and the slapstick of the dwarves. The food is incredible and is well presented and all you care to enjoy. Even the kids can have seconds or an additional dish if they like. The kids are not limited to just the child menu. Remember, that children 10 and up are paying adult prices for their meal so be sure they are given an adult menu if they care for those offerings more. The offerings are upscale even for the kids and do not disappoint. The show is great for the children and adults, with opportunities to take pictures with the visiting characters, this is capped off with a photo opportunity with the Evil Queen.

The Mercantile is the lodge’s gift shop and your stop for souvenirs, clothiers, light groceries, wine and spirits and gift items. The store features your standard gifts and souvenirs but carries your essentials for using the kitchen which can come in handy when staying in a one or two bedroom. Here you can get simple meals for your family, however you can always go offsite to the nearest grocery store or have food delivered to your resort via the grocer or a third-party delivery service. Deliveries are made to the Bell Services desk. If you purchase liquor, you must come down for an id check and take them up to your room otherwise Bell Services can deliver them to your room. There is also the option of ordering your groceries directly through Disney prior to arrival however this is one of the most expensive options and features a very limited selection. I would actually recommend having Publix, Kroger's, Target deliver them to your resort.

Directly outside the main building is a vast courtyard containing the feature pool, splash pad, spa building, geyser feature, boat launches and the path to the Geyser Point and Boulder Ridge. These pools all feature a zero-entry section for small children and progressively deeper sections. The feature pool does have a large water slide and smaller children slides as well as a splash pad area. Disney employs several lifeguards to patrol all of these pool areas with the exception of the Boulder Ridge quiet pool. What is different about these pools is that there are no pool bars, though Geyser Point effectively serves this purpose.

Reunion Station serves as the community center for the resort.  Community centers at Disney resorts serve as gathering points for guest to make crafts, art, pick up sports equipment, play pool, or play corn hole amongst other things. Directly across Reunion Station is where movies under the stars is held. This is where guest are invited to watch Disney movies out in the open and can purchase snacks from the concession stand nearby.

TOP TIPS when staying at Wilderness Lodge (Copper Creek or Boulder Ridge)

1.      Light groceries are available at the Mercantile gift shop. Are they overpriced compared to a Publix or other grocer, yes, it is but its great in a pinch. When you have spent all day running around the parks or around Orlando and you forgot breakfast or what have you this is a great option and will still be a cheaper option than the morning quick service run.

2.      DVD/Blue Ray players and disk selections are available at the Mercantile gift shop. They have a selection of disks behind the wine and spirits desk you just must ask the cast member to peruse the list. To get the player you need to contact the front desk, however you make sure you get all the connections you need power and video/audio connections. Pro Tip bring your own HDMI cable, while the player may be ancient the TVs and players still have HDMI connections. If you bring your own cable ahead of time you can avoid any awkward situations, just remember to take it back.

3.      Why request a DVD/Blue Ray player? Well, central Florida has pop up storms nearly year-round and especially when you are on vacation. So how do you sooth the upset kids, pop in an obscure Disney Gem like Atlantis or Treasure Island. This is a good way to make that wonderful world of Disney type memories.

4.      Geyser Point quick service has a pick-up window that you can order from My Disney Experience and is a great option after a long pool day or during one of the many pop-up storms. There are many unique American fares as well as cross Disney dining options.

5.    Boulder Ridge quiet pool is a great option for families that like a more subdued environment and don’t want the crowds. The pool is well themed to the grand railroad wilderness expansion. The pool is zero entry and shallow for the children and features deeper sections for good swimmers and adults. The other big plus to this pool is the first come first serve cabanas available around the pool.

6.      Boulder Ridge lodge is a great place to relax and wait for a ride share connection or airport pickup. The lounge is quieter and generally more open than the main hotel aka Copper Creek side of the lodge. While you are there you can see artifacts from Walt Disney’s home and collection. For the kids there are gaming tables with a large selection of games free of charge to use. For the adults there are many alcoves with fireplaces and rockers to unwind and stretch out.

7.      Whispering Canyon, this restaurant is one of those where the staff is edgy and punky to the clientele on purpose, so know that going in. that said if you want to lean into that by asking for ketchup or extra napkins.

8.      Geyser Point and beach for electric water parade is one of the best options to watch this nightly parade. If your children are up to it then you can watch the electric light parade with snacks, the music and an unobstructed view. You can also take in the evening grand finale fireworks from the magic kingdom with the music piped in.

9.      Nightly bedtime stories on the in-resort cable network. These start at 7 pm and rotate through familiar character stories every 30 min. with the classic world of Mickey Mouse cartoons interspersed between show times.

10.      Since there are no pool bars directly pool side to either pool, Geyser Point serves as the defacto pool bar. So best practice is to take advantage of the take-out window and lounge area for your pool side needs. Additionally, Roaring Fork can serve as another grab and go to the pool restaurant with it quick service menu for hot items or it’s refrigerated items as well.

11.      The bus system at Boulder Ridge can take you to all the different theme parks. As well as the Wilderness Lodge. There you can find horseback riding and fishing and so much more for your resort day.

12.      The Boulder Ridge Resort is not one resort but three resorts in one.

13.      You can choose either the bus system to take you to the theme parks or the water taxi that would take you across the lake to the Magic Kingdom.

14.      It is one of my families favorite because of all the things mentioned above. Also, the fact that it is so self-contained. You are here with families who want the Disney experience but in a more rustic way.