Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort

Wilderness Lodge is an escape to the Pacific Northwest and draws inspiration from some of America’s national parks. This resort is considered a deluxe resort and like everything Disney created, the attention to detail here is incredible and immense. The lobby is massive with its totem poles, stately fireplace, plush sofas, and old fashioned rocking chairs.

Totem Pole – Wilderness Lodge lobby
Flower arrangement details
Lobby fireplace
Mercantile gift shop

Room with a View

The rooms at this resort have recently been updated with hardwood floors, bright colors, contemporary bathrooms, and modern amenities. I was happy that our room had a balcony with a castle view and a coffee machine.

Room with a view

Park Access

Wilderness Lodge is located closet to the Magic Kingdom, which can be accessed via bus or boat. This resort is very convenient in that regard. A walk to the back of the resort, along an elevated boardwalk and through the trees, lands you at the dock where you board a ferry for a quick 15 minute ride to MK.

Beautiful walk to the ferry
Boardwalk to catch the ferry to MK

The lagoon

Restaurants

There are multiple restaurants at Wilderness Lodge including Whispering Canyon Cafe, Geyser Point Bar and Grill, Artist Point/ Storybook Dining with Snow White, and Roaring Fork. We chose to eat dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe and what a delicious meal it was.

For anyone familiar with Whispering Canyons Cafe, you will remember that it was a lively restaurant with lots of ketchup bottle throwing shenanigans. We didn’t see much of that going on during out visit but it was still very loud and very kid friendly. I especially liked the kids parade through the dining room while riding their pony sticks. The highlight was when half of the kids decided to go left rather than right and the servers had to get them and redirect them back into the dining room… a bit like herding cats : )

My salmon and farro was excellent and we especially enjoyed the brownie and ice cream dessert.

This place is not quaint and quiet so if that is what you are seeking, I’d look elsewhere. The food was very good and the menu focused on Western themed food with lots of skillets.

Whispering Canyon Cafe
Cornbread
Salmon with farro and arugula

Recreation and Grounds

There are numerous recreational activities here including 2 pools, fishing excursions, a shooting geyser (just like Yellowstone), ping pong tables, corn hole, movies under the stars, and a campfire for smore’s roasting.

Fire Rock Geyser is located just behind Copper Creek Pool and erupts every hour starting at 7:00am – 10:00pm.

One of my favorite things to do was to walk the grounds of this lovely resort and talk in the views. I especially liked the river and water views. This is an excellent place to grab a drink and relax a little at one of the outdoor tables next to the water.

Copper Creek Springs Pool

Wanna go fishing?
Fire Rock Geyser
Fire Rock Geyser

Fireworks and Electric Water Pageant

An additional bonus to staying at this resort includes viewing the Electric Water Pageant right from the resort. You can also view Magic Kingdom fireworks from your balcony if you have one facing the castle. I found the absolute best firework viewing location was from the ferry taking us back to the resort as we were leaving MK. It was a beautiful night and from the boat, we could see the entire show.

Balcony view

Summary

This was my first time staying at this resort and I highly recommend it. Yes, you will pay a little more for it than other resorts on property but I found that the rustic theming, proximity to MK, and variety of restaurants and amenities to be well worth the cost. It was a magical stay.

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside – Resort Review

Sassagoula River

On a recent trip to Walt Disney World, we had a chance to stay at Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside resort. I’ve stayed at this resort before but its been years since the last time. Being from Louisiana originally, this resort reminds me of home so I was happy to book a room here. This was also the first time that I’ve used the Disney App/Online check in for any Disney resort which was a bit of a lesson as well.

First of all, the grounds, landscaping, bridges, and lush wooded areas make for a lovely, peaceful walk to your room as you stroll along the Sassagoula River. The buildings are designed to resemble stately mansions and backwoods cottages from Louisiana. This resort has a natural appeal and a calming ambiance. Keep in mind that this resort is BIG so you may want to ask directions before dragging your luggage across this resort (you can always have your bags delivered to your room as well).

Walking path to the rooms

The main lobby area includes check in, Fulton’s General Store (gift shop), Boatwright’s Dining Hall (table service restaurant), Riverside Mill (food court), River Roost (lounge), and the Medicine Show Arcade.

Main Lobby
Food Court Water Wheel
Fulton’s

Fulton’s General Store

As you cross over the river, you land on ‘Ol Man Island, which includes the main swimming pool at Riverside, Muddy Rivers poolside bar, Fishing Hole, playground, and Campfire on de Bayou. This island is surrounded by the river, and like Magic Kingdom, provides the hub/spoke design to the hotel villages, Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou, and the Lobby.

Which way do we go?
Fishing anyone?

Our room was a standard room (2 queen beds) in the Magnolia Bend section. The room was clean and provided all that we needed for our stay. It was also towards the back of the resort, which allowed for a quiet night, and not far from the bus stop which was very convenient for us. The beds were comfortable but the pillows were heavenly ( I love a good pillow).

By the way, have you ever wanted to bring your dog to Disney? Well you can at this resort which offers pet friendly rooms. Disney also has Best Friends Pet Care very nearby that can help with doggie daycare needs while you are at the park. For more information, please call Disney reservations.

Our Room

Our Room con’t
Second pool. Magnolia Bend

There are five pools at this resort and we tried two of them. The main pool is kiddie central with a water slide and fountains, etc. There is also a hot tub and it is located next to Muddy Rivers poolside bar. This pool offers a daily pool party, evening campfire nearby, and movie screening on select nights. The five other pools are located throughout the resort with 3 in Alligator Bayou and 2 in Magnolia Bend. All provide complimentary towels which is always a plus and one less thing to pack!

Pool on ‘Ol Man Island
Muddy Rivers Poolside Bar

There are a variety of recreational activities at this resort from Horse Drawn carriage rides to fishing and bike riding. Carriage rides can be made in advance by calling the Disney reservations line. I highly recommend this activity. This is a wonderful, romantic option especially for you and your loved one.

One disappointing feature at this resort was the check in and food. I used the online check in once we left the park at 3:00 ( which I thought was check in time) only to find out that our room was not ready. I was told that housekeeping has between 3:00 and 5:00 to get the room ready for us. It ended up being 4;30 before we were able to finally access our room.

During that time, we decided to get a late lunch at the food court. Considering this is a Louisiana themed resort, I thought there would be more options for Louisiana cuisine but there were few to be found. The food court offered standard pizza, burgers, pasta, desserts, with 2 options for Cajun food. Those included the Jambalaya and Pimento BLT, which I ordered. This sandwich was not good and I do not recommend it. There was little pimento cheese and the bacon was cold and looked like it had just been pulled from the refrigerator after 3 days. Not something I would recommend. I then tried to fill up my water bottle only to find that all 4 water fountains did not work. I brought this to the attention of one of the cast members but we left before it got fixed.

Breakfast was not much better and we learned that was the last day that Port Orleans was offering Mickey Waffles! Even the cast member was not excited about this change and its one I do NOT understand. Why would they get rid of this fan favorite? I hope they reconsider this decision. We did not dine at Boatwright’s during our stay but I would imagine this would be the wiser choice if you are looking for authentic Louisiana cuisine.

Overall, I recommend this resort as a comfortable location with beautiful surroundings and fun recreational activities. Hopefully the food court will up its game with better offerings very soon.

See ya real soon Port Orleans and maybe next time, with my dog!

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival is in full bloom through July 4th! I went a few weeks ago to sip, savor, and see the tasty food and beautiful flower arrangements.

This is one of my favorite festivals at Walt Disney World, probably because I enjoy gardening in my own yard so much.

Come with me as I show you some of the beautiful garden and flower displays and wonderfully, tasty food they have to offer here.

Orange Bird Merch
The Lion King

England

Loved the topiaries of Peter Pan, Captain Hook, and Tinkerbell. And of course you have to smile when you see these three classic characters Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore.

Peter Pan and Captain Hook
Tinkerbell

Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet

France

I couldn’t skip a topiary in honor of my favorite Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast. Lovely!

Belle and the Beast

Italy

Buon Giorno, Lady and the Tramp. I think Tramp is looking at me and smiling for the picture.

Tramp is looking at me

Japan

Such a serene spot. I couldn’t help but stand on this bridge and just listen to and enjoy the flowing water. Of course afterwards, I couldn’t leave without trying the Frushi and pineapple sake.

Frushi and Pineapple Sake
Bridge in Japan Pavillion

Germany

Germany brought Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as well as Kermit and Miss Piggy. I also stopped by Bauernmarkt for a cheese strudel with mixed berries. Yum!

Snow White and Dopey
Seven Dwarfs
Miss Piggy
Kermit
Hi Snow White

Cheese Strudel with mixed berries


Norway

Did someone spot a troll?

Norwegian Troll


Mexico

Loved seeing these amigos, The Three Caballeros.

Three Cabelleros

Honey Bee-Stro

So glad I stopped here. I tried the Lavendar honey mustard chicken flatbread with veggies, whipped ricotta, and goat cheese. This was very tasty. But the best item on any menu was the Local Wildflower Honey Mascarpone Cheesecake. This was excellent and I would absolutely try this one again.

The Cheesecake- This one was delicious!!

In addition to food and flowers, there is live entertainment. It was an absolutely incredible spring day and I can’t wait to visit the festival again soon!