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Tag Archives: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Ask a Disney Question: What Resorts Can Accommodate Five People?
This question comes from Amanda, who asks:
My family is planning a trip for Christmas. There will be about 25 of us all together and we need about 8 rooms. I want to know which hotel will allow a family of 5 in the same room without getting a suite. Also, does that same hotel have a room with two double beds and a walk in shower?
Amanda, thanks for your question and for reading the site. We see this question a lot. Unfortunately, none of the Disney value resorts will accommodate five people unless one of those people are under three-years of age. Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge, both second tier deluxe resorts, will accommodate five people in concierge level rooms. All other deluxe resorts will sleep five, with the fifth sleeping in a foldout daybed.
All resorts have handicapped accessible rooms with roll in showers, but not all of them have two beds. The Polynesian, for example, has one bed. Newer resorts with larger rooms, such as the Grand Floridian, have two beds and a roll in shower.
One final thing. Since you’re traveling with such a large group, you qualify as a Grand Gathering. Not only does this entitle you to sign your group up for special activities, it also means that you’ll be assigned a planner who is an expert in organizing larger groups. For example, they can advise you on the best the best dining locations for larger groups or arrange it so that your group’s rooms are close together.
I hope this helps!
Have a Disney question? We have answers. Write us at Chip and Co. We answer every question.
Chris writes here and at Everything Walt Disney World. She’s also a member of the Mouse Chat podcast.
Photo copyright Walt Disney Company.
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Disney World Quick Tips – Resort Hotel Fan Websites
It’s a pretty safe bet that everyone here is a Disney fan. When you are searching for a resort you probably want to get objective or at least the non company opinions of each resort as well as the Disney line. It’s always a good idea to read the official Disney resort sites and you should but like medical treatment, a second opinion is generally helpful. The official Disney resort site is here but below Here are some links to several Fansites for many resorts that offer a more candid opinion:
- Bay Lake Tower
- Caribbean Beach Resort
- POP Century
- Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Wilderness Lodge
- Shades of Green This one is the official SOG site but not a Disney site
- Polynesian
- Port Orleans
- Contemporary
- Grand Floridian
- Coronado Springs Resort
There may be more Fansites out there but I just haven’t found them yet. I have looked at all of these and while some are more detailed than others they all offer an alternative look at each resort. Remember, they are unofficial so include that in your thought process while assembling the information. I hope you find these sites both entertaining and useful. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!
Ken
Top 10 Disney World Holiday Favorites by Chris
It’s that time of year again! I love Christmas and I really love Christmas in Disney World. Come early November, you can’t miss it. The parks, the resorts, everything is decorated and gorgeous. There’s so much to do and enjoy it’s nearly impossible to see everything, but here are my top ten favorites:
10. This one’s totally free–you don’t even need a park ticket. It’s touring the Wilderness Lodge, possibly the most “Christmas” of all the resorts. Try to get a seat next to the fireplace one night.
9. Holidays around the World at Epcot. All the pavilions tell a holiday story. My favorites are England and Germany.
8. Sipping hot cocoa on Main Street late at night, enjoying the Christmas lights. Stay a bit after the park closes to soak up the holiday spirit.
7. The life-sized gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian. Buy a cookie and sit for a while. In fact, if you get a chance resort hopping is best this time of year. All the resorts decorate for the holidays.
6. Holiday music in the parks, especially first thing in the morning when they’re not crowded and you can hear it really well. There’s something about being in the parks on a crisp but sunny morning, listening to holiday music that’s so magical.
5. The Candlelight Processional at Epcot. It’s the most well-done telling of the Christmas story I’ve ever seen.
4. When the castle is lit up for the first time each night. I’ve traveled all over the world and seen some beautiful sights, but there’s something about the castle lit up for Christmas that is truly extraordinary.
3. “Snow” in downtown Celebration, Florida. If you haven’t been to Celebration, it’s definitely worth a visit, especially during the holidays. Every night, there are carolers, a visit from Santa, and it “snows.” Best of all, it’s totally free.
2. The Osborne Family Spectable of Dancing Lights. Many thanks to Jennings Osborne of Little Rock, Arkansas for giving everyone this gift. Jennings is a famously kind and generous man; this is just one of his legacies that we can all enjoy.
1. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. I know it’s an extra $60 per person, but I think it’s worth every penny. I love the parade and the shows, but I aslo just love walking around the park after the crowd clears out (usually around 9:30, when little ones get sleepy). It doesn’t hurt that most nights, rides are practically a walk-on.
Chris writes here and at Everything Walt Disney World. She’s also a member of the Mouse Chat Podcast.
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Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Cooking the Old-Fashioned Way
Down-home cooking reflecting the spirit of the American pioneer tempts modern-day appetites at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
Mealtime traditions of the grand lodges of the late 1800s are captured, from the types of food and cooking methods to the dining-room ambiance of the lodge’s restaurants: chefs slow-smoking meats and serving up fresh fruit cobbler for dessert; high, wood-beamed ceilings, and dormers framing views of waterfalls, tall pines and Bay Lake.
Dining options at the 728-room lodge include: Whispering Canyon, a family-style cafe; Artist Point, the resort’s signature restaurant featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine; cafeteria-style Roaring Fork; Cub’s Den, a retreat for kids; and Territory Lounge.
Whispering Canyon Cafe
Overlooking the expansive, log-structured lobby, Whispering Canyon Cafe offers a family-style, all-you-can-eat feast in an American West motif.
“We hope to achieve a homelike feeling with old-fashioned cooking served family-style,” said Chef Lorene Vanetti. “We are using natural cooking techniques — smoking, grilling and barbecuing — which are consistent with the time period the lodge reflects.”
Aromas of breakfast meats, home fries and scrambled eggs welcome hungry pioneers to breakfast. As high noon approaches, you can choose our family-style skillet lunch or pick from our full a la carte menu featuring hot and cold sandwiches, salads and a full-choice dessert board.
Suppertime features an all-you-can-eat sampling of oven-roasted chicken, pulled pork, smoked pork ribs and smoked brisket, served with salads, vegetables and home-made breads.
Artist Point
The beauty and the mystery of the American Northwest is recalled at Artist Point — a specialty restaurant decorated with dramatic landscape art from the era. The eatery offers an elegant yet casual dining experience with a light wood design, a high-beamed cathedral ceiling, and dormer windows allowing natural lighting to illuminate. The windowed restaurant allows a panoramic view of the courtyard, waterfalls and Bay Lake.
Traditional Northwestern dinner specialties include cedar-roasted Pacific king salmon, braised buffalo short rib and pan-seared duck breast. All wines are from the Pacific Northwest.
Territory Lounge, Roaring Fork, Cub’s Den
Between Whispering Canyon and Artist Point is Territory Lounge, themed with Teddy Roosevelt in mind for his contribution to the National Park system. Territory Lounge is open daily, serving cocktails, specialty drinks and Pacific Northwest wines. Appetizers and snacks are available from 5-10 p.m.
The Cub’s Den is a children’s dining and entertainment facility offering video games, movies and fun food for kids, such as hot dogs, pizza and ice cream.
Roaring Fork Snacks and Arcade serves up grilled sandwiches and snacks — cafeteria style — 24 hours a day. Trout Pass, the resort’s pool bar, offers hot dogs and cold sandwiches.
Nestled in the back lobby is the library — a cozy retreat for reading, writing letters or relaxing by the majestic three-sided stone fireplace.
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Insider Information on Walt Disney World Dining
What’s the most romantic dinner spot at Walt Disney World Resort? Where can I find kosher foods? Is vegetarian on the menu? Some “insider tips” on Disney dining:
Most romantic dinner spot: A table for two at Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Wedgwood China, Christofle silver, Frette linens, personalized menus and impeccable service.
How to order kosher meals: Kosher meals are available at most table-service restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort. A 24-hour notice is required, and the meals are purchased from an outside vendor. Guests also may bring their own preferred kosher products. Kosher food always is available at these quick-service locations: Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in Magic Kingdom; the food courts at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, All-Star Music Resort, All-Star Sports Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort; ABC Commissary at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, and Pizzafari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Take a break: If you’re spending the day in Magic Kingdom, at lunchtime hop on the monorail for a quick trip to Kona Cafe at Disney’s Polynesian Resor or Grand Floridian Cafe at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. It’s a relaxing change of pace, and service is faster as most guests are in the theme parks. And beer, wine and mixed drinks are available.
Coffee coup: Coffee is tops at The Wave…of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, with organic Columbian; Kona Cafe at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, with 100 percent Kona coffee press pots; Boma-Flavors of Africa and Jiko-The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, with press pots of Kenyan coffee; Tangierine Cafe in Morocco in Epcot World Showcase with Moorish espresso; and Cuban coffee at Bongos Cuban Cafe at Downtown Disney West Side. At Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, coffee is brewed in a hand-blown Cona vacuum pot, using a method that’s been famous for more than a half century — its main feature is that the coffee is prepared entirely in glass where coffee has no contact with metal parts or paper filters, giving you only a clean smooth taste with the perfect extractions of oils and caffeine which give coffee its full taste.
Afternoon tea: The centuries-old tradition is observed daily at Garden View Tea Room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, a formal affair with real china, linens, and an assortment of dainty pastries and finger sandwiches. Also French press coffee service.
Fill ‘er up: Favorite all-you-care-to-eat restaurants include ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Resort; Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge; Boma-Flavors of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge; Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort; Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort; 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa; Crystal Palace and Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom; The Garden Grill Restaurant (The Land), Biergarten (Germany) and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Norway) in Epcot; Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; Tusker House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Room with a view: Dining rooms with knockout views include California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort; Cantina de San Angel at Mexico in Epcot World Showcase; Coral Reef Restaurant at The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion in Epcot Future World; Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa; and Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room in the United Kingdom in Epcot World Showcase.
Where is Mickey Mouse? The Big Cheese is the most-requested character dinner partner, and he can be found at Chef Mickey’s Fun Time Buffet (breakfast and dinner) at Disney’s Contemporary Resort; at ‘Ohana (breakfast only) at Disney’s Polynesian Resort; and at the Garden Grill restaurant (dinner only) in The Land at Epcot.
Where to find sushi: California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort; Tokyo Dining in Japan in Epcot World Showcase; Wolfgang Puck Cafe at Downtown Disney West Side; and Kimonos in the Walt Disney World Swan hotel.
Best steak dinner: It’s a toss-up — Yachtsman Steakhouse with its glassed-in butcher shop at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Le Cellier Steakhouse in Canada at Epcot World Showcase, or Shula’s Steakhouse at the Walt Disney World Dolphin hotel.
The freshest seafood: Coral Reef Restaurant at The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot, with a panoramic view of the 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium; California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort; Flying Fish Cafe at Disney’s BoardWalk; Todd English’s bluezoo at Walt Disney World Dolphin, and Fulton’s Crabhouse at Downtown Disney.
World’s best milkshakes: Take your pick — “Mom’s” special shakes at 50′s Prime Time Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or any flavor at Beaches & Cream at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
Best vegetarian: California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort has an ever-changing selection. Also Jiko-The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Tops for families: Kouzzina by Cat Cora at Disney’s BoardWalk; ‘Ohana’s all-you-can-eat feast at Disney’s Polynesian Resort; “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue” at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground; Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge; Boma-Flavors of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge; Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort; Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom; 50′s Prime Time Cafe and Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Grown-ups only: For an evening without the kids, favorites include Victoria & Albert’s and Cítricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa; Jiko-The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge; Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge; Bistro de Paris at the France pavilion in Epcot World Showcase; California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort; Todd English’s bluezoo at the Walt Disney World Dolphin; The Dining Room at Wolfgang Puck’s in Downtown Disney West Side.
Best table for viewing “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth”: Sit on the outdoor terrace at the Rose & Crown Pub and Dining Room in the United Kingdom pavilion in Epcot World Showcase. Or at the newly opened La Hacienda in the Mexico pavilion.
Best desserts on the run: Norwegian delicacies — rice cream with strawberries and almond pastry rings — are featured at Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe at Norway in Epcot World Showcase. Nearby in France, the little Boulangerie Patisserie offers fresh-baked croissants, brioches, eclairs, fruit tarts and chocolate mousse. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, head for Starring Rolls Café for sweets. In Magic Kingdom, gooey chocolate brownies or a frozen latte from Main Street Bakery. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, oversized cupcakes at Krusifari Bakery.
Best place to grab a quick sandwich: Earl of Sandwich at Downtown Disney Marketplace.
Most unusual tableside entertainment: The authentic belly dancers in Morocco in Epcot World Showcase.
Most exclusive table at Walt Disney World Resort: The Chef’s Table in the kitchen at Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Seats up to eight, and it’s booked six months in advance. Chef Scott Hunnel takes extraordinary care of his guests.
Most unusual wine list: Jiko-The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge features the most extensive collection of South African wines in North America. The wine list is exclusively South African, and most of the 65 vintages are available by the glass. The Wave…of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort serves only screw-cap wines, focusing on bright-style New World wines from the Southern Hemisphere, including Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
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