Wilderness Lodge Question

[blondemom]

Hi, all. I've browsed the Wilderness Lodge FAQ link, but have not been able to sit down and read every post. I apologize in advance if these questions have already been asked and answered.

We are a family of four staying at the Wilderness Lodge in late August of this year. We are not a "do or die" family that must do and see everything that WDW has to offer. Since I have a toddler, I'm planning on coming back to the WL sometime mid-morning to let him rest in the room. I know that the resort is self-contained, and everything you need is right in it. Do you think that a toddler (2-year old boy) will enjoying spending time walking around the Lodge? I have heard that the lobby is immense, so I'm sure that there is plenty of room to sit and relax. I've also heard about geysers erupting. Is that something we could walk up to and actually see. And, finally, is the Fort Wilderness within walking distance to the Lodge? Is there a bus/boat that will take you over? As you can see, I'm a complete WL novice! My 7-year old son chose the resort for our visit this year, and because I'm a nursing student, I really haven't put in a lot of time studying the WL.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Lisa

 

[Divamomto3]

Lisa,
I just stayed there in February and fell in love with the place!
Your son will enjoy the lobby. It is huge, there is a little bridge over water, a fireplace, a great gift shop. Yes, you can walk right up and see the geyser erupt. There is also a beach area at the WL. You can take a boat over to Fort Wilderness, although we ran out of time and didn't...but I wish we had. I hear the Trails End buffet there is great. We did not like the Whispering Canyon Cafe there, but others love it. Oh, and the pool is very nice at the WL also. Have a great time!

 

[pacercolt]

This resort is absolutely gorgeous. The lobby,pool area, and motif I think is one of the best ones at Disney.

 

[monarchsfan16]

The Wilderness Lodge is amazing! We stayed in the Villas there last month and would go back in a heartbeat.
I expect that the toddler will like the lobby. Specifically the bubbling beginning to the brook and the bridge over it that's in the lobby. All the little ones I saw loved that bridge; some would run back and forth over it twenty plus times. Yes there is a geyser. It is right near the main pool area. It erupts every hour on the hour from 7 am to 10 pm. If you are in the main pool when it erupts you can see it from there. They have a walkway (inspired by the boardwalks of yellowstone) that goes right by it where you can watch from. We also managed to see the geyser erupt while we were waiting at the boat dock. That was pretty neat. There is definitely plenty of room to sit and relax in the lobby; my mom and I spent a couple hours there on a rainy evening, talking and people watching.
There is a boat to Fort Wilderness, because the WL shares boat transportation with them. There is also a boat to the Contemporary, if hopping over there ever interests you. I believe there is also a bus to FW as well. There is a bike/walking path over to FW but I expect that would be a little long for the little legs.
Have a fabulous trip! Your son has good choice about resorts!

 

[iloverags2]

Another thing to add about Ft. Wilderness...they have a cute petting zoo for the little ones (and it's free!). They also have the horse stables, which are cool.

 

[caroline]

Lisa,
I just stayed there in February and fell in love with the place!
Your son will enjoy the lobby. It is huge, there is a little bridge over water, a fireplace, a great gift shop. Yes, you can walk right up and see the geyser erupt. There is also a beach area at the WL. You can take a boat over to Fort Wilderness, although we ran out of time and didn't...but I wish we had. I hear the Trails End buffet there is great. We did not like the Whispering Canyon Cafe there, but others love it. Oh, and the pool is very nice at the WL also. Have a great time!

Hi,
We are new to WL and have a junior suite booked for end of July.
Can you get a view of the fireworks from any of the junior rooms, and are any better than others, or worth avoiding?
Thanks

 

[wirki]

We had a 2 year old with us on our first trip to the lodge. She loved the lobby and just played on the bridge. We also went over to FW. We rented bikes from the shop on the beach. She loved being on the back of it. We went over and saw the petting zoo and all sort of Christmas decorations around FW(we were there in early Dec) IMHO I think your DS will love it.
Debbie

 

[cthetulips]

There are rocking chairs set up in the hallways for anyone to use. Also, there are smaller fireplaces and sitting areas as well besides the big one in the lobby. The beach has playground equipment suitable for toddlers/pre-schoolers too.

 

[ruttie]

Another thing to add about Ft. Wilderness...they have a cute petting zoo for the little ones (and it's free!). They also have the horse stables, which are cool.

Not sure if they have the petting zoo open any more... we have ahad a recent outbreak of illness here in Florida associated with a petting zoo (NOT disney's) but most petting zoos & people have been more cautious...
In the early afetrnoon they havethe kids club open for parents and kids to come play your little one might enjoy the gams in there and it is free... for like an hour as long as you stay with them...
there is also a playground near the water (so you will have to really watch little one) but my 5 & 7 yr old enjoyed that also... plus there is a walkway that connects WL to the vacation Villas and it has animal tracks in the pavement your little one might enjoy following teh animal path...

 

[sunnyd11]

Hi There!! First off the WL is the best (IMO) rest, so here to a great trip!! For your toddler, I believe mid-day they do duck races starting at the brook and through to the bottom, the children seem to love this. My children also enjoyed looking for the real ducks as well. Event though he is a toddler, maybe some fishing also, I believe you can rent poles for 30 minutes. Don't forget to have him rub the bears nose on the totem pole (in front of the gift shop) and make a wish!! My two have to do that a few times a day!!!
Have a Magical Vacation!!