Wilderness Lodge isn’t just Walt Disney World’s #1 resort at Christmas (though it’s). It’s additionally one of the best holiday-time spot anyplace–parks or resorts–in all of WDW. The decorations and tree are beautiful and detailed, however that is actually a matter of the entire being greater than the sum of its components. This put up showcases the fantastic thing about Wilderness Lodge decked out for Christmas. (Up to date December 25, 2024.)
Walt Disney World is now adorned for Christmas 2024 on the resorts, with the Christmas tree and decor at Wilderness Lodge going up later than the parks in most years. This yr, the resort was absolutely adorned in a single day on November 20, which is concerning the norm inside a couple of days. This varies from year-to-year; though the vacation season begins in mid-November, there are occasions when decorations and the icon tree aren’t up till the week of Thanksgiving.
The norm is for Wilderness Lodge’s Christmas decorations to go up someday through the week between Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. Wilderness Lodge now not has a gingerbread home, and people resorts are usually prioritized. Simply one thing to remember if you happen to’re planning forward for Christmas 2025 or past. That is but another excuse why our favourite week of the yr at Walt Disney World is after Thanksgiving!
From a planning perspective, one other factor to know is that Wilderness Lodge is now residence to 2 sorts of reimagined rooms. The primary of those debuted a few years in the past–the new-look resort rooms at Wilderness Lodge. Extra lately, Boulder Ridge was redone–these new rooms brilliantly steadiness theme and modernizations.
Boulder Ridge is now residence to my new #1 rooms at Walt Disney World. It’s a nice choice if you happen to’re contemplating renting DVC factors, which you must do by Could 2025 on the absolute newest if you wish to keep right here at Christmas 2025. The Copper Creek Villas might be redone in 2025, presumably ending up earlier than Christmas. The adjoining Disney Lakeshore Lodge is presently beneath development, however that work doesn’t influence Wilderness Lodge friends–and the brand new resort gained’t debut till 2027.
In the event you’re debating the place to remain at Wilderness Lodge throughout a Christmas 2025 journey to Walt Disney World, we’d advocate giving robust consideration to the Boulder Ridge Villas. For one more cause, other than the wonderful reimagined rooms.
For these unfamiliar with Wilderness Lodge, these are in a separate constructing that’s a brief stroll from the principle foyer. The draw back, in fact, is that you simply’re barely farther away from the eating places and facilities which can be within the foyer. We’re speaking an additional 2-3 minutes, tops. The bus stops are between the principle constructing and Boulder Ridge, so there’s a powerful likelihood your room might be nearer to these if you happen to keep at Boulder Ridge.
The large upside to Boulder Ridge is decrease crowds. Throughout our Christmas 2024 journey, we observed that Wilderness Lodge was considerably busier than final yr, which was busier than the yr earlier than that…and so forth. Phrase has gotten out about Wilderness Lodge “thanks” to posts like this (sorry), and it’s now a vacation spot resort at Christmas. It’s not fairly on par with Grand Floridian, nevertheless it’s noticeably busier than a decade in the past.
Even on evenings when the principle foyer of Wilderness Lodge was bustling, we had been usually the one friends within the Boulder Ridge foyer and the Carolwood Pacific Railroad room (a must-see through the vacation season). There was ample seating by the fireplaces, in contrast to the principle constructing, and Boulder Ridge was quiet. It was excellent for a soothing respite from the winter crowds at Walt Disney World.
This isn’t to say the principle constructing at Wilderness Lodge is all the time busy through the vacation season. It’s worse on weekends, nearer to Christmas, and through the dinner rush. After about 9 pm it begins quieting down, and is peaceable after 11 pm. We wouldn’t keep away from future stays in the principle constructing at Christmas, particularly in the event that they’re all that’s out there or priced extra favorably. We’d simply attempt to guide Boulder Ridge if doable.
What makes Wilderness Lodge so nice through the holidays is the best way all of this melds collectively to create an surroundings that’s absolutely transportive. Imagineering’s finest work excels at taking friends to a unique time and place, in addition to suspending disbelief. Yr spherical, that is one thing that Wilderness Lodge accomplishes, eradicating friends from the Florida swamps and dropping them right into a grand lodge within the Pacific Northwest.
At Christmas, that feat is much more spectacular. Not solely are friends transported to a different time and place, however they’re moved to a different season. While you go to Wilderness Lodge throughout November or December, you aren’t simply getting into a flip of the century Nationwide Parks lodge set within the Pacific Northwest–you’re doing so on a chilly and snowy winter day. (Editor’s Word: a lot of what follows can finest be described as ‘outdated man yells at cloud’ nonsense; please do your self a favor and benefit from the photographs whereas ignoring the textual content.)
Look, I’m not going to be the one to inform Floridians that their model of Christmas isn’t actual; that the whole premise of the vacation on this state sits on a throne of lies. I’ve discovered that Floridians are delicate about their state’s picture, which is comprehensible given the variety of headlines with the phrases “Florida man,” “bare,” and a few unprecedented type of bizarre crime.
Really, I’ll. Christmas in Florida is a lie. No disrespect to palm tress, sunshine, and the numerous summer-time issues at which Florida excels, however your winters are phony. You most likely already know that, although, as the dearth of all issues “winter” is a part of Florida’s attraction.
Regardless, for many people, winter is synonymous with Christmas; there’s a cause Walt Disney World resorts to spraying cleaning soap on friends throughout Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together. That’s as a result of issues like snow, ice skating, and fireplaces are all essential secondary signifiers of Christmas. For probably the most half, these items will not be ‘naturally’ occurring in Florida.
As a local Michigander, there are some things that I’ll defend to my demise. First, the argument that the Detroit Lions have been simply a few gamers away from the Tremendous Bowl for the final decade. Second, Tim Allen’s generally doubtful profession decisions.
Lastly, that my childhood model of Christmas is the “proper” one. You possibly can most likely glean as a lot from the sorry nature of that checklist, however Michiganders don’t have a lot in the best way of bragging rights, so please simply give me this Christmas factor.
I’m no geographer, however even I notice that Michigan just isn’t within the Pacific Northwest. Nonetheless, a lot of what Wilderness Lodge evokes can be equally at residence within the Higher Peninsula, so this isn’t a completely loopy tangent.
The purpose that I’m attending to in a really roundabout method is that Wilderness Lodge presents a twist on Christmas that may strike many friends from northern states and Canada as a extra conventional Christmas.
The build-up would possibly learn lengthy and rambling, nevertheless it’s to underscore an essential level: whenever you enter the entrance doorways of Wilderness Lodge, you allow Florida in each regard. It doesn’t matter if it’s 95º with oppressive humidity. Getting into the Lodge is like flipping a swap, and inside minutes you might be cozied up by the fireside, toasting your ft and warming up with a cup of sizzling cocoa, sure that it’s chilly and snowy outdoors quite than sizzling and humid.
Suffice to say, Wilderness Lodge is the quintessential Walt Disney World Christmas resort as a result of it’s the one one which seems like Christmas. (It’s the season of the spirit.)
Past the ambiance, the main points are beautiful and actually evoke the spirit of a Northwoods Christmas. There are a number of charming objects within the towering Christmas tree, from flickering teepees to crafted woodland critters.
The vary of these things is fascinating. There are respectful nods to indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, in addition to easier objects with folksy appeal, like a squirrel fabricated from twigs. Deer lanterns, wood owls perched on tree branches, and carved moose are only a handful of different particular objects that may be discovered within the iconic Christmas tree in Wilderness Lodge’s foyer.
Talking of moose, my absolute favourite element of Wilderness Lodge’s Christmas decorations is the wreaths adorned with moose antlers. “Adorned” might be the unsuitable phrase, because the antler is the centerpiece with some evergreen trim round it. Regardless, I’ve all the time discovered moose to be one among nature’s most majestic creatures, and the huge unfold of their antlers is a giant cause why.
Considered one of my many horrible concepts for an HGTV residence makeover present is me going round and “enhancing” houses by utilizing moose antlers in all of my adorning. In the event you suppose that may get outdated quick, apparently you’ve by no means watched HGTV. I’ve–usually and towards my will. It’s all “open idea” this and “crown molding” that. Fairly frankly, a present injecting antlers into all the things can be a breath of contemporary air.
One other issues that impresses me concerning the Christmas decorations at Wilderness Lodge is the number of them. What you’ll see in Whispering Canyon differs completely from Artist Level which differs completely from Territory Lounge, and so forth and so forth.
The little particulars inside every space of the resort reinforce explicit nuances of that location’s theme, which is a very nice contact, and makes the already ornate decorations all through Wilderness Lodge tackle one more layer.
My favourite Wilderness Lodge exercise through the holidays (or at any time when, for that matter) is sitting.
A round-up of my ‘favourite sits’ at Wilderness Lodge consists of the rows of rocking chairs in entrance of the 82-foot fire modeled after the rock strata of the Grand Canyon, the high-back chairs by the effervescent sizzling spring, and the cozy sofa of the fourth flooring alcove fire.
The final of those is my favourite out of the best way lounging locale, but when there are folks in it, just about any of the alcoves overlooking the seven-story foyer will suffice.
Every of those spots is nice since you’ll have ambient noise–both the crackling fire or effervescent water–to combine with the enjoyable background music for a tranquil vacation expertise.
This sense of tranquility is essential. Christmas has develop into the busiest season at Walt Disney World’s resorts, partly when it comes to occupancy, however extra so when it comes to guests and friends having fun with vacation meals.
When you’re undoubtedly not getting a quiet, no-crowds expertise through the center of the day when Whispering Canyon is hopping and friends are checking out and in, it’s nonetheless a far cry from the circus on the Grand Floridian.
Later within the night, the ambiance at Wilderness Lodge is pure bliss. The relaxed background music that’s muffled by noon crowds is obvious and each little element is ascertainable.
After about 11 p.m., the foyer clears out, and you’ve got the place nearly totally to your self.
In the event you’re doing our Self-Guided Yuletide Tour of Walt Disney World Resorts at Christmas, you sadly won’t see Wilderness Lodge at its finest. Not solely will you encounter noon crowds, however your photographs of the Christmas tree could have a blue colour solid because of the pure gentle coming in via the atrium home windows.
Wilderness Lodge is so good at Christmas that we advocate a separate, night journey to go to it. Contemplate doing dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe, which is the proper vacation feast with an open-air setting that means that you can benefit from the foyer Christmas Tree.
From round 10 p.m. till 1 a.m. is my favourite time at Wilderness Lodge. I’ll normally begin up within the alcoves earlier at night time, working my approach down as Wilderness Lodge clears of friends.
I’ve discovered myself virtually alone within the foyer after midnight, an expertise I completely love. Take into consideration how perpetually busy Walt Disney World is, and the way uncommon it’s to have anywhere devoid of friends…it’s a particular expertise.
One factor you can’t overlook when visiting or staying at Wilderness Lodge is the Boulder Ridge constructing. Situated a brief stroll from the principle foyer (exit over by the present store and arcade), Boulder Ridge is the separate Disney Trip Membership constructing. Nevertheless, you do not want to be a DVC member or staying on this constructing to step inside.
I’m an enormous fan of Boulder Ridge as a complete. It’s a really quick stroll away, however tucked away simply sufficient that it will get about 10% (or much less) of the site visitors as the principle foyer. Consequently, it’s a lot quieter and extra tranquil. A number of the rooms at Boulder Ridge actually put the wilderness into the lodge, with balcony views of nothing however bushes.
The widespread areas of Boulder Ridge additionally deserve their due, each throughout Christmas and all the time. Whereas understandably overshadowed by the grandiose predominant atrium, there’s a ton of element and appeal within the foyer of Boulder Ridge. There are a number of little nooks and crannies, secluded seating areas providing fireplaces and comfortable seating.
Specifically, the Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room is likely one of the hidden gems in all of Walt Disney World. This space pays nice homage to the American West and the golden age of railroad journey–and is a beautiful tribute to Walt Disney himself. And all of this will get adorned for Christmas with garland, wreaths, and even a medium-sized tree within the foyer. No, it’s not on par with the icon Christmas tree in the principle foyer, however when paired with the seclusion and serenity…it’s arguably simply nearly as good of an expertise. Maybe higher at sure instances of day!
Though I really like the principle constructing (particularly late at night time and early within the morning), it’s a tad too raucous and loud throughout peak hours. That’s seldom the case at Boulder Ridge. There’s nearly all the time a secluded spot by a fire or an overstuffed chair the place you possibly can loosen up with a guide or laptop computer to do some work. Suffice to say, don’t sleep on Boulder Ridge at Christmas–any go to to Wilderness Lodge additionally wants to incorporate a cease right here (and a pleasant “sit” by the fireside within the Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room).
Listed here are extra photographs that extra succinctly “clarify” why Wilderness Lodge is Walt Disney World’s finest place at Christmas:
Anyway, I might wax sentimental about Wilderness Lodge for a couple of thousand extra phrases, but when my phrases (or, extra doubtless, photographs) haven’t already conveyed what a particular place this resort is at Christmas-time, no quantity of rambling goes to do the trick.
Suffice to say, Wilderness Lodge isn’t just one of the best resort through the holidays–it’s my favourite place in all of Walt Disney World through the Christmas season. Solely Principal Avenue with the “snow” falling throughout Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together is shut, and I’ll nonetheless take Wilderness Lodge.
For complete ideas for planning your Christmas journey to Walt Disney World, try our Final Information to Christmas at Walt Disney World. For Walt Disney World journey planning ideas and complete recommendation, make certain to learn our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information and associated articles.
YOUR THOUGHTS
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