The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Sharing the same lobby, check in desk, and amenities with the adjoining Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (a short, covered walkway connects the two) is this 136-room Disney Deluxe Villa Resort property, a tribute to the Western railroad hotels built in the early 1900s. Rooms not occupied by owners are available to the many visitors who wish to stay on Disney property but would also like the convenience of a full kitchen and the extra breathing space of a full living area.

The overall effect here is one of coziness and intimacy. Its four-story buildings, tucked away in the pine trees, are tinted with soothing earth tone shades of soft brown and green. Inside the lobby, guests are greeted by a rustic four-story atrium of log construction adorned with detailed woodcarving and paintings of the Northwest. A rock and timber living room made snug with fireplace, leather easy chairs, and window seats features railroad memorabilia, some belonging to Walt Disney. Outside a small springs-style pool is surrounded by towering pine trees and natural vegetation. For additional information on the Villas’ recreation, services, restaurants, libations, transportation, and shopping, see the section on Disney’s Wilderness Lodge in The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World® Resort.

Check-in 4 p.m.; Check-out 11 a.m.

Accommodations

Villa choices come in studios as well as one- and two-bedroom units (three-bedroom units are not offered at this property), each with a balcony or patio. Autumn colors in splashes of rich red and forest green intermingle with rustic pine furnishings. Sofas in Native American print fabrics mix well with curtains and chairs sporting a fun gingham design. Woodland scene prints decorate the cream, gold, and crimson walls and the carpet is whimsically imprinted with a pinecone motif. The small, but efficient full kitchens are done in a cream-colored granite with forest green cabinetry. Bedrooms feature woodland scene-carved headboards and down-home quilt bedspreads in a leaf and pinecone print. Views from all units are of either the pool or the woods with some of the units on the higher floors enjoying a glimpse of Bay Lake.

Studio

The 356-square-foot studios sleep a maximum of four people plus one child under the age of three and include either two queen beds or one queen bed and a double sleeper sofa, armoire with TV, small dining table and two chairs, patio or balcony, microwave, mini-refrigerator, coffee maker, and wet bar. Baths have a single sink with a separate, small bath/commode area embellished with colorfully splashed tile. A small closet holds an iron and ironing board. Just slightly larger than the next-door Disney’s Wilderness Lodge guestrooms, their advantage is the addition of a sleeper sofa and mini-kitchen but at a higher nightly rate.

One-Bedroom Villa

The One-Bedroom Villas, at 727 square feet, sleep a maximum of four plus one child under the age of three. Each unit has a small living area with a queen sleeper sofa, easy chair, entertainment center containing a TV with DVD player, two-person dining table, two-chair eating bar, and a balcony or patio. The kitchen, open to the living area, contains an undersized refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, coffee maker, toaster, microwave, and all utensils, dishes, and pots and pans to make a complete meal. The spacious bedroom holds a king-size bed, armoire with TV, small table, and rattan chair and adjoins a two-room bath, one holding a whirlpool tub, vanity sink, and hairdryer with the other containing a commode (in a separate enclosure), shower, and an additional pedestal sink. There’s also a large closet with portable crib, iron and ironing board, and keyed safe. A nice feature is the stacked washer/dryer. I loved my unit (#2523) — it had a view of the pine trees and the Hidden Springs Pool in the distance with no adjoining balconies to disturb the peace and quiet.

Two-Bedroom Villa

Two-Bedroom Villas sleep a maximum of eight people plus one child under the age of three and offer 1,080 square feet of room. This unit is exactly the same as the one-bedroom with the addition of a studio bedroom, which adds up to two bathrooms, two bedrooms, living area, kitchen, three TVs, and two balconies or porches.