Hidden Spots at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (You Might Not Know Existed)

Imagine spending a long morning at Magic Kingdom. You arrived an hour before the park opened, managed the crowds, and got a lot done. But by 1:00 p.m., it’s so hot that it feels like you could fry an egg on the pavement. There is no way you’re going to make it the entire day without a nap, or at the very least a couple of solid hours in an air-conditioned space. Of course, you have to be back at the park by 5:30 p.m. for dinner reservations. Do you even have time to take the bus back to your resort, rest, and return to the park? It’s a tough but necessary decision.

Thankfully, you have a few alternatives. One of which is to visit a nearby resort. So, for this article, I wanted to share with you a few hidden spots at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge that you might not know existed. It’s the perfect place to escape when you’re feeling overheated or drained and need to decompress. If you’re visiting Magic Kingdom, the Wilderness Lodge’s boat dock is directly outside the park’s entrance. You’re relaxation journey starts with a scenic boat ride to your destination. However, if you prefer or are dealing with inclement weather, you can also take the bus.

When you arrive by boat, you’ll take the wooden boardwalk up to the resort. It’s a scenic walk, and you can’t help but notice the way the Spanish moss drapes from the trees. I don’t really know how to describe it, but it feels like you’ve entered this unexpected forest only to stumble into a clearing a few minutes later and find this magnificent lodge. Of course, if you’re a regular, you know what I mean. But if it’s your first time visiting the resort, be prepared for a wow.

If you have any energy left, you might want to explore some of the resort’s grounds before heading inside. We always like to make an effort to see Fire Rock Geyser during our visits. It erupts every hour, on the hour, throughout most of the day.

Once you make your way inside, you’ll soon be in awe of the spectacular lobby. We have a photo gallery of the lobby if you want to learn more.

You’ll find plenty of small seating arrangements throughout the lobby. For example, these giant chairs are fine for dozing. But if you’re looking for a little more privacy, you can do better.

You’ll want to hop on the elevator or take the stairs up a couple of floors. We usually head up to the resort’s fourth floor, which is just above the lobby level. The elevators are in the back corner of the lobby where Copper Creek Spring starts. But the stairs are a cool option, too. The staircase is at the lobby’s front corner near Whispering Canyon Cafe. It extends above the main entrance. You’ll cross a partially exterior bridge on the way up and pass through decorative glass doors on each side.

The views from the upper galleries are even better than below.

You might like to find a seat and do a little people-watching.

But we prefer to find one of these nooks and crannies. Of course, this hidden spot in front of the fireplace is one of our top preferences. It can feel like 103 degrees outside, and you would never know it. The Wilderness Lodge has this magical quality. As soon as you step foot on the property, it feels like the temperature has dropped 10 degrees. Then, inside, it’s always warm and cozy. It’s never too hot nor too cold. I’m not sure how they do it.

We can play a little game of Would You Rather? Standing in a 1.5-hour line for a ride or comfortably resting in front of a roaring fireplace? I will let you decide.

Around the corner, you’ll find a table with multiple chairs on each side. This is a nice spot if you need to get some work done. You’ll find plenty of outlets, and work doesn’t seem so bad from this vantage point.

A few other seating areas are available around the gallery overlooking the lobby. We’ve had a couple of meals at the table and chairs in the picture below. I’ve also happened upon a few families playing a game of cards at this very spot. Of course, the outside observatories are a nice place to relax when the weather is comfortable. You can tell from the photo below that these spots are available on multiple levels.

We’ve stayed at the Wilderness Lodge many times, and I rarely find these spaces occupied. I guess the majority of guests are so busy in the parks that these areas often get overlooked. But that’s fine with me.

The views are incredible.

The Boulder Ridge Villas Lobby

For even more privacy, you might venture down to the Boulder Ridge Villas Lobby. To get there, you’ll walk out the side entrance of the lobby near Wilderness Lodge Mercantile. This walkway leads to the resort’s bus stop, but you’ll continue straight past the bus area and directly inside Boulder Ridge, which is a Disney Vacation Club Resort. Inside, you’ll find a small, charming lobby with casual seating areas.

It’s a beautiful lobby and I almost always find at least one person taking a nap when I visit. This area is much more low-key than the main building.

You might also enjoy checking out the paintings and wood carvings.

The Carolwood Pacific Railway Room

You may remember I recently shared a separate write-up on the Carolwood Pacific Railway, but I wanted to include it here because I think most would consider it a hidden spot at the Wilderness Lodge. This room is connected to the Boulder Ridge lobby that we just discussed.

It’s full of Walt Disney and train memorabilia and offers a lot of history for enthusiasts and fans alike.

And if the weather is to your liking, you might step outside and find a rocking porch on one of the covered porches. I don’t believe that many guests are aware that these comfy rocking chairs exist.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed learning about these special spots at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. The resort always feels like a haven, and I hope you’ll have the chance to experience it someday if you haven’t yet. For more on Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, you might like the following:

• Fuel Your Day with these Coffee Options at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Getting To and From Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (Mini Pocket Guide)
• Restaurants at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (All 5 Options)
• Everything You Need to Know About the Pools at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Or you can preview our entire guide to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

More Planning

Resorts Gal specializes in Disney World Resorts, Characters, and Dining. Explore our resources, including our Disney World Resorts Guide. It provides an overview of everything you need to know about the Disney Resort Hotels. For dining, our Disney World Dining Guide is an excellent place to start. Our Disney World Transportation Guide is a wonderful resource for planning your routes. It’s one of our most popular resources. If you plan to meet characters in the parks, we have an updated list of Disney World Characters. It includes every available character meet-and-greet in the parks and where to find rare characters throughout the year. Lastly, our Disney Parks Guide provides a complete overview of all four theme parks and water parks.