Disney World’s #1 Christmas Spot

Wilderness Lodge isn’t just Walt Disney World’s #1 lodge at Christmas (though it’s). It’s additionally the most effective holiday-time spot anyplace–parks or resorts–in all of WDW. The decorations and tree are attractive and detailed, however that is really a matter of the entire being greater than the sum of its elements. This put up showcases the great thing about Wilderness Lodge decked out for Christmas. (Up to date December 25, 2024.)

Walt Disney World is now embellished 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 12 months, the resort was totally embellished in a single day on November 20, which is concerning the norm inside just a few days. This varies from year-to-year; despite the fact that 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 not has a gingerbread home, and people resorts are usually prioritized. Simply one thing to bear in mind for those who’re planning forward for Christmas 2025 or past. That is but another excuse why our favourite week of the 12 months at Walt Disney World is after Thanksgiving!

From a planning perspective, one other factor to know is that Wilderness Lodge is now house to 2 sorts of reimagined rooms. The primary of those debuted a few years in the past–the new-look lodge rooms at Wilderness Lodge. Extra not too long ago, Boulder Ridge was redone–these new rooms brilliantly stability theme and modernizations.

Boulder Ridge is now house to my new #1 rooms at Walt Disney World. It’s a nice choice for those who’re contemplating renting DVC factors, which it is best to do by Could 2025 on the absolute newest if you wish to keep right here at Christmas 2025. The Copper Creek Villas will likely be redone in 2025, presumably ending up earlier than Christmas. The adjoining Disney Lakeshore Lodge is at present below development, however that work doesn’t affect Wilderness Lodge friends–and the brand new resort received’t debut till 2027.

If you happen to’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 purpose, other than the superb 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, after all, is that you simply’re barely farther away from the eating places and facilities which might 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 robust probability your room will likely be nearer to these for those who keep at Boulder Ridge.

The massive upside to Boulder Ridge is decrease crowds. Throughout our Christmas 2024 journey, we observed that Wilderness Lodge was considerably busier than final 12 months, which was busier than the 12 months 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, however 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 calming 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 obtainable 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 atmosphere that’s totally transportive. Imagineering’s greatest work excels at taking friends to a distinct 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 Be aware: a lot of what follows can greatest be described as ‘previous man yells at cloud’ nonsense; please do your self a favor and benefit from the images 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.

Truly, 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 enchantment.

Regardless, for many people, winter is synonymous with Christmas; there’s a purpose Walt Disney World resorts to spraying cleaning soap on friends throughout Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Celebration. 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, this stuff aren’t ‘naturally’ occurring in Florida.

As a local Michigander, there are some things that I’ll defend to my loss of life. 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 typically 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 record, 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 understand that Michigan shouldn’t be within the Pacific Northwest. Nonetheless, a lot of what Wilderness Lodge evokes can be equally at house 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, however it’s to underscore an vital level: once you enter the entrance doorways of Wilderness Lodge, you permit Florida in each regard. It doesn’t matter if it’s 95º with oppressive humidity. Coming into the Lodge is like flipping a swap, and inside minutes you could be cozied up by the fireside, toasting your toes and warming up with a cup of scorching cocoa, sure that it’s chilly and snowy outdoors relatively than scorching 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 appears like Christmas. (It’s the season of the spirit.)

Past the ambiance, the small print are beautiful and actually evoke the spirit of a Northwoods Christmas. There are a number of charming gadgets within the towering Christmas tree, from flickering teepees to crafted woodland critters.

The vary of this stuff is fascinating. There are respectful nods to indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, in addition to easier gadgets with folksy attraction, like a squirrel manufactured from twigs. Deer lanterns, wood owls perched on tree branches, and carved moose are only a handful of different particular gadgets 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 incorrect 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 extensive unfold of their antlers is a giant purpose why.

One in every of my many horrible concepts for an HGTV house makeover present is me going round and “enhancing” houses by utilizing moose antlers in all of my adorning. If you happen to assume that will get previous quick, apparently you’ve by no means watched HGTV. I’ve–usually and in opposition to 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 recent 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 specific 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 every time, 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 scorching 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 individuals 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 grow to be 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 positively 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 solely to your self.

If you happen to’re doing our Self-Guided Yuletide Tour of Walt Disney World Inns at Christmas, you sadly won’t see Wilderness Lodge at its greatest. Not solely will you encounter noon crowds, however your images of the Christmas tree can have a blue coloration solid as a result of pure gentle coming in by way of the atrium home windows.

Wilderness Lodge is so good at Christmas that we advocate a separate, night journey to go to it. Think about doing dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe, which is the right 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 often begin up within the alcoves earlier at evening, working my means 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 not overlook when visiting or staying at Wilderness Lodge is the Boulder Ridge constructing. Positioned 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 don’t want to be a DVC member or staying on this constructing to step inside.

I’m an enormous fan of Boulder Ridge as an entire. 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. Among 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 primary atrium, there’s a ton of element and attraction within the foyer of Boulder Ridge. There are a number of little nooks and crannies, secluded seating areas providing fireplaces and comfortable seating.

Particularly, the Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room is without doubt 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 embellished 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 pretty much as good of an expertise. Maybe higher at sure occasions of day!

Though I like the principle constructing (particularly late at evening 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 calm down 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 images that extra succinctly “clarify” why Wilderness Lodge is Walt Disney World’s greatest place at Christmas:

Anyway, I may wax sentimental about Wilderness Lodge for just a few thousand extra phrases, but when my phrases (or, extra probably, images) haven’t already conveyed what a particular place this lodge is at Christmas-time, no quantity of rambling goes to do the trick.

Suffice to say, Wilderness Lodge isn’t just the most effective resort through the holidays–it’s my favourite place in all of Walt Disney World through the Christmas season. Solely Most important Road with the “snow” falling throughout Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Celebration 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, be certain that to learn our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information and associated articles.

YOUR THOUGHTS

What do you consider Wilderness Lodge at Christmas? Is it the very best place at Walt Disney World through the vacation season? What’s your favourite factor about Wilderness Lodge this time of 12 months? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!