Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge assessment

There’s a lot to like a few Disney Deluxe resort like Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. The rooms are spacious and have a enjoyable outdoorsy theme; the pool space affords sizzling tubs, a waterslide and a splash playground; and you’re solely a fast boat experience away from the Magic Kingdom.

The one factor chances are you’ll not love at first look is the hefty price ticket, however there’s a not-so-secret method to keep in Disney’s priciest resorts for the price of a Average or Worth property: by renting Disney Trip Membership factors.

That is precisely what I did on my household’s current Disney World go to. We spent two nights at Boulder Ridge Villas exploring the swimming pools, eating places, actions and, in fact, Disney’s theme parks. Here is all the pieces you want to know in regards to the resort and tips on how to e book your keep at a fraction of the price.

What’s Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge?

Boulder Ridge Villas is considered one of two Disney Trip Membership resort choices inside Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (the opposite being Copper Creek Villas & Cabins). Which means DVC members can use their timeshare factors to remain at Boulder Ridge or common friends (like myself) pays money or hire DVC factors to cowl the price of their keep.

Wilderness Lodge as an entire is designed to really feel like an early 1900s nationwide park lodge or, as my youngsters describe it, a resort made out of large Lincoln Logs. Within the foyer, for instance, you will discover golden brown timbers, handcrafted totem poles, a stone fireside fire surrounded by rocking chairs and different rustic particulars. Exterior, the buildings are surrounded by towering pines, rocky outcroppings and greenery-lined paths.

As a Deluxe DVC resort, this resort has top-of-the-line facilities like full-service and quick-service eating places, a number of swimming pools, an exercise heart with video games and crafts for youths, and a health heart.

Easy methods to e book a keep at Disney’s Boulder Ridge Villas

Usually, I’d let you know it is best to e book a Disney World resort straight by means of Disney. You are able to do this by means of Disney’s web site, over the telephone or utilizing a licensed Disney trip planner.

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Reserving hyperlink: Lease DVC factors by way of TPG’s companion, David’s Trip Membership Leases

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However you may often save more cash when staying at a Disney Trip Membership resort like Boulder Ridge Villas by renting DVC factors. You do not have to be a DVC member to do that, and renting DVC factors as an alternative of paying money for a DVC room by means of Disney can drastically scale back the price of staying at a Disney Deluxe resort. This story walks you thru the steps, however right here is a few pattern pricing to provide you an thought of the financial savings.

The money worth of a deluxe studio at Boulder Ridge Villas for Sept. 16 and 17 is $532 plus tax per night time, however you will get the identical room by renting DVC factors by means of David’s Trip Membership Leases for 13 factors per night time. At a value of $23 per level, that comes out to $299 per night time. That is an nearly 44% financial savings for only one night time. Over the course of some nights, the financial savings can be much more important.

The placement is simply minutes from the Magic Kingdom

Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is within the Magic Kingdom resort space, and you will get to the park in lower than 10 minutes by way of a complimentary water taxi (bus service is obtainable to all different Disney parks and Disney Springs). There’s additionally boat service to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Disney’s Modern Resort if you wish to try the actions and eating at these properties.

Due to its proximity to the Magic Kingdom, friends staying right here even have nice views of the nightly “Electrical Water Pageant” from the waterfront space exterior of Geyser Level Bar & Grill. You may additionally get a glimpse of the fireworks on the Magic Kingdom from this space or out of your room, relying on its location.

Spacious lodging with all of the comforts of residence

My household stayed in a two-bedroom villa, which is the most important lodging sort Boulder Ridge has (studios and one-bedroom suites are additionally out there). It options separate bedrooms, a full kitchen, in-room laundry and a balcony or patio. The wilderness theme was lovable, with a very good mixture of Disney parts and conventional woodland cabin decor.

Though there have been solely 5 of us, our lodging had the capability to sleep as much as eight friends. There have been two queen beds within the youngsters room, one king mattress within the main bed room and a queen-size pull-down mattress within the dwelling space.

With three youngsters in tow, I actually appreciated having a lot area and that the dwelling and eating areas had been completely separate from the sleeping areas. We additionally had two bogs: one off the children room with a bathe, a conceit and a bathroom and one other off the first bed room with a bathe, a bath, a conceit and a bathroom.

We had been solely on the town for 2 nights, however that is the kind of room the place I might have gotten very snug staying for a full week. The espresso machine might make a single cup of espresso or a full pot, the kitchen was totally stocked with cooking provides and dishware, and there was an in-room washer and dryer with a few small bottles of laundry detergent included.

All Boulder Ridge visitor rooms have balconies. As a result of we had a two-bedroom villa, we truly had two balconies, a lot to the children delight.

Eating choices, from quick-service to character meals

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has quite a lot of eating choices, whether or not you desire a character eating expertise or have to seize one thing fast earlier than hitting the parks. Every morning, I cellular ordered iced Americanos ($3.29) for myself and my husband and to-go Mickey-shaped waffles with sausage ($10.49 for 3 waffles and two sausage hyperlinks) for the children earlier than we headed to the parks. It labored out completely that that they had one thing to snack on and we might get caffeinated whereas we waited for the water taxi to the Magic Kingdom.

Our most frequent cease was Geyser Level Bar & Grill. Its waterfront location close to the pool made it a handy cease for a fast drink, snack or dinner with a view. I attempted the crispy hen sandwich ($20) and cherished that it elevated conventional theme park fare with a touch of spice and contemporary slaw.

We additionally had brunch on the western-themed Whispering Canyon Cafe within the foyer. You may order particular person menu objects, however the venue is finest identified for its family-style skillets. As a result of we had been sharing with the (considerably choosy) youngsters, we went with The Heritage ($26 per individual), which included conventional American breakfast staples and Mickey-shaped waffles. As a result of the skillets are served household model, the eatery will convey extra should you run out of something.

I washed my meal down with a mimosa flight ($24), and I cherished the variability. My favorites had been the blood orange and the passion-orange-guava mimosas.

We did not have time on this go to, however Story Ebook Eating at Artist Level can also be positioned at Wilderness Lodge and is likely one of the hottest — and distinctive — character eating experiences. Quite than cheerful characters clamoring for hugs, youngsters can meet the Evil Queen and even pose for a photograph together with her magic mirror (Snow White, Dopey and Grumpy are there, too, in case your youngsters aren’t fairly ready to fulfill her royal evilness).

Swimming pools and actions at Disney’s Boulder Ridge Villas

Other than the lodging, one of the best issues about staying at a Disney Deluxe resort are the service and the facilities. Your resort turns into a lot greater than a spot to remain between park visits; it turns into a part of your trip. After we walked into the foyer to examine in for our keep, Disney characters had been there taking pictures. I do not need to damage the shock, however there have been some fairly uncommon characters in attendance, and it was such an thrilling method to begin our keep.

Wilderness Lodge has two swimming pools. I appreciated that they had been pretty shut collectively, so we might shuttle based mostly on what the children wished to do. The Copper Creek Springs Pool is the principle pool the place the actions crew hosts each day actions like trivia and pool video games. This pool has a 67-foot waterslide and cold and warm whirlpool spas. Do not mistake that for a cold and warm plunge; it is extra that the chilly whirlpool is at a temperature that’s snug on a sizzling Florida day when a sizzling tub is perhaps too heat.

The Boulder Ridge Cove Pool has a zero-depth entry space and a big whirlpool. It additionally has six shaded seating areas which might be out there on a first-come, first-served foundation. Each swimming pools are massive and by no means felt crowded throughout our keep, so which one you select actually is dependent upon whether or not you need chill vibes or extra energetic ones.

Boulder Ridge Villas additionally affords actions like complimentary excursions that spotlight the resort’s design and decor, out of doors yoga, nightly campfires (with free marshmallows!), motion pictures beneath the celebs and humanities and crafts at Humphrey’s Hideout close to the Copper Creek Springs Pool. We obtained a printed schedule at check-in detailing that week’s choices.

After we checked in on a very wet day, we had been additionally given an inventory of “Wet Day Actions,” like an indoor film and a scavenger hunt. This particular contact is what units Disney aside in my thoughts. The property went out of its method to make the day really feel magical, even when the climate was something however.

All Disney resort lodges, together with Wilderness Lodge, have on-site arcades, however health facilities are relegated largely to Disney Deluxe resorts (the exception being Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort).

Causes Disney’s Boulder Ridge Villas may not be for you

There are just a few situations the place I’d not advocate this resort:

• The worth: If you’re trying to spend not more than $200 an evening in your room, you will not discover that right here. You’d have higher luck at a Worth resort, one of many Disney Springs lodges or a factors resort close to Disney World.
• The theming: I typically advise folks to decide on their Disney keep based mostly on their most well-liked theme. When you love the nice open air, this resort is true up your alley. Nevertheless, should you favor a whimsical, upscale theme, you may need to go for Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. For one thing beachy, Disney’s Caribbean Seashore Resort will probably be your finest wager.
• The size of your keep: When you will not be at Disney lengthy sufficient to take pleasure in this resort’s facilities or do not plan on spending a lot time in your room, I’d counsel ready to remain right here till you may totally benefit from the choices.

Accessibility

All Disney resort lodges provide wheelchair- and hearing-accessible rooms. Public areas like swimming pools, eating places, reward retailers, lobbies, health facilities and laundry amenities are additionally wheelchair-accessible, and swimming pools have accessible lifts.

Water taxis and bus transportation to the parks are additionally accessible.

TPG at all times advises that you simply name the resort straight earlier than reserving to make sure it might meet your accessibility wants.

Testing

Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort expertly marries the nice open air with the extent of service and lodging friends anticipate from a Disney Deluxe resort. I completely loved my keep due to its serene setting, proximity to the Magic Kingdom and improbable facilities, however I appreciated that you could save a lot cash in your keep by renting DVC factors much more.

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