Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Once again things only keep going downhill at these villas. We have been coming for 20 years due to the fact it is our “home” resort for the DVC and have enjoyed it much more in the past. The rooms have been refurbished to bare bones. We are in a...

Once again things only keep going downhill at these villas. We have been coming for 20 years due to the fact it is our “home” resort for the DVC and have enjoyed it much more in the past. The rooms have been refurbished to bare bones. We are in a studio room as it is just my husband and myself this time. Somewhat larger than an average hotel room it feels very plain. No bedside table to charge the phone, place a book or anything. One big long white counter under the TV that hides a child’s pull down bed along with a few drawers. A small fridge and empty cabinets, except for a few paper plates. The water pressure is terrible. And the smell of the water is terrible. I realize it’s built over a swamp and the water in Florida isn’t the best, but couldn’t they use better filters??? The bed is not comfortable so neither my husband nor myself slept well the four nights we were here. The drinks are outrageously expensive (17$ for a margarita in a small Dixie type cup). The last straw was this morning when we were trying to sleep in a little before a long drive. The garbage trucks were right outside our balcony (we were on the third floor) banging the garbage bins and making all kinds of noise at a little before 7. Couldn’t they at least wait until 8? Anyway, the pool area is nice and we do love the relative quiet out by the vacation club pool. We used to love the running trail they had that connected this property to the Fort Wilderness campground but they have done away with that as well to make room for their outrageously expensive cabins. If you have DVC it’s a less “hectic” type place and it is pretty in the lobby and outdoors with all the pine trees. However, if you’re booking it as a hotel room I think you might be disappointed when you see the rooms for the price you have to pay to stay here.

The Wilderness Lodge, and its adjacent Boulder Ridge Villas are nicely themed to the idea of the national parks, with lots of theming with wood and trees and nature. The Boulder Ridge Villas is a Disney Vacation Club property, primarily intended for stays by DVC members, but also available to...

The Wilderness Lodge, and its adjacent Boulder Ridge Villas are nicely themed to the idea of the national parks, with lots of theming with wood and trees and nature. The Boulder Ridge Villas is a Disney Vacation Club property, primarily intended for stays by DVC members, but also available to their guests, and frequently rooms not reserved for that purposes are available to rent from Disney just like a regular hotel room in the main lodge building, to which it's connected by a covered walkway. Like other DVC properties, the Boulder Ridge Villas (and the Copper Creek DVC property with is also at the Wilderness Lodge) offer studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom offerings. All the common services like dining, shopping and transportation are in the main Wilderness Lodge building. Dining varies fancier character experiences with Snow White at the Artist Point, to the purposely-boisterous "Whispering" Canyon Cafe, a bar, the Roaring Fork quick-service offering (with mug-filling), and the Geyser Point open-air Bar and Grill down by the shores of Bay Lake (also offers mug-filling). The price for any of the lodging offerings at the Wilderness Lodge and its two DVC properties can get expensive, but can be so worth it for a nice, relaxing environment. Complimentary boat service to the Magic Kingdom and busses to all other resort destinations are included. The Electrical Water Pageant stops here for a fun show - you can get great views down in the area of the Geyser Point Bar and Grill. The Boulder Ridge Villas include a ground-floor sitting room themed after the Carolwood Pacific Railroad the Walt Disney had built in his yard - for fans and Walt, history, and railroading, it's an awesome room with cars and lots of photos.

Wilderness Lodge was always our favorite hotel so we were thrilled to get a reservation at Boulder Ridge, a one bedroom villa facing Bay Lake. Check in was easy, we just got a text to tell you your room is ready. We had issues at the beginning because our magic...

Wilderness Lodge was always our favorite hotel so we were thrilled to get a reservation at Boulder Ridge, a one bedroom villa facing Bay Lake. Check in was easy, we just got a text to tell you your room is ready. We had issues at the beginning because our magic bands wouldn't open the door. After that, everything was great. Plenty of shelves and drawers. The kitchen area was set up strange, where the fridge door kept hitting the wall. The quiet pool is close by and you can also use the hotel's pool. Bus transportation to the parks was very close by but we couldn't hear the noise. A great stay and we'll be back!

DVC member who rented points. Beautiful majestic resort with great customer service. We loved the Whispering Canyon Cafe , the villas pool and the size of the resort. We didn’t like having to leave the pool to refill mugs, no shade at boat launch to Magic Kingdom especially in July...

DVC member who rented points. Beautiful majestic resort with great customer service. We loved the Whispering Canyon Cafe , the villas pool and the size of the resort. We didn’t like having to leave the pool to refill mugs, no shade at boat launch to Magic Kingdom especially in July heat, no shade at some bus stops and not enough benches. One of the refillable drink stands didn’t open until 11 am most days which meant a longer walk most mornings. We loved watching fireworks at night, the overall friendliness at the resort (both guests and cast members). Also loved all the little seating areas in the hotel lobby and throughout the floors. Always a spot to relax. We would definitely return again.