There’s a lot to like a couple of 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 provides sizzling tubs, a waterslide and a splash playground; and you might be solely a fast boat trip away from the Magic Kingdom.
The one factor it’s possible you’ll not love at first look is the hefty price ticket, however there’s a not-so-secret option to keep in Disney’s priciest resorts for the price of a Reasonable or Worth property: by renting Disney Vacation Club points.
That is precisely what I did on my household’s latest Disney World go to. We spent two nights at Boulder Ridge Villas exploring the swimming pools, eating places, actions and, after all, Disney’s theme parks. Here is every little thing it is advisable know in regards to the resort and the way 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 one in all 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 company (like myself) pays money or lease 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 lodge made out of large Lincoln Logs. Within the foyer, for instance, you will discover golden brown timbers, handcrafted totem poles, a stone fireplace hearth 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 lodge 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 teenagers, and a health heart.
Methods to e-book a keep at Disney’s Boulder Ridge Villas
Sometimes, I’d inform you it is best to e-book a Disney World lodge straight by way of Disney. You are able to do this by way of Disney’s web site, over the telephone or utilizing a certified Disney vacation planner.
Reserving hyperlink: Rent DVC points via TPG’s partner, David’s Vacation Club Rentals
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However you’ll be able to 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 way 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 offer you an concept 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 way 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 could be much more vital.
The situation 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 through a complimentary water taxi (bus service is offered to all different Disney parks and Disney Springs). There may be additionally boat service to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort if you wish to try the actions and eating at these properties.
Due to its proximity to the Magic Kingdom, company staying right here even have nice views of the nightly “Electrical Water Pageant” from the waterfront space outdoors 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 house
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Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
My household stayed in a two-bedroom villa, which is the biggest 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 lovely, with a superb 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 company. There have been two queen beds within the youngsters room, one king mattress within the major bed room and a queen-size pull-down mattress within the dwelling space.
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Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
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 youngsters room with a bathe, an arrogance and a rest room and one other off the first bed room with a bathe, a bath, an arrogance and a rest room.
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Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
We had been solely on the town for 2 nights, however that is the kind of room the place I may have gotten very snug staying for a full week. The espresso machine may 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.
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Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
All Boulder Ridge visitor rooms have balconies. As a result of we had a two-bedroom villa, we really had two balconies, a lot to the youngsters delight.
Eating choices, from quick-service to character meals
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has a wide range of eating choices, whether or not you need 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 youngsters earlier than we headed to the parks. It labored out completely that they’d one thing to snack on and we may get caffeinated whereas we waited for the water taxi to the Magic Kingdom.
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Geyser Level Bar & Grill at Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
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 rooster sandwich ($20) and cherished that it elevated conventional theme park fare with a touch of spice and recent slaw.
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Whispering Canyon Cafe at Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
We additionally had brunch on the western-themed Whispering Canyon Cafe within the foyer. You possibly can 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 particular person), which included conventional American breakfast staples and Mickey-shaped waffles. As a result of the skillets are served household type, the eatery will convey extra in case you run out of something.
I washed my meal down with a mimosa flight ($24), and I cherished the range. My favorites had been the blood orange and the passion-orange-guava mimosas.
We did not have time on this go to, however Story E-book Eating at Artist Level can be situated at Wilderness Lodge and is among the hottest — and distinctive — character dining experiences. Slightly than cheerful characters clamoring for hugs, youngsters can meet the Evil Queen and even pose for a photograph along with her magic mirror (Snow White, Dopey and Grumpy are there, too, in case your youngsters aren’t fairly ready to satisfy her royal evilness).
Swimming pools and actions at Disney’s Boulder Ridge Villas
Other than the lodging, the very 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 wish to wreck the shock, however there have been some fairly uncommon characters in attendance, and it was such an thrilling option to begin our keep.
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Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Wilderness Lodge has two swimming pools. I appreciated that they had been pretty shut collectively, so we may trip based mostly on what the youngsters needed to do. The Copper Creek Springs Pool is the primary pool the place the actions crew hosts day by 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 could be 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 are out there on a first-come, first-served foundation. Each swimming pools are giant and by no means felt crowded throughout our keep, so which one you select actually is determined by whether or not you need chill vibes or extra energetic ones.
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Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Boulder Ridge Villas additionally provides actions like complimentary excursions that spotlight the lodge’s design and decor, outside yoga, nightly campfires (with free marshmallows!), films below 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 option to make the day really feel magical, even when the climate was something however.
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Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
All Disney resort accommodations, together with Wilderness Lodge, have on-site arcades, however health facilities are relegated principally 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 lodge:
- The worth: If you’re seeking 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 hotels or a points hotel near Disney World.
- The theming: I usually advise folks to decide on their Disney keep based mostly on their most well-liked theme. Should you love the good outside, this lodge is true up your alley. Nevertheless, in case you choose a whimsical, upscale theme, you may wish to go for Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. For one thing beachy, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will possible be your finest guess.
- The size of your keep: Should 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 recommend ready to remain right here till you’ll be able to totally benefit from the choices.
Accessibility
All Disney resort accommodations supply wheelchair- and hearing-accessible rooms. Public areas like swimming pools, eating places, reward outlets, lobbies, health facilities and laundry services are additionally wheelchair-accessible, and swimming pools have accessible lifts.
Water taxis and bus transportation to the parks are additionally accessible.
TPG all the time advises that you simply name the lodge straight earlier than reserving to make sure it will possibly meet your accessibility wants.
Trying out
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort expertly marries the good outside with the extent of service and lodging company anticipate from a Disney Deluxe resort. I totally loved my keep because of its serene setting, proximity to the Magic Kingdom and improbable facilities, however I appreciated you can save a lot cash in your keep by renting DVC factors much more.
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