Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Boulder Ridge Villas are adjacent to the larger Wilderness Lodge, but the two hotels feel like one property since they share amenities and restaurants. The Boulder Ridge Villas have their own lobby, which is a smaller version of the Wilderness Lodge’s grand entryway. Timber beams surround the circular room and rise toward the tall ceiling, where a gigantic wrought-iron chandelier makes a bold first impression. The room is richly decorated with Native American totems, a stone fireplace, and bulky rocking chairs draped with Navajo-print fabrics. Framed black-and-white photos of the Gold Rush add character to the walls, while model train sets give guests a glimpse of America’s mining era. Many guests at Boulder Ridge Villas are Disney Vacation Club members or families with kids. Like at any Disney property, kids are welcomed and catered to here. Adults and romantics may find the atmosphere too family-friendly, but Disney buffs of any age will appreciate the hotel’s magical spirit and well-executed theme. 

As we’ve mentioned, the Boulder Ridge Villas are located on the same property as Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. The hotel is considered a Disney Vacation Club resort, and is located within Disney World. The nearest Disney theme park is the Magic Kingdom, a five-minute drive or 10-minute boat ride from the property. Other nearby Disney hotels include the Contemporary, the Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian. All of the other Disney parks, water parks, and Disney Springs are within a 15-minute drive, though times vary if guests are using Disney shuttle transportation. Universal Studios is 25 minutes away by car, while Orlando International Airport is a 32-minute drive.  

Rooms at the Boulder Ridge Villas feature upscale cabin-inspired decor, with lots of natural-wood accents, cozy furnishings, and mountain-themed artwork. Around the property and within the villas, it’s easy to forget you’re actually in central Florida, not Montana or Wyoming. Knotty engineered wood floors and cream-colored wainscoting give rooms a rustic feel, while bulky wood furniture and plush seating areas add coziness. Outside, all rooms have small balconies or patios, but in true Disney fashion, they’re pretty tiny. There are 181 studio, one-, and two-bedroom units at Boulder Ridge Villas. All villas are spacious, but it should be noted that studios do not have full kitchens (only kitchenettes) or laundry facilities. Studios can accommodate up to five guests, with one queen-size bed, a pullout couch, and a twin-size pull-down bed. One-bedroom villas can only accommodate four guests, with a king-size bed and a pullout couch in the living room. Though studios can technically fit more people, one bedroom villas are larger and more spacious. Two-bedroom villas can accommodate eight people, with one king bed, two queen beds, and a pullout couch. Villa kitchens are equipped with full-size stainless steel appliances (including dishwashers), and cabinets are stocked with cutlery, flatware, pots and pans, and cooking utensils. Living rooms are filled with charming Disney details, like Bambi pillows and Mickey ear coasters. Studios, meanwhile, have sitting areas and kitchenettes. The wilderness theme continues in the bedrooms, where branch-print curtains bring in the outdoors. Colorful wall art depicts iconic scenes from National Parks, like Yellowstone’s Old Faithful and Yosemite’s El Capitan. Bathrooms feature bold red cabinetry, jetted soaking tubs, and separate shower stalls. One- and two-bedroom villas are equipped with in-unit laundry. Flat--screen TVs, safes, and hairdryers come standard.

Boulder Ridge Villas and the Wilderness Lodge have excellent on-site amenities, including boat transportation to the Magic Kingdom, a gift shop with Disney souvenirs and sundries, outdoor grilling and picnic areas, and a signature Disney arcade-style game room. Wi-Fi and standard parking are free, and guests are entitled to Disney hotel benefits, like Extra Magic Hours and the Magical Express luggage transportation service. No trip to the property is complete without visiting the on-site geyser. Inspired by Yellowstone’s Old Faithful, the Wilderness Lodge’s geyser spouts every hour, and will undoubtedly soak unlucky passersby.  

Like any upscale Orlando hotel worth its salt, Boulder Ridge Villas has some fantastic pools. The Boulder Ridge Cove pool is considered the hotel’s main pool, while the Copper Creek Springs pool technically belongs to the Wilderness Lodge -- though like all amenities here, guests from both hotels have access to the two pools. The Boulder Ridge Cove pool tends to be quieter than Copper Creek Springs, so it might be better suited to adults. A large replica of 19th-century copper mining equipment acts as the pool’s focal point, and fake boulders surround the pool for privacy. There’s a zero-entry point, as well as deeper sections for swimming. Boulder Ridge Cove is surrounded by padded lounge chairs and private shaded cabanas. The Copper Creek Springs pool is the property’s family-filled spot, where the joyous shrieks of vacationing children provide a day-long soundtrack. Adults may find this pool a bit too kid-centric, especially since the kids' splash zone is adjacent. Copper Creek Springs has a small waterslide and two separate hot tubs. 

Though there aren’t any restaurants within the Boulder Ridge Villas building, the Wilderness Lodge has four restaurants. Artist Point is the hotel’s signature upscale dining venue, with a sophisticated menu inspired by the Pacific Northwest. Expect items like freshwater mussels, smoked mushroom bisque, and cedar plank wild salmon. The wine list features 90 bottles from PNW vineyards. The restaurant itself is a stunning space, with high ceilings, timber columns, and massive wrought-iron chandeliers. The dining room’s piece-de-resistance is the magnificent Yellowstone-inspired watercolor mural that spans two walls and reaches the top of the room’s vaulted ceilings. Artist Point, a famous lookout in Yellowstone National Park, is the inspiration behind the restaurant’s name.  Whispering Canyon Cafe has the kind of hokey atmosphere that only Disney can pull off. This casual eatery serves family-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but dining here is more about the experience than the food. Disney describes the Whispering Canyon Cafe as a “rowdy, rootin’ tootin’ good time,” where servers crack corny jokes and diners are coerced ( or joyfully nudged) into sing-alongs and hobby horse races. Geyser Point is a tamer breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot, with a gorgeous open-air setting that overlooks Bay Lake. The lunch and dinner menu features casual bar fare, like crab cake sandwiches and bison burgers with Tillamook cheddar. Geyser Point has a full bar with a dozen signature cocktails, domestic and foreign beer, wine, and sangria. Every Disney hotel has a quick-service restaurant that serves grab-and-go meals around the clock. This quick-service concept is incredibly popular across the Disney brand, and is known for its varied options, tasty food, and unbelievable cleanliness. The Wilderness Lodge’s version, the Roaring Fork, doesn’t disappoint. In the mornings guests can swing by for coffee, bacon and eggs, and Mickey waffles, while lunch and dinner hours feature American favorites like burgers, grilled cheese, and flatbreads. It also sells snacks and desserts like chips, doughnuts, and ice cream bars. Indoor and outdoor seating are both available. The Territory Lounge is the hotel’s only stand-alone bar. It opens in the evenings and is a popular spot for pre- and post-dinner drinks. The Territory Lounge has an old Americana feel, with lots of western-inspired decor. 

The fitness center is actually located in the Boulder Ridge Villas building, but like the rest of the resort’s amenities, it can be accessed by all guests. The fitness center is modern, and quite large by Disney standards. It is far superior to the dinky gyms at the Grand Floridian and the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and features LifeFitness cardio and weight machines, along with a decent selection of free weights. Guests who’d prefer to exercise outdoors can take advantage of the hotel’s sports court and bike rental program. 

Travelers who have visited the Wilderness Lodge or the Boulder Ridge Villas in the past will notice that the property no longer has a “beach” (essentially a manmade plot of sand in front of Bay Lake lined with lounge chairs and kids playground equipment). After a horrific alligator incident that resulted in the death of a two-year old in 2016, Disney hotels no longer have these once popular beaches. Now the area is roped off, and guests can only access the water if they rent a pontoon-style boat from the hotel.