When you enter the front doors of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge resort, you’ve left the state of Florida. Even coming from the sweltering summer sun, you enter that lobby and you’re ready to cozy up by the fireplace with some hot cocoa within mere minutes. Disbelief? Suspended. The entire resort possesses a spectacular ambience any time of year. And that’s why this resort is my absolute favorite on Walt Disney World property.
It’s easy to imagine a snow flurry happening out of those glass floor-to-ceiling windows, even in the summer time. So when the holidays kick into high gear at WDW, you best believe the Wilderness Lodge is the most natural fit for warm sparkling lights, Christmas pines, rustic decor, and festive treats. Surprisingly, there is no gingerbread display at this resort for 2024. But, they do have their traditional massive Christmas tree in the cavernous lobby, wreaths or garland hanging from just about every banister, as well as special holiday treats available for purchase from a pop-up snack kiosk. The wilderness must be explored!
Entering into the lobby, you can’t miss the towering Christmas tree topped with a 4-pointed yellow star.
The lobby’s main tree is filled with warm white lights and rustic decorations such as wooden carved animals, beaded and shiny baubles, textural flannel and leather, forest berries, tee-pees and other Native American-inspired pieces.
Opposite of the grand Christmas tree are a family of twinkle light deer, located above the entrance:
A smaller tree off to the side features more wooden critters, along with some little bristled owls, squirrels, foxes, and chipmunks wearing winter accessories.
The 82-foot stone fireplace features its own giant Christmas wreath, decorated with a large deer figurine, a wooden canoe, and paddles.
The water and bridge feature within the lobby are also well-decorated:
Nearby the water feature, and just behind the lobby’s main Christmas tree, is a pop-up snack kiosk, offering select holiday-themed merchandise, beverages, and treats.
Around the snack kiosk you’ll find some stand-up character cutouts that make a pretty cute photo opportunity:
As for my holiday treat selection, I opted for the dark chocolate bar for $7.99… what can I say, I’m a sucker for that Wilderness Lodge-exclusive merch; even the perishables. This bittersweet bar resembles a creamy cup of hot chocolate. The iconic Mickey & the gang totem and Wilderness Lodge logo is covered in a light layer of luster dust on one side, with a chocolate candy cane and gingerbread man, and snowflake sprinkles melted into the other.
Check out more of the Wilderness Lodge-specific merchandise collection available in the lobby’s Mercantile here:
That’s all for now! I seriously can’t get enough of this resort. Here’s hoping that short-lived gingerbread log cabin from years past returns to the Wilderness Lodge in 2025. What’s your favorite Walt Disney World Resort for the holiday season?
