Hi Emily,
Thank you for visiting the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your question!
Disney's Wilderness Lodge is a lovely resort. Staying there truly feels like escaping to the Pacific Northwest. I am always amazed at how immersive the theme is there. Whether it is worth the extra cost really depends on you and your mom and how important the amenities are to you both. You note that you are concerned about a resort not being spread out, and Disney's Wilderness Lodge is quite compact and navigable. As to transportation, Disney's Wilderness Lodge offers boat transportation to Magic Kingdom and bus transportation to other Disney destinations. The Silver Creek Springs Pool is lovely and includes a waterslide and whirlpool spas. You should know that Disney's Wilderness Lodge is currently undergoing refurbishment and while Disney will do their best to minimize impact on guests, you will see construction, and the Hidden Springs Pool is currently closed. If you head to the website that I linked, you can read about the construction at this resort and the possible impact on guests.
If you are considering another moderate resort, I like
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. Because this resort hosts conventions, it has some added amenities for convention guests that resort guests can also take advantage of, such as upscale lounges and dining, as well as
La Vida Health Club, which offers not only a fitness center, but spa services as well. Please do note that Disney's Coronado Springs Resort is a sprawling resort.
I hope that these thoughts are helpful for you, Emily! Have a great time planning your magical vacation, and please let us know if you have any further questions.