Hi Connie, and welcome back to planDisney!
Wilderness Lodge is such a relaxing oasis. I love feeling completely transported to the Pacific Northwest right in the middle of the Most Magical Place on Earth! Now, let’s talk about the arrival process there.
I’m also someone who prefers to move my own luggage, so I’m happy to share that using
Bell Services isn’t mandatory. You can always bring bags to the room yourself, but if you need to borrow a luggage cart, this can depend on how busy Bell Services is and how many carts they have on hand. In the past, I’ve been able to use a cart to move my luggage to my room at Wilderness Lodge, while other times Bell Services brought it for me. Just ask when you get there to see what's possible.
I do find it helpful to leave bags with Bell Services if my room isn’t ready when I arrive. Even then, you can still bring your bags to the room yourself when you get the “room ready” notification. Just pick them up at Bell Services before heading to your room. On a side note, my Bell Services pro tip is to take a picture of the claim ticket you get when you drop off your luggage. This comes in handy in case you lose it!
Wilderness Lodge happens to be one of my
Disney Vacation Club home resorts (the
Copper Creek Villas specifically), so I’d love to share some of my favorite things to do there.
Geyser Point Bar & Grill is a great place to eat right near the water, which makes it a fun spot when the
Electrical Water Pageant goes by at night (check the
My Disney Experience app to see what time it’ll be at Wilderness Lodge). And the Bison Cheeseburger there is one of the best Disney burgers, in my opinion! If you don’t have time for a sit-down meal, you can always order from the to-go window (or
mobile order through the app). There are tables by the water and near the pool where you can take the food.
The other gem I wanted to mention is the Wonders of the Lodge Art & Architecture Tour. Wilderness Lodge is so thoughtfully designed with endless details to discover. This complimentary tour is a great way to learn about the resort. It ran every morning when I was there in December, but I suggest checking the schedule in the lobby or asking the front desk to confirm the latest time.
I’m wishing you a magical stay at Wilderness Lodge in January! And if you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to visit us again at planDisney.
JoAnna