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Mom and daughter on Expedition Everest
  • On Oct 28, 2008
    Leslie from NJ Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.     “

    Wilderness Lodge or Dolphin resort is best suitable for a family of 4 with 2 kids, 10 & 8 yrs old? ”

    Wilderness Lodge by a landslide!

    While the Swan and Dolphin hotels are located in the Epcot resorts area, they are neither owned nor operated by Disney. They are just regular hotels that happen to be in a good location. Earlier this year I made a special point of walking all around the Swan and Dolphin to check out their amenities. These are fine hotels, with some good restaurants, but in my mind they really just generic upscale hotels, with nothing particularly special or magical about them. On the plus side, they are in a great location, within walking distance of Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

    I have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge several times. This hotel has my favorite themeing at WDW. As soon as you drive up, you are transported to another time and place. You are completely immersed in the vacation experience. The lobby is magnificent. And right from the beginning you encounter the wonderful Disney cast members who are there to make your stay fabulous. In the lobby are two super special restaurants (Artist Point and the Whispering Canyon Cafe). The grounds are beautifully maintained. There are bike and boat rentals and a sandy beach. The pool is lots of fun, with a water slide and waterfalls. Also, there is quick transportation to the Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary resort, and Fort Wilderness via boat. You can also walk or bike to Fort Wilderness. The last time we did this we saw a family of live deer just a few yards away from the path.

    Both of these hotels will offer you a good room in a good location, but the Wilderness Lodge will give you a much more immersive experience with more fun and special Disney magic.
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Meet the Panelist: Erin, New York

I have three teenage daughters. We're DVC members obsessed with Disney travel. We've been to Walt Disney World countless times and have visited Disneyland & Disneyland Paris. We've taken several Adventures by Disney and Disney Cruise trips. Learn More About Erin

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