Welcome to planDisney, Scott! I'm so glad to be able to answer your question today.
Disney's Wilderness Lodge is one of the coziest and most magical places to spend
the holidays at Walt Disney World, and the Christmas decorations there are truly breathtaking!
Typically, holiday decorating at Walt Disney World begins right after Halloween, with
Magic Kingdom transforming literally overnight from pumpkins to garlands. The resorts, however, follow a slightly more gradual schedule. For Wilderness Lodge specifically, you can expect decorations to start appearing sometime in mid-November. While there isn't an official published date, and it does vary a bit from year to year, you can feel confident that the resort will be fully decorated by Thanksgiving at the latest.
And the decorations at Wilderness Lodge are truly something special! The soaring lobby gets a massive Christmas tree that reaches all the way to the ceiling, decorated with rustic touches like pinecones, antlers, and woodland-inspired ornaments that perfectly match the resort's Pacific Northwest theme. You'll also find garlands, wreaths, and cozy touches throughout the resort, especially by the fireplaces and sitting areas. It's the kind of place where you could relax and enjoy the atmosphere for hours!
I see that you're arriving in mid-November, and if I were placing bets, I would say that the decorations at Wilderness Lodge will probably be up on the weekend you arrive. If you check in and find that not everything is in place yet, you might be surprised to wake up the next day and find that new decor was added while you slept. Those Holiday Services Cast Members work overnight like Santa's elves!
I hope this answers your question, Scott, and please let us know if there's anything else we can do to help you plan your magical vacation.
Jessica