Guest Post: A Journey to Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort with Molly B.

Today is Wilderness Lodge Day here at DGTG and I am pleased to introduce guest blogger, Molly B. a.k.a. @RealDisneyMom! I hope you enjoy your journey to WL with Molly as your guide, then please head over and read my tasty review of Artist Point!

What do you LOVE about Wilderness Lodge? Please leave a comment letting us know!

When I think of Disney's Wilderness Lodge a few key words come to mind: Majestic, grand, beautiful. Every time I walk into the lobby I find my eyes being drawn upward to the 8 story high ceiling. I walk in a little further and around me are comfortable chairs inviting me to sit down and relax in front of an 82 foot high fire place. I always can't help but marvel at the enormous authentic totem poles, and my children will immediately trot to a bridge over a bubbling spring...indoors! Before you leave the lobby don't forget to rub Humphrey the Bear's nose for good luck on the totem pole outside the gift shop before you hit the parks every morning. It will bring you good luck!

Walking around outside the Lodge you would never know you were in Florida if it weren't for the heat! Instead of palm trees, you will see pine trees, and truly feel like you are in the wilderness. Your children can make sandcastles on a white sand beach, and play on a nearby playground. You can rent watercraft and go for a spin or fishing tour on Bay Lake, and land lovers can rent bikes and go for a ride on woodland trails. For those that can't miss their daily workouts even on vacation, the Sturdy Branches Health Club beacons you!

Some people may think that a deluxe hotel isn't a good place to stay with little ones. I couldn't disagree more. My children love this resort! It's hugeness alone is enough to captivate a child. Since the lodge is one big building it is easy for your family to get from their hotel room to the restaurants, pool, gift shop, or anything else you may need. There is an area near the check-in counter where children can sit and watch classic Disney cartoons while their parents take care of getting welcomed home! My children have really enjoyed the arcade and love to get their caricatures drawn by talented cast members in the lobby! If Mom and Dad need a night out alone the can rest assured that their kids will be well taken care of and have a great time at the Lodge's own child care care facility, The Cub's Den. For some no-cost child friendly night life, families can take a short jaunt over to Fort Wilderness for Chip 'n Dales Campfire Singalong. Don't forget your marshmallows!

The Lodge hosts nightly movies on an outdoor screen near the pool, another kid friendly favorite, and every afternoon cast members will decorate cookies with your little ones. After your children see Fire Rock Geyser they won't stop asking to go back. Made to resemble Old Faithful, it will shoot a jet of water 120 feet into the air every hour during the day! Quite a site! Lots to do at the Wilderness Lodge for munchkins!!

The Native American decor of the Lodge expands into the 727 guest rooms. The way I would describe them is luxuriously rustic. The bed spreads boast beautiful patterns and the head boards have wonderful outdoor scenes. You will feel pampered as you get ready to hit the parks in front of a marble vanity.

My children are in love with the pool on the grounds of the Wilderness Lodge. It is a free form pool with a stream that empties into it! I have trouble tearing my little ones away from the awesome water slide! There is also a shallow pool for little ones just earning their ears. I'm sure when my daughter gets older she will want to get a hair wrap done by one of the talented cast members that stake out a place near the pool everyday! Cast members also play games with children and last year we witnesses a fabulous hula hooping contest! Adults can relax and have a cold drink at the Trout Pass pool bar.

Though the Wilderness Lodge is not serviced by the monorail I love being able to take a boat to The Magic Kingdom on Bay Lake! This is also a great treat for little ones! To get anywhere else you need to go, there is complimentary bus service.

Dining at the Lodge is absolutely stellar. The Whispering Canyon Cafe is a perfect fit for a family dinner, and I heartily suggest it even if you are not staying at the Wilderness Lodge. If you are in the mood for barbeque then get ready to get stuffed with all you can eat skillet! Cast members at this restaurant will make sure your party has a fun dinner, so get ready to have a hollering good time! On my honeymoon I had the pleasure of experiencing one of Disney's best signature restaurants, Artist Point. Be sure to read Amanda's Review here! I recommend trying the buffalo, it is outstanding! If you are in need of a quick breakfast lunch or dinner, head to Roaring Fork which also has some very yummy food!

I happened on Disney's Wilderness Lodge quite by accident when at the age of 13, my parents decided to plan an impromptu trip to Disney for our family, and there were no rooms left at The Caribbean Beach. They then decided on trying out The Wilderness Lodge and I am lucky that they did, because from that trip on it has been my favorite Disney Resort! I'm sure I will sample other resorts on Disney's property in the future but the Wilderness Lodge will always hold a special place in my Disney loving heart!

Molly is a married Stay at Home Mommy of three beautiful children. Though young in age, she is a veteran Walt Disney World vacation planner. She would classify her life in two parts; on a Disney vacation, or planning one. She first visited her utopia at age 3 and could not imagine her life without it. One of her proudest moments was when her son told her that he wanted to be an Imagineer and she can’t wait until her daughter is old enough to have a favorite Disney princess. She hopes to instill a life long love for Disney in her family and any one else who is willing to have a little faith and trust! She is the Kids writer for the Disney Driven Life, and you can visit her at www.therealdisneymom.wordpress.com.