Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
89
authenticity, and the nightly electric water pageants can be viewed from the shores of Bay
Lake. The lodge also has an immense swimming area, fed by a thundering waterfall
whose water flows in from the “hot springs” in the lobby. The nearest park is the Magic
Kingdom, but because the resort is in a remote area, it can take some time to get there.
The main drawback is the difficulty in accessing other areas via the WDW Transporta-
tion System. See the review of the
Artist Point
restaurant on p. 150.
Note:
The lodge
offers a free tour touting its architecture Wednesday through Saturday at 9am (kids will
likely be bored), and each day a select family gets to traipse up to the roof to raise the
resort's flag (if you're interested, ask at the front desk upon check-in).
The
Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
is another Disney Vacation Club timeshare
property that rents vacant rooms. It offers a more upscale mountain retreat experience,
and more room than accommodations at the Wilderness Lodge, though the properties
share a grand lobby, amenities, and activities. The 181 one- and two-bedroom villas have
727 and 1,080 square feet, respectively.
901 W. Timberline Dr. (on the southwest shore of Bay Lake just east of the Magic Kingdom; P.O. Box
10000), Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000.
&
407/934-7639
or 407/938-4300. Fax 407/824-3232. www.
disneyworld.com. 909 units. $240-$770 lodge; $405-$1,330 suite; $325-$1,155 villa. Extra person $25.
Children 17 and younger stay free in parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $10; self-parking
free.
Amenities:
3 restaurants; 2 lounges; babysitting; bike rentals; concierge; concierge-level rooms;
health club & limited spa; 2 Jacuzzis; 2 heated outdoor pool; kids' pool; room service; watersports equip-
ment rentals; WDW Transportation System; transportation to non-Disney parks for a fee.
In room:
A/C, TV,
DVD (villa), fridge (villa; free, upon request at the lodge), hair dryer, Internet access (fee), microwave
(villa).
MODERATE
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Value
Thanks to its moderate pricing
scheme and recreational activities, the Caribbean Beach is a great choice for families. The
resort's rooms are spread across five villages (all Disney “moderate” resorts share a similar
general layout) of pastel-colored buildings, named for the islands of Aruba, Barbados,
Jamaica, Martinique, and Trinidad (north and south). Try and snag a corner room here
if you can, as they let in more light, but don't bother springing for a pool view (those
rooms can get noisy). The lush tropical greenery adds a touch of island atmosphere. Par-
rot Cay, the resort's main pool area and playground, is themed as an old Spanish-style
fort, complete with water cannons, water slides, and waterfalls. The closest park is Dis-
ney's Hollywood Studios, though it can take up to 45 minutes to get there using Disney
transportation—it's best to rent a car if you stay here.
4
Tips
Relax & Rejuvenate
If, after pounding the theme-park pavement, you find yourself in need of some
R&R, Disney's got just the ticket. The Grand Floridian, Saratoga Springs, and Walt
Disney World Dolphin each have a
full-service spa
offering services ranging
from massage therapy to facials to full-body treatments—all designed to relax
your mind, body, and soul. Small-scale spas (offering limited services) can be
found at the Animal Kingdom, BoardWalk, Contemporary, Coronado, Wilderness
Lodge, and Yacht Club resorts.
