Disney's Wilderness Lodge vs Walt Disney World Dolphin

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Photo: Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Deluxe Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Walt Disney World Dolphin

Photo: Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

Wilderness Lodge

Deluxe

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Deluxe

Area

Wilderness Lodge

Magic Kingdom Resort Area

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

Wilderness Lodge

Boat, Bus

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walk, Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Wilderness Lodge

3 restaurants

Walt Disney World Dolphin

7 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Wilderness Lodge

3 locations

Walt Disney World Dolphin

3 locations

Pool Amenities

Wilderness Lodge

Pool

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Pool

Extended Evening Hours

Wilderness Lodge

Yes

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Yes

Top Highlight

Wilderness Lodge

Stunning Pacific Northwest National Park Lodge-inspired theming

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios

Overview

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

A deluxe lodge inspired by U.S. national park hotels, with boat service to Magic Kingdom and adjacent Disney Vacation Club inventory.

Walt Disney World Dolphin

A large Marriott-operated convention resort on Crescent Lake with Disney benefits and direct access to the Epcot-area walkway network.

Amenities

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Arcade
  • Playground
  • Tennis Courts
  • Jogging Trail
  • Boat Rental listed in Activities & Recreation

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Spa

Rooms

  • Club Level

Other

  • Wilderness Lodge Mercantile shop
  • Boat dock on Bay Lake for ferry to Magic Kingdom and Fort Wilderness

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Tennis Courts
  • Jogging Trail
  • Arcade
  • Playground
  • Camp Dolphin for children ages 4-12 from 5pm to midnight with themed activities, video games, arts and crafts
  • Swan paddleboat rentals on the white sand beach

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Spa

Rooms

  • Club Level

Other

  • Laundry Facilities
  • Child Care
  • Business Center
  • Boat launch courtyard between Swan and Dolphin; Friendship launches to Epcot and Hollywood Studios
  • Gift Shop

Transportation

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

  • Boat

    Magic Kingdom Park

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Walk

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Boat

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Pros

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

  • Stunning Pacific Northwest National Park Lodge-inspired theming
  • Boat service to Magic Kingdom from the resort dock
  • Geyser Point Bar and Grill offers outdoor lakeside dining
  • Boulder Ridge Cove Pool with waterfalls and Pacific Northwest theming
  • Peaceful wooded setting away from resort bustle

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios
  • Can be booked with Marriott/SPG hotel points for potentially free nights
  • Crescent Lake location with boat service and BoardWalk access
  • Shula's Steakhouse and Il Mulino are top-tier dining options on property
  • Often cheaper than equivalent Disney-owned Deluxe resorts

Cons

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

  • No monorail access, requires boat or bus to reach Magic Kingdom
  • Far from EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom
  • Standard rooms are on the smaller side for the Deluxe tier
  • Limited transportation options compared to monorail resorts
  • Some rooms lack balconies

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Not a Disney-owned resort, so no Early Entry or advance booking perks
  • Resort and parking fees are high in addition to the nightly rate
  • Dated exterior design with the iconic dolphin statues divides opinion
  • Rooms were historically smaller and less updated than Disney Deluxes
  • Bus service to non-walkable parks is less reliable than Disney buses

On-Site Dining

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

  • Geyser Point Bar & Grill

    Table Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Geyser Point Bar & Grill To Go

    Quick Service

    American

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Roaring Fork

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • Territory Lounge

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Whispering Canyon Cafe

    Table Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Bourbon Steak - A Michael Mina Restaurant

    Table Service

    American, Steakhouse

    dinner

    View menu

  • Bourbon Steak Lounge

    Quick Service

    American, Steakhouse

    snack

    View menu

  • Cabana Bar and Beach Club

    Table Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Fuel

    Table Service

    American, Quick Service - Coffee

    snack

    View menu

  • Phins

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano

    Table Service

    Mexican

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano Lounge

    Quick Service

    Mexican

    snack

    View menu

  • The Fountain

    Table Service

    American

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo

    Table Service

    Seafood

    dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo Lounge

    Quick Service

    Seafood

    snack

    View menu

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