Why You Should Stay at Disney’s Boulder Ridge Villas
My family loves Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. I can not overstate this. We love going home to this resort. Walking into its lobby still gives me chills, 15 years after our first visit. Before we bought into the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) years ago, we stayed there exclusively. Why? Because it is beautiful and peaceful and awesome. Wilderness Lodge is the undisputed Walt Disney World Resort champion. Your mileage may vary, but probably not.
We recently went back to the Wilderness Lodge, this time to stay in the Boulder Ridge Villas. It was our first time in this part of the hotel. I already want to go back.
Before I go any further, it’s time for a history lesson…
Boulder Ridge used to be the only DVC option at the Wilderness Lodge. It was originally called the Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. But in 2017, Disney Vacation Club renamed it Boulder Ridge. With the name change came a Wilderness Lodge overhaul. The hotel sold an entire wing to the DVC, which renamed it Copper Creek Villas. DVC also added the Cascade Cabins.
Okay, the cabins…
These cabins are stunning. And incredibly expensive, points-wise. I toured them on our last trip, which will probably be the only way I’ll ever step inside one. They are spectacular.
Alright, back to Boulder Ridge.
Location
It’s an easy stroll from the Wilderness Lodge’s lobby to Boulder Ridge. A covered wooden walkway connects the main hotel to the Villas. Rooms near this walkway might have issues with noise. Luggage carts are incredibly loud when they roll down this path, although that should only happen during the day.
Theming
The Wilderness Lodge was designed as an homage to national park lodges in the western United States. Boulder Ridge feels right at home next to the main hotel, but its style is unique. The Villas are themed after 1860s railroad hotels but on a grander scale. The railroad theme is very present in the Villas’ lobby. We’ll cover that in a bit.
The Villas’ exterior features a deep red roof, brown wood siding, muted blue shudders, and green accents. It blends beautifully into the surrounding grounds. It’s a peaceful setting. If you enjoy quiet, I can’t recommend Boulder Ridge enough. It and Animal Kingdom – Kidani Village are my two favorite “quiet” resorts.
The lobby
The Boulder Ridge lobby is much more intimate than that in the Wilderness Lodge. But it is beautiful in its own way. Adorned with model trains, historical Disney photographs, fireplaces, and plenty of comfortable seating, it’s the perfect area to unwind after a day of Disney park crowds.
Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room
Walt Disney loved trains (almost as much as I love this resort). That’s apparent when you tour the Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room in the Boulder Ridge lobby. Two train cars from Walt’s personal collection can be found opposite a fireplace.
A plaque on the display states the following:
— Carolwood Pacific Historical Society courtesy of the Walt Disney Family Foundation
Before the Disneyland Railroad existed, there was the Carolwood Pacific – a miniature one-eighth scale steam railroad Walt Disney designed for his family home in Los Angeles. These original freight cards, built by the first Disney Imagineer Roger Broggie, brought great joy to Walt and anyone who visited this five-acre property on Carolwood Drive.
Sturdy Branches Health Club
In addition to great theming and history, Boulder Ridge also has an excellent workout facility. Sturdy Branches is stocked with treadmills, stationary bicycles, ellipticals, free weights, and weight machines. I don’t work out while on vacation — I let 20K steps a day take care of that — but our friend loves the facilities. He was in Sturdy Branches early every morning making the rest of us feel a little guilty, but not guilty enough to join him. Sturdy Branches is available to all guests staying in Wilderness Lodge.
Boulder Ridge Cove Pool
I regret that we didn’t get to enjoy the pool on our last visit. We’ve swum in the Copper Creek Springs Pool many times. The Cove Pool has a much quieter vibe, probably due to the lack of a water slide and a kids’ play area. The zero-entry pool is beautiful, as is the theming around it. The pool’s crane is actually recycled from Hollywood Studios’ Backlot Tour. It was featured in the Catastrophe Canyon scene.
Boulder Ridge guests should also take advantage of Wilderness Lodge’s many amenities.
Dining
Wilderness Lodge has numerous dining options:
- Geyser Point Bar & Grill (quick-service)
- Roaring Fork (quick-service)
- Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White (table service)
- Whispering Canyon Cafe (table service)
- Territory Lounge (no reservations required)
While each location offers great food, nothing beats the scenery at Geyser Point. It’s open-air and right on Bay Lake. Yes, it’s considered quick-service, but it doesn’t feel like a typical Disney quick-service restaurant. You can also mobile order if you’d like to take your meal back to your room.
Copper Creek Springs Pool
Younger swimmers will love this pool’s slide and activity play area. The pool is fed by Copper Creek, which starts in the main lobby and cascades down waterfalls before entering the pool. This pool’s theming is the best in Disney World.
Water Taxi Service
Water taxis can ferry you to Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Everyone gets a little tired of Disney buses by the end of their vacations. These boats are a much more peaceful way to travel.
Other recreation
Want to go fishing? Or watch the Electrical Water Pageant from Geyser Point? Or make s’mores over a campfire? A stay at Wilderness Lodge lets you do all of that. Oh, and you can play cornhole. If that doesn’t sell you on booking here, I don’t know what will.
Closing thoughts
With its upgraded rooms and spectacular theming, Boulder Ridge has become a must-stay for our family. Disney World vacations can be chaotic and crowded. This resort is the opposite. It’s the perfect place to start and end your day at Disney World.
