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Tall timber and the grandeur of Rocky Mountain national park geyser
country are the inspiration for Disney's Wilderness Lodge.
A sun-drenched atrium dominated by 60-foot lodgepole pine timbers
and a massive stone fireplace helps recapture the romance of rustic,
century-old architecture with a contemporary flair, bringing the
wilderness world of nearly 100 years ago 2,000 miles to Florida
lakes and forest lands.
One of Disney's "deluxe" category resorts, the lodge is hidden
away on the shores of Bay Lake surrounded by towering pine, cypress
and oak forests. The 728-room hideaway is accessible by boat across
Seven Seas Lagoon to Magic Kingdom and by bus to all Walt Disney
World theme parks, hotels and attractions.
Warm tones of brown, green and beige create a cozy, woodland feeling
in the guestrooms. An old-fashioned patchwork quilt, artwork depicting
the mystery of the old West and a light-wood armoire etched with
mountain scenes adorn the rooms. Most rooms include a balcony with
views of waterfalls, "geysers," courtyards, Bay Lake or the surrounding
woods.
The resort features a volcanic meadow with bubbling color pools,
babbling brooks and geysers spewing misty streams up to 100 feet
into the air beside the swimming pool and white sand beaches.
Though conditions during the two-year construction project didn't
match the harsh, subzero climate when Old Faithful Inn was created
by craftsmen more than 90 years ago, forging Wilderness Lodge out
of the Florida landscape was no small feat. Tons of granite flagstones
and hundreds of giant lodgepole pines from the West were brought
in to re-create the authentic atmosphere of America's national park
lodges.
A soaring, log-framed main lobby is the centerpiece of the complex.
Massive six-story-high bundled log columns help support roof dormers
that bathe the multicolored wood and stone floor below in natural
light. Four massive chandeliers with torch-cut scenes of Indians
and buffalo, topped with glowing teepees, grace the lobby. Two 55-foot-tall
handcarved totem poles -- the "eagle" and "raven" -- were inspired
by Northwest Indians.
A majestic, 82-foot-tall, three-sided stone fireplace re-creates
a 2-billion-year geological record of the earth with fossilized
remains of prehistoric animal and plant life. Colorful rock strata
layers are re-created in the proportions they occur in the Grand
Canyon.
The culture and beauty of the West is showcased in the artwork
at the lodge. The oldest culture to be honored in the hotel is the
Native American, with artifacts from tribes such as the Cheyenne,
the Crow, the Sioux and the Blackfoot. The era of exploration is
represented by maps from the great Western survey teams plus sketches
and watercolors from artists such as Karl Bodmer and George Catlin.
Guests are invited to explore porches, the Continental Divide lobby
bar, the library and other intimate spaces that are tucked away
within the lobby and six-story guest wings which surround a themed
water recreation area.
A bubbling hot spring in the main lobby expands into a geothermal
area outside the building. The water flows under a picturesque window
wall to become Silver Creek in the upper courtyard. The quiet, contemplative
creek widens and is transformed into a roaring waterfall which plummets
15 feet past Overlook Point, another traditional National Park icon,
and widens again in the swimming area.
A kiddie pool and hot and cold spas complete the swimming area
which then flows toward Bay Lake. The excitement is capped off by
steaming color pools and an Old Faithful-style geyser that erupts
at regular intervals.
The serene setting of Disney's Wilderness Lodge is complemented
by unequaled epicurean experiences like Artist Point, a fine-dining
restaurant featuring traditional Northwestern specialties such as
cedar-planked salmon, pan-roasted scallops and grilled beef tenderloin.
The eatery is adorned with grandiose murals celebrating landscapes
of the great Northwest.
The nearby Territory Lounge pays homage to the trappers, explorers
and survey parties who led the country's move westward. Roaring
Fork Snacks and Arcade offers grilled sandwiches in a cafeteria-style
setting.
Wood-roasted, smoked, grilled and barbecued cuisine can be found
at Whispering Canyon Cafe -- a family-style, all-you-can-eat restaurant
with an American West motif.
The artistic wilderness theme is also captured at Cub's Den, the
lodge's kids recreation and dining club; the retail shop; the arcade;
and the Trout Pass poolside bar.
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