Disney’s Contemporary vs. Wilderness Lodge: Where Should You Stay?
If you love to stay close to Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge are wonderful options. Both are home to DVC Resorts, which means that you can rent a stay in deluxe accommodations near Magic Kingdom for less!
The Contemporary is home to Bay Lake Tower while Wilderness Lodge is home to two DVC Resorts, Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek. When you want to stay at a Magic Kingdom area resort, which of these resorts is best for your trip?
| Feature | Contemporary | Wilderness Lodge |
|---|---|---|
| Magic Kingdom access | Walkway and monorail | Boat or bus transportation |
| Resort atmosphere | Modern, energetic | Rustic, relaxed |
| Dining highlights | California Grill, Chef Mickey’s | Story Book Dining, Whispering Canyon Cafe |
| DVC villa options | Bay Lake Tower | Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek |
| Best fit | Guests prioritizing Magic Kingdom access | Guests prioritizing atmosphere and a quieter setting |
Room Types Available Through DVC Rentals
The variety of room types available at Bay Lake Tower, Boulder Ridge, and Copper Creek is not exactly the same. In some instances, the room type and capacity may help you narrow down which resort can work best for you:
| Room Type | Bay Lake Tower | Boulder Ridge | Copper Creek |
| Deluxe Studio | Up to 4 guests | Up to 5 guests | Up to 4 guests |
| One Bedroom Villa | Up to 5 guests | Up to 4 guests | Up to 4 guests |
| Two Bedroom Villa | Up to 9 guests | Up to 8 guests | Up to 8 guests |
| Two Bedroom Cascade Cabin | Not available | Not available | Up to 8 guests |
| Three Bedroom Grand Villa | Up to 12 guests | Not available | Up to 12 guests |
Comparing DVC Rental Costs
If you’re looking at which resort may best fit your vacation budget, it’s important to consider that the cost of renting a stay at a Deluxe Resort will depend on how many DVC points are required to book the stay. The more points needed, the higher the rental cost will be. The number of points varies depending on the resort, travel dates, room type, and booking category (e.g., Resort View versus Preferred View).
In general, the points charts at Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek are more or less similar, with the biggest differences being that Boulder Ridge does not offer Three Bedroom Grand Villas or the Cascade Cabins. However, Bay Lake Tower’s points chart is somewhat higher.
As an example, a Deluxe Studio at Boulder Ridge or Copper Creek in October costs 17 points per night for weekdays. At Bay Lake Tower, a Deluxe Studio on a weekday in October can be 18 points per night for Resort View, 20 points per night for Preferred View, or as high as 24 points per night for Theme Park View. This means that a stay at Bay Lake Tower will cost more than a stay at Boulder Ridge or Copper Creek.
The cost of renting DVC points at these resorts depends on your travel dates, villa size, and the number of points required for your stay.
Bay Lake Tower, Boulder Ridge, and Copper Creek each have their own DVC points charts, so one resort won’t necessarily be the less expensive option for every trip. Even different room categories at the same resort can require significantly different numbers of points.
The best way to compare costs is to check DVC rental availability and pricing for your preferred dates. You may find that one resort offers a better value for your particular vacation.
Transportation to Disney Parks
If you prefer more alternatives to bus transportation, the Contemporary may be good choice for your vacation. You can take the monorail to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT or easily resort hop to the Grand Floridian and Polynesian.
Since Disney’s Contemporary Resort is so close to Magic Kingdom, you can walk to the park in about 10 minutes, often faster than taking other transportation. You can also use the monorail to reach Magic Kingdom and connect to EPCOT. Bus transportation is available for Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.
When staying at Wilderness Lodge, you can take a nice leisurely boat ride to the Magic Kingdom. However, for the other three theme parks, you will need to take a bus.
Dining Options
If you prioritize a variety of dining options, the Contemporary has slightly more to offer than Wilderness Lodge. You get signature dining with California Grill and its incredible views of Magic Kingdom, iconic character buffet with Chef Mickey’s, casual table service dining at Steakhouse 71, and quick service dining at Contempo Cafe.
However, if you prefer more casual dining options, Wilderness Lodge may be the better fit for you. There’s character dining at Artist Point with Snow White, the fun hijinx at the table service restaurant Whispering Canyon Cafe, casual dining at the waterfront Geyser Point Bar & Grill, and quick service dining from Roaring Fork.
Atmosphere
The Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge differ greatly when it comes to ambiance. What is best for your trip will truly depend on your preferences. When you stay at the Contemporary, the views are the star of the show. You are so close to Magic Kingdom that the resort almost feels like an extension of the theme park. There are even great fireworks viewing areas from the observation deck and bridge by the fourth floor concourse to the viewing deck at California Grill or even the private balconies of the Theme Park View rooms.
Which Resort Should You Choose?
Although Wilderness Lodge is only a short boat ride away from Magic Kingdom, the atmosphere is so peaceful that you can often feel like you are miles away from all the crowds at Disney World. Wilderness Lodge was modeled after the national parks of the Pacific Northwest, and its lobby features an 82-foot tall fireplace, lending a cozy vibe to the resort that makes it perfect for holiday getaways. If you explore the higher floors of the lobby or the smaller lobby at Boulder Ridge, you can find additional seating areas by smaller fireplaces. For some guests, the serene atmosphere at Wilderness Lodge plus its convenient proximity to Magic Kingdom offer the best of both worlds.
However, both Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge offer beautiful DVC accommodations, convenient amenities, and easy access to Magic Kingdom. The best choice comes down to what matters most for your vacation.
Choose Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort if:
- You want to walk to Magic Kingdom.
- You love the convenience of monorail transportation.
- You prefer a modern resort with plenty of activity nearby.
Choose Boulder Ridge or Copper Creek at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge if:
- You enjoy a peaceful resort surrounded by nature.
- You prefer a rustic, cozy atmosphere.
- You don’t mind taking a boat or bus to Magic Kingdom.
There’s no wrong choice here! Both offer a wonderful Disney vacation experience, and renting DVC points gives you another way to enjoy these Deluxe Resort accommodations.
| Feature | Contemporary / Bay Lake Tower | Wilderness Lodge / Boulder Ridge / Copper Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Magic Kingdom access | Walkway and monorail | Boat or bus transportation |
| Resort atmosphere | Modern, energetic | Rustic, relaxed |
| Dining highlights | California Grill, Chef Mickey’s | Story Book Dining, Whispering Canyon Cafe |
| DVC villa options | Bay Lake Tower | Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek |
| Best fit | Guests prioritizing Magic Kingdom access | Guests prioritizing atmosphere and a quieter setting |
Start planning your next Disney vacation! Check DVC availability for Bay Lake Tower, Boulder Ridge, or Copper Creek to rent DVC points and save up to 65% compared to booking directly through Disney.
