Old Key West vs. Wilderness Lodge Disney World Resort Guide 2023

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World can be complicated — especially when you’re trying to choose between 25 resort hotels. If you’ve narrowed down your choices to these hotels, how do you make your final selection?

Grab a book a chair!

Choosing between Disney’s Riviera Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge isn’t an easy task. Well, let’s dive into the deets to see which one is right for you!

Whether room size, location, pools, and/or restaurants are most important to you, we share the information that you’ll need to make an informed decision. After all, we want you to stay at the hotel that is best for your family!

Let’s get started and look at all the details so you can confidently plan your Disney trip.

Wilderness Lodge

There’s no doubt that Disney vacations are expensive, and no one wants buyer’s remorse when it comes to what can usually be the most EXPENSIVE part of your Disney trip. We’re approaching this chaos-agent of a decision with as much logic as possible, so we’re breaking it down into five categories:

Common Ground
Theme/Rooms
Pools
Food
Transportation

Welcome to Old Key West!

Let’s get started on your vacation research.

Common Ground

Before we mention their differences, let’s take a look at what Old Key West and Wilderness Lodge have in common. First, both offer Deluxe Villa accommodations (Wilderness Lodge also offers Deluxe rooms) with a similar resort layout. The Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Villas can be booked by Disney Vacation Club members or cash-paying guests. You’ll discover luxurious amenities and unique theming at both hotels. Plus, both boast many of the same perks. Old Key West and Wilderness Lodge offer buses and one other type of Walt Disney World transportation.

The Lobby of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort

The most expensive rooms at both resorts are large villas. You’ll see that rates are very similar, however note that the least expensive rooms at Old Key are still quite spacious.

For Old Key West, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $457 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $3,081 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit.

For the Wilderness Lodge, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $453 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $5,128 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit. (Based on 2023 rates)

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Let’s dig a little deeper to see what you can get for the money at these resorts!

Extra Theme Park Hours Benefits for Disney World Resort Hotel Guests

Theme/Rooms

These are not your standard hotels. At Disney’s Old Key West Resort, you’ll discover the tropical relaxation of southern Florida! While a stay at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge transports you to a Northwestern National Park Lodge.

DVC Corkcicle

But whether your stay takes you to the posh riviera or the rustic wilderness, you’ll find that both options provide delightful Disney amenities.

Old Key West

As a Deluxe Villa Resort, this hotel offers many unique perks. Villas can be booked by Disney Vacation Club members or cash-paying guests, and because of the immense size of Old Key West, rooms are often available!

Opened in October 1991, Old Key West features a relaxed, beach vibe (minus the ocean). Picture yourself vacationing at a Caribbean-style guest house in small neighborhood-type structures. Exteriors are painted in soft hues reminiscent of the Florida Keys. People return here year after year because of the laid-back atmosphere and large rooms.

Old Key West Resort — Deluxe Studio Room.

Yes, this resort offers generous square footage in each studio or villa. Studios are furnished with two queen beds and a kitchenette. Take note of that balcony! Two-bedroom villas sleep up to nine people. The one-to-three-bedroom villas have a full kitchen, as well as washer and dryer. Rooms were last renovated in 2019.

Old Key West Resort

Speaking of spacious accommodations, the 3 Bedroom Grand Villas at various Disney Vacation Club properties can sleep up to 12 people! These rooms typically come with 3 bedrooms, 3 (or more) bathrooms, a (very large) full-sized kitchen, living area, dining area, and a balcony. These rooms are available first for DVC members to book, so they’re pretty difficult to score, and pricing is not readily available to the public (unless you call Disney to book for a specific date).

If you’re looking for convenience, these amenities might make your trip a whole lot easier!

Wilderness Lodge

Welcome to the beauty and grandeur of the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Towering redwoods, pristine free-flowing creeks, artifacts, and monuments to American history and its inhabitants. The inspiration for this resort is pulled from various lodges and resorts of the national parks like Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone National Park and Ahwahnee Hotel at Yosemite National Park. Guests feel the full majesty of nature once they enter the grand lobby, soaring ceilings, the massive 82-foot tall Grand Canyon-inspired fireplace, and 55-foot totem poles.

Wilderness Lodge really shines during the holiday season!

And the lobby delivers on that jaw-dropping “oh wow” moment (especially around the holidays).

Headboards

The deluxe Wilderness Lodge standard rooms received a little facelift, like the Contemporary and Polynesian rooms have. So, when you stay here, you’ll get to experience a bit more streamlined and updated decor that is both modern and rustic.

Wilderness Lodge also has two different Disney Vacation Club accommodations, Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek, which include villas ranging from basic studio rooms all the way up to multi-room cabins overlooking Bay Lake.

Bathroom

Some of these cabins face the Contemporary Resort and may provide some obstructed views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.

Results

This could boil down to your preference. Old Key West feels like stepping into “Margaritaville” and all things summer, while Wilderness Lodge is cozier and “wintery.” Both resorts deliver beautifully on their themes. So, this really could be down to what type of vibe you want on your vacation.

PHOTOS: The Halls at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Are DECKED Out for Christmas!

Pools

When the weather is HOT or you just need a break from park queues, head to your resort pool! After all, the pools have their own unique features and special theming. Feature pools at Walt Disney World hotels usually have at least one slide and also offer poolside activities. Look at the hotel’s recreation schedule for more information. Some Disney resorts are so spread out that they also offer leisure pools. These swimming spots are family-friendly with at least one whirlpool spa. Leisure pools are quieter than the more crowded and active feature pools.

Old Key West Pool