Sitting in my private two-bedroom cabin, feet propped on the hearth and gazing at the lake through a screened-in porch, I could easily imagine that I was looking out at Washington’s Puget Sound, Oregon’s Crater Lake or perhaps California’s Lake Tahoe.
But, actually, I was at Walt Disney World’s new Copper Creek Villas & Cascade Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. The 14th Disney Vacation Club property, Copper Creek opened July 2017 with 184 guestrooms including studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom villas, as well as the 26 two-bedroom waterfront cabins on the shores of Bay Lake. For families looking for “rustic elegance,” space to spread out and proximity to Disney’s world-class theme parks, Copper Creek may be the spot.
I loved spending relaxing mornings on the balcony of my Deluxe Studio Villa amidst Florida pines and my coffee. The room is outfitted with a kitchenette, a queen bed, a sleeper sofa and room for four adults.
However, the showpiece of Cooper Creek is the selection of private two-bedroom, two-bathroom Cascade Cabins. These mini-vacation homes sleep up to eight people, and, in addition to the full kitchen, include a large dining and living room; an indoor-outdoor fireplace; a screened-in wraparound porch with a private hot tub; and a washer and a dryer. With only a short five-minute boat ride to the Magic Kingdom, families will feel like they have their own personal cabin in the woods, right on Walt Disney World property.
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The decor for Copper Creek Villas & Cascade Cabins blends with the Arts-and-Crafts inspired style of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Furnishings and decorations use natural elements, such as wood and stone, and logos on a framed print in the villas resemble commemorative national park window stickers from the Works Progress Administration era. Throughout the resort are nods to America’s railroading past and the scenic wonders awaiting visitors at national parks.
The new Boulder Ridge Cove Pool continues the railroading theme with mine cars and a steam train water tower lining the zero-depth entry pool. Of course, you can’t have a train without a depot — Reunion Station will serve as the activity center for the resort with a pool table, a ping-pong table, foosball, barbecue pavilions, a movie area and more. (Guests staying at Copper Creek Villas & Cascade Cabins or Disney’s Wilderness Lodge can access all amenities at either property.)
Another addition to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge that opened with Copper Creek is Geyser Point Bar & Grill. This eatery quickly became my favorite spot on property with its open-air lounge and quick-service dining. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, I ate nearly every meal of my stay here and sampled the beer and specialty cocktails as well. The menu features an array of burgers, sandwiches and salads, but the best items are found on the lounge menu, which includes “Shrimp on a Wire” with miso-lime vinaigrette, togarashi (a Japanese spice mixture), shishito peppers and chili aioli; a charcuterie board; and more. And thanks to Geyser Point’s unobstructed views of Bay Lake, it was incredibly relaxing to end the day outside with a black cherry mule in hand. There’s even a fire pit available for roasting s’mores.
What’s more, if you position your chair at the right angle, you can glimpse the nightly Magic Kingdom fireworks (the lounge plays the accompanying music, too). Don’t forget to raise a glass to the Electrical Water Pageant as it sails by with its floating parade of twinkling lights and patriotic music, too.
Did You Know?
Families do not have to be Disney Vacation Club members in order to book rooms at the Copper Creek Villas & Cascade Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
The Details
Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodgedisneyworld.disney.go.com
