One of the biggest battles will start to take place on Florida soil this fall — a lighthearted yet somewhat ironic combat between two wilderness resorts in the Sunshine State.
With the opening of Naples' Great Wolf Lodge Resort set for September, Floridians will have the choice between the new vacation spot and Walt Disney World'sWilderness Lodge Resort.
Frompricing and pools to theming and things to do, here are the major comparisons between the two resorts:
Let's start here — what are Great Wolf and Disney Wilderness Lodge resorts?
TheGreat Wolf Resortsis the largest family of indoor water park resorts in North America. Great Wolf Lodge originally began as a small indoor water park resort called Black Wolf Lodge, founded in 1997 by brothers Jack and Andrew "Turk" Waterman, the original owners ofNoah's Ark Water ParkinWisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.
The name change didn't happen until a few years later when Black Wolf Lodge was purchased by The Great Lakes Companies in 1999. In 2000, president and founderCraig A. Stark and the team changed the name to Great Wolf Lodge, and its company headquarters was established inMadison, Wisconsin.
It has since grown to over 20 locations across the country, with Naples a part of their recent expansion.
Walt Disney World'sWilderness Lodge Resortis one of the company's deluxe hotels that opened in May 1994. It has over 700 rooms and sits lakeside on the Seven Seas Lagoon near the Magic Kingdom.
Where are the two resorts located in Florida?
The upcoming Naples location will be the first Florida for Great Wolf Resorts. It will be located at the Interstate 75 and Collier Boulevard interchange.
The Wilderness Lodge Resort is found on Disney's 25,000-acre property in Central Florida, on 901 Timberline Drive in Lake Buena Vista.
What is the cost difference between Great Wolf Lodge and Disney Wilderness Lodge?
Depending on the size of the room, the number of guests, and the season, Great Wolf Lodge guests can book a vacation for roughly $300–$700 per night.
Participating in clubs like AAA can save you up to $100 or so, depending on the day, and your membership number from those is required for reservations. They also highlight using promo codes when booking and checking discount sites, such as Groupon, first.
Currently, the resort is offering a 30% off special for its upcoming grand opening later this summer.
According to Disney's website, the Wilderness Lodge Resort rooms have standard rates of:
- Resort View Room (King Bed) - $521
- Resort View Room (2 Queen Beds) - $518
- Resort View Room (Club Level) - $782
- Water View Room (King Bed) - $564
- Water View Room (2 Queen Beds) - $569
- Fireworks View Room (King Bed) - $735
- Fireworks View Room (2 Queen Beds) - $741
- Deluxe Room, Club Level Access - $1,007
Keep in mind prices might adjust depending on the date.
Are there any differences in their wilderness theming?
Both resorts strive to recreate the rustic feel of the nation's national parks and wilderness with Disney being a tad more specific on where it gets its inspiration.
Disney's resort claims to focus on the Northwest corner of the country, modeled off the historic Old Faithful Lodge circa 1904 in Yellowstone National Park while the Great Wolf Lodge doesn't share a specific location for their usual theming. If anything, some reports share designers will tie in the location around them to their design.
As it is in its name, Great Wolf Lodge does tend to focus onwolveswithin their branding and merchandise. As for Disney, they use their expansive list of iconic characters to their advantage, incorporating princesses, Marvel superheroes, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse characters throughout the resort. They also have hidden Mickeys in the lobby and rooms.
How do the waterslides and pools hold up?
You can't go to Great Wolf Lodge withoutchecking out the waterslides. There will be 12 slides at the new Southwest Florida water park. Here's what to know about five of them:
- Breakaway Bay: This is the first of its kind for Great Wolf Lodge! You'll get in a five-rider raft and be accelerated into a cone shaped "tornado" before exiting into a 360-degree loop. Then, you'll enter a giant bowl, be spinned around, and freefall into the splash channel
- High Paw Roller:This body slide races you through enclosed flumes as you twist and turn before splashing down into a water-filled runout
- Forest Flume: This is a body slide that accelerates riders through 360-degree loops, sharp turns, and drops
- Rapid Racer: Side-by-side slides you can race your loved ones down
- River Canyon Run: Family raft ride that sends you down one of the park's longest slides. There's no steep drops on this one!
It will also have three pools and two water play zones, as well as an outdoor zero-entry pool and hot rub surrounded by outdoor cabanas.
The Wisconsin-based resort promises that the new Naples location's water park will be a little over 90,000 square feet with six swimming pools.
As for the Disney resort, it offerstwo different pools:
Copper Creek Springs Pool -A heated pool surrounded by nature. Guests can choose to relax in hot and cold whirlpool spas or book it down a 67-foot waterslide. There's also an activity play area for children and the Geyser Point Bar & Grilloffers refreshments.
Boulder Ridge Cove Pool- More laid-back, patrons can soak in the whirlpool spa, enjoy a swim in the zero-depth entry pool or score a first come, first served spot at one of 6 shaded seating areas.
What amenities are there for resort guests?
The new Great Wolf Lodge in Naples "will offer a host of family-friendly attractions including miniature golf, arcade and more," Jason Lasecki, a Great Wolf vice-president said to the Naples Daily News. "It is also the home to MagiQuest, our interactive adventure game that allows players to unleash their imagination and go on a quest to save the mythical land of Vellara."
From pools and beaches to outdoor movies, Disney'sWilderness Lodge says itoffers "fun recreation and activitiesfor the whole family. Guests can watch movies under the stars, roast marshmallows for smores, fish in the lake, explore the nature trails, play games in the Button and Bells Arcade, and relax at the spas.
What food options are at each resort?
According to Great Wolf Lodge's website, there will be multiple "casual and full-service dining for every appetite":
- Timbers Table and Kitchen - Offers "comforting dishes, freshly prepared with quality ingredients—a buffet of options for breakfast, or served with generous, family-style portions at dinner."
- Wood's End Creamery - Everything to indulge the sweet tooth, from ice cream sundaes to shakes, as well as lodge-made fudge, cookies, and other baked goodies.
- Fireside - The outdoors-themed environment offers everything from inspired twists on shareable snacks to build-your-own innovations on classic dishes.
- Hungry as a Wolf - Brooklyn-style hand-stretched pizza, savory Italian, garlic cheese bread, and freshly made salads fill the menu.
- Freshwoods Markets - A grab-and-go market that offers cereal and pastries, yogurts, chips, jerky, assorted candies and chocolate bars, mints, gums, freshly prepared fruit cups, salads, sandwiches, coffee, soft drinks, waters, energy drinks, domestic and craft beers, wine.
- The Tidal Wave - Offers soft drinks, iced tea, blended drinks, and an extensive roster of ice-cold beers.
- The Outpost - Located within the park, it has the "very best in craft beers, signature co*cktails, or simply a refreshing iced tea."
- Dunkin Donuts
Dining packages are also available, ranging from $95 to $170. They also have a $19.99 breakfast buffet pass per guest.
At the Wilderness Lodge, there are two full-service restaurants, a lounge, a snack bar, and a combination bar and grill:
- Artist Point– This restaurant becomes an enchanted forest as it hosts the Storybook Dining with Princess Snow White
- Whispering Canyon Cafe– Located off the main lobby, this is a Western-themed family-style restaurant. Food is offered in skillets placed on lazy susans; breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served, in addition to a la carte plates.
- Territory Lounge– Adjacent to Artist Point, this is a lounge that serves coffee drinks, such as micro-brews, espresso, and cappuccinos. Appetizers and light snacks are available in the afternoon and evening.
- Roaring Fork- This is located on the ground floor near the pool entrance of the main Lodge. It is a quick service location with light meals and is openfrom approximately 7 a.m. to midnight.
- Geyser Point Bar & Grill- This is located behind the Copper Creek Villas, overlooking Bay Lake. It serves lunch and dinner. The Bar is a full-service bar, and you can order food there as well.
- Miss Jenny’s In-room dining- Available for breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and dinner from 4 p.m. to midnight.
Guests can use their Disney Dining Plan towards their resort meals, which is amethod of pre-paying for meals and snacks at Walt Disney World. To see the different plans offered at the Walt Disney World Resort, visit theirwebsite.
What can patrons do off resort property?
Wilderness Lodge Resort patrons don't even have to leave the general area their entire trip. Outside of the resort, Disney guests have four theme parks, two water parks, two golfing courses, and the Disney Springs shopping plaza to venture into. They can use the free transportation to head to-and-from these locations.
Just four hours away in Naples, Great Wolf Lodge is on the outskirts of the city. However, it's only less than a 20-minute drive to other hot spots around town, such as:
- Paradise CoastSports Complex
- Naples Zoo
- Naples Botanical Garden
- 5th Avenue South
- Tin City Shops
- Naples Depot Museum
- Naples beaches
