Disney During a Pandemic and Three Amazing DVC Resorts Part 2

Our trip continued when after two nights at the Riviera Resort, we switched locations to Copper Creek at the Wilderness Lodge and stayed in one of the DVC cabins. What a change in scenery it was!  We left what felt like a 5^th Avenue penthouse to a luxurious cabin secluded in the woods of the Pacific Northwest.

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 The boat transportation to Magic Kingdom makes this resort very convenient and our teens were able to pop back to the park at night while we took advantage of some adult relaxation in the hot tub and at the Grand Floridian for a glass of wine in the Enchanted Rose library. The cabins have a spectacular screened in porch with two-sided gas fireplace and a beautiful great room which for those traveling with more than four family members has a comfortable pull out sofa and chair that make sleeping accommodations very convenient. The second bedroom also has a twin murphy bed pull down (with some added Disney magic) to accommodate an extra person.

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We ate lunch the first day at the Whispering Canyon Café restaurant and the food is not only southern BBQ excellent, but the servers make it so magical. MT, our server, was a riot and made the meal all the better with her banter and attentive service. I recommend the traditional all you care to enjoy skillet but the bison burger was also spectacular. The Whispering Canyon Cafe is a must do for anyone staying at Wilderness Lodge.

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After two nights in our cabin, we once again employed the wonderful bell service cast members to transfer our luggage to the over-the-water bungalows at the Polynesian Resort. Again, what a change of scenery! The bungalows make you feel as though you are almost staying in the park, but at the same time, on a secluded Polynesian island. The Electric Light Parade passes right past the bungalows and performs what feels like a personal show at night.  The plunge pool is small, but great for the kids to get wet and relax in or just to dangle your feet in and cool off. The bungalow, like the cabin, has a single and double pull out and the second bedroom a single pull down under the TV so there is plenty of space to not only spread out, but also sleep. Unfortunately, much of the Polynesian is under construction right now for its conversion to more of a Moana-themed resort, so Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and its fun, themed beverages and enthusiastic servers was closed (as was the monorail stop at the hotel), but with the bungalow and the Barefoot pool bar we were just fine. Of course, the Dole Whip beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) were a favorite of all!

We visited the Magic Kingdom from the Polynesian and it was so convenient with the boat (and monorail when running) and with only a short walk to the Transportation and Ticket Center, anything at Disney is right at your fingertips. Many ask whether the bungalows are worth it, and we would answer — it depends. Though all three DVC rooms we stayed in were pricey as far as dollars or points go, if traveling with a large group and if you plan to spend a decent amount of time in the room, we think it’s definitely worth a few nights at any of the rooms we stayed in.

A few final thoughts on the resorts:

1. The Skyliner is much more convenient than we ever thought it would be.
2. The attention to detail and the artwork at the Riviera Resort is unbelievable.
3. The nostalgia of seeing Cinderella’s Castle and Space Mountain from your porch in the bungalows never gets old.
4. The peace and serenity after a long day in the parks of sitting in your own hot tub or on the porch and feeling like you could be in the middle of the mountains or in Tahiti cannot be overstated.
5. The bell staff at all the resorts does not get enough kudos!  They are amazing!