In the most beautiful resort in all of Disney World is a hidden treasure most WDW visitors don’t know about. Try asking a Wilderness Lodge bellhop where the train room is – I did, and he had never heard of it. Yet, nestled in a corner of the Wilderness Lodge DVC building is a heavenly space called The Carolwood Pacific Railway Room. In addition to seeing one or two people sitting in complete peace, you will find a rare collection of trains that belonged to Walt himself, along with related memorabilia and displays.
it really all started with a train
You may recall that before Walt opened Disneyland, he operated a one-eighth scale train for children in his backyard. A train buff since early childhood, Walt learned that two of his animators had their own backyard trains, and he was determined to have one as well. He hired machinist Roger E. Broggie to engineer and construct the set, beginning what would become one of the most important relationships in Disney history. The popularity of his backyard attraction eventually led Walt to dream of an amusement park, better than any other, and surrounded by a train. It was Broggie who was charged with finding the four authentic locomotives for the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. And find them he did – in a junkyard in Mexico at a price of $750 each (Huff Post, 2015).
Walt named his backyard train the Carolwood Pacific Railway – Carolwood was the name of the street where he lived. He named the engine car the Lilly Belle, after his wife Lilly. Today, two of those original cars sit quietly on display in the “Train Room” at Wilderness Lodge. Clearly, they are the stunning centerpiece. Nearby is a smaller replica model of the entire set, which was on sale to the public about 20 years ago. Just one car currently fetches about $400 on eBay today.
the ghost of walt
Photos of Walt enjoying the train with neighboorhood kids fill the walls, as well as artwork and other related displays. There are no cast members or tour guides – rather it is a display for self-exploration. Yet, more than anything – you’ll notice that the room itself has a nearly mystical feel, unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced in WDW. Beyond it’s jolting serenity (people are known to sit down and magically fall asleep here), there’s an uncanny sense of the real presence of Walt himself.
How to Get There
It’s not on the Wilderness Lodge maps, but is directly beside Sturdy Branches (fitness center). Both of these are located in the DVC villa building next to the main lodge building.