McKim’s Mile House: A DVC Hideout in Magic Kingdom
Disney Vacation Club members, it’s time to get ready kick up your boots, and take a load off, McKim’s Mile House has officially arrived in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom!
This is a brand new DVC members lounge and is the perfect hideaway for those looking to escape the Florida heat (or, that mid-afternoon energy crash). Tucked away near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, this rustic themed retreat is packed with Disney history, Wild West charm, and a few hidden gems that fans will love.
So let’s mosey on in and take a look!
Welcome to McKim’s Mile House: A Frontierland Hideaway
Set in the heart of Frontierland, McKim’s Mile House is designed as a refuge for weary travellers, whether they’ve been adventuring on the high seas of Pirates of the Caribbean, battling the emperor Zurg, or simply navigating a stroller through the Emporium (truly the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness).
Inside, you’ll find a cozy and rustic atmosphere, a perfect blend of Old Wild West charm and Disney storytelling. There are seating areas, complimentary refreshments, and (perhaps most importantly) charging stations for those phones running on 1% after too many myDisney Experience app refreshes trying to snag a last minute reservation at Cinderellas Royal Table.
Of course, in true Disney fashion, this lounge is also packed with hidden details and Easter eggs. Look up to the second-floor landing. See those names on the doors? They’re not just decorations. Here is the offices, for:
- B.T. Bullion – The owner of Big Thunder Mining Company, whose gold rush greed set off the supernatural chaos on the wildest ride in the wilderness.
- M. Davis: This is a tribute to the legendary Marc Davis, one of Disney’s original Imagineers and the creative mind behind beloved classic attractions, including Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion.
And the name, McKim’s Mile House, is a nod to Disney legend Herb McKim, whose work helped shape Frontierland and other early Disney park designs, every inch of this new lounge is covered with shoutouts to Disney’s past.
How Do You Get In
This is simple, as there is only one answer, be a DVC member. Walk up. Check in. Enter. Feel immediately superior to the rest of us still sweating in line for Splash Mountain, oops sorry, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
What awaits you once inside
- Cold air-conditioning: Frontierland and Disney heat is no joke, so this will be a welcome break.
- Complimentary snacks: a little something to tide you over, even the most seasoned adventures need to refuel.
- Comfortable seating: no more balancing on a planter edge like a theme park acrobat.
- Phone charging stations: Because what’s a modern-day explorer without their trusty mobile device.
is a relaxing, quiet space, perfect for a midday break before tackling more rides. After braving a seven-dwarf mine train length wait for Big Thunder Mountain or dodging splashes on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a lounge like this is pure gold rush.
DVC: What Even Is It
Alright, so maybe you’re not a member yet (You’re not alone, I’m right there with you) and dreaming of the day you can saddle up and ride into the sunset. But here is a quick roundup.
Disney Vacation Club is an ownership program, sort of like a timeshare (minus the sub standard hotel breakfast) with a little Disney Magic included. With DVC you are not buying a fixed time at one location, instead, club members purchase points, which are used to stay at Disney resorts, villas, or partner hotels, from around the world.
How does it work?
- Members purchase a set number of points, which replenish each year.
- Points are used to book stays at any of the Disney resorts, including (but not limited to), Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Aulani (in Hawaii), plus other international destinations.
- DVC memberships last 10 years, locking in those vacations at the price of joining.
- Memberships give perks, such as exclusive lounge access (hello, McKim’s Mile House), special discounts, exclusive events, and early booking windows.
DVC is it worth it?
The million dollar question (and not the cost of DVC membership), this all depends.
- If you’re a Disney regular, visiting every year or at least plan to moving forward
- Do you prefer staying in deluxe resorts, it can save you money in the long run.
- If you like flexibility and want to book different resorts over the years, DVC works.
If that all sounds a bit like you then DVC could be the right deal for you. However, if you’re more of a last-minute, stay offsite, budget traveler or only plan the occasional Disney vacation, eh, maybe not for you. But I’ll be honest, lounges like McKim’s Mile House make it tempting.
Final Thoughts: A Hidden Oasis in the Wild West
For DVC members, McKim’s Mile House is a must visit addition to Magic Kingdom, offering a cozy, relaxing space in Walt Disney World’s busiest park. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick break, a cold drink, or just letting the tumbleweeds blow by, this new lounge is shaping up to be one of the best hidden gems in Frontierland.
And for those of us still on the outside looking in? Let’s just say this lounge might be enough to push me closer to finally joining the DVC ranks.
So, next time you find yourself wandering the dusty trails of Frontierland, remember, that there’s now a place where you can kick off your boots, cool off, and enjoy a well-earned break. Woody might tell you that “this town ain’t big enough for the two of us,” but thankfully, McKim’s Mile House is more than big enough for the DVC members who need a little respite from the wildest crowds in the wilderness.
We would love to hear your thoughts on this new DVC lounge, are you a fan of this change, are you a DVC member who has been to the lounge, and what were your thoughts, or are you considering becoming a DVC member?
