Disney Lakeshore Lodge (previously Reflections Lakeside Lodge) is a nature-inspired resort being constructed on the previous River Nation water park on Bay Lake. This blended use growth between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness at Walt Disney World will characteristic each resort rooms and Disney Trip Membership villas. (Up to date February 21, 2025.)
Initially introduced in October 2018, this Lakeside/Lakeshore Lodge will “be a celebration of Walt Disney’s lifelong love and respect for nature” with greater than 900 resort rooms and Disney Trip Membership villas. Reflections resort was slated to be the sixteenth Disney Trip Membership property, a part of a major growth on the resort facet of Walt Disney World. It’ll now be the nineteenth DVC resort, and a part of a brand new wave of great growth.
Disney Lakeshore Lodge is billed by the corporate as one of many “most unusual resorts ever constructed” at Walt Disney World. Beforehand launched idea artwork showcases a variety of novel lodging, together with each treehouse suites and waterfront A-frame cabins. There’s additionally anticipated to be a waterfront restaurant situated “alongside the bayou of Bay Lake.”
February 21, 2025 Replace: Work quietly resumed on this mission about 6 months in the past, and has actually kicked into excessive gear. There are at present a half-dozen cranes on web site and the bottom constructions have now reached their second and third flooring.
Energetic development is seen from Bay Lake, Wilderness Lodge, and even the Settlement space of Fort Wilderness. Numerous concrete, rebar, columns, and exercise from the cranes. It’s attention-grabbing to look at, even in the event you’re not essentially excited concerning the completed product.
Walt Disney World hasn’t actually stated a lot formally about Disney Lakeshore Lodge. With the Island Tower on the Polynesian nonetheless model new and in lively gross sales, this is sensible. Disney Trip Membership doesn’t need to steal the highlight from that. What we do know formally is that Disney Lakeshore Lodge is projected to open in 2027.
Disney Lakeshore Lodge is a proposed new Disney Trip Membership resort that shall be impressed by the majesty of nature and its enduring affect on Disney artists. The proposed Disney Lakeshore Lodge shall be situated throughout the identical footprint of the beforehand introduced Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge resort. Further data shall be launched at a later time.
That’s it. Walt Disney World has not shared new idea artwork, how Disney Lakeshore Lodge will differ from Reflections, or the rest. It’s our understanding that nothing has modified with regard to the location plans for what was referred to as Reflections. To this point, this has been substantiated by development permits and different authorities filings, versus bulletins from Walt Disney World.
Accordingly, we are able to nonetheless count on Disney Lakeshore Lodge to be a 10-story blended use resort and DVC property (just like Disney’s Riviera Resort), with waterfront treehouses and A-frame cabins. There’ll nonetheless be a restaurant alongside the “bayou” of Bay Lake, too. Mainly, the constructions themselves shall be considerably related–or the identical–to what was beforehand introduced.
Due to a brand new rumor first reported by wdwmagic, Disney Lakeshore Lodge can be anticipated to supply a essential characteristic pool and a leisure pool, with the previous being the flagship amenity on the resort. The spotlight of Disney Lakeshore Lodge’s pool complicated shall be a lazy river, making it solely the third Walt Disney World resort to supply one, becoming a member of the long-lasting Stormalong Bay on the Yacht & Seaside Membership Resorts (pictured above).
Disney Lakeshore Lodge’s characteristic pool may also embody a zero-entry design for simple entry, water slides, and a splash pad for the youngsters’s play space. Positioned close to the lake and nestled behind the primary resort constructing, the pool space is predicted to supply scenic waterfront views of Bay Lake. We need to underscore that that is rumor and we can’t corroborate the present plans; nothing has been introduced by Disney.
With that stated, I did see plans for Reflections years in the past, and a big pool complicated that includes a lazy river within the central courtyard was the spotlight. I can’t converse to the splash pad or the rest, however the lazy river caught my eye. It’s all the time doable that plans might change or budgets minimize, so till Disney formally publicizes this, it ought to be handled as rumor.
Nevertheless, each new resort wants a marquee providing–a promoting level. Island Tower has the Polynesian and monorail, Riviera Resort has the Skyliner. It might make sense for Disney Lakeshore Lodge to have a formidable pool. It’s not solely a logical characteristic, however an excellent nod to the River Nation water park (see under) that it replaces. I’m positive there shall be many River Nation nods and easter eggs for longtime Walt Disney World followers within the pool complicated.
We made the case for precisely this–a big pool complicated that rivals Stormalong Bay with a big pool complicated, sand seashore, lazy river, and superior water slide–in Why We Need Disney’s River Nation Lodge. That was written previous to the announcement of Disney Lakeshore Lodge, and particulars what we’d wish to see from this mission upon its revival. The emphasis was on the pool complicated, however that additionally argued for ditching the Reflections identify as a result of it sounded just like the place the place Don Draper went to rehab.
Whereas the constructions and structure are unlikely to vary from the earlier plans, don’t be shocked if there are materials adjustments to the looks of Disney Lakeshore Lodge versus Reflections. That is purely speculative, however with a lot passage of time, completely different management each at Imagineering and Parks & Resorts, and shifting tendencies in resort design, it appears inevitable that what we first noticed in 2018 will change to some extent by the point it opens nearly a decade later. Mainly, something aesthetic is prone to change, whereas the unique web site plans appear to be set in stone.
Our hope is that the inside is made to look extra attention-grabbing, timeless, and ‘lodgy.’ What was beforehand proven is dated already, and seemed pretty unambitious. However there’s no motive to imagine the larger image plans for the outside, structure, and so on. have modified. There’s one other false impression amongst followers that the unique Reflections plans have been merely recycled for the Island Tower on the Polynesian. That’s categorically false. I do know they’re each bland and boring towers that seem comparatively interchangeable, however they’re distinct.
Within the intervening years since Disney Lakeshore Lodge was mothballed, a trio of latest Disney Trip Membership tasks within the Magic Kingdom resort space has come to life. The primary and smallest of those was at Walt Disney World’s flagship resort, changing one outlying constructing to new Resort Studios on the Grand Floridian. That mission is finished and already bought out.
The following of those is the New DVC Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (pictured above), which opened final December and is in lively gross sales. This has been a license to print cash for DVC, as everybody loves the Poly. It’ll promote out quick, however that’ll nonetheless take a while.
Lastly, there’s the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Trip Membership Resort (pictured under). These have opened in phases, and at the moment are principally accomplished as of late February 2025. They’ve confirmed controversial amongst Disney followers, however we love the brand new DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness. The most important query mark–does Disney Lakeshore Lodge assist or hinder gross sales of the Cabins at Fort Wilderness? (The reply most likely relies upon upon how Disney treats them. In the event that they’re a part of the identical belief/rental affiliation, gross sales of the Cabins at Fort Wilderness will enhance.)
The opposite motive it’s price drawing consideration to those tasks is as a result of there are a whole lot of them. There’s additionally the Villas at Disneyland Lodge, Disney’s Riviera Resort, and Aulani in Hawaii. That is all important as a result of it means a ton of factors being bought concurrently, and quite a few resorts competing with each other for the eye of patrons.
All of those new Disney Trip Membership resorts nonetheless in lively gross sales explains why Walt Disney World hasn’t stated a lot about Disney Lakeshore Lodge. They don’t need to take consideration away from these, inflicting folks to attend and see what occurs with Lakeshore Lodge earlier than shopping for DVC.
The one factor Disney has accomplished is buried an announcement in a publication–no press launch, idea artwork, or any fanfare. And the one motive they did that as a result of hypothesis was rampant based mostly on a mess of development permits, look of cranes on-site, and the resort beginning to go vertical. It was an open secret, and would’ve been foolish for Disney to faux in any other case.
Radio silence isn’t Disney’s regular MO with regards to new development. If something, they sometimes overshare and take a look at too exhausting to generate hype. So that is very a lot a divergence from the norm. Nevertheless, it’s very in keeping with previous precedent with regards to Disney Trip Membership. I nonetheless bear in mind when Bay Lake Tower was going vertical and plainly seen from the monorail…and DVC gross sales reps pretended it didn’t exist.
Nonetheless, our expectation is that Walt Disney World begins sharing extra about Disney Lakeshore Lodge in 2025. The most effective guess is later within the 12 months, through the Vacation spot D23 occasion over Labor Day. The timing of that’s about excellent, giving the brand new resorts extra time to promote, and showcasing the subsequent mission when it’s about 2 years away from opening.
Disney Lakeshore Lodge additionally displays a sea change at Disney Trip Membership. In the previous few years, they haven’t been afraid to have a number of properties on the market concurrently. That didn’t was the case. Now, DVC is okay with a bigger variety of properties being out there on the market, with the thought course of that extra selection equals larger shopper alternative and a better probability of promoting memberships. (In any case, they’re all going to promote out ultimately…nicely, perhaps minus Aulani!)
Having extra unsold DVC stock at Walt Disney World isn’t notably regarding as a result of it serves as resort stock within the meantime that may be booked out at greater money charges. There’s nonetheless a whole lot of Riviera and Island Tower on the Poly that haven’t been declared, and people rooms fetch $600+ per night time on the resort facet.
Turning to my authentic commentary, I like Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. I’m a Disney Trip Membership member. In principle, Disney Lakeshore Lodge appears completely tailor-made to a few of my favourite issues about Walt Disney World. I need to like the thought of the River Nation parcel lastly being redeveloped, as an alternative of rotting in plain sight. I’m actually eager for the perfect right here.
Sadly, like just about each Fort Wilderness fan, I’m very apprehensive about this Disney Trip Membership mission (nicely, mixed-use, however presumably principally DVC). A part of what makes Fort Wilderness particular is that it’s been comparatively undisturbed by time, and is likely one of the final bastions of “Trip Kingdom of the World” period of WDW.
It’s nearly outstanding how completely different Fort Wilderness feels from the remainder of Walt Disney World—even its neighbor, Wilderness Lodge. It’s nearly as if Walt Disney World management has forgotten about Fort Wilderness, and it hasn’t seen the identical fiscal mandates, adjustments in emphasis, or character as each different resort over the past couple a long time. Largely, it’s been doing its factor, roughly unchanged for the reason that Nineteen Nineties.
There’s a really legit concern, particularly after seeing how the Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge tasks at Wilderness Lodge unfolded, that any growth at or round Fort Wilderness will destroy the primitive and secluded traits of the campground that give it a lot attraction. In any case, it is a campground with wilderness proper within the identify–the atmosphere is the guts and soul of Fort Wilderness.
The event of Disney Lakeshore Lodge doesn’t essentially need to destroy the tranquil and secluded environment of Fort Wilderness, however that looks like a really distinct risk. Disney’s current strategy to creating accommodations adjoining to current resorts doesn’t encourage a lot confidence, and if there’s a ham-fisted strategy when clearing land or an overzealous mentality with regards to the scale or proximity of the resort to the campground, it will likely be extremely detrimental to Fort Wilderness.
As for the design, solely a pair items of idea artwork have been launched, and so they’re nothing particular. I don’t need to rush to judgment right here, as I believe there may be potential for this to finish up being attention-grabbing as soon as extra is launched, however proper now it seems like a reasonably generic resort with some fashionable rustic prospers.
On the plus facet, Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG) is the lead designer for Disney Lakeshore Lodge, and so they have an excellent monitor file with Disney. They designed the unique Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, together with Disney accommodations in Tokyo, Paris, and Hong Kong.
If this have been a decade or two in the past, I could be extra deferential to Disney with regard to this idea artwork. Nevertheless, the final a number of years have proven that Walt Disney World may be very hit and miss with resort growth and redesigns, skewing in direction of boring designs. It appears the strategy is to decide on essentially the most middle-of-the-road choices as doable in order to not alienate these with bland tastes.
Once you evaluate Walt Disney World resorts constructed earlier than the mid-Nineteen Nineties to ones constructed or redesigned in the previous few years, there’s usually a transparent division. Modern tasks are sometimes interchangeable with actual world Vacation Inns or different mid-tier chained model accommodations.
Have a look at the distinction between BoardWalk Inn or Seaside Membership and the brand new Gran Destino Tower at Coronado or Disney’s Riviera Resort. Don’t get me unsuitable–I like each for the facilities they provide, luxuriousness, and room designs. Nevertheless, the exteriors of each go away rather a lot to be desired, and neither are precisely exemplars of themed design. (Admittedly, they’ve each grown on me rather a lot, however I nonetheless want they have been extra ornate or distinctive.)
One clarification is that Disney needs to make issues as crowd-pleasing as doable in order to not alienate any potential clients. The factor about this strategy is that whenever you attempt to attraction to everybody, you find yourself interesting to nobody.
One other clarification is that Imagineering’s skills are unfold too skinny. I do know some readers may solely comply with the tasks at Walt Disney World, however each single property all over the world has large tasks in numerous phases of growth or development.
Previously when much less was occurring concurrently, perhaps some top-tier Imagineering expertise who “bought” Disney’s distinct strategy to accommodations labored on a resort mission. Now? Possibly they’re principally designers who view working for WDI as “simply one other job” no completely different than Greatest Western or IHG.
Alongside those self same strains, with so many tasks in growth, it’s solely doable–if not possible–that management within the Parks & Resorts division is attempting to trim the finances from every one, chopping facets or particulars seen as superfluous.
The issue is that these leaders are usually not creatives, and their expertise is commonly in shopper merchandise or different division of the corporate. They’ve completely no perception into what particulars are literally superfluous, and what are needed for reinforcing theme or creating a way of immersion.
In the end, extra idea artwork could possibly be launched that’s actually good. The mission might make use of a deft hand when creating round Fort Wilderness in a manner that doesn’t harm that panorama. (Disney, simply consider how a lot you can pat yourselves on the again by using eco-friendly and sustainable development practices–it’d be price it within the PR alone!) It might find yourself being actually good–a real tribute to each Walt Disney’s love of nature, however the spirit of River Nation, which was by no means coming again anyway.
I’m cautiously optimistic that’s what might find yourself occurring, however I believe it’s equally seemingly that we’ll get a generically fashionable and vaguely rustic design. It’s additionally extra seemingly that as an alternative of eco-friendly development that preserves the pure magnificence and wilderness of the realm, we get extreme tree clearing for the development, and an finish product akin to Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge by way of vast walkways and naked grounds.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
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