There's never a shortage of excitement and intrigue when a new Disney World hotel is on the way, and the Orlando resort's next new resort Lakeshore Lodge is no exception.
Lakeshore Lodge, a new nature-themed Disney Vacation Club property, is taking shape on the shores of Bay Lake, looking across the water toward Magic Kingdom..
Here, we take a look some of the details released by Disney so far ahead of the opening of Lakeshore Lodge next summer.
1. Lakeshore Lodge opens in summer 2027
Lakeshore Lodge is slated to open in "summer 2027" although Disney World is still hedging with the word "projected" and has yet to commit to a specific date.
Details about bookings, rates and a firm opening day are all still to come.
2. It's rising on one of Walt Disney World's most mourned patches of ground
This is not the first property built on this location. Lakeshore Lodge sits on the south shore of Bay Lake, between Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
It is located on the same footprint as River Country, Disney World's original water park that opened in 1976 and closed in 2001, before sitting abandoned for the best part of two decades.
The site has a more recent history too. As it was to be a nature-themed resort called Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, first announced in 2018 before being shelved in 2020.
Lakeshore Lodge is effectively that project revived.
3. Nature is the theme
Guests can expect to encounter theming and inspiration from Disney favourites like Pocahontas and Bambi, but, really, the star of the resort is the great outdoors and nature.
Disney's design brief draws from Walt Disney's fondness for the outdoors, drawing cues from a spread of a number of films rooted in landscape: the forests of Bambi, the wind-and-colour palette of Pocahontas, the glacial scenery of Brother Bear.
Although guests shouldn't expect over-the-top literal character theming. Based on information and artist renders, it appears that these references and inspirations are more subtle - think Wilderness Lodge more so than Art of Animation.
4. There will be 967 rooms
It is going to be a substantial hotel.
Accommodation will span everything from studios up to multi-room suites. There will be Bay Lake views, perfect for watching Magic Kingdom fireworks by night.
Precisely how many lake view rooms there'll be has yet to be announced, but in all, the whole resort will have some 967 rooms.
5. Lake Houses will be the premium accommodation
An upgrade from mere lake view, the new DVC property will debut one- and two-bedroom Lake Houses set along the waterfront.
These are aimed at families who want more space and a premium position by the water's edge.
More details about Disney Vacation Club at Lakeshore Lodge can be found via the online portal.
6. Lobby set to wow guests
Artist rendering suggests Lakeside Lodge will deliver a real wow-factor.
Floor-to-ceiling windows will open the lobby onto the outdoor recreation area, with a fibre-optic river running across the floor and a blown-glass sculpture overhead; hundreds of suspended glass leaves, themed around Pocahontas and its best-known song.
Custom tapestries and furnishings using river-recovered cypress wood round out the palette.
No doubt, if the real thing lives up to the designs and artist's impression, it looks likely that Instagram and Tiktok will be seeing an awful lot of the photogenic lobby.
7. Moonglade is the signature restaurant
The resort opens with three dining venues, and Moonglade is the flagship: a table-service restaurant right on the lakefront, with windows framing the cypress trees along the water's edge.
The menu is expected to focus on seasonal and locally sourced cooking.
8. Bay Lake Provisions: The quick service
Lakeshore Lodge will have Bay Lake Provisions for its quick-service option. It is described as an all-day marketplace built around an open kitchen.
It is expected to serve speciality coffee, quick-service meals and grab-and-go food the rest of the day.
Disney says there will be woodland characters from the animated back catalogue hidden throughout the space, which will be a fun little scavenger hunt for guests who like that sort of thing.
9. Paint Out Point Bar & Grill is the poolside option
Sitting near the main pool, Paint Out Point will serve shareable plates and cocktails.
Here, the theming hook is plein-air painting (the French speciality of open-air style that emphasises natural landscapes). The intention is that the walls will carry original artwork, produced by Disney Imagineers, framing the Bay Lake landscape itself.
10. Dandelion Terrace is built for the fireworks
The evening venue is a lounge overlooking Bay Lake, positioned to capture Magic Kingdom's nightly fireworks.
Inside, there is expected to be a two-storey gallery of archival artwork from the classic films; plus dandelion-inspired light sculptures.
As a fireworks-view lounge on the lake's edge, it's a safe bet that this will be a destination that will be in high demand.
11. The Wetlands gives the resort two pools and a lazy river
Wetlands will be the showcase for family fun by the pool
The outdoor recreation area sits directly beyond the lobby. At its centre will be Lakeshore Lagoon, a zero-entry feature pool with a spiral waterslide.
Meanwhile, on the far side of the property, Cypress Point offers a quieter leisure pool and whirlpool spa (and it is also angled for fireworks views).
Connecting Wetlands and Cypress Point will be the Daydream River, a lazy river. A scenic walking path is also shown in the artwork.
12. There are two dedicated play areas for younger guests
Heron Shores is the dry option, built around climbing features.
Otter Springs is the wet one, with interactive water play and slides for smaller children.
Both names are drawn from wildlife referenced in "Colors of the Wind".
13. There's a plaque, and Disney won't say what it's for
Tucked into the June update is a line about a special plaque along the walking path, honouring a beloved historic attraction that once stood on the spot (very likely a River Country easter egg).
What we still don't know about Lakeshore Lodge
Quite a lot, in fairness.
With around a year to go until the targeted opening, Disney is announcing tidbits from time to time.
Guests looking forward to planning trips to Lakeshore Lodge will be keen to see info on rates, opening booking dates, restaurant menus, and Disney Vacation Club details (points charts, sales timing, member benefits).
Transport arrangements are only sketched, and are likely to be in line with similar hotels in this part of the Disney World property. Magic Kingdom is reachable directly by boat, and the resort will carry the usual Walt Disney World hotel perks, including complimentary transport across the property and early theme park entry.
Between now and next summer, we'll look forward to further updates.
