Disney Lakeshore Lodge, the new resort at Walt Disney World that will open in 2027

On the southern shore of Bay Lake, where the legendary River Country water park once stood, Disney is building something unprecedented in its more than 50 years in Florida : a resort whose heart beats to the rhythm of nature and that will pay visual and narrative homage to the animated classics closest to the natural world.

After years of setbacks, delays, and a name change, the project that began in 2018 is now emerging with a renewed identity and construction progressing steadily. Its new name says it all: Disney Lakeshore Lodge .

This will be a resort that does not seek to compete with the parks, but to offer a radically different experience: the stillness, contemplation and beauty of the natural environment of Florida , wrapped in the unmistakable visual language of Disney.

A story marked by the pandemic and persistence

The Disney Lakeshore Lodge that we will see in 2027 didn't come from scratch. Its story begins in 2018 and 2019 , when Disney first announced a project for that same plot of land next to Bay Lake, 20 minutes from Orlando , then under the name Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge .

The opening was planned for 2022 and the concept already included a restaurant inspired by The Princess and the Frog , confirmed before construction even began.

However, the 2020 pandemic brought everything to a halt . Construction never began, and the project was suspended indefinitely, becoming one of the most memorable—and ultimately unsuccessful—announcements in Walt Disney World's recent history.

Years later, Disney revived the initiative with a renewed identity . The resort changed its name to become the current Disney Lakeshore Lodge , and construction resumed between 2024 and 2025 , this time with real and visible progress on the ground.

By March 2026 , aerial photographs and accounts from visitors touring the Bay Lake area by boat confirmed that the main tower's vertical structure was nearly complete. The first outlines of the pool and lazy river that would complete the complex were also visible.

With summer 2027 as the target date — no specific day yet announced by Disney — the project that once seemed abandoned is now shaping up to be one of the most anticipated openings of the park in the last decade.

Disney-style architecture that speaks to the landscape

Strategically located between Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort , the new complex will integrate with its surroundings through an architectural approach unusual in large theme resorts: spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows that not only flood the interior spaces with natural light, but also make the lake landscape part of the permanent scenery.

The local flora and fauna of Bay Lake will not be an accidental backdrop, but a deliberate design element. The exterior, architecture, and interior art were conceived as a continuum , so that guests never lose sight of the surrounding nature, whether from their room, the restaurant, or the pool.

The resort's art direction will draw direct inspiration from three Walt Disney Animation Studios classics: the lush forests of Bambi , the colorful winds of Pocahontas , and the vast glacial landscapes of Brother Bear . These won't be explicit or overt references, but rather subtle nods in textures, color palettes, and decorative elements that Disney fans will recognize.

Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando with 4-Park Magic Ticket (5 days / 4 nights)

Disney Lakeshore Lodge: From studios to lakefront homes

The resort will feature 967 accommodations spread across a 9-story main tower and several separate buildings. The offerings range from compact studios to spacious suites and multi-bedroom villas , designed for large families seeking space and privacy without sacrificing the magic of Disney.

But the biggest novelty is the so-called "lakeside homes," a category never before seen in the Disney Vacation Club portfolio. Available in one- and two-bedroom versions, these homes will be located literally on the shores of Bay Lake, offering a connection with nature that is difficult to replicate at any other resort in the complex.

Disney experts anticipate that these will be the hardest units to book , as similar properties such as the Fort Wilderness cabins and Polynesian Village bungalows typically sell out months before they become available.

Many rooms in the main tower will also enjoy daytime lake views and, at nightfall, a privilege few properties offer: Magic Kingdom fireworks as a private spectacle from your window. The strategic role in Disney Vacation Club.

Access to and from Magic Kingdom

Access to the resort will follow the model of neighboring hotels: Disney is expected to provide boat transport to Magic Kingdom from the resort's own pier, in addition to the usual bus system that connects to the four theme parks.

For those staying in the Bay Lake area, this type of water transfer is one of the details that most contribute to making the experience feel truly special.

With the construction of the tower virtually completed in March 2026 —visible from the ships that connect Fort Wilderness with Magic Kingdom— and more than a year ahead to finish interiors, gardens and services, Disney Lakeshore Lodge is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated openings at Walt Disney World in the last decade .

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