WDWNT was invited on a special boat tour observing the Disney Lakeshore Lodge exterior construction from Bay Lake at Walt Disney World. We were able to capture some photos and video of the work site, as well as learn more about this new hotel opening in summer 2027 from executive architect Dean Huspen and senior show manager Amy Watts of Walt Disney Imagineering.

New concept art was also released today, April 30, that shows the backside of the resort, including the pool area and lazy river.

Video Tour of Construction

Lakeshore Lodge

Lakeshore Lodge is inspired by Walt Disney’s lifelong fascination with nature, and films such as Pocahontas, Bambi, and Brother Bear are influential in the design.

Here we see a portion of the resort that faces Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the Magic Kingdom. We can assume one of the large open areas might be a shared observation deck for nightly fireworks.

Thematically, the hotel is centered on the Southeast U.S. and Disney says it will complement the other hotels within the Wilderness community (Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge).

Above we see what will likely be a dining venue on the water. When the hotel was planned Reflections, this venue was going to be themed to The Princess and the Frog. It’s unclear what it will be now until further details are shared.

When visiting, guests will follow a lush driveway that is one mile long and lined with trees. Upon arrival, they will find themselves under the hotel’s porte cochére, which was inspired by the aesthetic of a bird in flight. A similar angular design can be seen above in the archways of the roof. A series of glass-lined openings in the lobby will allow guests to see the nature around them.

Lakeshore Lodge incorporates floor-to-ceiling windows in many places to allow guests to feel immersed in nature. These A-frame cabins, called Lake Houses, are flanked by massive floor-to-ceiling windows.

Depending on which Lake Houses they choose, guests may get a view that includes Magic Kingdom fireworks or views of Bay Lake. The Lake Houses on the western edge are larger and face the nighttime spectaculars, while those along Clementine Beach near Fort Wilderness on the eastern side face out into the serenity of Bay Lake.

We presume the one-bedroom cabins will be the Eastern ones, while the two-bedroom Lake Houses will be on the Western side.

A dedicated boat dock is being constructed for water transportation to and from the resort.

According to Disney, the new resort will be a waterfront retreat where guests will “discover the wonder of nature through the artistry of Disney storytelling.” It will open in the summer of 2027.

The recently-revealed concept art further confirms Lakeshore Lodge is keeping designs from Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, the original Disney Vacation Club hotel concept for the space next to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.

Disney Lakeshore Lodge is nestled along Bay Lake, at the former site of the River Country water park, between Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge. It will have 967 rooms, including studios and suites.

Are you excited for this resort to open next summer? Let us know on social media!

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