Disney's Lakeshore Lodge just received one of its biggest updates yet, and the details are nothing short of magical. Disney has now confirmed an official opening date for the long-anticipated Walt Disney World resort, and revealed a wealth of new information about its theming, accommodations, dining, and waterfront experiences.
A Resort Years in the Making
The story of Lakeshore Lodge stretches back nearly a decade. Disney first announced plans for a resort on this property in 2018, under the name Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge. Those plans stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for a time the project seemed to have vanished entirely. Then Disney began filing new permits connected to the site, signaling that the development still had a future.
In 2024, Disney officially brought the project back into the spotlight with a new identity: Disney's Lakeshore Lodge. The Disney Vacation Club resort will sit along Bay Lake on the former River Country water park property, nestled between Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Disney's Wilderness Lodge. Disney says nature and its influence on Disney artists will play a major role in the resort's design and storytelling.
Lakeshore Lodge will offer 967 accommodations in total, ranging from studios to larger villas and suites. Many rooms will overlook Bay Lake, and some guests should even be able to watch Magic Kingdom fireworks from the resort at night. Disney is also introducing one- and two-bedroom Lake Houses positioned along the waterfront as an additional accommodation option.
Disney Confirms a July 2027 Opening
Disney has now confirmed that Disney's Lakeshore Lodge will officially open on July 1, 2027. That puts a firm date on a project that spent years surrounded by uncertainty, and gives Walt Disney World another major addition to look forward to next summer.
Disney describes Lakeshore Lodge as a waterfront retreat where guests can experience nature through Disney storytelling and artistry. And rather than focusing on a single movie or character across the entire property, the resort draws inspiration from several beloved Disney animated films.
Brand-New Themed Guest Rooms Revealed
The newly revealed accommodations range from compact studios to a sweeping three-bedroom grand villa, with each room type drawing from a different Disney story. Here's a look at what Disney has confirmed:
- Waterfront Lake House — Brother Bear: Featuring large windows and spacious living areas, with mountain imagery and blue, purple, and green lighting behind the bed.
- One-Bedroom Villa — Bambi: Bringing the woodland setting and nature-focused feel of Bambi into these larger villas.
- Hidden Willow Presidential Suite — Pocahontas: One of the resort's premium accommodations, inspired by Pocahontas.
- Resort Studio — Pocahontas: The same film also influences some of the resort's smaller studio accommodations.
- Deluxe Studio — Bambi: Design elements from the classic animated film carry into the deluxe studio category.
- Duo Studio — Encanto: Disney turns to the more recent Encanto for inspiration inside its Duo studios.
- Three-Bedroom Grand Villa — Fantasia: One of the resort's largest accommodation categories will feature a Fantasia theme.
Together, these rooms show how broadly Disney plans to interpret the resort's nature theme. Rather than relying on one franchise, Lakeshore Lodge connects several Disney stories through their relationships with landscapes, animals, and the natural world.
Dining, Lounges, and Waterfront Spaces
Disney has confirmed three dining experiences for Lakeshore Lodge: Moonglade, a table-service restaurant; Bay Lake Provisions, an all-day quick-service marketplace; and Paint Out Point Bar & Grill, a poolside dining location.
Beyond the restaurants, Disney has also revealed additional spaces around the resort, including a lobby inspired by Pocahontas (1995) and Dandelion Terrace, a lounge overlooking Bay Lake. Disney says Dandelion Terrace will offer views of Magic Kingdom fireworks across the water, complementing the fireworks views available from many guest rooms as well.
A Long-Delayed Resort Finally Has Its Moment
What began as Reflections in 2018, stalled during a pandemic, and returned with a new name has now arrived at a clear destination. With 967 accommodations, waterfront Lake Houses, Disney-inspired room designs spanning Brother Bear, Bambi, Pocahontas, Encanto, and Fantasia, three restaurants, and sweeping views across Bay Lake, Disney's Lakeshore Lodge is shaping up to be a significant new Disney Vacation Club destination.
Most importantly, guests finally know when they'll be able to experience it. Disney's Lakeshore Lodge officially opens July 1, 2027.