Disney Lakeshore Lodge: Everything We Know So Far

A new resort on Bay Lake

Okay, I have been thinking about this one since the announcement and I need to talk about it. Disney is building a new resort called Disney Lakeshore Lodge, and it is going on the shores of Bay Lake right near Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. If you have ever taken the boat from Fort Wilderness over to Magic Kingdom at sunset, you already know why this location is such a big deal. That stretch of water is one of the prettiest, calmest parts of Disney World. 🌲

Let me walk through what we actually know, and then I will share what I am hoping for (with the big caveat that concept art is concept art and things change).

The details Disney has shared

• It is a Disney Vacation Club resort. Lakeshore Lodge is planned as the next DVC property. That said, DVC resorts almost always have rooms available to book as a regular hotel stay too, so you do not need to be a member to visit.
• The theme is a classic lakeside retreat. Think old-school summer vacation by the water: boats, docks, porches, a bright and airy take on lodge style rather than the deep dark timber look of Wilderness Lodge next door.
• The location is the former River Country area, tucked between Fort Wilderness and Disney's Wilderness Lodge on Bay Lake. If that spot sounds familiar, it is because a different project called Reflections was announced for the same area years ago and then shelved. Lakeshore Lodge is the new plan for that land.
• Waterfront everything. The concept art showed lake views, a beach area, boats, and a pool situated to take in the water. Dining details have not been announced yet.
• Timing. Disney has pointed toward the late 2020s, so this is not a "book it for next spring" situation. It is a "keep an eye on it" situation.

Why this location is genuinely great

Here is the part I think gets underrated. Staying in this pocket of property means you are a short boat ride from Magic Kingdom, and you are walking distance (or a quick internal bus or boat) from some really fun stuff:

• Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Pioneer Hall. Still one of the best dinner shows on property and a legitimate must-do.
• Trail's End and Crockett's Tavern at Fort Wilderness for a casual, low-key meal.
• Geyser Point Bar & Grill at Wilderness Lodge, which has lakeside seating and is one of my favorite relaxed lunches.
• Whispering Canyon Cafe, if you want your server to give you a hard time about asking for ketchup.
• Horseback riding, archery, campfires with Chip and Dale, and the nightly Electrical Water Pageant floating by on the lake.

You can build a whole low-stress resort day here without ever tapping into a park, which I always recommend working into a longer trip. If you are mapping that out, my itinerary guide has a sample rest day built in.

What I am hoping for

A real sit-down restaurant with lake views. A quiet pool in addition to the main one. And please, resort-exclusive ears with a little boat or pine tree on them. I will absolutely be filming that unboxing. If you are an ears person like me, my ears page is where I keep track of what is out right now.

Should it change your planning?

Not yet. For trips in the near term, stick with what is open and bookable. I have my current favorites broken down on the hotels page, and the Wilderness Lodge area is already a great choice if you want that woodsy Bay Lake feeling right now.

I will update this post as Disney shares more, especially once we get dining and room details. Until then, I will be over here refreshing the news and planning my outfit for opening day. 💙