Disney Lakeshore Lodge: What to Expect From the Newest DVC Resort

Disney Lakeshore Lodge is set to become the 18th official Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort, bringing a fresh wave of excitement to DVC Members and Disney fans alike. Scheduled to open in 2027, this nature-inspired retreat is rising along the shores of Bay Lake, on the former site of Disney’s River Country. The project has undergone a name change, delays, and quiet reboots, but now, construction is well underway and momentum is building. Here’s everything we know so far about this highly anticipated DVC addition.

August 2026 Update: New Details Revealed

Disney has shared its first Letters from Lakeshore update, providing the clearest look yet at what guests can expect when Disney Lakeshore Lodge opens in Summer 2027. Highlights include:

• The Wetlands – A sweeping outdoor recreation area just beyond the lobby that’s surrounded by the beauty of Bay Lake.
• Moonglade – A new signature waterfront restaurant serving seasonal cuisine with panoramic views of Bay Lake.
• Bay Lake Provisions – An all-day quick-service marketplace offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, specialty coffee, and grab-and-go selections.
• Paint Out Point Bar & Grill – A poolside bar and grill located near Lakeshore Lagoon, featuring shareable plates, cocktails, and artwork inspired by the surrounding landscape.
• Dandelion Terrace – A two-story lounge overlooking Bay Lake where guests can enjoy cocktails, relax, and even watch Magic Kingdom fireworks.
• Expanded Lobby Details – Disney also confirmed the lobby will feature soaring windows overlooking Bay Lake and draw inspiration from the music and storytelling of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Pocahontas.

Location: A Return to Bay Lake

Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge is being constructed on the former site of River Country, nestled between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. This iconic location offers stunning Bay Lake views and a peaceful wooded setting—perfect for the rustic-luxe theme Disney is aiming for.

Opening Timeline

The resort is currently scheduled to open in Summer 2027, with construction visibly underway.

Resort Theme & Design

Originally revealed in 2018 as Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, the project was envisioned as a nature-inspired resort with deluxe accommodations. However, progress was halted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the project quietly faded from updates—until it was officially revived and reimagined as Disney Lakeshore Lodge. The resort promises a fresh take on Disney’s rustic-luxe aesthetic, blending the tranquility of a lakeside retreat with classic Disney storytelling.

The design of Lakeshore Lodge is expected to include a mix of architectural styles, such as grand lodge buildings and A-frame cabins tucked into the natural surroundings. The resort’s theming draws inspiration from Disney’s forested classics like Bambi, Brother Bear, Pocahontas, and The Fox and the Hound, weaving nature and nostalgia into the guest experience.

Lobby Update: The resort’s connection to nature begins the moment guests step inside the lobby. Drawing inspiration from the music and storytelling of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Pocahontas, the lobby will feature a shimmering fiberoptic river woven into the floor and a breathtaking blown-glass Colors of the Wind sculpture suspended overhead with hundreds of glass leaves. Natural materials, custom tapestries inspired by the film’s landscapes, and furnishings crafted with accents of river-recovered cypress wood will further reinforce the resort’s peaceful, woodland atmosphere.

Room Types & DVC Villas

Disney has confirmed the resort will include approximately 900 rooms, combining hotel-style accommodations and DVC villas. If this mix stays true to past DVC resorts, guests can expect:

• Deluxe Studios
• 1 and 2-Bedroom Villas
• 3-Bedroom Grand Villas
• Unique options like A-frame cabins

This would make Lakeshore Lodge one of the largest DVC resorts by unit count — slightly smaller than Saratoga Springs (1,300+ rooms) but larger than Old Key West (750+ rooms).

Amenities & Features

Disney has shared new details about The Wetlands, a sprawling outdoor recreation area that will serve as the heart of the resort. Located just beyond the main lobby along the shores of Bay Lake, The Wetlands is designed to encourage guests to relax, explore, and reconnect with nature. The area will feature Lakeshore Lagoon, a zero-entry feature pool with a spiral waterslide, Daydream River, a scenic lazy river, Heron Shores and Otter Springs, imaginative play areas inspired by Pocahontas, and Cypress Point, a quieter leisure pool and whirlpool spa offering views of Magic Kingdom fireworks.

These newly announced amenities reinforce Disney’s vision of Lakeshore Lodge as more than just a place to stay. Much like Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, the resort is being designed as a destination where guests can enjoy immersive storytelling, outdoor recreation, and the natural beauty of Bay Lake as part of the vacation experience itself.

Dining at Disney Lakeshore Lodge

Disney has officially announced several dining locations that will be available at Lakeshore Lodge, offering a mix of signature dining, casual meals, and relaxing waterfront lounges.

Moonglade will serve as the resort’s signature table-service restaurant, featuring seasonal, locally inspired cuisine in a waterfront setting overlooking Bay Lake. Designed to reflect the resort’s connection to nature, the restaurant is expected to become a destination for both resort guests and Disney visitors alike.

For more casual dining, Bay Lake Provisions will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with specialty coffee, fresh grab-and-go options, and made-to-order favorites. The quick-service marketplace is designed to provide convenient meals throughout the day while maintaining the resort’s relaxed atmosphere.

Guests looking to unwind outdoors can visit Paint Out Point Bar & Grill, the poolside dining location adjacent to Lakeshore Lagoon. The menu will feature shareable bites, specialty beverages, and artwork inspired by the surrounding Bay Lake landscape.

The resort will also include Dandelion Terrace, a two-story lounge overlooking Bay Lake. Whether stopping in for a morning coffee, an evening cocktail, or simply to relax after a day in the parks, guests will enjoy comfortable seating, artistic details inspired by nature, and views of Magic Kingdom fireworks on select evenings. This could potentially be another DVC Member exclusive lounge, similar to Bay Lake Tower’s Top of the World Lounge, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

Together, these dining locations reinforce Disney’s vision of Lakeshore Lodge as a destination resort where exceptional dining and inviting gathering spaces are as much a part of the experience as the accommodations themselves.

What We’re Still Waiting to Learn

While Disney has revealed much more about Lakeshore Lodge, several important details have yet to be announced, including:

• Disney Vacation Club point charts and nightly point requirements
• Annual dues and the resort’s operating budget
• Sales launch timeline and when memberships will become available for purchase
• Complete room layouts, floor plans, and booking categories
• Additional recreation offerings, activities, and resort entertainment
• Transportation details, including any updates to water transportation and bus service
• Potential Disney Vacation Club Member-exclusive amenities, such as lounges, events, or other owner benefits

As the 18th Disney Vacation Club resort, Lakeshore Lodge is more than just another addition—it’s a return to nature, nostalgia, and storytelling. With a prime lakeside location, immersive theming, and rumored deluxe amenities, it’s poised to become a fan-favorite for years to come.

Whether you’re a longtime DVC Member or a first-time buyer watching the resale market, this is one resort worth keeping your eye on.