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: Opening Date & Room Details Revealed

Disney has officially confirmed that Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge will open July 1, 2027, giving us our clearest look yet at Walt Disney World’s newest resort.

Along with the opening date, Disney revealed detailed information and new images of the resort’s accommodations. Guests will be able to choose from Pocahontas-themed Resort Studios, Encanto-inspired Duo Studios, Bambi-themed Deluxe Studios and one- and two-bedroom Villas, Fantasia-inspired three-bedroom Grand Villas, and waterfront Brother Bear-themed Lake Houses. A two-bedroom Hidden Willow Presidential Suite will also offer Pocahontas theming, Bay Lake and Magic Kingdom fireworks views, and Club Level access.

Disney also confirmed The Artist’s Nest, a Club Level lounge available with select accommodations, as well as water taxi transportation between Lakeshore Lodge and Magic Kingdom.

Cash Reservations Open in October 2026

Guests hoping to be among the first to stay at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge will be able to begin booking cash reservations in early October 2026:

• Disney Vacation Club Members: October 6, 2026
• Walt Disney World Annual Passholders: October 7, 2026
• All Other Guests: October 8, 2026

These dates apply to cash bookings for stays beginning with the resort’s July 1, 2027 opening. Disney has not yet announced when DVC Members will be able to book Lakeshore Lodge using Disney Vacation Club points.

With the opening date and accommodations now confirmed, some of the biggest remaining questions for DVC Members involve the resort’s point charts, annual dues, ownership structure and direct sales details.

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.

Accommodations at Disney Lakeshore Lodge

Disney Lakeshore Lodge will offer an unusually wide range of accommodations, from traditional hotel-style Resort Studios to Disney Vacation Club villas and freestanding Lake Houses along Bay Lake. Each room category draws inspiration from a different Disney story connected to nature.

Resort Studios – Pocahontas

The Pocahontas-inspired Resort Studios will offer a more traditional hotel-room layout, with a choice of one king bed for up to two guests or two queen beds for up to four. Design details include Grandmother Willow accent pillows, murals inspired by the film’s river and cliffs, a mini refrigerator, microwave, and balconies in select rooms.

Select Resort Studios will also include Club Level access to The Artist’s Nest, where guests can enjoy food and beverages along with views that include Cinderella Castle.

Duo Studios – Encanto

Designed for two guests, Duo Studios will feature colorful Encanto-inspired details, including a butterfly mural. Similar to Duo Studios found at some other DVC resorts, these smaller accommodations will include a queen-size pull-down bed, seating area, kitchenette, spa-like bathroom, and private balcony.

Deluxe Studios – Bambi

The Deluxe Studios will sleep up to four guests and feature serene woodland scenes inspired by Bambi. Each studio will include one queen bed and one queen-size pull-down bed, a kitchenette with wet bar, seating area, private balcony, and a spacious bathroom with dual sinks, walk-in shower, and separate water closet.

1- and 2-Bedroom Villas – Bambi

Larger families will have the option of one- and two-bedroom Villas, also inspired by Bambi and featuring subtle forest motifs and natural earth tones.

One-bedroom Villas will sleep up to five guests, while two-bedroom Villas will accommodate up to nine. Both will offer many of the familiar comforts DVC Members expect from larger villas, including separate bedrooms, a full kitchen, dining and living areas, washer and dryer, and a private patio or balcony.

3-Bedroom Grand Villas – Fantasia

For larger groups, three-bedroom Grand Villas will sleep up to 12 guests. Inspired by Fantasia, the design brings together music, art, and nature in a spacious villa featuring three separate bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, a full kitchen, dining room, living area, washer and dryer, and private patio or balcony.

Lake Houses – Brother Bear

Perhaps the most distinctive accommodations at Lakeshore Lodge will be the Lake Houses, freestanding A-frame retreats positioned along the water’s edge.

Inspired by Brother Bear, the Lake Houses will incorporate artwork and design details reflecting the film’s connection to nature and the changing seasons. Guests will be able to choose between one-bedroom, two-bathroom Lake Houses sleeping up to five or two-bedroom, two-bathroom Lake Houses sleeping up to eight.

Each Lake House will include a full kitchen, separate living and dining areas, washer and dryer, and a private porch facing the water.

Hidden Willow Presidential Suite – Pocahontas

Lakeshore Lodge will also offer the Hidden Willow Presidential Suite, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom accommodation sleeping up to six guests.

The suite will continue the resort’s Pocahontas storytelling and include a full kitchen, separate living room, washer and dryer, and a private balcony overlooking Bay Lake with views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.

Guests staying in the Hidden Willow Presidential Suite will also receive access to The Artist’s Nest Club Level Lounge.

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.