Image: Disney Vacation Club
Disney revealed new details about Disney Lakeshore Lodge in April 2026. The nature-inspired resort will be the 18th Disney Vacation Club property when it opens in summer 2027 at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
The resort sits on the south shore of Bay Lake, on the former site of the River Country water park. It will offer 967 accommodations, from studios to multi-bedroom villas, including a new accommodation type: one- and two-bedroom Lake Houses along Bay Lake’s waterfront.
Nature-Inspired Design
Disney Lakeshore Lodge celebrates the connection between nature and imagination. The design pays tribute to Walt Disney Animation Studios films rooted in the outdoors, including Bambi, Pocahontas, and Brother Bear. The concept art shows a lakefront property with A-frame cabin structures set among trees and natural landscaping.
The outdoor recreation area, called The Wetlands, will feature wet and dry play areas inspired by Pocahontas, including Heron Shores (climbing play features) and Otter Springs (interactive water features). A lazy river called Daydream River will wind through the recreation area with views of Bay Lake.
A Long Road to Opening
This project has a long history. Disney first announced a resort on this site in 2019 under the name Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge, with a planned 2022 opening. The pandemic halted construction before meaningful work began. Disney revived the project under the new Lakeshore Lodge name, and aerial photos from spring 2026 show vertical construction largely topped off, with active work on the pool area, boat dock, and surrounding grounds.
DVC Portfolio Expansion
Disney Lakeshore Lodge will join DVC properties across four U.S. locations: Florida, California, South Carolina, and Hawaii. The resort’s Bay Lake location places it within boat distance of Magic Kingdom, alongside Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness.
Disney has not announced pricing, point charts, or a sales launch date. Additional details about dining and amenities are expected in the coming months.
Sources: Disney Parks Blog, April 21, 2026; Forbes, April 21, 2026.