When we first took a closer look at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge earlier this year, much of Walt Disney World’s newest resort remained a mystery.
That has changed considerably.
Disney has now revealed new details about the resort’s restaurants, pools, recreation areas, accommodations and overall design. We also have a much clearer picture of what guests and Disney Vacation Club members can expect when the resort opens.
Projected to open in Summer 2027, Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge is quickly becoming one of the most interesting additions to the Disney Vacation Club lineup.
Here’s everything new we know.
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge Is Coming in Summer 2027
One of the biggest updates is the opening timeline.
Disney has officially announced that Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge is projected to open in Summer 2027.
The new nature-inspired resort is being built along the shores of Bay Lake between Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
Longtime Walt Disney World fans will recognize the area as the former home of Disney’s River Country, which operated from 1976 until 2001.
Rather than completely ignoring that history, Disney plans to acknowledge the property’s past. Guests exploring the resort will even be able to discover a special plaque honoring the beloved water park that once occupied the site.
Disney Confirms 967 Rooms at Lakeshore Lodge
We now also have a firm number for the resort’s size.
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge will feature 967 guest rooms, ranging from studios to Grand Villas, as well as A-frame freestanding Lake Houses on Bay Lake’s waters edge.
Many rooms will take advantage of the resort’s unique location, so that during the day guests can enjoy views of the surrounding natural landscape. At night, portions of the property should provide excellent views toward Magic Kingdom and the Fireworks.
For Disney Vacation Club members, the variety of accommodations could make Lakeshore Lodge an especially appealing home resort.
New Lake Houses Are Coming
One of the more intriguing additions will be the new one- and two-bedroom Lake Houses positioned along the waterfront.
These accommodations are designed to provide additional space while taking full advantage of the resort’s natural surroundings and Bay Lake setting.
Depending on their final point requirements, the Lake Houses could become one of the most desirable booking categories at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge.
Disney has not yet released complete floor plans, point charts or booking requirements, so there is still plenty left to learn.
“The Wetlands” Could Become One of Walt Disney World’s Best Resort Pool Areas
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the scale of the resort’s outdoor recreation area.
Disney calls this area The Wetlands.
Located just beyond the lobby, The Wetlands will combine pools, children’s recreation areas, landscaping and a lazy river into one large outdoor destination.
And yes — the lazy river is officially confirmed.
Daydream River
The resort’s lazy river will be called Daydream River.
Guests will be able to float through the recreation area while enjoying the surrounding landscaping and nature-inspired atmosphere.
A true lazy river immediately separates Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge from most other Walt Disney World resorts.
For families who like to schedule a resort day between visits to the theme parks, this could become one of Lakeshore Lodge’s biggest selling points.
Lakeshore Lagoon
At the center of The Wetlands will be Lakeshore Lagoon, the resort’s primary feature pool.
Disney has revealed that Lakeshore Lagoon will include a zero-entry area and spiral waterslide, along with convenient access to nearby recreation, food and beverages.
Combined with Daydream River, the entire Wetlands complex appears designed to be much more than a traditional hotel pool.
It could become an attraction in itself, similar to Storm-along-Bay at the Beach Club Villas.
Cypress Point
Guests looking for a quieter experience will have another option.
Cypress Point will feature a leisure pool and whirlpool spa on another side of the resort.
Its location should also provide beautiful views across the property and toward Magic Kingdom.
Having both an elaborate feature-pool complex and a separate leisure pool will give guests options depending on whether they want activity or relaxation.
Pocahontas-Inspired Play Areas
Disney is also incorporating storytelling into The Wetlands.
Two children’s areas, Heron Shores and Otter Springs, draw inspiration from the music and storytelling of Disney’s Pocahontas.
Heron Shores will offer climbing and exploration elements, while Otter Springs will feature interactive water elements for younger guests.
These areas fit into the larger theme Disney has established for the resort: celebrating the relationship between nature and Disney storytelling.
New Restaurants Revealed for Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge
Dining was one of the biggest unanswered questions when we first discussed Lakeshore Lodge.
We now have several answers.
Disney has revealed a collection of new restaurants and lounges designed around the resort’s natural setting and waterfront location.
Moonglade
Moonglade will be the resort’s waterfront table-service restaurant.
Floor-to-ceiling windows will provide expansive views across Bay Lake and the surrounding landscape.
Disney says the menu will feature thoughtfully prepared dishes with an emphasis on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
The combination of waterfront dining, large windows and an upscale natural setting could make Moonglade one of the signature experiences at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge.
Bay Lake Provisions
For something quicker, guests will have Bay Lake Provisions.
This all-day quick-service marketplace will offer fresh food, specialty coffee and convenient options for guests heading to the theme parks or spending the day at the resort.
Disney is also adding some fun storytelling inside the restaurant.
Guests will be able to look for hidden woodland creatures inspired by classic Disney animated films throughout the space.
That sounds like exactly the type of subtle Disney detail families will enjoy discovering during their stay.
Paint Out Point Bar & Grill
Near Lakeshore Lagoon, guests will find Paint Out Point Bar & Grill.
The poolside location will serve shareable food and specialty beverages overlooking The Wetlands.
Its design takes inspiration from plein-air painting, the practice of creating artwork outdoors while surrounded by the landscape.
Disney Imagineers are also creating artwork inspired by Bay Lake that will be displayed inside the restaurant.
Dandelion Terrace Brings Bay Lake Views Indoors
Another newly revealed space that caught our attention is Dandelion Terrace.
The lounge will overlook Bay Lake and provide guests with another place to relax after a day in the parks.
Inside, Disney plans a dramatic two-story gallery featuring archival artwork from Disney classics, including Fantasia.
Whimsical dandelion-inspired lighting will continue the resort’s connection between Disney animation and nature.
Between the artwork, Bay Lake setting and relaxing atmosphere, Dandelion Terrace could become one of the resort’s more popular evening destinations.
A Lobby Designed Around Nature
Disney has also provided a much better look at the resort’s lobby.
Large floor-to-ceiling windows will look toward The Wetlands and allow natural light to fill the interior.
Rather than separating the building from its surroundings, Disney appears to be designing the lobby so the landscape becomes part of the experience.
Artwork will also play an important role throughout Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge.
The resort takes inspiration from Walt Disney’s appreciation of nature and decades of Disney animation, including films such as:
- Bambi
- Pocahontas
- Brother Bear
The references appear designed to remain subtle rather than turning Lakeshore Lodge into a heavily character-themed resort.
That approach should help Disney balance family-friendly storytelling with the more sophisticated atmosphere expected from a Deluxe-level property.
Location Could Be One of Lakeshore Lodge’s Biggest Advantages
The location of Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge may ultimately be one of its strongest selling points.
Guests will be surrounded by the quieter atmosphere associated with the Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge area while remaining just a boat ride away from Magic Kingdom.
That combination should be particularly attractive to Disney Vacation Club members.
Imagine spending the morning at Magic Kingdom, returning to the resort during the afternoon to float along Daydream River, enjoying dinner overlooking Bay Lake and then relaxing at the resort in the evening.
For many DVC members, that combination of location and amenities will be difficult to beat.
What We Still Don’t Know About Disney Vacation Club at Lakeshore Lodge
Despite all the recent announcements, Disney has not revealed all the important DVC details.
Several major questions remain unanswered, including:
- Initial Disney Vacation Club price per point (Our prediction would be around: $260 per point)
- Opening incentives (This will help the initial price be more attractive to potential buyers)
- Annual dues (Disney, please don’t mess this up… Keep them low)
- Points charts (Ditto to above… Keep them low)
- Contract expiration date (Our prediction is 2078)
- Official Disney Vacation Club sales date (Our prediction is pre-sales starting around March 2027)
These details could ultimately have a major impact on the popularity and long-term value of ownership at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge.
Price per point, point chart costs, and annual dues will also play a significant role.
A spectacular pool, a beautiful Bay Lake location, and convenient boat access to Magic Kingdom certainly make a resort attractive. However, DVC buyers will ultimately have to determine whether the cost of ownership makes sense compared with established resorts available through both Disney and the secondary market.
Also, Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge will be a Restricted DVC Resort
Under the bylaws, Disney has also designated Lakeshore Lodge as a restricted-resale resort, making it the fourth Disney Vacation Club resort with resale restrictions. The other three are Disney’s Riviera Resort, The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, and The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.
This means that if you purchase Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge from Disney directly, you’ll have the flexibility to use your membership at all eligible Disney Vacation Club resorts.
However, if you decide to sell your Lakeshore Lodge in the future, the buyer who purchases it from you will only be able to use those points at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge. They would not be able to book stays at other DVC resorts.
This is an important distinction to consider, especially compared to the original 14 Disney Vacation Club resorts, which are unrestricted. Resale restrictions can affect the long-term and resale value of a direct DVC buyer.
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge Is Starting to Take Shape
When Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge was first announced, much of the conversation centered on what the resort might include.
Now we are beginning to see what Disney is actually building.
A 967-room resort, waterfront Lake Houses, multiple dining locations, two pool areas, and a true lazy river make this a much more ambitious property than we initially knew.
The location may be just as important.
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge combines convenient access to Magic Kingdom with the natural atmosphere of Bay Lake, and the convenience of Fort Wilderness Campgrounds and the Wilderness Lodge nearby.
There are still some major questions remaining — particularly price per point, annual dues, and point charts.
Those answers will eventually help determine how Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge compares as a Disney Vacation Club purchase.
But based on what Disney has revealed so far, Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing Disney Vacation Club resorts in years.
We’ll continue to follow the resort and provide updates as Disney releases additional information ahead of its projected Summer 2027 opening.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Our team is always happy to assist.
You can email us at sales@dvcstore.com or call us at 800-550-6493, and one of our team members will be happy to help.
Written By:
When it comes to creating Disney magic and maximizing the value of a DVC Membership or a Disney vacation, Jerry is the expert families trust. With more than 25 years of experience at The Timeshare Store, Inc.®, Jerry has helped thousands of guests become DVC Members and secure unforgettable DVC rentals. Whether you’re exploring membership for the first time or searching for the perfect resort stay, Jerry and his team are here to make the process seamless, magical, and truly memorable.