Attack of the Lakeshore Lodge

[mamaofsix]

Main entrance/lobby vs various earlier renderings (which of course may or may not be accurate). The drive "up" to the entrance has grade added. From what I understand you enter on the third floor. You can definitely see elements from the concept art in the actual construction at this point.
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Is the entrance that big empty gap in the construction photo?

 

[MicheyMouse]

So do we know if this will stick to Pocahontas theming like Island Tower does Moana? I wonder if something new is coming out to make it popular again.

 

[Hubalorian]

So do we know if this will stick to Pocahontas theming like Island Tower does Moana? I wonder if something new is coming out to make it popular again.

I am very curious on the theming. Reflections was going to have some brother bear theming in the resort but that seems to have shifted to CCV. So I am curious if they are leaning more heavily into Pocahontas or doing an entirely new theme. Will be interesting to see how it all unfolds !

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I know this is just my opinion, but I think that putting the A-frame buildings out in front of Crockett's Tavern is poor form. Not only is it an affront to those to have been visiting the Fort for years, but it really isn't going to be great for those staying there. You will have so much noise that it really won't be enjoyable for those folks at all. A real strange choice to me...

I very much agree with you here. I don't really have any issue with the overall development, and frankly if it turns out to have a hotel component I'm pretty excited for a full new-build resort on property for the first time in decades. I adore FW and while I'm not dismissing that rather stark change this brings to the Settlement Depot area of the Fort, I'm pretty confident both resorts will coexist just fine in the long run.

But the five A-frames and seemingly four treehouses (which you can't really see in construction photos yet) in this area seem like a totally unnecessary encroachment into FW grounds to me. It's just too much right up next to existing FW open spaces and amenities, and likely forever has changed (ruined?) the views from the Crockett's Tavern porch, which to me was one of those special WDW places. It's the one part of the project I wish they had scrapped along the way. In my humble opinion.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Is the entrance that big empty gap in the construction photo?

Yes, that is correct.

 

[mamaofsix]

So do we know if this will stick to Pocahontas theming like Island Tower does Moana? I wonder if something new is coming out to make it popular again.

The original concept art showed a mix of IPs. Brother Bear, Fox and the Hound, Bambi, Pocahontas. I am really hoping they stick with this. The mix of classic IPs was amazing and they don't get much love in the parks.

 

[supercarrie]

I'm actually going to be at WDW during D23, but we don't have tickets or anything, just anxiously hoping for breadcrumbs. IIRC, someone went and took snaps with their phone of PIT details a year or so ago and got the information on Wailulu and stuff. Hopefully there's a mole on these boards who can sleuth for us!

That was me (or at least I was one of them!)

I'll be at Destination D23 so will definitely report back with any news or images we receive.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Another notable update in the aerials when cross-referenced with recent on the ground blog photos (such as here: https://wdwnt.com/2025/07/lakeshore-lodge-update/) you can see the three building sections in the wing closest to the old Clementine Beach/Crockett's Tavern end of the site have topped out, with the beginnings of the metal supports for the final roof structure visible.

When you count the floors, that little end section has six guest room floors, the next one has seven guest room floors, the next eight guest room floors - so we know at least this "wing" has some level of floor tiering "down" from the taller middle of the building. Still floors being poured on other wings it appears so can't quite get a full picture of the final heights just yet.

 

[SugarSweetLee]

So do we know if this will stick to Pocahontas theming like Island Tower does Moana? I wonder if something new is coming out to make it popular again.

I don't believe they have officially announced if any of the theming/art inspiration has changed from the Pocahontas and other concepts that were drafted for Reflections (previously pictured in this thread).

TBA, as with pretty much all things DVC lol!

 

[SugarSweetLee]

That was me (or at least I was one of them!)

I'll be at Destination D23 so will definitely report back with any news or images we receive.

Have so much fun at D D23!!

 

[Mouseforward]

likely forever has changed (ruined?) the views from the Crockett's Tavern porch

Disney creative never asks me ... I could fix the encroachment and theme problem.

 

[tidefan]

What do you mean that LL guests won't be allowed to visit the fort during Halloween or Christmas? Lots of outside people come in for dinner, horse-drawn carriage rides or just to generally tour the fort at those times of year. What would stop LL people from simply walking over and enjoying the decor?

No, there are certain events where the Fort locks down. Typically, it's for the 4th of July parade, the Halloween parade, and Halloween night. Typically on those nights, the only people allowed in the Fort are those staying there on a Fort reservation.

I think that if you are in the Cabins, you will be considered at the Fort, but I suspect that those staying at LL will not be considered "at the Fort" for the purposes of the above events. It's one reason why I am leaning for LL to be in a different association than CFW. I just don't see any way to let all of the LL guests into the Fort for those events. I suspect that they'll have some sort of checkpoint on certain days by Crockett's tavern and then by Tri-Circle-D ranch controlling flow both ways, but I could be wrong...

 

[Mouseforward]

No, there are certain events where the Fort locks down. Typically, it's for the 4th of July parade, the Halloween parade, and Halloween night. Typically on those nights, the only people allowed in the Fort are those staying there on a Fort reservation.

I think that if you are in the Cabins, you will be considered at the Fort, but I suspect that those staying at LL will not be considered "at the Fort" for the purposes of the above events. It's one reason why I am leaning for LL to be in a different association than CFW. I just don't see any way to let all of the LL guests into the Fort for those events. I suspect that they'll have some sort of checkpoint on certain days by Crockett's tavern and then by Tri-Circle-D ranch controlling flow both ways, but I could be wrong...

PIT has a similar arrangement, they only let Tower guests use the observation areas. Long house guest can’t use them.

So there’s really nothing stopping them from being in the same trust, and only allowing the cabins.

 

[Brian Noble]

I will be very surprised if there is a pedestrian restriction between LL and the Fort, unless they've actually done that between WL and the Fort in the past. Did they ever do that?

 

[Mouseforward]

I will be very surprised if there is a pedestrain restriction between LL and the Fort, unless they've actually done that between WL and the Fort in the past. Did they ever do that?

The walkway between the two of them has been closed since before Covid and has not reopened.

 

[mamaofsix]

No, there are certain events where the Fort locks down. Typically, it's for the 4th of July parade, the Halloween parade, and Halloween night. Typically on those nights, the only people allowed in the Fort are those staying there on a Fort reservation.

I think that if you are in the Cabins, you will be considered at the Fort, but I suspect that those staying at LL will not be considered "at the Fort" for the purposes of the above events. It's one reason why I am leaning for LL to be in a different association than CFW. I just don't see any way to let all of the LL guests into the Fort for those events. I suspect that they'll have some sort of checkpoint on certain days by Crockett's tavern and then by Tri-Circle-D ranch controlling flow both ways, but I could be wrong...

Ah, I see. I thought you meant entire seasons or whole days that outsiders weren't allowed in.

I can see them roping off certain road sections for a parade and capping it to fort guest only. But, I can't see them restricting the entire fort. Hoop De Doo, the stables, etc., seem to be open to the public all the time.

When they do the July 4th parade, do they make sure everyone getting off the boat from MK are fort guests?

 

[Brian Noble]

I know the Fort has some very passionate fans that are sure that LL will ruin the Fort's ambiance---and they might be right about that.

Even so, I doubt that TWDC is going to go to any particular extremes to keep that from happening, especially if those extremes will end up giving the LL guests the impression they are not wanted. I believe that even though the Fort denizens very much do not want them.

 

[jolynne28]

Ah, I see. I thought you meant entire seasons or whole days that outsiders weren't allowed in.

I can see them roping off certain road sections for a parade and capping it to fort guest only. But, I can't see them restricting the entire fort. Hoop De Doo, the stables, etc., seem to be open to the public all the time.

When they do the July 4th parade, do they make sure everyone getting off the boat from MK are fort guests?

I think restricted access will have to come in to play at some point for Halloween. If you've never seen it you have no idea how insane it is. There's no way they could allow LL guests to even walk around for Halloween, logistically it won't work, and fort folks aren't going to appreciate hotel guests joining in on the fun but not contributing b/c they don't have a site.

 

[Brian Noble]

I think it is more likely that Halloween at the Fort will be very different in a very short number of years than it is today. I could be wrong about this, but my spidey sense says that Disney is not going to play Bad Cop here by telling the LL folks they have to stay in their corner of the World, and will instead just let the tradition die on the vine.

 

[mamaofsix]

What do they do now for Halloween? Do they check people at the boat dock from MK to make sure they have a reservation for a campsite? Do they only let Fort guests attend Hoop de Doo or the stables on Halloween?