Attack of the Lakeshore Lodge

[BrianLo]

Did I miss any D23/DVC posts?

Nothing for DVC. Carousel of Progress is going to be updated and include a new show opening with a Walt Animatronic in the seating wedge. The castle is going to be repainted to match the original grey blue cream colour scheme.

 

[BrianLo]

I spent a long time circling Lakeshore lodge like a crazy on the boat. I’m disappointed (from my miserly heart) that they are totally doing fireworks view rooms and three view types again. I did not appreciate how directly this lines up with an unobstructed view of contemporary and that’s directly in line with the fireworks.

These appears consistent with DVC units with fireworks view category.








This appears to be the end of the hotel block and includes what was previously panned for Reflections as a 3rd/4th floor fireworks viewing lounge. Given something is there and given it’s like the perfect spot.. yes I think there’s very confidently a large fireworks lounge.






My guess is these rooms will be an intermediary premium view category.




(Photo two has the main resort area, hotel on left, lobby centre, hotel to right and then the DVC blocks I labeled as two are off behind the trees to the far right overlooking the restaurant and pool complex)



Then finally non pictured is my guess at standard views.

 

[CarolynFH]

yes I think there’s very confidently a large fireworks lounge.

By “large fireworks lounge,” do you mean an area like the little fireworks viewing lounges in the Poly Tower, restricted to hotel guests only? Or, given that it’s on the cash hotel side, do you mean a lounge in the sense of a bar serving adult beverages? Could it be a restaurant and lounge open to general public? Seems like the MK fireworks view would be similar to or a little better than Topolino’s view of Epcot fireworks.

 

[BrianLo]

By “large fireworks lounge,” do you mean an area like the little fireworks viewing lounges in the Poly Tower, restricted to hotel guests only? Or, given that it’s on the cash hotel side, do you mean a lounge in the sense of a bar serving adult beverages? Could it be a restaurant and lounge open to general public? Seems like the MK fireworks view would be similar to or a little better than Topolino’s view of Epcot fireworks.

The former, like Poly Island. The poly island tower viewing nooks take up 4 blocks of rooms and this is 12.

It doesn't appear to have a bar though and seems to be quite akin to the viewing nooks at PIT. Just all together. So I'd guess probably only for hotel guests.

This is the space in Reflections (window behind the camera):




As an aside... I'm kind of surprised just how much concept art we had out there for Reflections compared to their more recent projects.

 

[BrianLo]

The other thing that I found interesting is that every photo you see of Lakeshore Lodge is at best capturing about 50% of the resort. The pictures sort of look same-y in the resorts current state.

You'd think this is the whole resort, but you are only looking at 4 blocks and 2 sides of blocks and there are like four more and a lobby you are not seeing (plus all the backsides of the ones you can see). We haven't seen a hotel project like this in a while.

 

[Mouseforward]

I do not remember the fireworks view being that great from the beach. It is sort of like the view from Poly beach - not a TPV that I would burn points on.

 

[Mouseforward]

The former, like Poly Island. The poly island tower viewing nooks take up 4 blocks of rooms and this is 12.

It doesn't appear to have a bar though and seems to be quite akin to the viewing nooks at PIT. Just all together. So I'd guess probably only for hotel guests.

This is the space in Reflections (window behind the camera):

View attachment 1000085


As an aside... I'm kind of surprised just how much concept art we had out there for Reflections compared to their more recent projects.

With 900 rooms this area could support a bar at least even if it was only for resort guests.

 

[supercarrie]

Did I miss any D23/DVC posts?

Sadly no news! I assisted with coverage for www.dvcfan.com this weekend so check their website and Instagram for all the parks announcements. (Very minimal.)

 

[SugarSweetLee]

Nothing for DVC. Carousel of Progress is going to be updated and include a new show opening with a Walt Animatronic in the seating wedge. The castle is going to be repainted to match the original grey blue cream colour scheme.

Thanks. I'd been following along with all the official updates on Instagram and the DPBlog, but wondered if maybe there was a dark little corner somewhere at the expo with an infographic on LSL that didn't get press coverage

 

[patm95]

Did I miss any D23/DVC posts?

No D23 was a huge letdown. The biggest news is they are repainting Cinderella’s castle if that gives you any idea.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

By “large fireworks lounge,” do you mean an area like the little fireworks viewing lounges in the Poly Tower, restricted to hotel guests only? Or, given that it’s on the cash hotel side, do you mean a lounge in the sense of a bar serving adult beverages? Could it be a restaurant and lounge open to general public? Seems like the MK fireworks view would be similar to or a little better than Topolino’s view of Epcot fireworks.

Yeah, I had done something similar to @BrianLo's posts earlier this month thinking about the possible angles/views. Back in 2019 WDWNT.com had a blog post with oddly detailed narrative and a ton of concept art that almost had to come from some sort of Imagineering storyline... "Remember that lobby hallway from earlier? It leads into this fireworks viewing lounge, with small islands of moss and large dandelion light fixtures illuminating the space."

I will give credit to those making the decisions for places like Island Tower with the pocket gardens and presumably this fireworks lounge for taking what could be high value points/cash space and making them areas open to guests, that's a good thing overall.

 

[BrianLo]

Yeah, I had done something similar to @BrianLo's posts earlier this month thinking about the possible angles/views. Back in 2019 WDWNT.com had a blog post with oddly detailed narrative and a ton of concept art that almost had to come from some sort of Imagineering storyline... "Remember that lobby hallway from earlier? It leads into this fireworks viewing lounge, with small islands of moss and large dandelion light fixtures illuminating the space."

I will give credit to those making the decisions for places like Island Tower with the pocket gardens and presumably this fireworks lounge for taking what could be high value points/cash space and making them areas open to guests, that's a good thing overall.

You did! Sorry I finally understood it myself too.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

You did! Sorry I finally understood it myself too.

Something else rather interesting I've seen in plans that's now starting to be visible/confirmed from the exterior is that it appears there are two 'sections' of the likely hotel-side 'wing' that face Pioneer Hall that will not have balconies, only windows. That's an interesting design choice by Disney in an otherwise very balcony-heavy overall resort design, and presumably a nod to those having a rather inferior back of house/back of Pioneer Hall view. Will be interesting to see the ultimate booking categories in this regard.

 

[Mikey15]

Something else rather interesting I've seen in plans that's now starting to be visible/confirmed from the exterior is that it appears there are two 'sections' of the likely hotel-side 'wing' that face Pioneer Hall that will not have balconies, only windows. That's an interesting design choice by Disney in an otherwise very balcony-heavy overall resort design, and presumably a nod to those having a rather inferior back of house/back of Pioneer Hall view. Will be interesting to see the ultimate booking categories in this regard.

Interesting to see how much lower that “hotel wing” tops out too compared to the DVC wing. I’m sure people will still say it’s “ruining the Fort” or whatever but with the right trim, that side can both be minimally imposing over the Settlement area, and still block off the taller DVC wing from view!