Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge Coming to former Reflections Site in 2027!

[Grumpy by Birth]

It's just hard to see these projects from a theme park that prided itself on sightlines and themed Tower of Terror to fit with Morocco in World Showcase or hid show buildings behind beautiful facades to keep immersion

Guardians in Epcot also sticks out...

When I saw it in person the first time from ground level inside the park, I was actually surprised how well the "go-away green" and sky blue paint camouflages the Guardians building.



Maybe they could take a "Toon Town" approach to fixing the Fort Wilderness sight lines...

 

[PolyRob]

The PIT paint job seems lackluster to me, too, like it's already faded or needs a second coat. The tattoo elements are a neat touch, but cheesy execution -- I can't help but think of Clueless. "No, she's a full-on Monet. It's like a painting, see? From far away, it's okay, but up close, it's a big old mess."

Now I can never associate PVB IT with anything else

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

View attachment 1010718

Now I can never associate PVB IT with anything else

Thanks for the meme and shout out! LOL. Happy to share the ear worm.

 

[bama_ed]

Maybe they could take a "Toon Town" approach to fixing the Fort Wilderness sight lines...

View attachment 1010830

You can't put lipstick on a pig like that. (although the pic above tries)

The time share resort behind Fort Wilderness is an EYESORE and won't ever be anything but that.

It puts the "UG" in 'ugly'. Now, I get it - there will STILL be some folks who want to buy points in the ugly time share for whatever reason. Let's not be harsh with those folks because they will have their reasons. So it's okay, ya'll.

Bama Ed

 

[mrsap]

Disney Lakeshore Lodge Entrance Gets Additional Framing​

Since our last update, more framing has been added to the resort’s porte cochere entrance. It consists of red and black horizontal, vertical, and diagonal steel beams. They create an approximate “W” shape with what appear to be some decorative elements on top.



Some of the new beams are located on the back, facing Bay Lake. This is also the side where we saw crew members in lifts working on the entrance structure.


There is also a new set of black beams creating a second peak on the front of the building. The black beams are situated above the red “W” beams.



Disney Lakeshore Lodge is the resurrected Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge. Though Disney has not confirmed how much of the Reflections concept art and theming will carry over to the updated resort concept, the entrance does so far resemble artwork for Reflections (below).


Like Reflections, Disney Lakeshore Lodge will have nature theming. It’s a Disney Vacation Club resort.

A-Frame Cabins​

Another element recycled from Reflections are A-frame cabins along the lake. These have just been made of white and red frameworks so far, but the beams are being treated to turn them black. We could see some black beams on the cabins partially hidden by trees.



The cabins under construction on the other side of the resort are also being turned black. Some of the diagonal beams are wrapped in plastic.



Compare the cabins to the concept art below. They are almost identical in shape, with sections jutting out of their sides.


Presumably, trees will be cleared away from the cabins to create better views of the lake.

More Construction​

Around the resort’s rooftops are more red beams creating decorative overhangs, also reflecting the original Reflections concept art. There are more steel frames atop the buildings to create the roof shapes.


There are also short towers. This one is made of white and red beams, though it is currently surrounded by scaffolding. Crew members were working on the wall below.



The exterior walls are in various states of completion. Some are still just metal frames, but most are covered by layers of sheathing and weather-resistant barriers.


Crew members appear to be currently adding a layer of cement. The final layer of aesthetic paneling has still not been installed anywhere on the resort.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

It irrationally annoys me that they keep calling that the porte cochere. It's literally the lobby and lobby entrance. The actual porte cochere structure has not started construction yet.

 

[PolyRob]

It irrationally annoys me that they keep calling that the porte cochere. It's literally the lobby and lobby entrance. The actual porte cochere structure has not started construction yet.

You mean Disney won't have cars and busses zipping past the main entrance where the rendering only depicts guests walking!?!

 

[Girlstar30]

Im so glad they changed the name is all

 

[mrsap]

Disney Lakeshore Lodge Construction Update - October 2025​

​

Subtle changes over the last few weeks as progress continues on the newest Disney Vacation Club resort.

Situated between Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Disney's Wilderness Lodge is the under-construction Disney Lakeshore Lodge. The combination hotel and timeshare is said to contain about 900 rooms along the shores of Bay Lake.

Viewed from Bay Lake, the building appears to be configured with hotel rooms on the left, closest to Fort Wilderness, and DVC villas on the right, nearest Wilderness Lodge. Below is a closer look at the villa wing. In several sections, the dual recessed balconies are visible, which are typically associated with the One Bedroom and Studio portions of a Two Bedroom Lockoff villa.

Below is the apparent hotel wing, with more consistent spacing of balconies between the rows of traditional hotel rooms.

Along the shore are a series of A-frame stand alone cabins, similar to the bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows or the Wilderness Lodge cabins.

It appears there will be a vaulted ceiling lobby located where the two building wings meet. Plans suggest this large courtyard between the building and Bay Lake will contain an expansive feature pool comparable to Stormalong Bay at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort.

Disney recently revealed plans to expand the Meadow Swimmin' Pool at Fort Wilderness to include a second pool, pickleball courts and more.

 

[mrsap]

Exterior Facade Work Continues at Disney Lakeshore Lodge​

Resort Entrance ​

The “W” shaped entrance area of the resort remains mostly unchanged since our last update. Red and black horizontal, vertical, and diagonal steel beams criss-cross to create the porte cochere entrance.



While hard to tell in the sunlight, the entrance way beams are being stained or painted a darker brown color to match the previous Reflections concept art.



One of the most eye catching updates on the resort are the added details to the A-frame cabins. Several of the cabins’ beams have been treated to turn them black and then wrapped. Now, awning are beginning to receive coloring as well.


These new awnings match the concept art yet again. It is becoming clear that despite the name change, Disney Lakeshore Lodge will resemble much of the Reflections concept art.



Many of the cabins located near Clementine Beach have also received the awning and details.


The cabins on the opposite side of the resort are also progressing with painting, staining, and construction.



Potentially the most exciting part of this update is the progress on the exterior facade. Details including vertical lines with smaller horizontal lines are being pressed or carved into the walls.


While the original concept art does not offer a detailed look at what the facade will look like, this begins to give us an idea. The gray panels will likely be painted in the future.



Moving back to the far right section of the resort, progressive work is occurring throughout the buildings, including windows, roof work, and more protective layers.



Several cranes still present allow construction crews to continue installation of sliding glass doors, windows and roofing components.



On either side of the porte cochere, the rooflines are shaping up to be angled. Per the concept art, each side will have a slightly overhanging wooden-like detail of which rock columns go through.


In our last few updates, we’ve kept an eye on another building near the lakeshore. Mostly made out of red steel, this may be a lakefront bar or restaurant. Several trees block a potential lake view, but it does look like a second floor or rooftop level are being added to the structure.



Red framing continues to be installed and expanded upon at several locations. Again, these appear to be the beginnings of flat overhangs and towers from the Reflections concept art. These rooftops also have slanted steel frames.


The wing closest to Clementine Beach continues to be the furthest along as facade work progresses.



It also appears that crew members are beginning to install elevators into the buildings.

Disney Lakeshore Lodge looms next to Fort Wilderness Resort, along Bay Lake. Like the Reflections concept, Disney Lakeshore Lodge is a Disney Vacation Club resort and will be “inspired by the majesty of nature and its enduring influence on Disney artists.” The new resort is set to open sometime in 2027.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Finally some more movement on the A frames. So excited for those! I still don't know how or where I got the idea this would be up for sale this coming spring. Clearly not even close.

 

[zackiedawg]

Really looking forward to hearing what restaurants/bars this place will have. Even when not staying there, I would still go over there to try out restaurants if they're good or interesting. Maybe a rooftop restaurant, something along the lake, a cool bar or two. Also good to know if I'm staying at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness nearby as it significantly adds to the restaurant choices I can get to with golf carts/walking.

I'll be at the cabins in February and again in June, so I'll get a few chances to check out the progress up close - hopefully by then, it will start to be resembling it's final form.

 

[JulieBeeRN]

Finally some more movement on the A frames. So excited for those! I still don't know how or where I got the idea this would be up for sale this coming spring. Clearly not even close.

I'm very interested in the final product of the A frames!

 

[mrsap]

Wood Details Added to Disney Lakeshore Lodge Cabins​

Crews are adding details and more supports to the cabins and entrance of Disney Lakeshore Lodge at Walt Disney World.

Entrance​

The entrance structure has gained more steel beams. Compared to our last update, the overhang at the front of the building is more filled in.


The entrance has a W-shaped roof and is located at the center of the hotel, with wings branching out on either side. The shape comes directly from concept art for Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, the unbuilt resort originally planned for this space.

A-Frame Cabins​

Another element carried over from Reflections on these A-frame cabins. Wood elements have been added to the awnings of the Clementine Beach cabins. Many of the steel beams are wrapped in plastic to protect them during construction.



Cabins further down the beach have fewer beams and wood details. But there are frames in place for the future awnings.


From Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, we got a closer look at some of the cabins. Their beams have been stained a dark color and some have wood-style finishes.


Though the cabins on the other side of the resort are harder to see, it looks like they have wood detailing, too.

Exterior​

Various layers of sheathing and paneling continue to be installed across the resort’s façade. An additional tower frame has gone up, as seen in the center of the above photo.



Crews are shaping the rooftops with steel beams, making them sloped and angular rather than flat.


A boxy tower on one rooftop has been surrounded by white sheathing.


A white framework is on the top floor at the end of this wing, facing the water. While all the doorways below have sliding glass doors, none of the doorways on top do. Maybe this will be some kind of overlook to enjoy views of the lake.


The other side of the building now has concrete across several walls.


Some of the tower and overhang frames now have covers. These appear to be tin and have holes in them. We assume more finished paneling will be installed over these later.

Disney Lakeshore Lodge is a Disney Vacation Club resort scheduled to open in 2027. It is “inspired by the majesty of nature and its enduring influence on Disney artists.” The pool area will include a lazy river.

 

[team bradfield]

It's ugly and ruined the majesty of nature that fort wilderness is, what a joke for NATURE

 

[ClaraOswald]

It's ugly and ruined the majesty of nature that fort wilderness is, what a joke for NATURE

It's not finished yet so it may not be as ugly as you suspect when it's all said and done.

 

[Mouseforward]

It's not finished yet so it may not be as ugly as you suspect when it's all said and done.

Of course they said that about PIT when it was being built - and now it looks like a 1970s hospital with scaffolding

 

[Brian Noble]

You could surround it with an invisibility cloak, and some of the Fort Fans would still consider it an abomination. And, they are not necessarily wrong. But, the Fort is most definitely It's Own Thing in the broader WDW ecosystem.

 

[zackiedawg]

I can understand both sides...I think it may actually be a nice looking resort overall, once it's all done up in wood colors and earthtones and I definitely want to try staying there when it's open. I even look forward to additional bar and restaurant choices I can walk to when staying in Ft Wilderness.

BUT - I really wish they had moved it closer to Wilderness Lodge and farther from Fort Wilderness. The fact that it looms over the Settlement area, dwarfing Pioneer Hall, and the A-frames took over the beach nearly to the boat dock...that's what makes it an eyesore for Ft. Wilderness, no matter how nice it actually is.

Had it been 200 yards farther away from Settlement, I think almost all of the fort complainers would go away.

(In my perfect world, it would be farther away and closer to Wilderness Lodge, AND they'd restore a cart path so I could take my golf cart to both Lakeshore Lodge and Wilderness Lodge when staying at the Fort. I used to love taking the golf cart down the woods trail and park by Wilderness Lodge where we'd go eat and then cart back home).

 

[ClaraOswald]

Of course they said that about PIT when it was being built - and now it looks like a 1970s hospital with scaffolding

True but I still think it's better to just wait and see. Maybe we will be pleasantly surprised?

You could surround it with an invisibility cloak, and some of the Fort Fans would still consider it an abomination. And, they are not necessarily wrong. But, the Fort is most definitely It's Own Thing in the broader WDW ecosystem.

I agree that no matter what, it's going to see like an eyesore for Fort Wilderness. But I don't think that automatically means it would be an ugly building, in general.

I can understand both sides...I think it may actually be a nice looking resort overall, once it's all done up in wood colors and earthtones and I definitely want to try staying there when it's open. I even look forward to additional bar and restaurant choices I can walk to when staying in Ft Wilderness.

BUT - I really wish they had moved it closer to Wilderness Lodge and farther from Fort Wilderness. The fact that it looms over the Settlement area, dwarfing Pioneer Hall, and the A-frames took over the beach nearly to the boat dock...that's what makes it an eyesore for Ft. Wilderness, no matter how nice it actually is.

Had it been 200 yards farther away from Settlement, I think almost all of the fort complainers would go away.

(In my perfect world, it would be farther away and closer to Wilderness Lodge, AND they'd restore a cart path so I could take my golf cart to both Lakeshore Lodge and Wilderness Lodge when staying at the Fort. I used to love taking the golf cart down the woods trail and park by Wilderness Lodge where we'd go eat and then cart back home).

I totally get that. I honestly wish it could have just been built somewhere else along the lake entirely, but, admittedly, I don't know what the land is like in the other areas. I think it would be strange to have another large resort right next to Wilderness Lodge though.

If LSL (is that the correct acronym we're using?) is apart of the trust with Ft. Wilderness then it makes sense to have it closeby. But I still have a hard time believing that will be the case.