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

[proudmomof4]

For someone contributing $100 per night to park your trailer/RV at the Fort, you sure have a lot demands of what Disney does with their prime land. Ciao!

I'm not going to get in the middle of whatever this is, but I can say with absolute certainty that it can be well more than $100 per night. There are times when a site at FW costs more than a value resort.

What is your favorite resort? and why? How would you feel if a whole other resort was built on that property?

 

[mlayton14]

I'm not going to get in the middle of whatever this is, but I can say with absolute certainty that it can be well more than $100 per night. There are times when a site at FW costs more than a value resort.

What is your favorite resort? and why? How would you feel if a whole other resort was built on that property?

I like a bunch of resorts with my favs including the lodges, boardwalk, in fact I can say I pretty much like them all except for maybe OKW. Different strokes, just Mr Bama seems to think his way of vacationing should take priority over what others might want and willing to actually pay for.

 

[team bradfield]

I like a bunch of resorts with my favs including the lodges, boardwalk, in fact I can say I pretty much like them all except for maybe OKW. Different strokes, just Mr Bama seems to think his way of vacationing should take priority over what others might want and willing to actually pay for.

@bama_ed is not alone

 

[mlayton14]

@bama_ed is not alone

Of course , I’m sure most who stay at the Fort feel that way.

 

[proudmomof4]

I like a bunch of resorts with my favs including the lodges, boardwalk, in fact I can say I pretty much like them all except for maybe OKW. Different strokes, just Mr Bama seems to think his way of vacationing should take priority over what others might want and willing to actually pay for.

Yeah, there are a lot of resorts at WDW to enjoy, I hear a lot of folks don't care for OKW, it's showing its age.

The thing with FW is, there is no other campground on WDW property, it's one of the original 1971 resorts and Walt himself wanted a campground at WDW. This new resort is completely changing the feel/mood/ambiance of FW and we campers are somewhat defensive of our little corner of WDW. The Fort kind of flew under the radar for almost 50 years and we liked it that way, it was one of the best kept secrets of WDW, but for the past decade or so, things have been changing, and not for the better.

For non-campers, there are a plethora of resorts to choose from, but campers have only got the one and, frankly, we are all very concerned for the future of our beloved piece of the World. My husband has already said that if FW goes the way of the dinosaurs, we will not be coming to WDW anymore. We are not park goers from dawn to midnight, we may step in a park for a few hours, get a bite to eat and then return to FW, it's our Happy Place.

 

[mlayton14]

Yeah, there are a lot of resorts at WDW to enjoy, I hear a lot of folks don't care for OKW, it's showing its age.

The thing with FW is, there is no other campground on WDW property, it's one of the original 1971 resorts and Walt himself wanted a campground at WDW. This new resort is completely changing the feel/mood/ambiance of FW and we campers are somewhat defensive of our little corner of WDW. The Fort kind of flew under the radar for almost 50 years and we liked it that way, it was one of the best kept secrets of WDW, but for the past decade or so, things have been changing, and not for the better.

For non-campers, there are a plethora of resorts to choose from, but campers have only got the one and, frankly, we are all very concerned for the future of our beloved piece of the World. My husband has already said that if FW goes the way of the dinosaurs, we will not be coming to WDW anymore. We are not park goers from dawn to midnight, we may step in a park for a few hours, get a bite to eat and then return to FW, it's our Happy Place.

I hear you, the Fort is a unique place and vibe, heck I don’t like that tower behind pioneer hall area either in its current state , but no reason to be nasty about all of those unfriendlys in the birdcages esp since that is most of the people at WDW.

 

[tetera]

As someone who has stayed only in cabins at the Fort vs camping (mostly in the "Legacy" cabins but also in the new DVC ones*) over a dozen times combined total over the years (so we have "lived" at the Fort for a combined total of more than two months and experienced 11 out of the 12 months of the year there) I agree with the campers' perspective here....

(Now if Buffalo Junction were being built instead I'd imagine that most people involved would be seeing eye to eye about this...except for on Halloween anyway!)



*(Though not a DVC owner)

 

[BorderTenny]

@bama_ed is not alone

He seems to be the only one using inflammatory language and threatening to pelt guests of the new resort with his food waste.

 

[team bradfield]

He speaks for all of us, be kind of redundant to repeat it

 

[Chuck96]

I’ve never stayed at FW (campgrounds or cabins). I don’t plan to. I like the resorts. I think Disney should ensure they maintain a strong and supportive campsite for the visitors who love and utilize that.

 

[elvispursley]

We’ve never stayed at FW but it a bucket list item to travel from WA state to FW with our airstream and stay at FW. I’m all for DVCs but there seems to be something a little off putting to have this new resort within sight lines of FW.

As someone who’s stayed at every price point at WDW, I find it a little offensive to throw the price/nt one spends at FW up to the pp. I would never dream to demean someone by using the level of accommodation as a means to judge someone.

 

[mlayton14]

As someone who’s stayed at every price point at WDW, I find it a little offensive to throw the price/nt one spends at FW up to the pp. I would never dream to demean someone by using the level of accommodation as a means to judge someone.

This is called selective outrage, considering Mr Ed’s comments. This is simple math , Disney has 750 acres of campground and is running a business , charging $1-200 per night for a spot a quick boat ride away from the busiest theme park on the planet. Complaining about you are being wronged while paying the minimal amount (even if much higher than the local campground) smacks of entitlement. It’s not like they are bulldozing the Fort.

 

[bama_ed]

@bama_ed is not alone

And he is well informed, he is.

Of course , I’m sure most who stay at the Fort feel that way.

Thanks for confirming my "whose sacred cow is being gored" comment. Since it's not yours, you don't have an opinion. Since it's mine, I do. I appreciate you agreeing with me. Good man!

I agree with the campers' perspective here....

Any reasonable WDW guest would.

He seems to be the only one using inflammatory language and threatening to pelt guests of the new resort with his food waste.

Never said it would be MY food waste. Just testing to see which DVC buyer at this new resort wants the "Dumpster View" room (not long ago I read that 'views' are no longer indicated in the 2026 info at least as resort hotels go).

I’ve never stayed at FW (campgrounds or cabins). I don’t plan to. I like the resorts. I think Disney should ensure they maintain a strong and supportive campsite for the visitors who love and utilize that.

Although some crowds tend to focus on the tent/affordable bunch of campers (which is truly a minority to any informed person who walks the campground); by the time you consider the cost of the camper and the tow vehicle (or the equivalent Class A RV) which can run combined to over $100K easily (plus the annual maintenance costs associated with those, of course), the campground is strong and supportive for us who love it.

And, BTW, I like to stay small so I am nimble, quick, and can fit in ANY National Parks and state parks (don't need to explain that).

As someone who’s stayed at every price point at WDW, I find it a little offensive to throw the price/nt one spends at FW up to the pp. I would never dream to demean someone by using the level of accommodation as a means to judge someone.

Thanks @elvispursley , I agree that everyone has their own preferred way to 'vacation'. I like to 'sleep at home' rather than 'in somebody else's bed' while on vacation. DW INSISTS upon it, don't ya know? SHE-WHO-MUST-BE-OBEYED.

This is called selective outrage, considering Mr Ed’s comments. This is simple math , Disney has 750 acres of campground and is running a business , charging $1-200 per night for a spot a quick boat ride away from the busiest theme park on the planet.

I think all the honest and true answers above address your concerns. And really, Stevie Wonder can see that if you want a DVC resort room on Bay Lake, buy at Copper Creek or Boulder Ridge near Wilderness Lodge.

Oh and your top end of $200 per night is W'W'WAY off the top for 2025 and 2026. You might want to do more research on that point.

We appreciate all the great feedback from everyone-I know it's been helpful to you. Good talk y'all and Roll Tide.

Bama Ed

PS - I'll visit back in a few days in case I can help some more.

 

[MagicCat]

I understand both sides of the debate. We camped at the fort for many years and it is one of my kid’s happiest childhood memories. Unless you have actually camped at the fort, you really cannot appreciate how special it is.

I detest when people diminish the campers but it’s mostly out of ignorance. Back in the day I spent considerably more money to buy our camper and tow vehicle that we used exclusively for the fort. I could have bought many DVC contracts with that money but am so happy I invested in camping at the fort instead.

It’s all about to change and even though I’m nervous I have chosen to embrace the change and be excited about it. I no longer have a camper so I bought the DVC cabins!

I am loving DVC so much more than I ever imagined I would and I love the cabins; however, nothing beats the actual camping. That is truly one of the best experiences in all of Disney anywhere on the planet.

I went to a member’s meeting with the management of the fort and DVC and they mentioned that they are aware of how beloved the fort is. My impression was that they want to preserve the camping experience but also update and enhance the resort. If they do it right it will be spectacular!

There will be a new big lobby to enjoy with shops and restaurants close by not to mention the lazy river. I’m just hoping it all turns out as beautiful as I imagine it can be.

 

[proudmomof4]

I understand both sides of the debate. We camped at the fort for many years and it is one of my kid’s happiest childhood memories. Unless you have actually camped at the fort, you really cannot appreciate how special it is.

I detest when people diminish the campers but it’s mostly out of ignorance. Back in the day I spent considerably more money to buy our camper and tow vehicle that we used exclusively for the fort. I could have bought many DVC contracts with that money but am so happy I invested in camping at the fort instead.

It’s all about to change and even though I’m nervous I have chosen to embrace the change and be excited about it. I no longer have a camper so I bought the DVC cabins!

I am loving DVC so much more than I ever imagined I would and I love the cabins; however, nothing beats the actual camping. That is truly one of the best experiences in all of Disney anywhere on the planet.

I went to a member’s meeting with the management of the fort and DVC and they mentioned that they are aware of how beloved the fort is. My impression was that they want to preserve the camping experience but also update and enhance the resort. If they do it right it will be spectacular!

There will be a new big lobby to enjoy with shops and restaurants close by not to mention the lazy river. I’m just hoping it all turns out as beautiful as I imagine it can be.

@MagicCat, thanks for posting that information. That all sounds great, as long as the campers get to use those amenities that are enhancing the Fort. I understand that we couldn’t use the amenities at the new Lodge, but we need to be able to use the Fort’s amenities and recreation.

We also bought our camper to use exclusively at the Fort and go about 4 times a year for at least a week each time. Our kids are grown now, but DH and I still love the Fort.

 

[Brian Noble]

I completely understand the long-time Fort fans' frustration and sense of betrayal.

I am also surprised it took Disney this long to re-purpose (and extract more money from) a very large plot of land that is very close to the world's most popular theme park.

Both things can be true at the same time.

I'm reminded of the way we start pretty much every Meeting I've ever been to:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

 

[mrsap]

Construction on Disney Lakeshore Lodge Continues on Bay Lake

Today, when visiting Bay Lake, we can see that progress has been made on the hotel’s vertical construction.

As you can see, five different cranes are currently in place!

Here is another look at the construction.

Five cranes are in place.

It looks like Disney is wasting no time in getting the latest resort built.

 

[bama_ed]

The DVC Cabins currently available fill a niche (well two actually). One is for guests like @MagicCat who WANT to stay at the Fort and will book at 11 months (because DVC always/usually says "buy (mainly) where you want to stay"). The DVC cabins aren't a bad deal if you want to stay at the Fort as I do first and foremost. That's who will buy there.

The second niche are those DVC folks who want to "try out" a FW cabin (heard a lot about it, great for families, etc.) and they can book at 7 months. 2026 cabins are already booked up for Halloween 2026 and I bet when Nov/Dec 2026 cash rates for DVC cabins come out, those dates around Christmas and New Years will fill up as well.

As a camping guest of FW who has been going regularly for 20+years, I'm no longer a single family visitor (me, DW, and kids). We are aging into a multi-generational visitor on a regular basis with me/DW as well as married kids (and future grands in tow). The DVC cabins work for the single family (as they did when we stayed in the legacy cabins) but not so well in the multi-gen family. The future lodge arrangements don't serve us multi's well either. But our kids (who are now becoming parents themselves) have FANTASTIC memories of FW visits and THEY want to share those experiences with THEIR kids (as they come along). That's why maintaining the camper experience is still so important.

People like me (and likely @proudmomof4 ) don't want Disney to kill the parts of the Fort that made the Fort the wonderful guest experience that it is/has been for literally decades. I get that DVC wants to "glam onto" existing resorts to leverage amenities and infrastructure. But I hope the pursuit of the almighty dollar doesn't kill the goose that laid the golden egg. Share it, fine. Kill it, no.

Thanks, @MagicCat . Well said.

Bama Ed

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

People like me (and likely @proudmomof4 ) don't want Disney to kill the parts of the Fort that made the Fort the wonderful guest experience that it is/has been for literally decades. I get that DVC wants to "glam onto" existing resorts to leverage amenities and infrastructure. But I hope the pursuit of the almighty dollar doesn't kill the goose that laid the golden egg. Share it, fine. Kill it, no.

Thanks, @MagicCat . Well said.

Bama Ed

Knock down, build big tower that doesn't fit in with the rest of the resort, nothing unique or special anymore, repeat..

 

[mrsap]

Construction on Disney Lakeshore Lodge Continues on Bay Lake

Today, when visiting Bay Lake, we can see that progress has been made on the hotel’s vertical construction.

As you can see, five different cranes are currently in place!

Here is another look at the construction.

Five cranes are in place.

It looks like Disney is wasting no time in getting the latest resort built.

Some additional pictures, take by another blog…

More Room Walls, Possible Beach Cabanas Under Construction at Disney Lakeshore Lodge​