Your Guide to Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge – Including a First Look at “The Wetlands,” Possibly WDW’s Best Hotel Pool Area Yet

Disney Vacation Club is racing toward a summer 2027 opening for Disney Lakeshore Lodge at Walt Disney World Resort, and new details are starting to fill in the picture. The latest reveal centers on The Wetlands, the resort’s central recreation area along the shores of Bay Lake, and it looks like Disney put some real thought into this one, with nods to nature and the history of this area. Read on for everything we know so far.

We’ll start with some breaking news, then look at the rest of this ambitious project…

UPDATE: Disney Shares First Look at Lakeshore Lodge Recreation Area

Disney has pulled back the curtain on one of Lakeshore Lodge’s centerpiece spaces: The Wetlands, a sprawling recreation area positioned just beyond the resort lobby along Bay Lake. Pools, water play areas, walking paths, and waterfront views will anchor the space, all tied into the resort’s nature-forward approach.

Families with younger kids will find two dedicated play areas, Heron Shores and Otter Springs, inspired by Pocahontas. Both are designed around climbing structures, splash zones, and interactive water features built with little ones in mind.

For guests looking to dial things back, Daydream River offers a lazy river winding through the recreation area. The centerpiece of The Wetlands is Lakeside Lagoon, a zero-entry pool with a spiral waterslide. On the quieter end of the property, Perspective Pond delivers a leisure pool and whirlpool spa for those who’d rather not compete for a chair near the slide.

Disney has also hinted that guests exploring The Wetlands pathways may stumble onto a tribute to a beloved attraction that once occupied this exact stretch of Bay Lake shoreline. They stopped short of naming it, but longtime Walt Disney World fans won’t need much help connecting the dots: this is the former site of River Country.

River Country opened June 20, 1976, as Walt Disney World’s first water park and one of the earliest themed water parks in the country. Designed to evoke a rustic Florida swimming hole, it offered rope swings, sandy beaches, waterslides, and direct access to Bay Lake. It closed in November 2001 and sat largely untouched for years, becoming one of the more quietly mourned pieces of Walt Disney World history. The possibility of a proper tribute, even an understated one, will mean something to the guests who spent summers there.

Disney hasn’t said exactly what that tribute will look like. But given everything we know about the resort’s approach to subtle storytelling, expect something thoughtful rather than splashy.

Welcome to Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge

Designed on the shores of Bay Lake within the iconic Walt Disney World Fort Wilderness Campground property, this project is shaping up to be something a little different from what we typically see at Walt Disney World. Rather than leaning heavily into character-driven theming, Lakeshore Lodge takes a quieter approach, focusing on the connection between Disney storytelling and the great outdoors.  

From what Disney has shared so far, the resort’s design embraces natural light, open spaces, and views that highlight the surrounding environment. Large windows, earthy tones, and a subdued aesthetic suggest this will be a place meant to slow down a bit.

But guests will still spot plenty of Disney nods and touches throughout the property. 

The location along Bay Lake and proximity to Magic Kingdom Park will definitely be popular. This new resort will feature daytime views of the water and wildlife with one of the most extensive collections of recreation offerings (canoe rentals, fishing experiences, bike rentals, nightly campfire movie with Chip & Dale, horseback riding, pony rides, nightly carriage rides, archery, and more…) that its location next to Fort Wilderness makes possible.  Plus, a glimpse of nightly Magic Kingdom fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant could make this one of the most appealing WDW Resort locations.

A Familiar Format With a New Twist

The resort is expected to include 967 rooms, ranging from studios to multi-bedroom villas, which will feel familiar to Disney Vacation Club members. Where things get more interesting is with the introduction of the new Lake Houses.

These one- and two-bedroom units will sit along the water, offering a more private experience than the typical DVC layout. If Disney gets this right, it could be one of the most sought-after room types anywhere at Walt Disney World.  This is the second DVC addition at the Fort Wilderness Resort, following the extensive makeover to the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort in 2024.  Keep in mind that, just because this is a Disney Vacation Club resort, non-DVC members can also book these resort accommodations, subject to availability.

Subtle Storytelling

Disney is pulling inspiration from nature-focused films such as Bambi, Pocahontas, and Brother Bear, but do not expect those stories to take over the space. Rather, the references woven into the design will be subtle rather than front and center. This is a recent trend at Walt Disney World, where light character overlays have been added to many of the older resorts. 

Disney used a similar strategy for the reimagined Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, which deliver an elevated “glamping”-style experience with small details that suggest Disney characters also enjoy vacationing in the wilds of Orlando.  

While this approach may not be for everyone, it does open the door to a more relaxed, immersive environment that offers a break from the fast pace of theme parks without overwhelming you with Disney imagery. 

Still Plenty to Learn

There is still a lot we don’t know. Dining, pools, transportation, and overall amenities have yet to be revealed. All of these will ultimately shape how this resort fits into the broader Walt Disney World lineup. What sort of impact will adding nearly 1,000 rooms to the Fort Wilderness Resort have on the overall guest flow, traffic, transportation, dining, and more?  We hope to hear Disney’s plans for integrating this new tower and its many guests into the Fort Wilderness resort area.

RELATED READING:

• NOW OPEN: New Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground!
• Discover Disney World’s Polynesian Island Tower: Tropical Luxury on the Seven Seas Lagoon
• ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: The Villas at the Disneyland Hotel – News & Views!
• New Disney Vacation Club Resorts & Perks On The Way!

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Let’s Hear From You

Is this the kind of resort you have been waiting for at Walt Disney World, or do you prefer something more traditionally themed? Does it fit the wilderness theme of the surrounding area? And what do you think about the idea of the new Lake Houses and Wetlands play area? Let us know in the comments below!