Disney Lakeshore Lodge construction: 5 things we saw during an exclusive tour of the site
We toured the construction site of Disney Lakeshore Lodge and got a closer look at how the long-awaited resort is taking shape along Bay Lake. Rising on the former River Country site, the project is beginning to reveal its scale, layout, and early design details
While much of the work remains partially obscured by trees and distance, a combination of visible progress and a newly shared rendering offers a clearer picture of what’s ahead.
New Disney Lakeshore Lodge details from media tour
First, let’s look at the brand new rendering that Disney shared with us today.
You can see the variety of lakefront villas, the pool with waterslide and the new boat dock in this rendering. This resort sits along Bay Lake between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. It is angled toward Disney’s Contemporary Resort and will have views of Magic Kingdom’s larger structures like Cinderella Castle and Space Mountain.
Courtesy of Disney
We are sharing some quick details now that our media tour has wrapped up. After being shown the rendering, we heard from Disney leaders and Imagineering representatives.
Best of all, our media tour boarded a resort boat and journeyed on Bay Lake to get a better look at Disney Lakeshore Lodge as it rises into view.
Photo by Dani Meyering
A clearer sense of the resort’s footprint along Bay Lake
From the boat, the scale of the project is fully evident. There are two distinct wings of the resort that stretch across the entire expanse of the former River Country site, with a horizontal layout that hugs the shoreline. Lakeshore Lodge also stands tall, which concerns many Fort Wilderness fans. Even at a distance, the footprint is clearly a large resort that differs drastically from its surroundings.
And yet as we travelled through Fort Wilderness campground to get to the tour boat, the charm of this rustic and loved resort remains. Throughout the campground, until you reach Pioneer Hall, there is no sign of a massive resort awaiting on the shore.
Sight lines and structural elements
The building is now fully visible above the tree line. Trucks, construction materials and framework can be seen from certain angles. The project has clearly moved beyond initial site work and into more defined construction.
The Imagineers aboard our tour pointed out how the natural landscape, including the majestic cypress trees in the water, remained and served as inspiration for the design of this towering resort. The lobby’s roof design is meant to evoke birds taking flight. The towers along the guest room wings resemble treetops.
It can be tough to see the true structural story right now while in construction, but it is impressive how the resort curves and flows. It doesn’t feel as angular as my initial impressions suggested.
Courtesy of Disney
Future guest areas along the shoreline
Areas where guests can relax near the edge of Bay Lake are visible, including an area for potential waterfront recreation and perhaps dining. This positioning reinforces that the water will be a central part of the resort experience.
Even guests who are not staying at the impressive A-frame lakefront cottages will be able to enjoy the spectacular views. When viewing the photo below, take note of the all-glass back portion of the cottages, which will allow for immersive views of the water.
Photo by Dani Meyering
When asked about guest areas for fireworks viewing, the Disney Imagineering representatives shared that although specific details are not currently available, the fireworks at Magic Kingdom across Bay Lake are an important part of the resort’s offerings.
The rendering shows a pool with a twisting waterslide, and representatives told us they will be able to share more details about the pool features and storyline in the coming months.
A more refined design than Wilderness Lodge
One of the biggest takeaways comes from the newly released rendering. While Disney’s Wilderness Lodge leans heavily into a rugged, Pacific Northwest-inspired national park aesthetic, Lakeshore Lodge appears to take a more polished approach.
The design still draws from nature, but with cleaner lines, lighter materials, and a more contemporary lodge feel. The result looks less rustic and more elevated, signaling a different tone despite the shared waterfront setting.
Aboard our boat tour, the Imagineers continuously remarked about how important Bay Lake’s serenity and views are as a major component of Lakeshore Lodge’s design and story.
Attention is being paid to the views, using lots of towering windows and glass to allow for the beauty of Bay Lake and Florida’s nature to become an integral part of staying at this lakefront resort.
Photo by Dani Meyering
The full vision is still taking shape
From the boat, we enjoyed visibility and scale. For now, the rendering provides the clearest look at the finished resort, while the construction site offers only early clues.
In speaking with the Disney representatives, it is clear how much they love this portion of Walt Disney World property. Anyone with fears of how this resort may abandon the history and legacy of Fort Wilderness, Bay Lake, and Wilderness Lodge can rest assured that care and attention to detail are being paid.
Most exciting of all, the motifs of “Bambi,” “Pocahontas,” and “Brother Bear” are being incorporated without the resort being overtaken by characters and IP. I specifically asked if the fact that “Brother Bear” was created and animated here in Orlando (at the animation studio that will be home to the ‘Magic of Disney Animation’ attraction) made for any special moments for the resort. Although specifics weren’t shared, the representatives indicated that some members of the design team actually worked on the film and so there is special care for the “Brother Bear” elements coming to the resort.
The media materials given to us during the tour state that the resort will be home to a rich collection of archival artwork.
Still, change is difficult, and concerns are understandable. I was a skeptic myself. And now that I have spent time in Fort Wilderness and along Bay Lake, I understand the vision.
As work continues, future updates will likely reveal more about how the design translates from concept to reality.
More Attractions Magazine stories
Follow us:
Whether you’re ready for your next Disney Destinations vacation or your first, our trusted partner Mouse Fan Travel will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation-planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable Disney vacations. Visit Mouse Fan Travel for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.
