Disney wouldn’t say much about Lakeshore Lodge’s pool during our tour — now The Wetlands is revealed
Newly released concept art for The Wetlands, Disney Lakeshore Lodge’s aquatic recreation area, offers the clearest look yet at what could become one of the most ambitious pool complexes at Walt Disney World.
Disney Lakeshore Lodge, the Disney Vacation Club resort that’s under construction at the former site of River Country, will carry on the property’s history of having an immense area dedicated to swimming and water play. The area that once housed Disney World’s first water park, which closed in 2001 and sat abandoned for decades, will be the home of Disney Lakeshore Lodge and its pool area, The Wetlands at Lakeshore Lodge.
The Disney Parks Blog provided an update about Disney Lakeshore Lodge on June 17. The update focuses mostly on The Wetlands at Lakeshore Lodge, an area where guests “will be invited to relax, unwind, and reconnect with nature.” Described as a “sweeping outdoor recreation area just beyond the lobby that’s surrounded by the beauty of Bay Lake,” The Wetlands will open with the resort hotel in summer 2027.
Provided by Disney
In the concept art above, there is a large building in the background. This may be a possible waterfront restaurant or recreation building.
Photo by Dani Meyering
During a construction tour Attractions Magazine attended earlier this year, company representatives focused heavily on the resort’s environmental design and relationship with Bay Lake, but offered few details about recreational amenities. The newly released concept art provides a look at how Disney plans to bring that philosophy into the guest experience.
While on the tour, Walt Disney Imagineering repeatedly emphasized that Disney Lakeshore Lodge would be shaped by its natural surroundings. “That context and setting here is all about nature and the nature experience,” Dean Husper told media.
“As we’re planning the resort carefully, we want to be able to take advantage of existing opportunities in this nature setting.” — Executive Architect and Principal Architect for Walt Disney Imagineering, Dean Huspen.
Watch our video below to hear directly from Huspen during a media tour.
First look: The Wetlands at Lakeshore Lodge
Designed for all ages, the area will include wet and dry play areas for kids, inspired by the music and storytelling of classic animated film “Pocahontas.” Like the lyrics of “Colors of the Wind,” the heron and the otter will be everyone’s friends, represented with large statues within the outdoor space.
Courtesy of Disney
Within The Wetlands, guests will find Heron Shores, a dry play space with hands-on play opportunities and plenty of climbing areas. Otter Springs is the wet play area, full of interactive water features and areas where kids can splash and slide. And then there’s the lazy Daydream River, a current that floats guests through the entire area, allowing them to take in the landscape.
In the center of The Wetlands will be a zero-entry pool, Lakeside Lagoon. Designed for all ages, the pool will feature ample space to swim, as well as a water slide. On the other side of the resort, guests will find a pool with a different vibe, Perspective Pond. With a leisure pool and a whirlpool spa, the area will offer views of the nightly fireworks at Magic Kingdom Park.
Courtesy of Disney
Along a scenic path that winds through the recreation area, guests will discover fun facts about the local flora and fauna that surrounds them. And, there’ll be a special plaque somewhere in the midst of it all that honors a “beloved historic attraction” that once stood in the same spot. (We’re betting it’s River Country!)
The Wetlands sound like the perfect spot for cooling off after a long day at the theme parks or for spending a relaxing non-park vacation day with family. In fact, this new water recreation area just may turn out to be the best pool on Walt Disney World property, but we’ll have to wait until summer 2027 to see for sure.
More about Disney Lakeshore Lodge
Disney Lakeshore Lodge will be located along the waters of Bay Lake in the former site of River Country. With its proximity to Magic Kingdom and its location adjacent to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, it’s sure to be a popular resort with Disney guests.
Photo by Dani Meyering
In addition to the “Pocahontas”-inspired pool area, Disney has said the resort will take inspiration from films like “Bambi” and “Brother Bear.” The resort will have 967 rooms, ranging from studios to multi-bedroom villas, as well as one- and two-bedroom, waterfront lake houses.
A dock has also been spotted at the resort, confirming the hotel will provide boat transportation to Magic Kingdom in the same way resorts like Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge do.
Courtesy of Disney
While further information about the resort, like dining options and recreational experiences, has yet to be announced, we expect continued updates as the summer 2027 opening of Disney Lakeshore Lodge draws closer.
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