Disney World Announces Branch & Brush Lakeshore Lodge Lobby Lounge Boasting Big Views of Bay Lake
Walt Disney World has announced Branch & Brush lounge and released new concept art and details of the lobby at Lakeshore Lodge, giving fans a fresh first look inside the new Magic Kingdom area waterfront resort opening in July 2027. Here are full details, brand-new concept art, plus our commentary about these features.
As basic background, Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge will celebrate the beauty and magic of nature as seen through the eyes of Disney artists and storytellers. Inspired by Walt Disney’s admiration for the great outdoors, the resort’s design highlights animated stories rooted in nature, with subtle nods to classic films, from the lush forests of Bambi and the colorful winds of Pocahontas to the glacial landscapes of Brother Bear.
Located along the ‘bayou’ of Bay Lake, Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge will feature floor‑to‑ceiling windows that welcome natural sunlight, allowing the outdoors to flow into the architecture, artwork, and ambiance. Guests follow a lush tree-lined driveway and arrive beneath a porte-cochere that’s inspired by a bird in flight and surrounded by cascading water features. Otherwise, there isn’t much to the architecture or design of Lakeshore Lodge.
The resort will offer 967 themed accommodations, including standard studios, a variety of villas, waterfront A-frames, and even the Club Level lounge and presidential suite. Check out Inside Resort Rooms & Club Level of Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge for more.
As we previously predicted in Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge is Not a Mixed-Use Resort Hotel, But That Doesn’t Really Matter, an entire wing of this property is likely going to be Resort Studios (a la Big Pine Key at the Grand Floridian), which are basically glorified hotel rooms with a microwave added.
Walt Disney World has also announced that Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge opens July 1, 2027. Reservations will start opening in phases beginning in October for opening night. Here are the pertinent booking dates:
- October 6, 2026: Disney Vacation Club members can make early rental reservations by contacting Member Services at (800) 800-9800.
- October 7, 2026: Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can make early rental reservations by contacting (407) 934-7639.
- October 8, 2026: All guests can make reservations online or by calling (407) 934-7639.
Note that these are for bookings with cash, meaning that members will pay the regular rack rate for the rooms, which will undoubtedly be astronomical. Disney Vacation Club members will be able to make points-based reservations at a later date. We’re marking our calendars for that, not this.
Now we’re taking a first look at the new Branch & Brush and lobby that guests can enjoy when stepping into Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge. Let’s take a look inside…
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge Lobby
When guests arrive at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge, they’ll step into the lobby and become immersed in the sights and sounds of nature.
Spectacular floor‑to‑ceiling windows will welcome natural sunlight and showcase sweeping views of The Wetlands outdoor recreation area, allowing the local flora and fauna to flow seamlessly into the architecture, artwork, and ambiance.
Natural materials will be incorporated throughout the lobby design, with custom tapestries inspired by the film’s landscapes and thoughtfully crafted furnishings with accents of river-recovered cypress wood.
Drawing inspiration from the music and storytelling of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Pocahontas, a shimmering fiberoptic river will illuminate the floor and flow around a custom bronze centerpiece designed by Walt Disney Imagineering.
Look closely and you’ll spot many familiar friends from decades of Disney animated storytelling etched into its design, while overhead, the blown glass Colors of the Wind sculpture with hundreds of suspended glass leaves will fill the space with movement, color, and wonder.
As a fiber optics fan, this looks fantastic to me. Walt Disney World needs some redemption on the in-ground lighting front after the EPCOT overhaul boondoggle, although perhaps the best way to achieve that is, you know, fixing what’s broken as opposed to filling it with concrete. But I digress. Suffice to say, we’re hopeful this fiberoptic installation works for more than a couple weeks!
This is a revival of Pocahontas-inspired lobby, which was a feature of Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge (the original pre-COVID concept for this resort). Old concept art (above) revealed a giant statue of Pocahontas right at the entrance, along with a similar style to what’s pictured here.
Personally, I was not a fan of the Pocahontas statue. Perhaps it would’ve been tastefully done, but it just gave me All Star Movies vibes, and didn’t feel befitting of a Deluxe Resort. This new view gives us a view of where that statue would’ve been located, so it’s likely no longer part of the plan. Thankfully. That is, unless it’s simply been moved to an even more prominent position, greeting guests right inside the front entrance!
I doubt that’s the case. Fan feedback on the Pocahontas statue was not positive, and in the years since, Imagineering has gone with a less heavy-handed approach. Designs are subtly imbued with inspiration from animated films in common areas, with overt Easter Eggs tastefully injected (especially in rooms). The ‘hit guests over the head with overt-but-hollow references’ approach is seemingly dead.
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge will also debut with distinctive dining experiences for guests to enjoy throughout their stay. From convenient, grab-and-go favorites to memorable waterfront dining, each location is thoughtfully designed to highlight the resort’s connection to the natural beauty of Bay Lake. Here’s a rundown…
Branch & Brush
Just beyond the lobby, guests will find Branch & Brush, a new lounge offering handcrafted cocktails and big, breathtaking views of Bay Lake.
Inspired by the beauty of the changing seasons, the space will feature rich colors, natural textures and an enchanting collection of artwork. At the heart of the lounge, a captivating color-changing chandelier will bring the beauty of all four seasons to life, creating an inviting atmosphere where guests can unwind after a day of adventure.
From watching the sunrise over Bay Lake to enjoying a nightcap at Branch & Brush, every moment at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge will invite guests to discover the wonder of nature and the magic of Disney storytelling.
Given that Walt Disney World references the sunrise, which to the best of my recollection occurs in the ante meridiem hours, my assumption is that Branch & Brush will also be open in the mornings and serve as a coffee bar at that time. This would be a huge win for early birds, and reminiscent of the dual-purpose Barcelona Lounge at Gran Destino Tower (above).
Even though the all-day Bay Lake Provisions marketplace will be open nearby, it would be nice to have a more relaxed sit-down spot with elevated atmosphere and beverages. I’m a sucker for moody lighting, so Branch & Brush looks like it’ll be incredibly atmospheric in the evenings, but I’d also really appreciate it this is also open in the mornings. Fingers crossed!
Now let’s turn to the previously-announced restaurants inside and around Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge…
Bay Lake Provisions
Bay Lake Provisions will be the perfect spot to fuel up for a day of adventure or relax and refresh after a poolside afternoon. This all-day, quick-service marketplace will offer specialty coffees and fresh fare in an inviting open-kitchen atmosphere. Guests can find woodland critters inspired by beloved Disney classics throughout the space.
Bay Lake Provisions appears to be located in the main lobby, just judging by the stairs located in the background. My first thought here is that this looks a bit simplistic and straightforward in terms of design. This could be concept art for any number of newer hotels pretty much anywhere, from big box family suites along Harbor Boulevard at Disneyland to luxury-level resorts like the Westin and JW Marriott.
With areas like this, it ultimately comes down to the details, fit and finishing. Virtually all newer chained-brand hotels of every tier use light fixtures like those on the far right of the concept art, but not all of them are of the same quality. Moreover, the panel on the left could look lovely, especially if it’s a backlit light fixture as opposed to a wall-cling graphic.
Another good comparison is Primo Piatto over at Disney’s Riviera Resort, which is nothing noteworthy from a design perspective. And yet, Walt Disney World fans love it because the menu is a bit on the ambitious side. If anything, Bay Lake Provisions looks better than that, and more on par with adjacent Bar Riva.
Moonglade Restaurant
Along the lakefront, Moonglade will offer an enchanting table-service dining experience where stunning water views are part of every course. Here, guests will enjoy thoughtfully prepared dishes featuring seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
Floor-to-ceiling windows will frame the gracefully arching cypress trees along Bay Lake where artful lighting and nuanced design reflect the interplay of light and shadow.
Back when it was Reflections, this was originally announced as a Princess and the Frog-inspired table service restaurant.
Based on the announcement, Moonglade does not appear to be IP-infused. That’s the right approach with a restaurant like this, which is essentially bringing the outside inside with its floor-to-ceiling windows. While I love highly-themed restaurants, I’m also a fan of this approach where appropriate, and a waterfront restaurant qualifies.
Assuming Moonglade is a Signature Restaurant, it’ll still be possible to signal its upscale nature with high-quality furnishings, fixtures, furniture, and lighting. As with Bay Lake Provisions, Moonglade will come down to execution. It could be mediocre and middling or moody and magnificent. Our guess is it lands somewhere in between.
The big unanswered question is whether Moonglade Restaurant will pull a Topolino’s Terrace and double as a character breakfast. I really, really hope so. There’s endless potential for a wilderness-themed fine-dining character breakfast, with Humphrey the Bear, Junior Woodchucks, and other rare characters; or even just the usual suspects dressed for adventure, a la Storytellers Cafe at Disneyland.
Paint Out Point Bar and Grill
Enjoy shareable bites and specialty beverages while soaking in the natural beauty around Paint Out Point Bar & Grill near Lakeshore Lagoon. Inspired by the art of plein-air painting, this pool bar will showcase a collection of original artwork created by Imagineers as they drew inspiration from the Bay Lake landscapes.
This is presumably part of the same restaurant ‘complex’ as Moonglade, but on the pool facing side. Our hope and expectation is that this is similar to Wailulu Bar & Grill at Island Tower or Geyser Point at Wilderness Lodge. Those are two of our favorite restaurants in all of Walt Disney World, so that’s a really high bar.
I love the plein-air painting inspiration. It’s common where we live to see several talented plein-air artists painting in public parks, and it’s fascinating and fun to watch them work. It’d be a fun touch if Disney had live artists appear at Lakeshore Lodge, and had this collection be an ever-growing and changing one.
Dandelion Terrace
Resort guests can gather in Dandelion Terrace to see Magic Kingdom fireworks lighting up the sky over the waters of Bay Lake.
The lounge will be home to a two-story gallery of archival artwork from Disney classics like Fantasia, complete with whimsical dandelion light fixtures that add a touch of magic to the space. Soft lighting and sweeping views create the perfect setting to slow down and enjoy the nighttime spectacular.
There’s no rooftop restaurant at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge, and now we know why!
While it’s unclear whether this is an actual rooftop terrace, at minimum, it’s elevated above the palm trees. Wilderness Lodge doesn’t have sufficient clearance for fireworks views until its 4th floor, so we’d expect Dandelion Terrace at least on the 5th floor or higher.
As for the animating idea of this, I love it. We are huge fans of the four terrace gardens at the Polynesian’s Island Tower (view pictured above), and this looks like those, but larger. That’s good, since Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge is a significantly larger resort. Hopefully this is about 6 times the size of each terrace garden.
Generally speaking, I’m a fan of exclusive areas like this; resort amenities reserved for actual resort guests. I know that’s an increasingly unpopular opinion with Walt Disney World fans for whatever reason, but the crowds on the Poly beach and elsewhere have been untenable, and the smartest solution going forward is a physical barrier to entry.
Ultimately, we remain cautiously optimistic about Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge. If the attention to detail is there, the inside should be a winner. The lobby looks nice, the fiberoptic river should be fun, and the restaurant roster looks formidable.
Of course, everything comes down to execution. There are times when the art is better than reality, or vice-versa. Here’s hoping a gigantic Pocahontas statue isn’t plopped down at the entrance!
We never wanted Lakeshore Lodge built in the first place, and were pleased when it was seemingly abandoned. However, we also have a “what’s done is done” outlook on this project. Whether Walt Disney World fans want it or not, this resort is now being built, so we might as well hope for the best.
It’s with that mindset that we’re looking forward to staying at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge when it opens on July 1, 2027. While I have lingering reservations about this project and its proximity to Fort Wilderness, everything else WDW and DVC have revealed in the last few months has been optimism-inducing.
I’m really looking forward to Lakeshore Lodge at this point. Part of that is my unabashed love of lodges, and the ‘wilderness region’ of Walt Disney World. Another part is how I’ve ended up feeling about other dubiously-designed resorts that have opened since 2018.
Ugly and underwhelming as they all might be from the outside, Gran Destino, Island Tower and Riviera Resort are all accommodations and amenity-rich, and great places to stay as a result. Lakeshore Lodge looks poised to join that list. Plus, you can’t see the outside when you’re inside the towers–just the big views they boast!
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge looks much more ambitious, fully-featured, and better looking than any of those. If this has a healthier budget for placemaking and a lush environment around the outside, that alone will make it a massive upgrade over the Island Tower.
It’s a shame that Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge towers over the Settlement, as opposed to being centered between Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge, but it should still be an asset to this resort ‘region,’ as well as the DVC portfolio and Walt Disney World as a whole. Failing all else, we’re looking forward to finally being able to walk between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness again!
If you’re considering joining DVC and want more guidance, be sure to read our Ultimate Guide to Disney Vacation Club. That guide covers the pros & cons, resale v. direct, how much money you’ll save, and other important things to know before taking the plunge. If you still can’t decide whether membership is right for you, “try before you buy” with the recommendations in How to Save BIG on Deluxe Disney Accommodations Renting DVC Points.
Your Thoughts
Thoughts on Branch & Brush or any of the other restaurants, fireworks observation terrace, or lobby at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge? What’s your reaction to the new concept art and details? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
