Disney Lakeshore Lodge Under Construction
Disney Lakeshore Lodge (formerly Reflections) is a nature-inspired resort being built on the former River Country water park on Bay Lake. Located between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness at Walt Disney World, it’ll feature both hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club villas.
Originally announced in October 2018, this Lakeside/Lakeshore Lodge will “be a celebration of Walt Disney’s lifelong love and respect for nature” with more than 900 hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club villas. Reflections resort was slated to be the 16th Disney Vacation Club property, part of a significant expansion on the hotel side of Walt Disney World. It’ll now be the 19th DVC resort, and part of a new wave of significant expansion.
Disney Lakeshore Lodge is billed by the company as one of the “most unique resorts ever built” at Walt Disney World. Previously released concept art showcases a range of novel accommodations, including both treehouse suites and waterfront A-frame cabins. There is also expected to be a waterfront restaurant located “along the bayou of Bay Lake.”
Work quietly resumed on this project 18 months ago, and has moved at a really fast pace. The base structures have now been topped off at their maximum heights, and work is underway inside the buildings and around the grounds. In the photos below, you can see the pool, waterfront restaurant, boat dock, and outlying A-frame cabins all taking shape.
Active construction is visible from Bay Lake, Wilderness Lodge, and even the Settlement area of Fort Wilderness. It’s interesting to watch, even if you’re not necessarily excited about the finished product. There’s zero construction impact on guest rooms/campsites at Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness, but it’s very visible from the Settlement of the latter.
Below is a look at new aerial photos from Spring 2026 showcasing the latest progress on Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge, which continues to move at an incredibly fast pace ahead of its planned 2027 opening. As always, all aerial photos are courtesy of friend of the site bioreconstruct, who graciously provided the construction photos here…
Only a trio of new photos this month, but they reveal progress on several things:
- Bus stop shelters
- Roofing
- Boat dock
- A-frame cabins
- Waterfront restaurant
- Lazy river & feature pool
There’s still no movement on the treehouse villas originally intended for the Fort Wilderness side. It’s possible where those will be built is being used as a staging site, or that they’ve been cancelled.
If you want to see how much progress has been made in the last month, here are February photos:
Disney Lakeshore Lodge is going to be a 10-story resort with 900 rooms arranged in a “W” layout of its wings, with two main courtyards. What you see above is more or less the final footprint of the resort, which is very large. You’d have to go back to Art of Animation or Animal Kingdom Lodge for the last resort of this size.
By contrast, Wilderness Lodge has has a 7-story main building and 728 rooms in total. The largest resort in the Magic Kingdom area is currently Grand Floridian; it’s just over 1,000 rooms between the hotel and DVC wings. Lakeshore Lodge will be fairly close in size to the main resort–with more inventory than the Poly or Contemporary.
Relative to recent resorts, Disney’s Riviera Resort is 9-stories tall but with only 300 rooms. This will be one story taller and with a significantly larger footprint. It’s not necessarily triple the size of the Riviera, but it’s the largest new resort at Walt Disney World in a long time–with more room inventory than Riviera and Island Tower combined.
Walt Disney World hasn’t said much officially about Disney Lakeshore Lodge in the year-plus since announcing it was back in development. However, we know that the footprint is unchanged from the previous permits and site plans for Reflections.
Back at the 2019 D23 Expo, Parks Chairman Bob Chapek announced this restaurant would be “along the bayou of Bay Lake” have a Princess and the Frog theme. However, that was before Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and more additions of Princess and the Frog at Port Orleans, so another IP might be chosen.
During that D23, Disney also announced that there would be both A-frame cabins and elevated treehouses. As of Spring 2026, standalone unit construction consists entirely of the A-frames. However, there should be a second row of structures on the side closer to Clementine Beach (see below), and that should consist of 5 treehouses if Disney is recycling the Reflections plans completely.
Disney Lakeshore Lodge is projected to open in 2027. Given the current pace of the project, our expectation is that it opens in the first half of 2027. Quite honestly, it wouldn’t surprise us in the least if Disney moved this up to late 2026.
It probably depends on when it’s most strategically-advantageous to launch a new DVC resort from a sales perspective, so perhaps Island Tower sales are more outcome-determinative than construction progress.
Disney is utilizing the same efficient construction method for Lakeshore Lodge that likewise enabled Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort to be built expeditiously. Note that there are multiple connected buildings that form the main resort, and not all have been equally far along throughout the project.
Although Disney hasn’t said much about Lakeshore Lodge, the site plans and aerial photo confirm a lot. Both indicate that there will be a lazy river and feature pool, along with a waterfront restaurant in the courtyard closer to Fort Wilderness. The lower courtyard will hold the quiet pool and boat dock.
The Disney Lakeshore Lodge towers will, quite literally, tower over Pioneer Hall. For reference, Disney Lakeshore Lodge is much closer to Pioneer Hall than Gran Destino is to the (old) main lobby of Coronado Springs or even Island Tower is to the existing longhouses at the Polynesian.
No photos do this justice. Even after seeing construction plans illustrating just how close the two are, I was still taken aback when seeing this construction in person. It is right there, and the only way to fully convey that is by standing in the Settlement and seeing the tower taking shape.
Even though we can see it taking shape in plain view and know a lot thanks to permits and other public filings, the only thing Walt Disney World has revealed in the last year-plus is this: “The proposed Disney Lakeshore Lodge will be located within the same footprint of the previously announced Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge resort. Additional information will be released at a later time.”
That’s it. Walt Disney World has not shared new concept art, how Disney Lakeshore Lodge will differ from Reflections, or anything else. Again, Disney Lakeshore Lodge will be a 10-story mixed use property with a hotel wing and DVC wing, plus waterfront treehouses and A-frame cabins.
Disney Lakeshore Lodge will also offer a main feature pool and a leisure pool, with the former being the flagship amenity at the resort. The highlight of Disney Lakeshore Lodge’s pool complex will be a lazy river, making it only the third Walt Disney World hotel to offer one, joining the iconic Stormalong Bay at the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.
Disney Lakeshore Lodge’s feature pool will also include a zero-entry design for easy access, water slides, and a splash pad for the children’s play area. Positioned near the lake and nestled behind the main hotel building, the pool area is expected to offer scenic waterfront views of Bay Lake.
Every new resort needs a marquee offering–a selling point. Island Tower has the Polynesian and monorail, Riviera Resort has the Skyliner. Disney Lakeshore Lodge will have an impressive pool. It’s not only a logical feature, but a great nod to the River Country water park (see below) that it replaces. I’m sure there will be many River Country nods and easter eggs for longtime Walt Disney World fans in the pool complex.
While the structures and layout are unlikely to differ from the previous plans, don’t be surprised if there are material changes to the appearance of Disney Lakeshore Lodge versus Reflections.
This is purely speculative, but with so much passage of time, different leadership both at Imagineering and Parks & Resorts, and shifting trends in hotel design, it seems inevitable that what we first saw in 2018 will change to some degree by the time it opens almost a decade later. Basically, anything aesthetic is likely to change, whereas the original site plans seem to be set in stone.
Our hope is that the interior is made to look more interesting, timeless, and ‘lodgy.’ What was previously shown is dated already, and looked fairly unambitious. But there’s no reason to believe the bigger picture plans for the exterior, layout, etc. have changed.
There’s another misconception among fans that the original Reflections plans were simply recycled for the Island Tower at the Polynesian. That is categorically false. I know they’re both bland and boring towers that appear relatively interchangeable, but they are distinct.
I’ll admit that warming to Disney Lakeshore Lodge, and suspect many skeptics will do the same once this pool complex and lazy river are officially announced. Part of this is that Disney already did site-prep, cleared tons of trees, and dumped millions of dollars into developing this parcel. It’s inevitable that they’d build on this land at some point down the road, and that it would be a tower. Might as well happen sooner rather than later so we can enjoy the offering.
We love both Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness, and now have a daughter who will be the perfect age for Walt Disney World–and enjoying these resorts–by the time Disney Lakeshore Lodge opens in 2027. I’m also really looking forward to getting the walking path connecting the resorts back.
Being able to stay at Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness and having access to all three will be nice, as will those early morning and sunset strolls. Maybe Lakeshore Lodge will have a stacked restaurants and amenities slate (like Riviera!), and we’ll be able to stay at the comparatively inexpensive Cabins at Fort Wilderness while enjoying a robust restaurant lineup. Even if the building is ugly and out-of-place amidst the frontier, and it certainly is, it also presents undeniable practical upsides and should boast formidable features.
In the intervening years since Disney Lakeshore Lodge was mothballed, a trio of new Disney Vacation Club projects in the Magic Kingdom resort area has come to life. This includes the new resort studios at Grand Floridian, which was a room conversion project. There’s also the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort; as the name suggests, that’s a brand-new tower, built between the Poly and Grand Floridian.
Finally, there’s the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Vacation Club Resort (pictured below). They’ve proven controversial among Disney fans, but we love the new DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness. The biggest question mark–does Disney Lakeshore Lodge help or hinder sales of the Cabins at Fort Wilderness? The answer probably depends upon how Disney treats them. If they’re part of the same trust/condo association, sales of the Cabins at Fort Wilderness will improve.
The other reason it’s worth drawing attention to these projects is because there are a lot of them. There’s also the Villas at Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Riviera Resort, and Aulani in Hawaii. This is all significant because it means a ton of points being sold simultaneously, and numerous resorts competing with one another for the attention of buyers.
All of these new Disney Vacation Club resorts still in active sales explains why Walt Disney World hasn’t said much about Disney Lakeshore Lodge. They don’t want to take attention away from those, causing people to wait and see what happens with Lakeshore Lodge before buying DVC.
The only thing Disney has done is buried an announcement in a newsletter–no press release, concept art, or any fanfare. And the only reason they did that because speculation was rampant based on a multitude of construction permits, appearance of cranes on-site, and the resort starting to go vertical. It was an open secret, and would’ve been silly for Disney to pretend otherwise.
Radio silence isn’t Disney’s normal MO when it comes to new construction. If anything, they typically overshare and try too hard to generate hype. So this is very much a divergence from the norm. However, it’s very consistent with past precedent when it comes to Disney Vacation Club. I still remember when Bay Lake Tower was going vertical and plainly visible from the monorail…and DVC sales reps pretended it didn’t exist.
Nevertheless, our expectation is that Walt Disney World starts sharing more about Disney Lakeshore Lodge in 2026. With an opening likely in the first half of 2027, it’s likely that sales will start around mid-2026. This means that DVC should really start pulling back the curtain on Lakeshore Lodge in Spring 2026, generating excitement and buzz.
In the last few years, Disney Vacation Club hasn’t been afraid to have several properties for sale simultaneously. That didn’t used to be the case. Now, DVC is fine with a larger number of properties being available for sale, with the thought process that more variety equals greater consumer choice and a higher likelihood of selling memberships. (After all, they’re all going to sell out eventually…well, maybe minus Aulani and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness!)
Having more unsold DVC inventory at Walt Disney World isn’t particularly concerning because it serves as hotel inventory in the meantime that can be booked out at higher cash rates. There’s still a lot of Riviera and Island Tower at the Poly that haven’t been declared, and those rooms fetch $600+ per night on the hotel side.
Turning to my original commentary, I love Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. I’m a Disney Vacation Club member. In theory, Disney Lakeshore Lodge seems perfectly tailored to some of my favorite things about Walt Disney World. I want to love the idea of the River Country parcel finally being redeveloped, instead of rotting in plain sight. I’m truly hopeful for the best here.
Unfortunately, like pretty much every Fort Wilderness fan, I’m very apprehensive about this Disney Vacation Club project (well, mixed-use, but presumably mostly DVC). Part of what makes Fort Wilderness special is that it’s been relatively undisturbed by time, and is one of the last bastions of “Vacation Kingdom of the World” era of WDW.
It’s almost remarkable how different Fort Wilderness feels from the rest of Walt Disney World—even its neighbor, Wilderness Lodge. It’s almost as if Walt Disney World leadership has forgotten about Fort Wilderness, and it hasn’t seen the same fiscal mandates, changes in emphasis, or character as every other resort over the last couple decades. In large part, it’s been doing its thing, more or less unchanged since the 1990s.
There’s a very legitimate concern, especially after seeing how the Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge projects at Wilderness Lodge unfolded, that any expansion at or around Fort Wilderness will destroy the primitive and secluded characteristics of the campground that give it so much appeal. After all, this is a campground with wilderness right in the name–the environment is the heart and soul of Fort Wilderness.
The development of Disney Lakeshore Lodge doesn’t necessarily have to destroy the tranquil and secluded atmosphere of Fort Wilderness, but that seems like a very distinct possibility. Disney’s recent approach to developing hotels adjacent to existing resorts doesn’t inspire much confidence, and if there’s a ham-fisted approach when clearing land or an overzealous mentality when it comes to the size or proximity of the resort to the campground, it will be incredibly detrimental to Fort Wilderness.
As for the design, only a couple pieces of concept art have been released, and they’re nothing special. I don’t want to rush to judgment here, as I think there is potential for this to end up being interesting once more is released, but right now it looks like a fairly generic hotel with some modern rustic flourishes.
On the plus side, Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG) is the lead designer for Disney Lakeshore Lodge, and they have a very good track record with Disney. They designed the original Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, along with Disney hotels in Tokyo, Paris, and Hong Kong.
If this were a decade or two ago, I might be more deferential to Disney with regard to this concept art. However, the last several years have shown that Walt Disney World is very hit or miss with resort development and redesigns, skewing towards boring designs. It seems the approach is to choose the most middle-of-the-road offerings as possible so as to not alienate those with bland tastes.
When you compare Walt Disney World resorts built before the mid-1990s to ones built or redesigned in the last few years, there’s generally a clear division. Contemporary projects are often interchangeable with real world Holiday Inns or other mid-tier chained brand hotels.
Look at the difference between BoardWalk Inn or Beach Club and the new Gran Destino Tower at Coronado or Disney’s Riviera Resort. Don’t get me wrong–I like both for the amenities they offer, luxuriousness, and room designs. However, the exteriors of both leave a lot to be desired, and neither are exactly exemplars of themed design. (Admittedly, they have both grown on me a lot, but I still wish they were more ornate or unique.)
One explanation is that Disney wants to make things as crowd-pleasing as possible so as to not alienate any potential customers. The thing about this approach is that when you try to appeal to everyone, you end up appealing to no one.
Another explanation is that Imagineering’s talents are spread too thin. I know some readers might only follow the projects at Walt Disney World, but every single property around the world has huge projects in various stages of development or construction.
In the past when less was occurring simultaneously, maybe some top-tier Imagineering talent who “got” Disney’s distinct approach to hotels worked on a resort project. Now? Maybe they’re mostly designers who view working for WDI as “just another job” no different than Best Western or IHG.
Along those same lines, with so many projects in development, it’s entirely possible–if not probable–that leadership in the Parks & Resorts division is trying to trim the budget from each one, cutting aspects or details viewed as superfluous.
The problem is that those leaders are not creatives, and their experience is often in consumer products or other division of the company. They have absolutely no insight into what details are actually superfluous, and what are necessary for reinforcing theme or creating a sense of immersion.
Ultimately, more concept art could be released that’s really good. The project could employ a deft hand when developing around Fort Wilderness in a way that doesn’t damage that landscape. (Disney, just think of how much you could pat yourselves on the back by utilizing eco-friendly and sustainable construction practices–it’d be worth it in the PR alone!) It could end up being really good–a true tribute to both Walt Disney’s love of nature, but the spirit of River Country, which was never coming back anyway.
I’m cautiously optimistic that’s what could end up happening, but I think it’s equally likely that we’ll get a generically modern and vaguely rustic design. It’s also more likely that instead of eco-friendly construction that preserves the natural beauty and wilderness of the area, we get excessive tree clearing for the construction, and an end product akin to Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge in terms of wide walkways and bare grounds.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you optimistic or pessimistic about Disney Lakeshore Lodge? What do you think of the potential of this and other new hotels at Walt Disney World? Any other questions or comments? Hearing your feedback is part of the fun, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
What’s possible-to-likely is that the STOLport was used for storage during construction; incidental damage would naturally occur over time, and there would likely be some repair work that needs to be done to the roads/runway. A 5-year extension may simply be a way to stretch the effort over several years, since it doesn’t technically have to be finished until they need it again.
(OR … I can randomly speculate that they’re using this an excuse to remake it into an expanded parking area for the MK, allowing WDW to build on existing parking areas close to the TTC and put a new resort there. WDW has wanted to build just north of the TTC for *decades,* but every time it’s been tested materials sink into the swamp. I’ve been wondering for a while if the lack of parking lot sinkholes means that it would work on top of the old bus parking and elsewhere on the most northern parking lot.)
I think you’re overthinking it. 🙂
As crazy as it sounds to me on the surface, there’s more and more reason to believe that this pertains to Reflections. I was skeptical/dismissive when Imagineering filed for the extension earlier this summer, but circumstances have changed since.
I can’t believe they stripped this pristine area bare just to leave it as a dusty wasteland. Did they even watch Avatar?
I’ve probably written this before but as a nature lover I was pleasantly shocked to discover the Wilderness Nature Trail between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness ~10 years ago on a non-park day. What a serene and shady escape!
Also, an amazing place to get our little kids to nap! Tom, as you’ll soon find out, naps are very necessary – but on vacation or at the parks, “stroller naps” are so much more efficient than going back to a hotel room and coaxing a kid to sleep. Stroller naps also become challenging in loud, stimulating, or bright environments (e.g., theme parks or busy resorts). Finding this trail where both my kids (2 and 4) could both conk out in their double stroller under the Spanish moss dangling from the oaks was a godsend and a chance for my wife and I to have a moment to ourselves – a perfect segue between lunch at Whispering Canyon Cafe and pony rides and other fun activities at Fort Wilderness.
I understood then and now that this trail wouldn’t last forever but it’s just a shame it’s gone for no real reason.
Obviously, it’ll never be the same as it was before, but a trail between Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge returning is one of the biggest reasons that I kinda, sorta hope Reflections happens.
Tom,
You mention and provide a photo of the Polynesian tower….Do you know if it will include restaurants and a pool? Or will it force all of those guests to flood into the Great Ceremonial House and the Lava Pool?
That’s my main question, but if you’re really feeling adventurous, I don’t think I’ve seen your theory on why WDW closed River Country. I truly loved it and have such fond memories of going there. I loved its “Ol’ Swimmin’ Hole,” Huck Finn-style, extension-of-Frontierland-type theming, and it seems to have been almost universally beloved. After all these years, I still don’t understand the decision to shut it down.
It’ll include a pool, recreation, and dining options–but no word on what any of those will be. More in our full post on the Poly tower: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/dvc-tower-expansion-polynesian-village-resort/
I think the explanation for River Country’s closure is probably boring, and not what the urban legends suggest. Walt Disney World had opened 2 more modern water parks with higher capacity and in more easily-accessible locations. With that, River Country wasn’t as popular or as necessary. I’m sure there was more to it, but any other problems would’ve been solvable if there was an appetite within Disney to do so. But there wasn’t because they had Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach by that point.
Thanks! Sorry to bug you again, but do you happen to know whether River Country’s attendance was down in the years leading up to 2001 (in the wake of the two other water parks having opened), or was it more a matter of its being smaller (and harder to access via car) and hence less profitable, even if its attendance wasn’t down?
Sorry, I don’t know that.
Keep in mind that Walt Disney World has operated very differently in the late 90s and early aughts, so “less profitable” wouldn’t have been as compelling of a basis for closing then. My guess is that it would’ve limped along longer had 9/11 not happened, but still would’ve closed by 2005. If not then, definitely by the Great Recession.
I honestly believe Walt Disney World should build a Memorial site for all those who have lost there lives at WDW Parks, Resorts, and all properties included inside there extensive compounds! Not only for the victims? But also for the families of those who lost there loved ones over many of years since the park’s inception… “Remembrance Of Those We Loved Memorial “ It’s certainly not morbid, but truly a way of remembering our love ones and keeping there memories within our Hearts as we do with all memories we and others make at WDW
Sincerely,
Mark
You grand slammed this one, Tom!!! Could not agree with you more! At almost 47 years old, I’m a life long Walt Disney World fan boy and while it’s always great to see new and exiting attractions and resorts………..there are certain areas that should be 100% HANDS OFF, one of those is Fort Wilderness. This original WDW resort is timeless and as you eloquently put, is unlike any other resort on property. Both guests and cast members have remarked on this over the decades that I visited. Even when not staying at Fort Wilderness, I always make a point of stopping by, making a few purchases and stop in for a beverage at Crockett’s Tavern. The cookie cutter art of Reflections didn’t spark childhood imagination catering to a wilderness surrounding that is the essence of the Walt Disney World experience. Hopefully in the future, they will redesign it with truth Disney Magic.
I would like to see another small water park concept for the campground and not be over priced. make it free to campers and charge the outsiders. We need to go back to old school the way it was when it was special/exciting to go to Fort Wilderness. I grew up going to WDW since day one when it opened. Camping was fun and the memories of river country can’t be replaced.
Worst UGLIEST renovations I’ve ever seen. None of this is going to stop unless the people feeding them stop supporting it /stop doing business untill they do restorations rather than renovation. Bottom line, the people the supported these properties existance would all concur the original architects renditions are the only viable option and that they destroyed them with their hypercommercialized business plans. Stop supporting it. Who remembers the way the Grand Floridian and Polynesian used to smell when you walked in, the architects detailing and the quality of the staff that are not there at all anymore. No one in their right mind would condone what they’ve done if they remember how it was before it was destroyed. The only way theyll care is if it effects their bottom line, as that’s the reason they destroyed it in the first place (stock price growth at any and all cost)
Disney needs another THEME PARK not another hotel. This is another corporate money making decision that is destroying the original mission statement of Disney. They need to build Disney Extreme, a theme park to compete with the Tampa and Orlando intense rollercoaster parks, if they don’t Disney will start to loose monster market share, problem with most corporate thinking nowadays is it is just short sighted.
Cancel it completely and bring back Mickeys Backyard BBQ
Yes yes yes. Mickey s Back Yard Barbecue was one of Disney’s best. The interaction with the characters and the food was excellent. Walt would be so hurt by what his magical world is like today. As I have said before —- bring back the magic and imagineers. Our families favorite saying was—- Is it real or is it Disney??? Love Disney , Hate what it is becoming. So sad that upcoming generations will not know Disney magic. Greed has taken over.
My adult children still talk about River Country and their faces light up! What great memories. Putting a resort that size on the old RC site will absolutely ruin the atmosphere of Fort Wilderness that has been there since the 70’s. Can you imagine transporting all the additional people back and forth to the Magic Kingdom? The additional crowds at the Hoo Dee Do Review area? It may become an area to avoid. We own two DVC properties. The first was in 1996. The changes have been dramatic. DVC owners don’t get the perks they use to get and all the discounts available like free dinning when you book a full package. Oh well.
I got one was looking forward to the new resort. My aunt is DVC at Saratoga and Copper Creek. I like Riviera but wasn’t sold on it to be my home. I could buy into Copper Creek but I wanted something newer. I do love the new look of the resorts. It brings the resorts into a modern era. They could perhaps do a bit more theming. But as someone from Chicago who has stayed at the Peninsula and Four Seasons, I think the theming is right on trend and updated. I hope they start up the construction again and get a move on.
I hope the cancellation is true! We camped at FW last week and the construction site is so intrusive to the wilderness experience. Also agree that the hotels under Eisner were themed in a fuller/more-complete way than under Iger. That said, I’d love to be a DVC owner at FW!!
Leave Fort Wilderness as a wilderness! Restore the trees and walking trails! Do not place a hotel in top of the campground! I have been coming here since it opened with my parents and then with my children and now my grandchild. The wonderful world of Disney is feeling like each area is separated from the world and immersive in each area’s own character. Keep Fort Wilderness as it is and somehow restore the wonderful lost feel of tall cypress trees and wildlife to enjoy as we rock on the porches of the settlement away from the world.
Amen!
Tom I could not agree with you more. Good riddance! As a long time DVC member with WL as our home and huge FW fans this was just a travesty. Horrible design and concept . I love the idea of another resort on this property but not this design!
Alright Disney, now it is time to restore the area to it’s former self. You need to bring back the nature trail with it’s canopy of trees and open it back up so that we can walk to the lodge. Due to the beauty of the area this project should never have been considered in the first place. It’s bad enough to have the homes and the Four Seasons in the area.
I am glad that the project has been stopped. We had camped at Fort Wilderness many times and enjoyed the time there. Even thou we are not able to afford staying there anymore, I think that they could take the money allocated for the Reflections and increase and improve the camping sites to accommodate the bigger units. We still like to walk in the campground but was so sadden to see that River Country area was just going to be another hotel.
I am a DVC member and love Fort Wilderness asa member it is to many points to stay at Fort Wilderness so I was really looking forward to the new DVC hotel so we could stay there again!
I was excited for the hotel, disappointed at more DVC spaces. I think there is more than enough of DVC. They should have gone with the rumored Villains Park from years ago. So many people staying on property at once an not enough room for them in the parks. Build another park instead of more hotels!
Yes! Would love another park. 🙂
My wife & I are filled with renewed optimism regarding the rumor that Reflections will be cancelled. We spend 3 to 4 months each winter in Ft. Wilderness Campground. We’ve been hooked since 1975 but have been seriously shocked by the new Disney mindset (if you build it they will come) The Reflections development was devastating to the area & the image. Please restore the area to nature & restore the exercise walkway to Wilderness Lodge. Think preservation–not devastation.
I am weirdly happy that the construction has stopped, as I hated the idea of such an “unwilderness” looking building on the site. WL/camp is one of my fav places to visit. I’ve only stayed there for one night but it was fantastic. Every time I visit Disney, my fav thing to do is walk around the hotels on site, poly to grand fl then monorail to contemporary and finally a boat to wilderness camp, it’s pure Disney magic without feeling like your at Disney. But my absolutely favourite thing was the walking path from the camp to the lodge. It was lovely being in the wild like that and in the peace and quiet. Finding out they took the path away almost killed me! It was devastating, so I really hope that with the grass seed being put down that they put the trees back and open up the path again connecting the two sites. Fingers crossed!
I am very disappointed with the look and design of the new resorts being built. They are bland and and sterile like Tom suggests. But I must point out something that is not discussed as one of the reasons we are getting these tall plain buildings. But first the obvious. It’s obviously less expensive to cut down on theme. It’s also cheaper to have one large pool, and centralized housekeeping all in one large tall building. One bus stop, no paths to maintain, fewer gardens and less land to maintain and mow. Easier to secure, no golf carts running to far away buildings. Now the not so obvious that I want to mention: the people demanded these types of buildings and resorts. The Unofficial Guide spends pages and pages alerting (and worrying) guests about bad rooms and good rooms. This blog even ranks OKW at the bottom of a DVC ranking even though it’s top choice has no 1 and 2 bedroom units. His wife, Sarah, listing one of reasons she dislikes it as it being too spread out and large. She loves Bay Lake Tower, incidentally a tall bland tower with no theme, just a great location. The dozen FB sites dedicated to DVC, the Poly, Port Orleans, and Old Key West are constantly getting posts by people worked up over what is the best building, best room, closest to the pool, etc. I bet Tom, Tikiman, and the other famous bloggers are asked a thousand times a year, “what’s the best room”? “ What is the best building”? The front desk is of Port Orleans, Old Key West, Caribbean Beach, etc. are probably badgered by guest complaining and wanting to be moved because there room is too far and takes 2 minutes more to get to a pool. We/they are culpable and are one of the reasons for the bland towers. Now everyone can be in one tall tower, an elevator ride away from that coveted front desk, food court, or gift shop. Because heaven forbid, it takes an extra 5 minutes to walk there or 10 minutes longer to ride the free bus that has a few stops before leaving the resort to get to the park.
@KenR -That is true. I wish they would keep the theming and keep resorts size down. Keeping resorts small would alleviate the my room is too far away complaint of POR and CBR , etc. But alas, “the pack em’ in like sardines and charge them lots” is not good for small size with extravagant theming nor social distancing. That’s why my favorite resorts are Wilderness Lodge and the Grand Floridian – smaller and themed nicely imho. (If I knew the Covid19 pandemic was going to hit, would’ve taken that dream vacay to GF last year instead of waiting until who knows when now.
Great point! I remember when we were going on our first family trip, we wanted to stay at all stars because it was a quick trip and had no intentions of being in the room except to sleep. Mind you this was years before the recent Reno’s….and sooooo many people made SUCH a big deal about rooms being so far from the parking lot/food court/pool/busses. I could care less about that stuff lol. And at ft.wilderness nothing is really “close” but that’s part of what makes it fun….golf cart rides everywhere!!! If I wanted to stay in one of these huge tower hotels I guess I could but I think so many people are just used to that now. But I think the type of people that prefer ft.wilderness campground are the type of people that appreciate that space….we are a rare breed it seems lol.