Status at a Glance
- Opening date
- July 1, 2027
- Bookable now?
- Not yet — opens October 6–8, 2026 (confirmed by Disney)
- Date announced
- August 27, 2026
- Operator
- Disney Vacation Club
- Rooms
- 967
- Cash rates
- Not announced
- DVC point charts
- Not released
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge opens July 1, 2027, and cash bookings open in three waves starting October 6, 2026. It is the first all-new resort at Walt Disney World in years — 967 rooms on Bay Lake, a short boat ride from Magic Kingdom. For every other hotel opening in the market, see our guide to the newest hotels in Orlando.
When does Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge open?
Disney Vacation Club announced on August 27, 2026 that the resort opens on July 1, 2027. DVC members get an early look first: a members-only “First Wave” preview stay runs June 24–27, 2027, before the official opening. Construction on the former River Country site resumed after a pandemic pause, and aerial photos through 2026 showed the building wings at or near full height.
Can you book Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge yet?
Not yet, but soon. Disney’s official Lakeshore Lodge page confirms three booking waves:
- October 6, 2026 — Disney Vacation Club members
- October 7, 2026 — Walt Disney World Annual Passholders
- October 8, 2026 — all other guests
Early reports say the member and Passholder windows are by phone, with online booking starting October 8 — Disney’s page lists the dates but not the channel, so have the phone number ready either way. These dates are for cash stays only. Disney has not released point charts, dues or a date for booking with DVC points. If you want opening week, have more than one room type in mind — Disney has not promised every category in every early window.
What is Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge?
A nature-themed Disney Vacation Club resort on the shore of Bay Lake, between Fort Wilderness and the Magic Kingdom, first announced in 2018 as Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge before the project was paused and renamed.
Rooms and Lake Houses
The 967 rooms span duo studios themed to Encanto , resort studios themed to Pocahontas , deluxe studios and one- and two-bedroom villas themed to Bambi , three-bedroom grand villas themed to Fantasia , and freestanding one- and two-bedroom Lake Houses along the water themed to Brother Bear.
Dining and the concierge lounge
Moonglade is the table-service restaurant, and The Artist’s Nest is a concierge lounge — the first concierge option at a new DVC resort in nearly two decades, if club rooms end up bookable with points.
Pools, the lazy river and The Wetlands
The recreation plan includes pools, a lazy river and The Wetlands, an outdoor play area with wet and dry features. The walking path between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness is also expected to return, and Magic Kingdom fireworks will be visible from the resort.
Where the Record Is Wrong
“About 900 rooms.” Many roundups still use the old estimate. Disney’s official room reveal says 967.
“Bookings open October 6.” Only for DVC members. Most guests book from October 8. Some fan sites also published October 7–9 — Disney’s own page confirms October 6, 7 and 8.
“Monorail access.” Some guides assume it. Disney has announced boat access to Magic Kingdom, not Monorail service.
“Near the Contemporary.” It sits on the former River Country site by Fort Wilderness, on the opposite side of Bay Lake.
Where to Stay Until It Opens
If your trip is before July 2027, the closest thing to Lakeshore Lodge is Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the newest build on Disney property, with Monorail access to Magic Kingdom and the Seven Seas Lagoon beach. For a fresh room at a moderate price, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter finished a full refresh in 2025. Nearby on Bay Lake, the rustic Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is the stylistic cousin, and just off property Conrad Orlando at Evermore offers a crystal-lagoon beach. Families watching costs can compare new builds like Hyatt House International Drive, with kitchen suites and free breakfast.
The Verdict
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge FAQ
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge opens July 1, 2027, on Bay Lake at Walt Disney World, on the site of the former River Country water park near Fort Wilderness.
Disney confirms booking opens October 6, 2026 for Disney Vacation Club members, October 7 for Walt Disney World Annual Passholders and October 8 for all other guests. Early reports say the first two windows are by phone. Booking with DVC points has not been scheduled yet.
Disney has announced 967 rooms, ranging from compact duo studios to deluxe studios, villas, three-bedroom grand villas and freestanding one- and two-bedroom Lake Houses on the shore of Bay Lake.
Yes. It is a Disney Vacation Club property, but rooms are also available as regular cash bookings, and with nearly a thousand rooms there should be meaningful cash availability for years.
The resort sits on Bay Lake a short boat ride from Magic Kingdom, and Magic Kingdom fireworks will be visible from the property. Disney has not announced Monorail service to the resort.
Announced highlights include Moonglade, a table-service restaurant; The Artist’s Nest, a concierge lounge; pools and a lazy river; and The Wetlands, an outdoor play area with wet and dry features.
For the newest room on property, Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is the closest match, with Monorail access to Magic Kingdom. For value, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter was fully refreshed in 2025.
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