Walt Disney World’s next major resort is taking shape along one of the property’s most familiar stretches of shoreline.
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge is being built beside Bay Lake, adding 967 rooms to Walt Disney World’s expanding hotel portfolio. The nature-inspired resort will include studios, villas, suites, and one- and two-bedroom Lake Houses positioned along the waterfront.
Its design will draw from several Disney films, including Pocahontas (1995), Bambi (1942), and Brother Bear (2003), with Disney leaning heavily into woodland themes and outdoor recreation throughout the property.
The resort is currently scheduled to open to guests on July 1, 2027. Bookings will begin opening in October, giving Disney World visitors their first chance to secure stays at the new property.
But July 1 will not actually be the first night guests stay there.
Some Guests Will Check In Before Opening Day
Disney Vacation Club has announced a special “First Wave” experience that will allow eligible members to stay at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge before its official opening.
The three-night event will run from June 24 through June 27, 2027, giving participating guests a head start of several days before the resort begins regular operations on July 1.
NEW: Disney Vacation Club reveals a “First Wave” experience at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge from June 24-27, 2027, giving eligible DVC members the chance to stay at the resort before its official July 1 opening.
The package includes a 3-night stay, 3-day Park Hopper tickets,… pic.twitter.com/BPQTlivK3a
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The package is more than an early hotel reservation; guests will also receive a three-night stay at Lakeshore Lodge, along with three-day Walt Disney World Park Hopper tickets that can be used across the resort’s four theme parks.
Disney is also including exclusive dining experiences and a $200 dining card for each guest participating in the package.
Members will receive behind-the-scenes insights into the new resort and commemorative keepsakes tied to their early visit, adding another layer of exclusivity to the limited Disney Vacation Club event.
Bookings for “First Wave” will open November 7.
Pricing starts at 184 Disney Vacation Club points for two adults staying in a Duo Studio. The number of points required increases depending on the accommodation selected and the number of people included in the reservation.
The early-access stay means Disney Vacation Club members participating in the event will be among the first paying guests to experience the resort’s rooms, restaurants, and recreation areas.
Disney Is Packing Plenty Into Lakeshore Lodge
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge will arrive with several new dining venues when it officially opens.
Moonglade will be the resort’s waterfront table-service restaurant, serving seasonal dishes in a setting overlooking Bay Lake.
For faster meals, guests will have Bay Lake Provisions, a quick-service location offering food and coffee.
Paint Out Point Bar & Grill will provide another option close to the pool, while Dandelion Terrace will serve as a lounge with views toward Walt Disney World’s nighttime fireworks.
Recreation will also be a major part of the resort.
The Wetlands will form one of its biggest leisure areas, with the Daydream River lazy river and Lakeshore Lagoon, a zero-entry pool featuring a spiral waterslide.
Younger guests will have access to wet and dry play areas inspired by Pocahontas.
A separate area called Cypress Point will offer a quieter alternative, with a leisure pool and whirlpool spa for guests looking to spend time away from the resort’s larger recreation spaces.
Lakeshore Lodge is one of the most substantial new additions to Walt Disney World’s hotel lineup in years, bringing hundreds of new accommodations to Bay Lake and expanding Disney Vacation Club’s presence across the resort.
It also continues Disney’s recent focus on larger accommodations designed for families and groups, particularly through villas and multi-bedroom options that give guests more space than a traditional hotel room.
Are you planning to stay at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge?
