At Disney’s theme parks, change is inevitable — even when it means letting go of beloved spaces. Since Walt Disney himself promised Disneyland would “never be complete,” the parks have constantly evolved to meet new generations of guests. Still, not every change comes without a sense of loss.
One of Walt Disney World’s earliest casualties was River Country, the company’s first water park. Now, after decades of dormancy and a canceled hotel project, new life is finally taking shape on the historic Bay Lake site — just not in the way fans once expected.
The rapid construction of a new resort, Lakeshore Lodge, signals the end of an era and the start of a new chapter at Walt Disney World Resort.
From River Country’s Closure to a New Beginning
Opened in 1976, River Country quickly became a favorite for its rustic, sandy-bottom pools and old-fashioned swimming hole aesthetic. Set against Bay Lake and Fort Wilderness Resort, it offered a relaxed alternative to the growing number of high-energy theme parks nearby.
However, as Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach debuted in 1989 and 1995 respectively, River Country struggled to compete. Aging infrastructure and smaller capacity made it increasingly difficult to justify alongside Disney’s newer, more ambitious water parks.
The park closed after the 2001 season, initially framed as a temporary measure. By 2005, Disney confirmed that River Country would not reopen, citing declining demand, new safety regulations, and the rise of other water park options. Its remains sat untouched for years, before Disney eventually cleared the area for a proposed new hotel: Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge. That project, too, would be canceled.
Lakeshore Lodge Takes Shape Along Bay Lake
Rather than abandon the idea entirely, Disney pivoted. The company revealed a new project for the site — Lakeshore Lodge — and this time, progress has been swift. Recent updates from WDW Magic confirm that construction on the Disney Vacation Club destination has moved beyond the fifth floor, bringing the future resort into sharper view.
Lakeshore Lodge mirrors construction techniques used for the new (and wildly controversial) Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, with cranes lifting massive concrete wall sections into place. The method accelerates vertical development and gives guests a glimpse at the eventual layout and size of the waterfront property.
When completed, Lakeshore Lodge will offer a nature-inspired retreat blending rustic charm with modern luxury. Conceptually influenced by Disney artists’ interpretations of the American wilderness, the resort promises unique touches, including a signature waterfront restaurant themed to The Princess and the Frog.
The resort will also feature a main pool complex with a lazy river. Between its Bay Lake views and focus on relaxed, scenic experiences, Lakeshore Lodge aims to redefine the deluxe resort category in a space once rooted in Disney’s earliest visions of outdoor fun.
A Surprisingly Rapid Construction Rate at Disney World
On a side note, Disney is making notably rapid work of the hotel’s construction compared to its other projects in recent years. First announced in 2017, TRON Lightcycle / Run only opened in 2023, meaning it took an entire six years to build one ride. (While we would give it leeway due to the pandemic, for context, Universal Orlando Resort built the entirety of Epic Universe in a similar timeframe.
Of course, the big difference here is that Lakeshore Lodge will be an active moneymaker. While the likes of TRON Lightcycle / Run may pull in more guests, they don’t actively book out the ride like they do with rooms in a new hotel. As Disney shells out $60 billion to upgrade its parks and experiences over the coming decade, investments like Lakeshore Lodge represent a strategic push toward revenue-generating projects with long-term financial returns.
Are you excited for Lakeshore Lodge?
