The 967-room resort is the largest new hotel at Walt Disney World in decades. DVC members get first crack at reservations in a month, though not the kind most of them are expecting.
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge has an opening date.
The resort opens July 1, 2027 on the shores of Bay Lake, with 967 guest rooms across studios, villas, waterfront Lake Houses, and a presidential suite.
Booking opens in early October.
When you can book Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge
Disney Vacation Club members book first, on Oct. 6, 2026, through member services at (800) 800-9800.
Walt Disney World Annual Passholders follow on Oct. 7, at (407) 934-7639.
Everyone else books Oct. 8, online or by phone at the same number.
The catch DVC members need to know about
This is the detail that will catch people, and Disney has not been loud about it.
Those October dates are for cash reservations at standard rack rates. They are not points reservations.
Disney Vacation Club has not announced when members will be able to book Lakeshore Lodge using DVC points. As Disney Tourist Blog put it, Oct. 6 gives members an early shot at paying full price, which is a different thing entirely.
Still unannounced: the Lakeshore Lodge point chart, the start of direct sales, pricing, annual dues, and the points-booking date.
Disney did tease members by email about an exclusive “First Wave” Experience at the resort, without explaining what that means.
What the rooms at Lakeshore Lodge look like
The range is wider than most Disney resorts offer.
Duo Studios sleep two and draw their design from “Encanto,” with colorful details pulled from the film. Deluxe Studios sleep four.
One- and two-bedroom villas sit in the middle. Three-Bedroom Grand Villas sleep up to 12.
Waterfront Lake Houses and a presidential suite anchor the top end. There is also a Club Level with a private lounge.
The theming is nature, not characters
Lakeshore Lodge takes a quieter approach than recent Disney resorts, which is the part fans have responded to.
Rather than leaning on character theming, the design celebrates nature as seen through Disney animation. Bambi’s forests, Pocahontas’ winds, the glacial landscapes of Brother Bear, and Fantasia-inspired fairy artwork with dandelion-shaped light fixtures.
Floor-to-ceiling windows are meant to pull the outdoors into the architecture.
Amenities include multiple pools, a lazy river, children’s recreation areas, waterfront restaurants, and a marketplace for quick service. Disney has shown a first look at The Wetlands, the resort’s water recreation area, including a Pocahontas-inspired play space.
Complimentary boat transportation to Magic Kingdom is planned.
Where Lakeshore Lodge is being built
The location has history for anyone who visited Walt Disney World in the 1990s.
The resort sits on the former site of River Country, Disney World’s first water park, between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
River Country closed in 2001 and sat abandoned for two decades.
Disney announced the project in November 2024, developing it in place of the previously proposed Reflections resort. A Resort Use Plan was filed in June, moving it toward the DVC system.
Why the July 1 opening date matters
Disney chose the busiest possible week.
July 1, 2027 lands squarely in Walt Disney World’s peak summer travel period, which means the resort opens into maximum demand and minimum margin for error.
Likely maximum price too.
It also gives Disney under a year to move from construction through previews to full operation on a 967-room property.
What else is coming to Walt Disney World
Lakeshore Lodge joins a heavy 2027 calendar.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress reopens in late spring 2027 with the resort’s first Walt Disney animatronic. Tropical Americas opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with three attractions. Monstropolis begins opening in phases at Hollywood Studios.
Villains Land and Piston Peak remain under construction at Magic Kingdom with no announced dates.
Disney has been publishing a recurring “Letters from Lakeshore” series on the Parks Blog documenting the build, and shared new waterfront concept art with media on Thursday.
Rack rates have not been published. For a Deluxe resort on Bay Lake with boat service to Magic Kingdom, plan accordingly.
Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.
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Hat Tips:
Walt Disney World official Lakeshore Lodge page, the July 1, 2027 opening, the three booking dates and the theming description
Disney Tourist Blog, the distinction between cash and points reservations and the DVC “First Wave” email tease
DVC Fan, the 967-room count, the June Resort Use Plan filing and the outstanding DVC announcements
That Park Place, the room type breakdown, phone numbers and amenity list
MiceChat, the River Country site history and the Lake Houses details
DVC Resale Market, the Duo Studio and Grand Villa occupancy figures
WDWInfo, the Thursday waterfront concept art reveal