Walt Disney World has officially announced Disney Lakeshore Lodge, a brand-new resort opening on the south shores of Bay Lake in summer 2027, inspired by decades of Disney animated films rooted in nature, from Bambi and Pocahontas to the sweeping glacial landscapes of Brother Bear. We got a first-hand preview of Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge.
Updated June 17, 2026
June 17, 2026: First Look at The Wetlands
Disney revealed the first details on The Wetlands, the outdoor recreation area planned for Disney Lakeshore Lodge, just beyond the lobby and surrounded by Bay Lake. The area leans into the resort’s nature theming with a direct nod to Pocahontas, pulling from the “the heron and the otter are my friends” lyric in “Colors of the Wind” for two of its play areas.
Heron Shores will offer climbing features for younger guests, while Otter Springs brings interactive water play nearby. Daydream River is a lazy river running through the recreation area for a slower-paced option. At the center of it all is Lakeside Lagoon, a zero-entry feature pool with a spiral waterslide, while a separate Perspective Pond on the other side of the resort offers a leisure pool and whirlpool spa positioned for Magic Kingdom fireworks views in the evening.
Disney also teased a plaque somewhere along The Wetlands’ walking path honoring a historic attraction that once stood on the site, almost certainly a nod to River Country, the water park that previously occupied this stretch of Bay Lake shoreline before its closure.
What Disney Lakeshore Lodge Is
Disney Lakeshore Lodge will sit on the south shores of Bay Lake, the same body of water that runs alongside the Magic Kingdom area of Walt Disney World Resort. The resort is being framed around Walt Disney’s lifelong admiration for the outdoors, with design and artwork that pays tribute to the natural world as seen through Disney animation. Spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows are designed to bring natural light in and frame views of the local flora and fauna around the lake.
The resort will have 967 rooms across a range of room types, from cozy studios to spacious suites. Many of those rooms are positioned to give guests views of Bay Lake during the day and clear sightlines to Magic Kingdom park fireworks at night. Disney is also debuting a new accommodation format here: one- and two-bedroom Lake Houses located directly along the waterfront, designed to give families a closer connection to the natural setting with more room to spread out.
The Design Story
The creative direction specifically leans into the nature-through-Disney lens. The references to Bambi, Pocahontas, and Brother Bear are not accidental; these are three films where the natural world is essentially the main character, and each has a distinct visual identity. Lush eastern forest, painted-wind color palettes, and northern wilderness are all very different looks, suggesting the resort’s design may draw on visual references rather than commit to a single aesthetic. Disney is sharing additional details on dining, recreation, amenities, and design specifics through an ongoing “Letters from Lakeshore” series on the Disney Parks Blog, with The Wetlands recreation area the latest reveal. We’ll keep this page updated as new letters arrive.
A new Disney Resorts Collection property on Bay Lake is a meaningful addition to the resort lineup, and the lakefront Lake Houses in particular are worth watching. That accommodation format does not currently exist at Walt Disney World in this framing, and positioning them specifically along the water’s edge gives families something the existing cabin and suite options do not. The fireworks view from standard rooms is also a genuine selling point — that is not a feature every Walt Disney World resort can offer, and Disney leading with it suggests room placement has been designed around it intentionally.
Summer 2027 is the target opening. Disney has not announced reservations or pricing yet. For all Walt Disney World resort and Disney Parks news, visit Fantasy Land News Walt Disney World. Join the Realm at fantasylandnews.com/the-realm.
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