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.
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 says more details on dining, recreation, amenities, and design specifics will follow in the coming months through an ongoing “Letters from Lakeshore” series on the Disney Parks Blog.
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.
First Look at Disney Lakeshore Lodge, Coming to Walt Disney World in Summer 2027
