Imagine a sprawling Disney resort rising from the ashes of a beloved water park, its A-frame cabins dotting the shoreline like a storybook village. This is the Disney Lakeshore Lodge, and it's shaping up to be a nature-lover's dream—but with a few twists that might surprise you.
Thanks to the eagle-eyed aerial photographer @bioreconstruct (https://x.com/bioreconstruct), we're getting a bird's-eye view of this ambitious project. The lodge, nestled on the former site of River Country (https://wdwnt.com/2012/01/then-and-now-disneys-river-country/) next to Fort Wilderness (https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/campsites-at-fort-wilderness-resort/), is taking shape across the water from the enigmatic Discovery Island. Slated to open in 2027, this resort promises a nature-inspired escape, but here's where it gets intriguing: the plans have evolved since its initial announcement.
From the air, the scale of this project is breathtaking. All three wings and the central courtyard are emerging, with the Porte Cochere entrance making rapid progress. The A-frame cabins, a standout feature, are steadily advancing—some now crowned with roofing tar, while others are clad in plywood over metal beams. But here's the part most people miss: crews are prioritizing the cabins closest to the main building, leaving those near Clementine Beach as skeletal frames of wood and steel. Why the uneven pace? It's a question that sparks curiosity.
Out on the lake, a crane perched on a Floatmaster hints at a dock under construction, though currently, it's little more than supports in the water. Near the shore, a building rumored to be a lakefront bar or restaurant now boasts a roof and steel structures along its edges—possibly for covered outdoor seating. Initially marketed as a Princess and the Frog-inspired (https://wdwnt.com/2019/08/breaking-reflections-a-disney-lakeside-lodge-to-feature-princess-and-the-frog-lakeside-restaurant/) standalone restaurant, this element may have shifted as the resort's vision evolved. Is this a missed opportunity, or a smart pivot? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Meanwhile, the lazy river and main pool are taking shape, with concrete work well underway. The lazy river, a nearly complete oval, sits directly behind the resort's entrance, while smaller 'quiet pools' are sprouting up in courtyard areas. Rooflines are also getting their final touches, many now adorned with blue sheathing.
As a Disney Vacation Club (https://wdwnt.com/2024/11/disney-lakeshore-lodge-replacing-reflections/) resort, Lakeshore Lodge promises to be 'inspired by the majesty of nature and its enduring influence on Disney artists.' But with changes to the original plans, will it live up to the hype?
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