Disney Vacation Club just shared the first look at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge. This new waterfront resort opens at Walt Disney World on July 1, 2027.
We are DVC members. We have spent years tracking resort openings and staying at properties across Walt Disney World. This one stands out to us. It feels built for families who want to enjoy the resort, not just sleep there between park days.
Lakeshore Lodge sits on Bay Lake. Guests will get boat service to Magic Kingdom. The resort will have 967 rooms, three new restaurants, and a big outdoor pool area with a lazy river and zero-entry pool.
That pool area is a big deal for our family. Our 8-year-old judges a resort by its pool, not by how close it is to a castle. If Lakeshore Lodge lives up to the details Disney shared, it might be hard to beat.
Why We Track New DVC Resorts
We are a family of three. We are also current DVC members. Our goal is simple: stay at as many DVC resorts as we can.
That firsthand experience helps us spot what makes a resort special. We know the difference between a resort that is just a place to sleep and one worth building a whole trip around.
Lakeshore Lodge reminds us of Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Beach Club has Stormalong Bay and quick access to the BoardWalk. You can spend a full day there and never need a park ticket.
Lakeshore Lodge looks built with that same idea in mind.
Room Types Inspired by Disney Films
The rooms will use natural materials and earthy colors. Artwork will pull from classic Disney movies instead of heavy character themes. We like this approach. It tends to age well and appeal to a wider range of guests.
Room categories include:
- Duo studios inspired by Encanto
- Deluxe studios and villas inspired by Bambi
- Grand villas inspired by Fantasia
- Resort studios and king rooms inspired by Pocahontas
- Freestanding Lake Houses inspired by Brother Bear
The Lake Houses stand out the most. These one- and two-bedroom homes sleep five to eight guests. Each one has a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, and a private porch with lake views. The primary bedroom even has a lighting feature inspired by the Northern Lights.
Our family of three would not need that much space. But we would still plan a trip just to try one.
Room sizes range from small studios to grand villas that sleep 12. There is also a Hidden Willow Presidential Suite with concierge lounge access. No matter your group size, there seems to be a room built for you.
The Wetlands: Why We Might Skip the Parks
The Wetlands is the resort’s outdoor pool area. It will include:
- A zero-entry pool
- A spiral water slide
- A lazy river
- Wet and dry play areas
- Music and theming inspired by Pocahontas
This is what matters most to our family. Give our daughter a choice between a theme park ride and a lazy river, and the lazy river usually wins. Add in Bay Lake views, and a resort day starts to sound pretty great.
Dining, Transportation, and Perks
Lakeshore Lodge will have three new places to eat:
- Moonglade – A sit-down restaurant with waterfront views
- Bay Lake Provisions – A quick-service marketplace with coffee and grab-and-go food
- Paint Out Point Bar & Grill – A poolside spot with Imagineer-designed art
Some rooms will include access to The Artist’s Nest, a concierge lounge with treetop views. The Hidden Willow Presidential Suite also gets lounge access, plus a view of Magic Kingdom fireworks from the room.
Guests will get free boat transportation to Magic Kingdom. Standard Disney Resorts Collection perks will apply too.
When Can You Book?
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge opens July 1, 2027. Here is the booking timeline:
- October 6, 2026 – DVC Members can book rental reservations through Member Services
- October 7, 2026 – Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can book
- October 8, 2026 – Booking opens to everyone
DVC Members will be able to book with points at a later date. Details can still change, so we recommend confirming everything directly with Disney before you plan a trip.
Our Take
We are working toward staying at every DVC resort, and this one just made our short list. The Bay Lake setting, the range of room types, and The Wetlands all make a strong case for a resort-only stay.
That flexibility matters for families like ours. Our 8-year-old finds just as much magic in a great pool as she does in a castle.
We can already picture a full day at The Wetlands, lunch by the pool, and fireworks watched from across the lake instead of underneath them.
Information in this article is based on details Disney Vacation Club released on August 27, 2026. Resort features and opening dates may change.
About The Author
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.