Would you believe Walt Disney World is about to open its biggest new resort in decades? Disney just confirmed the Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge opening date, and reservations start in a little over a month. This guide covers the opening date, what we know about room prices, every room type revealed so far, and exactly how to book.
For Disney Vacation Club members, Annual Passholders, and anyone dreaming of a Bay Lake view, this news matters. It means the countdown to booking has officially begun.
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge Opening Date
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge opens on July 1, 2027, at Walt Disney World Resort. The property will hold 967 themed accommodations across a ten-story building, making it the largest new Walt Disney World resort in decades.
The resort sits along the “bayou” of Bay Lake, near Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge. A tree-lined driveway leads guests to a porte-cochere shaped like a bird in flight, surrounded by cascading water features. Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the building, bringing natural light and the surrounding scenery into the interior.
The layout follows the original Reflections resort concept from 2018, with one exception. Disney cut the treehouse villas from earlier plans. Construction never started on them, so this change confirms that idea is officially off the table.
Why Each Room Type Tells a Different Story
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge does not lean on a single film for its theme. Instead, each room category draws from a different Disney Animation classic. Encanto inspires the smallest studios. Bambi shapes the mid-size rooms and villas. Fantasia influences the largest villas. Pocahontas guides the hotel-style rooms. Brother Bear defines the standalone waterfront houses. This mix gives the resort a layered feel as guests move between accommodation types.
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge Room Prices: What We Know So Far
Disney has not released official room rates for Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge yet. However, the booking timeline below confirms that early reservations will run at standard cash rack rates rather than promotional pricing.
Disney Vacation Club members will eventually book with points instead of cash, though the resort has not announced that points chart yet. Given the resort’s size and premium waterfront location, expect rack rates to sit at the high end of the Walt Disney World Deluxe resort category. We will update this guide once Disney shares specific pricing.
Room Types Inside Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge
Disney shared images of nearly every accommodation category ahead of the booking window. Here is a breakdown, starting with the smallest spaces and building up to the largest.
Duo Studios for Couples and Small Families
Duo Studios sleep two guests and take their theme from Encanto. These compact rooms pack in vibrant colors and space-saving layouts despite their small footprint. Disney appears to refine this room type with each new resort, and the Lakeshore Lodge version looks like a step forward from earlier attempts.
This category carries some controversy, though. Cash pricing on Duo Studios has drawn criticism at other resorts, and guests sometimes misunderstand what the room includes. Even so, the layout suits couples well, including those traveling with an infant.
Deluxe Studios With Bambi-Inspired Design
Deluxe Studios sleep up to four guests and draw their theme from Bambi. Warm wood paneling extends above the headboard and across the ceiling, adding texture that some other design elements in the room lack. An accent rug and archival concept art complete the look.
Unlike similar rooms at other recent DVC resorts, these studios skip the kitchenette layout used in the Poly’s Island Tower rooms. Guests praised that layout at Island Tower, so its absence here stands out.
One and Two-Bedroom Villas for Larger Groups
Families needing more space can choose a one-bedroom villa, which sleeps up to five guests, or a two-bedroom villa, which sleeps up to nine. Both continue the Bambi theme with soft earth tones and forest motifs. Each villa includes a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, a private patio, and generous living and dining space.
Some villas overlook Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which offers an unexpected but striking view. Disney Vacation Club has delivered strong villa designs consistently over the past several years, so expectations remain high here too.
Three-Bedroom Grand Villas for Multigenerational Trips
The Three-Bedroom Grand Villas sleep up to 12 guests and draw their theme from Fantasia. These spacious units include multiple bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a private patio with Bay Lake views. Most guests will never book this category, but it remains a popular aspirational room for many DVC members.
A-Frame Waterfront Lake Houses: The Standout Room Type
The A-frame Lake Houses stand out as the most exciting new accommodation at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge. Guests can choose one-bedroom units that sleep five or two-bedroom units that sleep eight. These freestanding retreats sit directly along Bay Lake and feature dramatic A-frame architecture with expansive floor-to-ceiling windows.
Each Lake House includes a private porch, a full kitchen, and a washer and dryer. The interior theme celebrates Brother Bear, with nods to the film’s Alaskan setting. A Northern Lights-inspired lighting feature in the primary bedroom casts a soft glow after dark. This room type resembles the Cascade Cabins at Wilderness Lodge, and many consider it the best new offering at the resort.
Resort Studios for Hotel-Style Stays
Resort Studios sleep up to four guests, while Resort Studio King rooms sleep up to two. These hotel-style rooms take their theme from Pocahontas, using earthy colors and archival artwork inspired by the film’s landscapes. Disney has not confirmed the exact number of Resort Studios yet. Based on patterns at other DVC properties, though, these rooms will likely make up most of the resort’s inventory and stay available for cash bookings well into the future.
Club Level and Suite Options at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge
Guests in select club level rooms will gain access to The Artist’s Nest, a concierge lounge positioned above the treetops. The lounge offers personalized service, complimentary refreshments, and views of Magic Kingdom fireworks. This makes Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge only the second Disney Vacation Club resort at Walt Disney World with a true club level, following Kilimanjaro Club at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
For the most exclusive stay, the Hidden Willow Presidential Suite sleeps up to six guests. It includes two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, and access to The Artist’s Nest Club Level. Guests can enjoy Bay Lake views by day and Magic Kingdom fireworks by night.
How to Book Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge
Disney released a clear timeline that gives different guest groups priority access before general booking opens.
- October 6, 2026: Disney Vacation Club members can make early rental reservations by calling Member Services at (800) 800-9800.
- October 7, 2026: Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can make early rental reservations by calling (407) 934-7639.
- October 8, 2026: All guests can book online or by phone at (407) 934-7639.
These early booking dates apply to cash reservations at standard rack rates. Disney has not yet announced when points-based reservations for DVC members will open. Disney also teased an exclusive “First Wave” Experience for eligible members, though details are still to come.
Is Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge a Mixed-Use Resort?
Technically, Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge is a Disney Vacation Club property rather than a traditional mixed-use hotel. In practice, though, the club level lounge, Resort Studios, and Presidential Suite tell a different story. Guests will likely book all of these categories with both cash and DVC points, so the resort will function like a mixed-use hotel for years to come.
Consider the scale involved. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, the current second-largest DVC property, holds 888 vacation homes. Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge will hold 967. For comparison, Disney’s Riviera Resort took more than seven years to fully declare its 341 vacation homes into DVC inventory. Given the size difference, Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge could take two to three decades to sell out completely, so cash bookings should remain common for a long time.
Final Thoughts
The early looks at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge point to a resort with real ambition. The room designs show strong attention to detail, even though some spaces feel a little too clean compared to other recent Disney Vacation Club properties. Execution will matter most, and Disney has consistently improved room designs once construction wraps up.
The A-frame Lake Houses stand out as the most exciting addition, offering a room type Walt Disney World has never had before. Meanwhile, the studios and villas follow familiar, well-loved formulas with fresh theming built around nature-focused Disney classics.
As a result, Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge is shaping up to become a major addition to the Walt Disney World resort lineup when it opens on July 1, 2027. Guests planning ahead should mark their calendars for the October 2026 booking dates, since demand for this property should run high from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge open?
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge opens on July 1, 2027, at Walt Disney World Resort.
How much do rooms cost at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge?
Disney has not announced official room prices yet. Early bookings will run at standard cash rack rates, and Disney will release a DVC points chart at a later date.
When can I book a room at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge?
Disney Vacation Club members can book starting October 6, 2026. Annual Passholders can book starting October 7, 2026. General bookings open to all guests on October 8, 2026.
How many rooms does Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge have?
The resort holds 967 themed accommodations, making it the largest new Walt Disney World resort in decades.
What room types are available at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge?
Options include Duo Studios, Deluxe Studios, one- and two-bedroom villas, three-bedroom Grand Villas, Resort Studios, A-frame waterfront Lake Houses, club level rooms, and the Hidden Willow Presidential Suite.
