We’re still about a year away from the opening of Disney World’s newest hotel, Lakeshore Lodge, as it’s expected to open in summer 2027, but we recently got invited to a media event that gave us a NEW look at the hotel, thanks to concept art and a boat tour around the construction site.
Lakeshore Lodge
We’ve seen firsthand how much a project can change from what concept art originally shows, so don’t get us wrong, we’re not expecting EVERYTHING in here to make it to the final product, but it does give us an idea of what Disney’s setting its sights on. Based on what we’re seeing, this hotel may be the pinnacle of relaxation, but there are a few things we’re still left a little confused by.
The new concept art shows the backside of Lakeshore Lodge, which is something we haven’t yet seen. It definitely shows us how large this hotel is expected to be, as well as where important things like the pool and boat dock will be.
©Disney
The more we look at the concept art, though, there are things that we’re super excited for, and some aspects that have us scratching our heads. Now, we can’t wait to check out what looks to be a new restaurant on the hotel grounds, which looks like it’ll have incredible views of the water from the tables closest to the windows. Especially at night? We can’t wait!
©Disney
We’re also really curious about this relaxing area between the main pool and the lake itself. From the concept art, it looks like there will be hammocks, circular bed-like options, as well as…is that a whole couch? Alright, we understand the idea behind this, and we’re looking forward to it, but Disney, please don’t put a normal couch out in the middle of tons of hammocks.
©Disney
This concept art also gives us a glimpse at what looks to be the other pool at the hotel, which looks to be further over to the right of the hotel (if you’re facing AWAY from the entrance). It’s not uncommon at all for hotels to have more than one pool, and it’s actually best to manage crowds, but from what we can see, it looks like this other pool will be more chill. We don’t see any slides right now, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any further away that the concept art just doesn’t show.
©Disney
Now, here’s what really has us scratching our heads. We can see the boat dock in this concept art, which looks pretty small, if we’re being honest. On the dock, there appears to be a fancier boat, one you may rent out for a special experience, instead of a normal transportation boat to take you to and from the resort and Magic Kingdom. So, will this be the boat dock for ALL boats, or is there another one hidden somewhere?
©Disney
This gets even more confusing when we look at the other boat in the water of the concept art. Two things immediately come to mind — one, is that this boat looks COMPLETELY different than the other, and clearly is carrying passengers, so this appears to be the transportation boat. But that leads us to our other question — WHERE is it going? Its current trajectory in the concept art has it heading straight for trees, and there’s no other dock it could be heading to. ARE there going to be two different docks with different kinds of boats? We need answers, Disney!
©Disney
We’ll be sure to keep our eyes peeled for all the latest Lakeshore Lodge news, as well as all the other announcements that come out of Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB!
OPENING TIMELINE ANNOUNCED for Disney World’s Lakeshore Lodge Hotel
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What theme are they using for the new hotel. It’s not obvious to me.