July 1st, 2027 is set to see the opening of a BRAND-NEW hotel in Disney World for the first time in forever — Lakeshore Lodge!

From a water play complex that sounds more like a water park than a pool area (and a really fun one at that!) to dining and lounge options, a literal new perspective on one of the Magic Kingdom’s most iconic presentations, and of course the consistent perks available to all Disney World hotel guests, Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge is set to be loaded with perks for guests!

The 960+ room Lakeshore Lodge is being built near the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds on the former site of the long-shuttered River Country water park. Its design aesthetic is “inspired by the majesty of nature and its enduring influence on Disney artists,” with elements of numerous films, including Pocahontas, Brother Bear, Encanto, Fantasia, and Bambi.

Dining Options

Like Disney’s other Deluxe Tier hotels, the Lakeshore Lodge will offer several dining options, including:

• Moonglade will be Lakeshore Lodge’s primary table service restaurant, and will offer a selection of “thoughtfully prepared dishes featuring seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.” Beyond the Florida-tinged dishes that will make up the menu, a major draw of the restaurant will likely be the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, which will “frame the gracefully arching cypress trees along Bay Lake where artful lighting and nuanced design reflect the interplay of light and shadow,” according to Disney.

• Bay Lake Provisions, the hotel’s primary quick-service restaurant, will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner – – including a selection of specialty coffees – – in a marketplace-style atmosphere. Disney also says guests should “keep an eye out for woodland critters inspired by beloved Disney classics.”

• Paint Out Point Bar & Grill, the hotel’s pool bar, will feature a menu made up of shareable bites and specialty beverages, while the decor will feature a collection of original works by Imagineers inspired by plein-air painting that draw inspiration from the Bay Lake landscapes.

• The Branch & Brush Lounge, located just beyond the hotel’s lobby, will offer a selection of handcrafted cocktails for guests to sip as they take in expansive views of Bay Lake. The lounge’s decor will be “inspired by the beauty” of the changing seasons, thanks to rich colors, natural textures, and a matching collection of artwork. That plays off a “captivating color-changing chandelier that will bring the beauty of all four seasons to life.”

The Wetlands

Lakeshore Lodge’s pool complex will be an attraction in and of itself. The Wetlands will offer a mixture of several different kinds of areas designed for guests, including Heron Shores and Otter Spring, each loaded with interactive water features that draw inspiration from the classic 1995 animated film Pocahontas, specifically the lyrics “the heron and the otter are my friends” from  “Colors of the Wind.” Meanwhile, the Daydream River will offer guests a “leisurely” tour around the Wetlands area and allow them to see the landscape, and the Lakeside Lagoon entry feature pool will sit as the main hub of the area and include a water slide.

Dandelion Terrace

Guests can end their night at Dandelion Terrace, a lounge where guests can gather “after the sun sets… to see Magic Kingdom Park fireworks lighting up the sky over the waters of Bay Lake”, with “soft lighting and sweeping views” setting the mood for the show. The Dandelion Lounge will join the litany of spaces to watch the Magic Kingdom’s nighttime fireworks like the California Grill observation deck at the Contemporary Resort, the beaches at the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian, and the Bamboo Terrace and Wave Break Terrace, both located at the Polynesian’s Island Tower, which opened in late 2024.

However, there will be one major difference between the Lakeshore Lodge’s new lounge and all these spaces. Namely, the new Dandelion Lounge will provide views of the fireworks over Bay Lake, whereas all of the hotels on the monorail loop — the aforementioned Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, and Contemporary resorts — surround the Seven Seas Lagoon. In other words, a completely different perspective. The two-story lounge will also feature archival artwork from Disney classics like Fantasia as well as themed, whimsical dandelion light fixtures.

In addition to these specific perks, Lakeshore Lodge will also offer the package of perks that Disney hotel guests are accustomed to, including:

• Water transportation to the Magic Kingdom
• Bus transportation to EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom
• Early Entry, which grants guests staying at Disney World resort hotels a 30-minute period where they can enter each of Disney World’s theme parks before they officially open every day of their stay and hop on eligible rides early
• Extended Evening Hours, which offers two extra hours to guests staying at Disney Deluxe Tier or Deluxe Villa resorts at select theme parks on select evenings after the park closes to the general public
• The Free Water Park Perk, which is available during the summer, gives each member of a guest’s party free admission to one of Disney World’s water parks — Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon — on their check-in day

The Lakeshore Lodge’s July 1st opening is coming up fast, and Disney World’s newest hotel is set to be packed with perks! Stay tuned to DFB for more updates!

Lakeshore Lodge is far from the only change coming to Disney World in 2027. Check out some more in the video below!

3 Disney World Hotels in Desperate Need of New Life

Are you planning to visit Lakeshore Lodge when it opens? Let us know in the comments below!