Walt Disney World goes to construct a resort between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness alongside the shore of Bay Lake on the previous River Nation water park. It’s not a matter of if, however when. This shares the newest updates on the long run challenge, why we’re anticipating an announcement on the D23 Expo, and why we’re really on board with the concept.
Initially introduced again in October 2018 as Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, the proposed resort on this web site was to be “a celebration of Walt Disney’s lifelong love and respect for nature.” The advanced can be a combined use property like Disney’s Riviera Resort, with greater than 900 lodge rooms and Disney Trip Membership villas.
Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge was additional elaborated upon on the 2019 D23 Expo, and it was billed as one of many “most original resorts ever constructed” at Walt Disney World. Idea artwork was shared of the novel lodging, together with treehouse suites and waterfront A-frame cabins that may be out there on the resort. Reflections — A Disney Lakeside Lodge would additionally function a restaurant impressed by Princess and the Frog positioned alongside the “bayou of Bay Lake.” (Bob Chapek’s phrases, not mine.)
Walt Disney World wasted no time in attending to work on Reflections Lakeside Lodge, and the challenge web site was very energetic as of early 2020. However when the parks closed and all building stopped just a few months later, Walt Disney World mothballed the development web site for Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge.
The challenge was shelved and crews on web site eliminated concrete and rebar. The challenge had but to start basis work, not to mention vertical building. Quick-forward 4 years, and it’s primarily an empty parcel. The longer term residence of Reflections remains to be seen from California Grill and even the boat en path to Wilderness Lodge–it’s the large empty space amidst the timber.
Provided that Reflections Lakeside Lodge has been delayed indefinitely, at finest, you may be questioning why we’re reporting on this as if it’s an energetic challenge. In any case, the location has been inactive for a number of years and Walt Disney World has scrubbed all mentions of it, suggesting that it has been successfully cancelled. Effectively, about that…
Earlier this yr, Walt Disney Imagineering filed a request with the South Florida Water Administration District to increase one of many permits associated to ‘Challenge 89’ by an extra 5 years. This is without doubt one of the large image ‘allow packages’ for the proposed Fort Wilderness resort, pertaining to building of the resort and (because the title suggests) water administration ensuing from the challenge.
Disney’s request said the challenge isn’t full as a result of it was shut down because of the COVID closure, which “delayed the completion of this challenge.” Delayed is technically right, however not the phrase I’d use to explain the standing of Reflections. Disney deleted previous references to it and hasn’t publicly talked about it in over 4 years. It’s as if Reflections by no means existed, which is extra according to the Play Pavilion than CommuniCore Corridor.
Previous to that, Imagineering acquired a 5-year extension on one other allow associated to the development of Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge. That let was for the STOLport staging web site–close to the previous Walt Disney World Airport, with the extension lasting till Might 2028. That extension was much less conclusive that Reflections can be revived, because it additionally might have served as a staging web site for one more challenge.
Even in tandem, these prior allow packages established–at finest–a need by Walt Disney World to depart the door open for the proposed resort. They weren’t conclusive of building, however quite, Disney hedging its bets in order that they didn’t need to redo all of the allow work ought to such a resort be “wanted” within the subsequent few years.
Quick-forward to August 2024 and we lastly have a building allow that, for my part, is conclusive of building. Imagineering has filed a building allow for a “thriller” (air quotes) challenge between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness, with an prolonged expiration date via March 31, 2027 and Balfour Beatty listed because the contractor.
The allow is puzzling as a result of it lists addresses alongside Wilderness Manner that don’t exist. Which is to say that there’s nothing there–they aren’t current property addresses at Walt Disney World. Nonetheless, that’s loads much less puzzling whenever you examine the allow to at least one filed in 2019 for Challenge 89, which additionally has Balfour Beatty because the contractor. Spoiler: they’re for equivalent addresses–and that 2019 allow was for the A-frame cabins at Reflections Lakeside Lodge.
Whereas it’s doable that Imagineering goes to make use of the permit-work for Reflections as the idea for increasing the Copper Creek Cabins, which might additionally make some extent of sense in tandem with the recently-filed allow for work at Wilderness Lodge, we view the timing of those two permits as coincidence. These addresses are probably too removed from Wilderness Lodge to be a part of Copper Creek. It makes way more sense for this to be a correct revival of Challenge 89/Reflections than an enlargement of Copper Creek.
Not solely that, however we’ve acquired credible rumors (plural) that this lakeside lodge idea was being revived. I used to be skeptical when first listening to this final yr, given the entire Disney Trip Membership initiatives which might be presently underway and can be actively promoting within the subsequent few years.
Nonetheless, I’ve heard sufficient to be satisfied that Disney’s plan is to proceed with plans on this parcel. (It might additionally clarify why Tiana’s Palace hasn’t been introduced for Pecos Invoice–as a result of it’s nonetheless coming to this lakeside lodge!)
Timing-wise, it looks as if the lakeside lodge idea is teed up for an announcement on the upcoming D23 Expo. In any case, this allow is coming one week earlier than that blockbuster occasion. Due to that, we added Reflections Redux to Our Checklist of 2024 D23 Expo Parks Panel Predictions–it’s extra more likely to occur than not (no less than 51%).
Nonetheless, I nonetheless assume that is removed from a positive factor. In relation to Disney Trip Membership, the corporate proclaims when it’s strategically advantageous. It doesn’t matter if there’s a D23 occasion or it’s an open secret that building is happening. In the event that they’re involved about cannibalizing gross sales from different properties, they gained’t announce.
I don’t assume that’s the case right here. A robust argument could possibly be made that the sluggish gross sales of the Cabins at Fort Wilderness could possibly be reversed by a lakeside lodge being a part of the Palmetto Belief. The Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort goes to promote like hotcakes it doesn’t matter what, in order that doesn’t have any bearing on this.
Additionally, I’m pretty satisfied that DVC’s new strategy to advertising is providing a wide range of choices and letting them promote concurrently. Better selection and precise selections is sweet for company, and definitely doesn’t look like hurting Disney.
There’s additionally the truth that this lakeside lodge was all the time meant to be a combined use resort, with each DVC villas and lodge rooms. Regardless that occupancy is down from the sky excessive numbers of the pent-up demand period, Walt Disney World might use extra lodge stock. They’re in all probability completely positive with the Disney Trip Membership aspect promoting slowly and regularly being declared within the subsequent decade-plus, as that’s loads of high-dollar lodge stock to promote within the meantime.
The larger query might be whether or not Disney desires to “announce” one thing on the 2024 D23 Expo that they already revealed on the 2019 D23 Expo. That may be a considerably unhealthy look in that it reminds company of simply how a lot was cancelled or delayed indefinitely from that occasion, and makes followers extra inclined to take any 2024 D23 Expo information with a grain of salt.
All of that does forged doubt on the announcement, however I nonetheless assume it’ll occur. Purely speculative, however I’d additionally anticipate a brand new title, idea artwork that appears totally different, and different delicate adjustments to the challenge. It’s been 6 years since this was first introduced, and it was in improvement even earlier than that. With a lot passage of time, totally different management each at Imagineering and Parks & Resorts, and shifting traits in lodge design, it appears inevitable that what we first noticed in 2018 will change to some extent by the point it opens nearly a decade later.
All of that is positive by me. “Reflections” sounds just like the title of the place the place Don Draper went to rehab and Disney’s resort designs from that period go away loads to be desired. I really assume there’s a ton of potential on this idea, and am bullish on Imagineering’s capacity to do justice to a resort on the previous River Nation web site.
Effectively nicely nicely, how the flip tables.
That’s in all probability essentially the most apt option to begin the commentary, contemplating that I used to be an outspoken critic of the unique announcement that Walt Disney World would construct a brand new tower resort between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. So, what has modified?
For one factor, it’s fairly secure to say that the Reflections web site can be developed in some unspecified time in the future down the street. Walt Disney World solely has a lot prime parcels for resorts, and that is one among them. Not solely that, however quite a lot of the location prepwork was already carried out and it’s nonetheless in fairly good situation. So I assume my perspective is that that is going to occur ultimately regardless, during which case, I’ll take sooner.
I need to be clear: I don’t love the concept of constructing one other lodge in between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. My unique pushback to this idea was that this is able to irrevocably destroy the primitive nature and forested really feel of Fort Wilderness. An enormous a part of what makes the campground so particular is that it’s been comparatively undisturbed by time, and is without doubt one of the final bastions of “Trip Kingdom of the World” period of WDW.
It’s nearly outstanding how totally different Fort Wilderness feels from the remainder of Walt Disney World—even its neighbor, Wilderness Lodge. It’s nearly as if Walt Disney World management has forgotten about Fort Wilderness, and it hasn’t seen the identical adjustments in character as each different resort during the last couple many years.
Any enlargement at or round Fort Wilderness will destroy the primitive, secluded traits and attraction of the campground that give it a lot enchantment. It’s a campground with wilderness proper within the title–the setting is the guts and soul of Fort Wilderness.
I nonetheless consider all of that. The issue is that this course of has already began, and there’s no unringing that bell. River Nation was razed, the location prep-work started, and areas of Fort Wilderness have been modified to accommodate the lakeside lodge. The irreparable harm is already carried out.
In fact, it might all the time worsen. Proper now, it’s an enormous empty parcel. Nothing however dust and vacancy the place there was as soon as a mature and thick forest. It’s noticeably totally different and uglier, however a tower that’s seen from from Pioneer Corridor and the Settlement space would arguably be worse.
With that stated, when some followers visualize this, it looks as if they’re envisioning the Island Tower on the Polynesian or close by 4 Seasons Orlando (pictured above). The previous Reflections Lakeside Lodge wasn’t going to be almost that tall. It positively would encroach on Pioneer Corridor and be seen from that space, however it wouldn’t be dwarf the prevailing buildings.
On the plus aspect, Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG) was the lead designer for Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, and so they have a fantastic observe file with Disney. They designed the unique Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, together with Disney’s Victorian resorts in Tokyo, Paris, and Hong Kong. All unbelievable resorts.
In taking a look at WATG’s challenge web page, it’s clear they’re able to envelope-pushing designs. The group seems to particularly excel at glossy trendy designs that incorporate woods, stonework, and pure supplies to have nice indoor-outdoor designs. They’ve carried out a number of high-end resorts of this nature for Hyatt, Hilton, 4 Seasons, and Ritz-Carlton. Any a kind of appears extra bold than the Island Tower, Riviera Resort, or Fantasy Springs Lodge.
Personally, I’d like to see a brand new twist on the ‘lodge’ idea on condition that I’ve cherished all the pieces Disney has carried out on that entrance. Whereas it’s unlucky that the late, nice Peter Dominick can not design this property, I’m assured WATG can do a superb job. As talked about above, I’m additionally heartened by adjustments on the high of Imagineering; from what I’ve heard, that’s been accompanied by a mindset shift about design sensibilities. (We’ll see whether or not that’s really true.)
On high of that, lodges are my jam. I like Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World, but in addition the Grand Californian at Disneyland, Sequoia Lodge at Disneyland Paris, and Explorers Lodge at Hong Kong Disneyland (above). All of those differ in delicate however vital methods, making them distinct and distinctive from each other.
I’m not naive sufficient to assume the Walt Disney World of in the present day would construct a resort on par with any of these, however even when this lakeside lodge is half nearly as good as a kind of, it’s nonetheless worthwhile. And whereas the artwork beforehand showcased for the unique incarnation of this lakeside lodge wasn’t unbelievable, it was higher than Riviera, Gran Destino, or Fantasy Springs Lodge. (I used to be notably a fan of the A-frame cabins and treehouses.)
In reviewing WATG’s portfolio and taking a look at previous plans, I believe this lakeside lodge has the potential to be like a up to date twist on Sequoia Lodge. That resort borrows from Frank Lloyd Wright’s trendy Prairie Type and is absolutely underrated as in comparison with the opposite lodges.
Even acknowledging that the previous River Nation web site will develop into a resort ultimately, some Walt Disney World followers might take a special viewpoint, preferring it occur later versus sooner. That they’d wish to savor Fort Wilderness as-is for so long as doable and in addition doubtlessly “wait out” the present Disney regime within the hopes of getting a greater design. Honest sufficient–I can’t argue with any of that.
Simply keep in mind: issues can all the time worsen. I don’t know if that is an optimistic or pessimistic take. I’d personally quite have this resort now, at a time when (I believe) Imagineering’s design ethos is on course and the corporate is prepared to speculate $17 billion into Walt Disney World.
For that matter, I’d favor the challenge whereas it’s going to be a lodge, within the first place. If Disney cabinets this for one more decade and decides to construct it in-between improvement cycles as a option to juice income (taking a look at you, Island Tower!), there’s completely nothing to say they gained’t go for a higher-capacity (assume taller) luxurious lodge that’s extra crowd-pleasing and worthwhile. Higher the satan you already know.
To be clear, my perspective isn’t one among outright pessimism or cynicism about this idea being even worse sooner or later. I’m really cautiously optimistic about this lakeside lodge. Once more, quite a lot of this comes all the way down to timing.
Along with the above, I believe Disney presently “will get” nostalgia and, for the primary time ever, is leveraging that in significant methods at Walt Disney World–one thing they’ve been doing for ages at Disneyland. (It took lengthy sufficient!) We’re seeing this within the Check Monitor reimagining, overhauled EPCOT entrance, and extra.
Whereas I don’t need to get too far afield in armchair Imagineering, I actually assume this lakeside lodge idea might pull liberally from the previous and really develop into Disney’s River Nation Resort. Seemingly in spirit quite than actually. As superior as that title can be, it’s in all probability a tad too folksy for a high-end lodge that has to enchantment to each followers and most people.
However I might completely see Imagineers drawing inspiration from River Nation in a extra significant means, in the case of the pool space. May you think about one thing that evokes River Nation and rivals Stormalong Bay with a sand seashore, lazy river, and superior water slide. (Sadly, I believe the authorized division wouldn’t permit one thing like Slippery Slide Falls, however we are able to dream!)
Actually, I don’t assume that is merely idle wishful considering. Each new resort that isn’t on the monorail loop or in any other case adjoining to a theme park wants a compelling promoting level for its DVC aspect. Kind of like how Riviera Resort received the Skyliner. Primarily based on what we’ve already seen from the allow bundle, it appears just like the hook for this lakeside lodge could possibly be a big pool advanced with a lazy river. It could definitely make sense!
Lastly, I’ll admit that I’d quite see Disney’s River Nation Resort (or no matter it may be referred to as) sooner quite than later as a result of we have now a daughter who’s going to ‘develop’ up at Walt Disney World, and I can consider nowhere higher for that than within the “Wilderness Resort Area” of Walt Disney World.
If that is going to occur in some unspecified time in the future anyway, I’d selfishly quite have it occur whereas she’s a child so we are able to make lifelong reminiscences at these resorts, doing journeys with the grandparents in one of many A-frames or treehouses, fast weekend getaways in a Boulder Ridge studio, and so on. I’d like to reap the benefits of the character trails connecting the properties, staying at Wilderness Lodge however strolling over to Fort Wilderness for dinner, spending total days exterior the parks exploring the world–you get the concept. That’s solely doable if this really turns into a linked resort district (like Crescent Lake) and never if it stays a mothballed building web site.
Suffice to say, I’m cautiously optimistic about Walt Disney World growing this lakeside lodge, and hope it finally ends up fulfilling the spirit of Disney’s River Nation Resort whereas additionally dwelling as much as the wealthy inventive legacy of the lodges which have come earlier than it. Ought to be fascinating to observe this challenge take form at Walt Disney World…assuming it occurs within the first place!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you optimistic or pessimistic a few revival of Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge (or no matter it finally ends up being referred to as now)? Assume it could possibly be Disney’s River Nation Resort in spirit or title? Agree or disagree with our evaluation about its potential or the upside of getting a Wilderness Resort Area at Walt Disney World? Every other questions or feedback? Listening to your suggestions is a part of the enjoyable, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
