At Walt Disney World, the construction of the second story of Disney Lakeshore Lodge has officially commenced. Cranes stand in a line along the shores of Bay Lake, adjacent to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Visible between the trees are several concrete columns, with steel frames connecting them. Further along, large black walls come into view. Around the corner, a ceiling/floor has been installed on some of the columns, and it was here that we encountered the most crew members hard at work on Tuesday. The second floor is surrounded by temporary safety railings, and some steelwork has already been erected. The nearby crane was reaching down to assist in the building process. From the land of Disney’s Fort Wilderness, the second floor is also clearly visible. Groups of steel poles form short, unfinished columns, and crew members were gathered around a group of these poles, likely preparing to install them.

Disney Lakeshore Lodge: A Replacement and Rebirth

Disney Lakeshore Lodge is set to replace Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, a new Disney Vacation Club resort announced in 2018. The former water park River Country was demolished to make way for Reflections near Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Construction on Reflections had just begun when COVID-19 hit the United States, leading to shutdowns and delays. Initially, it was thought that Reflections might be canceled, but in 2023, Disney filed for new and extended construction permits. Construction resumed in November 2024, and only then was the new name for the resort officially announced. We are yet to discover how much of the planned Reflections theming will be incorporated into Disney Lakeshore Lodge. It will draw inspiration from “the majesty of nature and its enduring influence on Disney artists.” Take a look at the original concept art for Reflections room designs inspired by “Bambi,” “Brother Bear,” “Fox and the Hound,” and “Pocahontas.”