Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge is a deliberate nature-inspired resort for the previous River Nation water park location alongside the shore of Bay Lake between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness at Walt Disney World. This improvement could be combined use, with each resort rooms and Disney Trip Membership villas. (Up to date September 20, 2024.)
Initially introduced in October 2018, Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge will “be a celebration of Walt Disney’s lifelong love and respect for nature” with greater than 900 resort rooms and Disney Trip Membership villas. Reflections resort was slated to be the sixteenth Disney Trip Membership property, a part of a big growth on the resort facet of Walt Disney World. That plan would have introduced a complete of greater than 1,700 new resort rooms and Disney Trip Membership villas on-line over 4 years.
Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge was additional elaborated upon on the 2019 D23 Expo, and it was billed as one of many “most unusual resorts ever constructed” at Walt Disney World. Idea artwork was shared of the novel lodging, together with each treehouse suites and waterfront A-frame cabins that may be obtainable on the resort. Reflections — A Disney Lakeside Lodge would additionally function a restaurant impressed by Princess and the Frog, situated “alongside the bayou of Bay Lake.”
September 20, 2024 Replace: Let’s begin by bringing you on top of things, as not a lot has truly occurred with Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge in roughly 4 years. However that’s virtually definitely going to vary quickly, because the groundwork is being laid for a building resumption.
Again when the parks closed in March 2020, the Reflections mission was successfully cancelled and crews on web site eliminated concrete and rebar. At that time, just about all that had occurred was web site clearing and staging for building to start. The mission had but to start basis work, not to mention vertical building. Quick-forward 4 years, and it’s basically an empty parcel that was mothballed for future improvement.
There have been a few new developments throughout the final month. Most just lately, Walt Disney World has submitted a submitting with the Federal Aviation Administration for a 240 foot cellular crane from October 14, 2024 till August 14, 2025. There isn’t a lot data–it merely signifies this is able to be a cellular crane of that peak, with GPS coordinates that correspond with the Reflections web site.
That is all pretty routine. As Walt Disney World has gotten into the behavior of constructing towers (Riviera, Gran Destino, Island), we’re seen massive cranes within the early phases as all of those initiatives go from basis to vertical building. If reminiscence serves me accurately, all the different initiatives have used a number of cranes–and each Riviera (above) and Gran Destino had tower cranes.
We didn’t obsessively doc FAA filings with these initiatives as a result of, frankly, there was no want to take action. These initiatives had been introduced; the existence of cranes was no shock. The distinction right here is that the resumption of Reflections stays a (poorly saved) secret, and we’re attempting to piece collectively permits and filings to show this mission is occurring.
To that finish, this FAA submitting is probably the most conclusive proof but. Previous to this, there was the chance that you would interpret different data as an growth at Wilderness Lodge, with extra of the Cascade Cabins at Copper Creek being constructed. It might’ve been the inaccurate conclusion, but it surely was attainable. That’s not the case. This cellular crane coupled with the flurry of different permits and exercise ought to put the problem to relaxation: Walt Disney World is on the precipice of resuming Reflections–and shortly. Seen work ought to start across the begin of the brand new fiscal 12 months in October 2024.
Shortly earlier than this, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) is evaluating a Grasp Providers Settlement with Chen Moore & Associates to put in new electrical transformers as a part of a proposed “Venture S.” In keeping with the submitting, the aim of the mission is to “present a brand new transformer service yard, transformer loop, and SCADA monitoring cupboards for a brand new resort.”
This comes just some weeks after Walt Disney Imagineering filed a building allow in August for building between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness, with an prolonged expiration date by means of March 31, 2027 and Balfour Beatty listed because the contractor. The allow is puzzling as a result of it lists addresses alongside Wilderness Means that don’t exist–they aren’t present property addresses at Walt Disney World.
Nonetheless, that’s rather a lot much less puzzling if you evaluate the brand new allow to at least one filed in 2019 for Venture 89, which additionally has Balfour Beatty because the contractor. They’re for an identical addresses–and that 2019 allow was for the A-frame cabins at Reflections Lakeside Lodge.
Regardless of the Grasp Providers Settlement referring to “Venture S” and different permits referring to “Venture 89,” make no mistake–these permits all discuss with the Lakeside Lodge on the previous River Nation Water Park parcel. Whereas we anticipated this announcement to be made on the latest D23 Expo, that didn’t occur for no matter cause. There’s each cause to consider the revival information will likely be made by someday in 2025. Barring a sudden recession or last-minute change, this is occurring.
Previous to this, Imagineering filed a request with the South Florida Water Administration District to increase one of many permits associated to ‘Venture 89’ by an extra 5 years. This is among the massive image ‘allow packages’ for the proposed resort, pertaining to building of the resort and (because the title suggests) water administration ensuing from the mission. They’ve additionally prolonged different smaller-scale permits over the course of the final 12 months.
Along with all publicly-filed permits, we’ve acquired credible rumors (plural) that this lodge idea is being revived. I used to be skeptical after I first heard this over a 12 months in the past, however I’m now satisfied that Disney’s plan is to proceed with plans on this parcel.
My expectation (and this half is theory–not rumor) is that Disney will wait to announce till it’s strategically advantageous from the attitude of DVC gross sales. Disney could be very methodical with its Disney Trip Membership strategy–longtime followers might recall over a decade in the past when Bay Lake Tower was going vertical and Disney nonetheless pretended it didn’t exist. It turned a punchline amongst followers, because it was very clearly a DVC tower, and but, guides would play silly in the event you requested them about it, as a substitute pushing Saratoga or Animal Kingdom Lodge or no matter else was on sale on the time.
Don’t be shocked if one thing related occurs right here to keep away from cannibalizing present gross sales. Conversely, the lodge is likely to be seen as an asset to the Cabins at Fort Wilderness and introduced earlier because of this. The salient level is that the announcement will occur when it’s most conducive to promoting extra DVC. It might be actually as quickly as tomorrow or by way of press launch, some random weekday in April 2025, or as late because the 2025 Vacation spot D23. Personally, I’d wager on it occurring across the time the Island Tower goes on sale.
Additionally don’t be shocked if there are materials adjustments to the looks of the lodge or its title. Once more, purely speculative. However with a lot passage of time, totally different management each at Imagineering and Parks & Resorts, and shifting developments in resort design, it appears inevitable that what we first noticed in 2018 will change to a point by the point it opens virtually a decade later.
In Why We Need Disney’s River Nation Lodge, we detailed the form of adjustments we’d wish to see to this mission upon its revival. For one factor, ditch the Reflections title. It sounds just like the place the place Don Draper went to rehab.
Within the intervening years since Reflections was mothballed/cancelled/delayed indefinitely, a trio of latest Disney Trip Membership initiatives within the Magic Kingdom resort space has been introduced, not directly changing Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge. The primary and smallest of those was at Walt Disney World’s flagship resort, changing one outlying constructing to new Resort Studios on the Grand Floridian. That mission is finished and obtainable on the market already offered out.
The following of those is the New DVC Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (pictured above), which is presently below building and is slated to open in December 2024. This will likely be a license to print cash for DVC, as everybody loves the Poly. It’ll promote out quick, no matter Reflections (which means the latter is not going to cannibalize Poly gross sales).
Lastly, there’s the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Trip Membership Resort (idea artwork beneath). These have began to open in phases, and will likely be completed by early 2025. That is the largest query mark–does saying Reflections assist or hinder gross sales of the Cabins at Fort Wilderness? (The reply in all probability relies upon upon how Disney treats them.)
The opposite cause it’s price drawing consideration to those initiatives is as a result of there are loads of them. There’s additionally the Villas at Disneyland Resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort, and Aulani in Hawaii. That is all vital as a result of it means a ton of factors being offered concurrently, and quite a few resorts competing with each other for the eye of consumers.
If occurring previous precedent, it will appear unlikely that Disney Trip Membership would resume Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge anytime quickly. Nonetheless, it’s not simply the permits. That alone might be ignored or defined away as pertaining to a different mission, housekeeping, or Imagineering wanting to maintain its choices open. There’s sufficient smoke right here that there’s in all probability fireplace.
Reflections resuming by 2025 would’ve been deemed loopy even ~5 years in the past, again when Disney Trip Membership didn’t announce the following mission (and actually denied the existence of building occurring in plain view), however rather a lot has modified since. Again then, DVC tried to area its additions so that they wouldn’t straight competing with each other. Bulletins for the following DVC property didn’t begin till gross sales had been wholesome and had progressed for the earlier one.
Issues have modified extra just lately, and Disney Trip Membership has had a number of properties on the market concurrently for the final a number of years. There hasn’t been hesitation in saying the following massive growth or beginning building–it looks as if there’s been a philosophy change. Disney Trip Membership is okay with a bigger variety of properties being obtainable on the market, with the thought course of that extra selection equals larger client selection and a better probability of promoting memberships. (In spite of everything, they’re all going to promote out finally…nicely, perhaps minus Aulani!)
Having extra unsold DVC stock at Walt Disney World isn’t notably regarding as a result of it serves as resort stock within the meantime that may be booked out at greater money charges. There’s nonetheless loads of Riviera and Island Tower on the Poly that haven’t been declared, and people rooms fetch $600+ per night time on the resort facet.
No matter what occurs within the near-term, it’s fairly secure to say that the Reflections web site will likely be developed sooner or later down the street. Walt Disney World solely has a lot prime parcels for resorts, and that is one in all them. Not solely that, however loads of the location prepwork was already executed and it’s nonetheless in fairly good situation. It simply is sensible for building to occur right here sooner or later, and my guess could be that it begins earlier than 2030.
Whether or not that’s Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge or a very new idea is anybody’s guess. The additional eliminated we get from the prior mothballing/delay/cancellation, the extra doubtless it’s that Disney will revisit each the title and the idea. Even when this mission had been re-announced tomorrow, I feel the percentages are fairly good that the idea artwork would look materially totally different and the title wouldn’t be the identical.
Turning to my unique commentary, I like Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. I’m a Disney Trip Membership member. In principle, Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge appears completely tailor-made to a few of my favourite issues about Walt Disney World. I need to like the concept of the River Nation parcel lastly being redeveloped, as a substitute of rotting in plain sight. I’m really looking forward to the very best right here.
Sadly, like just about each Fort Wilderness fan, I’m very apprehensive about this Disney Trip Membership mission (nicely, mixed-use, however presumably largely DVC). A part of what makes Fort Wilderness particular is that it’s been comparatively undisturbed by time, and is among the final bastions of “Trip Kingdom of the World” period of WDW.
It’s virtually outstanding how totally different Fort Wilderness feels from the remainder of Walt Disney World—even its neighbor, Wilderness Lodge. It’s virtually as if Walt Disney World management has forgotten about Fort Wilderness, and it hasn’t seen the identical fiscal mandates, adjustments in emphasis, or character as each different resort over the past couple a long time. Largely, it’s been doing its factor, roughly unchanged because the Nineties.
There’s a really legit concern, particularly after seeing how the Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge initiatives at Wilderness Lodge unfolded, that any growth at or round Fort Wilderness will destroy the primitive and secluded traits of the campground that give it a lot enchantment. In spite of everything, it is a campground with wilderness proper within the title–the atmosphere is the center and soul of Fort Wilderness.
The event of Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge doesn’t essentially should destroy the tranquil and secluded ambiance of Fort Wilderness, however that looks as if a really distinct chance. Disney’s latest strategy to creating resorts adjoining to present resorts doesn’t encourage a lot confidence, and if there’s a ham-fisted strategy when clearing land or an overzealous mentality on the subject of the dimensions or proximity of the resort to the campground, it will likely be extremely detrimental to Fort Wilderness.
As for the design, solely a pair items of idea artwork have been launched, they usually’re nothing particular. I don’t wish to rush to judgment right here, as I feel there may be potential for this to finish up being fascinating as soon as extra is launched, however proper now it appears to be like like a reasonably generic resort with some fashionable rustic thrives.
On the plus facet, Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG) is the lead designer for Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, they usually have an excellent observe file with Disney. They designed the unique Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, together with Disney resorts in Tokyo, Paris, and Hong Kong.
If this had been a decade or two in the past, I is likely to be extra deferential to Disney with regard to this idea artwork. Nonetheless, the final a number of years have proven that Walt Disney World could be very hit and miss with resort improvement and redesigns, skewing in direction of boring designs. It appears the strategy is to decide on probably the most middle-of-the-road choices as attainable in order to not alienate these with bland tastes.
If you evaluate Walt Disney World resorts constructed earlier than the mid-Nineties to ones constructed or redesigned in the previous few years, there’s typically a transparent division. Modern initiatives are sometimes interchangeable with actual world Vacation Inns or different mid-tier chained model resorts.
Take a look at the distinction between BoardWalk Inn or Seashore Membership and the brand new Gran Destino Tower at Coronado or Disney’s Riviera Resort. Don’t get me improper–I like each for the facilities they provide, luxuriousness, and room designs. Nonetheless, the exteriors of each depart rather a lot to be desired, and neither are precisely exemplars of themed design. (Admittedly, they’ve each grown on me rather a lot, however I nonetheless want they had been extra ornate or distinctive.)
One rationalization is that Disney needs to make issues as crowd-pleasing as attainable in order to not alienate any potential clients. The factor about this strategy is that if you attempt to enchantment to everybody, you find yourself interesting to nobody.
One other rationalization is that Imagineering’s abilities are unfold too skinny. I do know some readers would possibly solely observe the initiatives at Walt Disney World, however each single property world wide has big initiatives in varied phases of improvement or building.
Up to now when much less was occurring concurrently, perhaps some top-tier Imagineering expertise who “acquired” Disney’s distinct strategy to resorts labored on a resort mission. Now? Perhaps they’re largely designers who view working for WDI as “simply one other job” no totally different than Finest Western or IHG.
Alongside those self same strains, with so many initiatives in improvement, it’s totally attainable–if not possible–that management within the Parks & Resorts division is attempting to trim the funds from every one, chopping points or particulars seen as superfluous.
The issue is that these leaders are usually not creatives, and their expertise is usually in client merchandise or different division of the corporate. They’ve completely no perception into what particulars are literally superfluous, and what are mandatory for reinforcing theme or creating a way of immersion.
In the end, extra idea artwork might be launched that’s actually good. The mission may make use of a deft hand when creating round Fort Wilderness in a means that doesn’t harm that panorama. (Disney, simply consider how a lot you would pat yourselves on the again by using eco-friendly and sustainable building practices–it’d be price it within the PR alone!) It may find yourself being actually good–a real tribute to each Walt Disney’s love of nature, however the spirit of River Nation, which was by no means coming again anyway.
I’m cautiously optimistic that’s what may find yourself occurring, however I feel it’s equally doubtless that we’ll get a generically fashionable and vaguely rustic design. It’s additionally extra doubtless that as a substitute of eco-friendly building that preserves the pure magnificence and wilderness of the realm, we get extreme tree clearing for the development, and an finish product akin to Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge when it comes to vast walkways and naked grounds.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
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