New aerial photos captured by friend of the site Bioreconstruct offer excellent views of the continued construction of Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge, the massive new resort expansion taking shape near Disney’s Wilderness Lodge on Bay Lake. While the multi-building hotel complex itself continues to progress at a remarkable pace, one feature is stealing the spotlight in this latest batch of photos: the sprawling lazy river that is beginning to take unmistakable shape at the heart of the resort’s pool complex.
Lakeshore Lodge’s Lazy River Takes Shape in New Aerial Photos
In This Article
- New aerial photos from bioreconstruct show the latest Lakeshore Lodge construction progress
- The resort’s lazy river outline is now nearly complete
- Multiple hotel buildings are in various stages of structural completion
- A large main pool area is also taking shape alongside the lazy river
The Lazy River Is Coming Into Focus
Of all the progress visible in this latest aerial flyover, it is the lazy river that commands the most attention. Across multiple photos, the winding, looping concrete channel of the lazy river is clearly defined, snaking its way through the open courtyard area that sits at the center of the resort’s hotel buildings. The lazy river follows a long, curving path, doubling back on itself in what appears to be a generously sized circuit that will give guests plenty of time to drift and relax.
The concrete work on the lazy river channel appears well underway, with the walls and basin of the channel poured and curing in several sections. Construction crews and equipment are visible throughout the pool complex area, suggesting active work continues at a strong pace. From above, the lazy river’s footprint gives a clear sense of just how large this amenity will be, winding through a significant portion of the resort’s outdoor recreation area.
A Large Main Pool Area Takes Shape Alongside It
Adjacent to the lazy river, the broader pool complex is also beginning to reveal its layout. A large main pool basin is visible in several of the aerial shots, sitting to one side of the lazy river channel. The combination of the main pool and the lazy river together suggests Lakeshore Lodge’s aquatic recreation offering will be a major draw for guests, consistent with the resort’s upscale positioning on the shores of Bay Lake.
Additional pool features and surrounding deck areas are still in earlier stages of construction, but the sheer scale of the pool complex footprint is already apparent from the air.
Previously released concept art shows the vision for this recreation area.
Hotel Buildings Rise Across the Property
Beyond the pool area, the hotel buildings that will make up Lakeshore Lodge continue to climb skyward. The resort features several multi-story hotel towers along with lakeside cabins. All buildings are at full height, and in various stages of theming.
Waterfront Features and Marina Construction
True to its name, Lakeshore Lodge’s Bay Lake waterfront is also seeing active construction work. A dock and marina structure extending out into the lake is visible in the aerial photos, which will offer guests boat transportation access to the Magic Kingdom and possibly other Disney resorts on the lake, consistent with the transportation options available at neighboring Wilderness Lodge.
Silt containment barriers line the waterfront perimeter throughout the construction zone, a standard practice to protect the lake’s ecosystem during the active build phase.
A Massive Project in Motion
Taken together, the aerial photos paint the picture of a project progressing on all fronts simultaneously. From the lazy river to the hotel towers rising to the marina taking shape along Bay Lake, Lakeshore Lodge is clearly an enormous undertaking, and one that is moving with considerable momentum.
No official opening date has been announced for Lakeshore Lodge, but Disney has previously announced an opening season of Summer 2027.
OUR TAKE: We’ve been pretty consistent with our opinion of Lakeshore Lodge over the years. While I’m a fan of the resort in a vacuum, it sits far too close to the existing Fort Wilderness and Settlement area for my liking. I think that the resort itself will be a wonderful experience for guests who borrow some of the horse blinders from the nearby Tri-Circle-D Ranch and don’t consider how much of an impact that the resort has on the once-tranquil corner of Walt Disney World.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
Yet another MASSIVE resort. I prefer the old village style resorts – Coronado Springs, Dixie Landings, Port Orleans, Caribbean Beach, Polynesian Village. WDW has since made a decision to pile as many rooms as they can into the smallest amount of real estate they can. Hence, the new skyscrapers at Coronado Springs, Caribbean Beach, and Polynesian Village. What “village” has such a skyscraper? WDW was so much better last century.