Walt Disney World Granted Extension for Reflections — A Disney Lakeside Lodge Permit

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Florida has granted Walt Disney World a 5-year extension on a permit related to Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, a Disney Vacation Club resort that was thought canceled amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

STOLport Site Permit

stolport aerial stockpile sm

In May 2018, Disney filed a permit for the “STOLport Site,” near the former Walt Disney World Airport — also known as the Lake Buena Vista STOLport (Short Take Off and Landing), as a stockpile location. The new resort wouldn’t actually be constructed on the STOLport site, but it would act as a staging ground.

This permit was set to expire in May 2023, but Walt Disney Imagineering filed to extend it this summer. The state has now granted this extension, so the permit will not expire until May 31, 2028.

This doesn’t necessarily mean construction is going to resume on Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge. Disney could be using the site for another construction project, namely cabin construction at the adjacent Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Still, extending the permit does leave the door open for Reflections to be revived.

After rumors swirled of a “Disney Discovery Lodge,” Bob Chapek announced Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge at Destination D in 2018. The nature-inspired Disney Vacation Club resort was to be built on the former site of Disney’s long-closed River Country water park, on the shore of Bay Lake near Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. It would have had more than 900 hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club villas.

reflections disney lakeside lodge2

Terri Schultz, who was Senior Vice President and General Manager of Disney Vacation Club at the time, said in a statement: “This resort experience will be a celebration of Walt Disney’s lifelong love and respect for nature, with some fun and even surprising accommodation types that families will find irresistible. It will give our members and guests yet another opportunity to stay in close proximity to all the newest attractions and experiences in our theme parks, and with the flexibility, value and world-class service families expect from Disney.”

Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge was originally scheduled to open in 2022, but that deadline obviously came and went. Disney hasn’t made a peep about the resort since.

concept art lobby pocahontas statue reflections lakeside lodge 2

Rumors began circulating that the project was indefinitely delayed or canceled entirely. In September 2020, Disney filed a “general construction” permit for the area, followed by a permit for temporary cast parking a month later. These both seemed to indicate work on Reflections could resume. But in April 2021, Walt Disney Imagineering filed a permit to “remove office trailers from property” at multiple addresses connected to construction, strong evidence for the project’s cancelation.

While it seems Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge is dead, it still has permits open until November 2024 (separate from the STOLport permit). If Disney wanted to complete the project, they would need to extend those permits, but they have some time to decide.

Permit Filed to Remove Construction Offices From Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

Via wdwnt.com

It’s been a while since we heard anything about Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge at Walt Disney World. There have been rumors since last year that construction on the resort was stalled or canceled. A new permit from Walt Disney Imagineering supports that rumor.

The permit is to “remove office trailers from property” at multiple addresses connected to construction. If construction offices are being removed, that is strong evidence for the resort project being delayed indefinitely or canceled entirely, since construction would be nowhere near completion.

Two permits were filed in the fall of 2020 that suggested construction may have resumed but there have been no announcements since then. Reflections was previously removed from the D23 Expo 2019 announcements page.

Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge – What Do We Know

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

From DisDining.com

With all the recent changes to Walt Disney World, we’re eagerly awaiting our next WDW trip, when we can try out all the new restaurants and attractions that have opened since our last visit.  While many changes continue to be made inside the parks, WDW resorts are not immune to the constant improvements on property, and that’s a good thing!  If you haven’t heard the news, there will be a brand-new Disney resort making its appearance in a few years – and we have all the latest info right here!

1. What is It?

It’s called Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge, and when it’s completed, it’ll be the 16th DVC property.  A deluxe resort, it will boast over 900 resort rooms and Disney Vacation Club villas, and a pretty cool location!

2. When Will it Open?

2022 is the expected year for the opening of Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, so we still have a few years to wait!  There are several other Disney resort projects currently in the works in WDW, and this means we’ll have more than 1700 new resort rooms and villas to enjoy when all is said and done.

3. Where Will it Be?

You may remember visiting Disney’s River Country, WDW’s first water park, before it closed in 2001.  Or you may have been intrigued by the idea of an abandoned Disney park (and who could blame you?), and followed the rumors that have been swirling for years about the future development of the site.  Well, they’re rumors no longer!  Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge will be built on the site of River Country, between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness, on Bay Lake.  We love the idea of taking a former Disney park that has been rotting away, tantalizingly close to current WDW magic, and turning it into a resort for new generations to enjoy.

4. Theme

We know that A Disney Lakeside Lodge will be themed to complement its natural surroundings.  It’ll be inspired by nature and by the artistry of Walt Disney.  Wimberly, Allison, Tong & Goo, the design team that brought us Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, as well as several Disney hotels in other countries, helms the project.  It seems like Disney is aiming to please as many guests as possible, not just the biggest WDW fans out there, who want to be surrounded by all things Disney at their resort; Lakeside Lodge looks like it will be a more subtle, understated hotel, with natural and rustic touches.

5. Dining

We don’t know too much about the food at Reflections: A Lakeside Lodge, but what we do know is pretty exciting.  Plans show a proposed table service restaurant that will be part of a building that juts out from the shore of Bay Lake.  If you love waterfront dining (and who doesn’t?), you’ll love this stand-alone restaurant.  We can only imagine that the view will be spectacular! 

We also recently discovered that the restaurant will be themed around The Princess and the Frog!  If it’s anything like the beautiful restaurant Tiana’s Place on board the Disney Wonder, it’ll be quite a stunner.  There will be a counter service restaurant in the resort’s main building, and guests will be able to head over to nearby Fort Wilderness or Wilderness Lodge to access even more dining options. 

6. Lobby

Concept art depicting the lobby has been released, and what we’re seeing is a wonderfully light and modern space featuring lots of glass, whimsical flowing ceiling decorations (that might be meant to represent wind?), and carved wood to break up the more contemporary materials.  It won’t look like Disney brought the forest inside the resort, like Wilderness Lodge; it’s a more liberal interpretation of “inspired by nature” that reads more like a peaceful nature retreat.

There’s a Pocahontas statue in the lobby, complete with windswept hair, and huge windows that promise to let in a ton of light.  The intimate spherical structures surrounding different seating areas are wonderfully creative, and seating includes sofas in nature-inspired hues.

7. Construction

While Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge won’t be completed until 2022, that’s not to say you can’t get a glimpse of the construction phase of the project!  If you head towards Trail’s End at Fort Wilderness, you’ll see some of the fencing near the bus stop.  Anything that remained of River Country has already been demolished, and the land flattened.  The whole site is fenced off, and you’ll be able to see some of the fencing at the edge of Trail Blaze Corral.

8. More Details

We love the fun extras in the concept art, like hanging nest chairs and landscape scenes from Disney animated films.  Fans of mid-century modern furniture will appreciate the design choices used here, and Disney characters will be subtly worked into backdrops (of unfolded Murphy beds, for example) and furniture.  There are retractable side tables in beds and sofas, and plenty of storage built into each piece of furniture.  So even though the design is minimalist, you’ll definitely have enough room for everything you need while you’re on vacation.  Oh, we can’t forget one of the most exciting elements of Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge – there’s a fireworks viewing lounge!

Construction On “Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge” Continues Despite COVID-19 Concerns

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

When we saw permits filed earlier this month for work on a Table Service Restaurant, bus stop, transportation dock, and more at the site of Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, it was still assumed that construction had been halted throughout Walt Disney World Resort––and it has, for the most part––but according to a new report from the Orlando Business Journal, one local construction firm continues chipping away at the upcoming nature-themed Disney Vacation Resort property in progress.

Balfour Beatty Construction LLC continues work on the 900-room resort taking over the space of the former River Country throughout the closure. In a statement to the Orlando Business Journal, it outlined the safety measures it was taking in light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis:

“Balfour Beatty is taking all necessary measures to ensure workers, clients, partner and the public are safe. As a essential business, we have a responsibility to keep our projects operating while we modify the way we deliver work to allow for the new and necessary health and safety measures that are now required as a result of this pandemic. The practicalities of how to implement social distancing in the field are complex and our workforce is committed to meeting these needs, knowing that each decision has an impact on not only the team’s ability to deliver and our production flow, but the health and wellbeing of everyone.”

Work has continued despite smaller crews and stringent new regulations from the CDC. According to analyst David Heger, it’s in Disney’s best interest to keep work going for certain projects, especially if they’ve already been funded. And surely, a shiny new resort will beckon to both casual guests and DVC members alike in the aftermath of the extended closures. Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge is expected to open in 2022.

“Reflections – A Lakeside Lodge” Details

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

As we have mentioned in a previous article, Disney will be welcoming a brand new WDW Resort. Here is what we know;

1. What is It?

It’s called Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge, and when it’s completed, it’ll be the 16th DVC property.  A deluxe resort, it will boast over 900 resort rooms and Disney Vacation Club villas, and a pretty cool location!

2. When Will it Open?

2022 is the expected year for the opening of Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, so we still have a few years to wait!  There are several other Disney resort projects currently in the works in WDW, and this means we’ll have more than 1700 new resort rooms and villas to enjoy when all is said and done.

3. Where Will it Be?

You may remember visiting Disney’s River Country, WDW’s first water park, before it closed in 2001.  Or you may have been intrigued by the idea of an abandoned Disney park (and who could blame you?), and followed the rumors that have been swirling for years about the future development of the site.  Well, they’re rumors no longer!  Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge will be built on the site of River Country, between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness, on Bay Lake.  We love the idea of taking a former Disney park that has been rotting away, tantalizingly close to current WDW magic, and turning it into a resort for new generations to enjoy.

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