There's a reason why people love Disney resort hotels. The company has a long tradition of creating places that are vacation destinations all by themselves. And judging by a recently announced addition, things don't look set to change anytime soon.

After years of speculation, Disney Vacation Club finally made official plans to create a new Walt Disney World resort called Disney Lakeshore Lodge. Slated to open in the summer of 2027 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, the new resort property promises to bring something unique and distinctly Disney to the world of Disney resorts.

A Closer Look at the Disney Lakeshore Lodge Concept

At first glance, this newest entry in the Walt Disney World resort portfolio seems to fall into the typical pattern. As is always the case, there's an undeniable hint of Disney magic at play, but in a way that stands out from the typical castle-based theme park resorts that populate Walt Disney World. What makes the Lakeshore Lodge different is the source of inspiration for this new resort.

As the name implies, this newest Disney Vacation Club resort pays homage to Walt Disney's deep-rooted appreciation of the natural world. From the architectural elements, to the artistry, to the environment, the entire resort will be designed around stories like Bambi, Pocahontas, and Brother Bear.

From a visual perspective, this will be a stunningly beautiful resort. Glass walls and windows frame incredible views throughout the resort, bringing the outside in wherever possible. And the setting for the resort couldn't be more fitting: nestled along the banks of Bay Lake at Walt Disney World, guests can enjoy breathtaking views of Florida nature. The Bay Lake setting also provides a view of the Magic Kingdom's nightly fireworks show, one of the most sought-after amenities among the various Walt Disney World resorts.

What the Disney Lakeshore Lodge Accommodations Are Going To Look Like

The Disney Lakeshore Lodge is going to launch with 967 room categories. The room types range from studio options, to multi-bedroom villas, all the way up to standalone lake houses. Here's what we know about the specific accommodations available.

• Studios: Designed with small families and couples in mind, studio rooms are perfect for those seeking comfort while still retaining a sense of luxury and space in the middle of Walt Disney World
• Multi-bedroom villas: Spacious units with multiple bedrooms that allow extended families the comfort and convenience of a separate bedroom, as well as complete kitchen facilities
• Standalone lake houses: These exclusive single- or double-bedroom cottages offer guests ultimate seclusion and luxury as they spend time enjoying the stunning view of the lake and Walt Disney World.

Of the available accommodations, the standout element is clearly the lake houses. Not only does this offer guests a chance to experience a secluded vacation within Walt Disney World, it allows for a very intimate and relaxing vacation on your very own waterfront property.

How the Disney Vacation Club Timeshare Works

While the Disney Vacation Club timeshare might sound confusing, the program actually works quite simply.

When guests purchase DVC membership, they buy real estate at their preferred Disney resort (home resort), then pay annual fees in exchange for points. Each year, Disney sends their members a points allocation depending on their ownership interest. These points can be exchanged for room nights and other services.

Even though DVC requires members to use their points to make accommodations, guests can still book Disney Vacation Club accommodations using cash prices, when available.

However, as mentioned previously, the best opportunities are usually reserved for the priority booking period for the home resort owners. That said, non-home resort owners can still make reservations using the regular booking method.

If you're considering joining the Disney Vacation Club, there are a number of factors you'll want to consider:

• Points allocations: This is what dictates your ability to make reservations for certain room types and dates.
• Home resort priority access: Priority booking is only offered to members of the home resort, which will make it easier for you to stay at Lakeshore Lodge in particular.
• Availability of resold DVC: While DVC units can only be sold by Disney directly, it's easy to find resold interests through a variety of online platforms.

Non-member DVC availability Although the majority of DVC accommodations are available exclusively to Disney Vacation Club members, Disney still opens some of them for the general public

More Information We're Missing

At this point, Disney is being very tight-lipped regarding the planned amenities of the resort. Given the scale of the project, which includes 967 rooms and a lakefront setting, it seems fair to assume that this new property will include a restaurant, at least one themed food outlet, lakeside swimming pools, and other watersports.

One thing is clear Disney's resorts are renowned for their level of attention to detail, which includes the interior of individual units, but also the overall ambiance of the property. Given this resort's nature-themed design, any additional amenities will likely support the overall concept.

What This Addition Means for Walt Disney World Guests

With the addition of Disney Lakeshore Lodge, Walt Disney World adds another exciting resort option to its already packed lineup. As previously noted, Walt Disney World is known for a number of incredible resorts, many of which are right at the Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom, but the resort has never had a nature-themed lake resort.

By creating a nature-oriented resort at Walt Disney World's prized Bay Lake location, Disney adds yet another unique experience to their growing line of Walt Disney World resorts.

And when you consider that this newest addition will feature the ability to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from your hotel, it becomes evident why this addition is highly valuable for families and solo travelers alike.

Conclusion

Even though the new Walt Disney World resort is still two years away from opening its doors, it's safe to say that it already has a lot of attention. Featuring everything from stunning natural settings to exclusive lakeside houses, this addition to the Walt Disney World resorts promises to deliver.