Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge: First Look at the Rooms Coming to Walt Disney World in 2027
- Katrina Placer
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
Disney has given us our first detailed look inside Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge, and there is a lot here for families to get excited about.
The brand new waterfront resort is scheduled to open at Walt Disney World Resort on July 1, 2027, along the shores of Bay Lake. With 967 rooms ranging from intimate studios for two to three bedroom villas sleeping up to 12, Disney is clearly designing this resort with very different kinds of families and travel parties in mind.
And for my multigenerational families in particular, some of these accommodations immediately caught my attention.
Instead of relying on one overarching Disney movie theme, Lakeshore Lodge incorporates stories connected to nature throughout the resort, including Bambi, Encanto, Fantasia, Brother Bear and Pocahontas.
But the bigger story may be just how many different ways there will be to stay here.
The New Waterfront Lake Houses
Image credit: © Disney
These may be the accommodations that get people talking.
The new Lake Houses will be freestanding accommodations positioned along Bay Lake, with dramatic A frame architecture and large floor to ceiling windows overlooking the water.
There will be two configurations:
One Bedroom Lake House: Sleeps up to 5 adults
Two Bedroom Lake House: Sleeps up to 8 adults
Both include separate living and dining spaces, a full kitchen, washer and dryer, two bathrooms and a private waterfront porch.
The interiors draw inspiration from Brother Bear, but this isn't about turning the room into a character explosion. Disney is using artwork, natural materials and design details to connect the spaces to the film's Alaskan landscape and themes.
One of my favorite details revealed so far is in the primary bedroom, where a Northern Lights inspired lighting feature creates an aurora effect above the bed.
Why I'm watching these for families
The Lake Houses could be particularly interesting for families who want the benefits of staying at Walt Disney World without having everyone piled into one hotel room.
A full kitchen gives families more flexibility. A washer and dryer becomes increasingly valuable on longer trips. Separate living areas give adults somewhere to sit after children go to sleep.
And a porch overlooking Bay Lake?
I suspect convincing everyone to leave for the parks in the morning may occasionally become the problem.
Encanto Duo Studios for Two
Not every Disney vacation involves a big family.
The Duo Studios are designed for up to two adults and take their inspiration from Encanto. They're colorful without sacrificing the more sophisticated nature inspired design Disney is using throughout Lakeshore Lodge.
Each Duo Studio includes:
A queen size pull down bed
Kitchenette
Seating area
Split, spa inspired bathroom
Private balcony
The pull down bed can be tucked away during the day, creating additional living space.
Bambi Deluxe Studios
The Deluxe Studios sleep up to four adults and are inspired by Bambi.
Rather than overt character theming, the design incorporates forest imagery, warm natural materials and artwork from Disney's archives.
They include a kitchenette, seating area and private balcony.
This room category could work well for a smaller family that doesn't need the full kitchen or additional space of a villa.
But once you're traveling with several adults, teenagers, grandparents or anyone who needs more personal space, I'd start comparing the villas rather than automatically booking multiple studios, because the least expensive room isn't necessarily the room that gives your family the best vacation.
One and Two Bedroom Villas
This is where Lakeshore Lodge becomes especially interesting for longer stays and multigenerational trips.
The One Bedroom Villas sleep up to five, while Two Bedroom Villas sleep up to nine.
Like the Deluxe Studios, they're inspired by Bambi, with soft earth tones, forest motifs and nature inspired artwork.
But the real difference is functional.
These villas include full kitchens, washers and dryers, separate living and dining areas and private outdoor space.
For a multigenerational Disney vacation, those aren't little details.
Having a refrigerator and kitchen can be enormously helpful for breakfast, snacks and dietary needs. Laundry means packing differently. Separate sleeping and living spaces give everyone room to decompress.
Sometimes luxury isn't about adding more things to a vacation.
It's having enough space that seven people aren't trying to get ready for Magic Kingdom in the same bathroom at 7:00 in the morning.
Three Bedroom Grand Villas for Up to 12 Guests
Now we're talking serious family vacation territory.
The Three Bedroom Grand Villas sleep up to 12 adults and are inspired by Fantasia.
They feature three separate bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, a full kitchen, large living and dining spaces, washer and dryer and private outdoor space with Bay Lake views.
Disney specifically describes these accommodations with multigenerational families in mind. And that makes sense.
For the right family, putting everyone into one large villa can completely change the feel of the vacation. You have a common space to gather while still giving different generations their own sleeping areas.
This is exactly the kind of room where I wouldn't look only at the nightly price. I'd compare it against the number and category of separate rooms the family would otherwise need and, more importantly, how everyone actually wants to vacation together.
Pocahontas Inspired Resort Studios
Lakeshore Lodge will also offer more traditional Resort Studios.
The Resort Studio rooms sleeping up to four will include two queen beds, while a king configuration will accommodate up to two guests.
These rooms draw inspiration from the landscapes of Pocahontas, using earthy colors, carved wood details and scenic artwork.
Select Resort Studios will also include Club Level access.
Which brings us to...
The Artist’s Nest Club Level Lounge
Guests staying in eligible Club Level accommodations will have access to The Artist’s Nest, an elevated lounge with complimentary refreshments, personalized service and views that include Cinderella Castle.
For some families, Club Level is an unnecessary expense.
For others, particularly families who actually use the lounge throughout their stay, it can add both convenience and value.
That's why I don't automatically recommend the same Disney resort or room category to everyone. The question isn't simply, “Which room is nicest?”
It's how will your family actually use it?
The Hidden Willow Presidential Suite
And then there is the Hidden Willow Presidential Suite.
This two bedroom suite sleeps up to six adults and includes two full bathrooms, a full kitchen, separate living space, washer and dryer and access to The Artist's Nest.
Its design is inspired by Pocahontas, and its balcony overlooks Bay Lake with views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks at night.
I'm fairly certain “watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from my Presidential Suite balcony” qualifies as a respectable vacation plan.
There’s More Than Just the Rooms
Lakeshore Lodge is shaping up to be a resort where spending time at the resort may deserve its own place in the vacation itinerary.
Disney has already announced The Wetlands, an outdoor recreation area that will include the zero entry Lakeshore Lagoon feature pool, a spiral waterslide, interactive children's play areas and Daydream River, a lazy river.
Dining plans include Moonglade, a waterfront table service restaurant; Bay Lake Provisions, an all day marketplace; and Paint Out Point Bar & Grill near the pool area.
The resort will also be just a boat ride from Magic Kingdom.
For families who build resort days into their Walt Disney World vacation rather than spending every waking moment in the parks, that's an appealing combination.
When Can You Book Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge?
Put these dates on the calendar or schedule an appointment with me so we are ready to book on your window date!
Disney has announced the following reservation schedule:
October 6, 2026: Disney Vacation Club Members can begin making early rental reservations.
October 7, 2026: Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can begin making early rental reservations.
October 8, 2026: Reservations open to all guests.
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge officially opens July 1, 2027.
Because this is a brand new Walt Disney World resort with several completely new accommodation types, I expect certain rooms and dates to generate significant early interest, don't delay, let's start the planning process right now.
Is Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge Right for Your Family?
This is the question I'm much more interested in than simply asking whether the resort is beautiful.
Because yes. The concept art is beautiful. But choosing a Walt Disney World resort should be about how your family travels.
A couple may love the efficiency of an Encanto Duo Studio. A family of four may be perfectly comfortable in a Deluxe Studio. A multigenerational family may benefit enormously from a Two Bedroom or Grand Villa. Another family might value Club Level service more than additional square footage.
And families traveling with food allergies, accessibility considerations or multiple generations have another layer of questions to consider before choosing a resort and room category.
That's where thoughtful planning matters.
I help families look beyond simply finding an available Disney hotel room and think about the entire vacation: who is traveling, how everyone moves through the parks, where you'll eat, how much downtime you need, transportation, room configuration and what will actually make the trip easier for your family.
Disney's Lakeshore Lodge gives us some very interesting new options.
Now the fun part is figuring out which one fits your family.
Ready to Plan Walt Disney World for 2027?
If Disney's Lakeshore Lodge has made its way onto your vacation wish list, now is a good time to start thinking about your 2027 Walt Disney World plans.
Family Fun Journeys specializes in thoughtfully planned Disney vacations for families and multigenerational groups, including travelers navigating accessibility and food allergy considerations.
When reservations open, I can help you compare Lakeshore Lodge with other Walt Disney World Resort options and choose the resort and room configuration that makes sense for the way your family travels.
Ready to start planning?
Contact Family Fun Journeys to schedule your vacation consultation.
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