News Disney Lakeshore Lodge (Project 89 - Development near Fort Wilderness)

[EricsBiscuit]

Is Poly tower going to sell out by the time this thing opens?

Also, I wonder if this will have a dedicated boat route to the MK? Do they even have enough boats to do that? Taking a boat from WL to MK is brutal as it is having to stop at FW.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Is Poly tower going to sell out by the time this thing opens?

Also, I wonder if this will have a dedicated boat route to the MK? Do they even have enough boats to do that? Taking a boat from WL to MK is brutal as it is having to stop at FW.

No chance. Riviera is 80%-ish sold and Poly Tower is only around 35%.

I believe I read that they have additional watercraft either ordered or purchased for this resort, but others know far more about that.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Also, I wonder if this will have a dedicated boat route to the MK? Do they even have enough boats to do that? Taking a boat from WL to MK is brutal as it is having to stop at FW.

It looks like they are building a dedicated boat dock - unless that is for a Marina or something else?

They currently run direct boats from MK to both WL and Fort Wilderness. In the afternoon / evening they also operate boats that connect Contemporary, WL and the Fort.

 

[HauntedPirate]

It looks like they are building a dedicated boat dock - unless that is for a Marina or something else?

It’s a dedicated boat dock for LL, as far as I’m aware.

 

[Doberge]

If you've seen the large boats (for ECVs, etc). running the FW and WL routes, Disney is adding at least one new one of those and I believe that should be in this summer.

What we haven't heard yet is where this new LL route will dock at MK. I think it makes the most sense to put the LL launch where the FW launch is currently located (deluxe resorts getting better spots) and bumping FW to near the Poly/GF launch.

 

[Doberge]

Views of LL from WL:

 

[EeyoreFan#24]

If I’m not mistaken, I believe a large part of the justification for the new cruiser a few years ago was the original start of the new lodge and after the pause transport has been enjoying a slightly plussed fleet until the hotel actually opens.

I’m don't remember where I read that, and it may be nonsense, but that’s the story I remember.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

That’s still only 4 cruisers. 1 runs on the poly / grand route, 1 runs to wilderness lodge, and then 2 operate on Ft. Wilderness route I believe.

 

[HauntedPirate]

This may not necessarily be related to Lakeshore Lodge but from today's (March 26, 2026, if needed for future reference) 'Wilderness Lodge Exterior Refurbishment' post on the main site:

The security kiosk at the entrance is being expanded as part of the work.

But it makes you go "Hmmm...".

(Edit was to expand 'LL' to be Lakeshore Lodge)

 

[Doberge]

This may not necessarily be related to LL but from today's (March 26, 2026, if needed for future reference) 'Wilderness Lodge Exterior Refurbishment' post on the main site:



But it makes you go "Hmmm...".

Nice connection. It makes the most sense to put the LL security here, but adding LL pushes total rooms behind security to lole 2,000, about 50% more than combined Animal Kingdom Lodges's 1300ish. Extra capacity seems necessary.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Nice connection. It makes the most sense to put the LL security here, but adding LL pushes total rooms behind security to lole 2,000, about 50% more than combined Animal Kingdom Lodges's 1300ish. Extra capacity seems necessary.

Thanks. Sometimes the ol' brain still sizzles back to life.

We've been wondering if LL would get its own entrance or if it would somehow piggyback onto WL. This could be the answer to that question. If it is, then road expansion between WL and the LL site would be coming as well, as I cannot see the current road supporting the additional traffic safely.

 

[UNCgolf]

This may not necessarily be related to LL but from today's (March 26, 2026, if needed for future reference) 'Wilderness Lodge Exterior Refurbishment' post on the main site:



But it makes you go "Hmmm...".

When I first read this comment I didn't realize what thread I was in, and I was trying to figure out how Disney was going to use Lightning Lane at hotels.

 

[HauntedPirate]

When I first read this comment I didn't realize what thread I was in, and I was trying to figure out how Disney was going to use Lightning Lane at hotels.

It does start to get a bit confusing sometimes. I should have spelled it out, though, thank you for pointing out your (brief) confusion in abbreviations. I’ll be better about that.

And… shhh!! They’ll see your idea!

 

[DCBaker]

New Notices of Commencement filed today:

598 W WILDERNESS WY - Design Communications Ltd. - Install signage [WDI]
612 W WILDERNESS WY - Design Communications Ltd. - Install signage [WDI]
632 W WILDERNESS WY - Design Communications Ltd. - Install signage [WDI]
636 W WILDERNESS WY - Design Communications Ltd. - Install signage [WDI]
640 W WILDERNESS WY - Design Communications Ltd. - Install signage [WDI]
648 W WILDERNESS WY - Design Communications Ltd. - Install signage [WDI]
648B W WILDERNESS WY - ThemeWorks, Inc - Install set elements [WDI]

 

[HauntedPirate]

640 is Evangeline's (the TSR). Not sure what the rest are, it would be some deeper digging than I have time for at the present.