Disney Keeps Future Options Open For New Disney Vacation Club Property at Bay Lake

May 09, 2024 in "Reflections - A Lakeside Disney Lodge"

Nature-Inspired Resort concept art
Posted: Thursday May 9, 2024 9:30am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

A recent permit filing has raised speculation that Disney is continuing to keep its options open for the construction of a new Disney Vacation Club property on Bay Lake between Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort.

Disney has extended a South Florida Water Management District water management permit for an additional five years. While this alone does not mean work is imminent on a new resort, it suggests that Disney wishes to retain the ability to use the land for a future project.

The previously announced Bay Lake Disney Vacation Club resort, Reflections—A Disney Lakeside Lodge, was canceled in 2020 amid the pandemic downturn, and the land was mostly returned to its pre-construction state.

Project 89, as it was first known, has been somewhat controversial since it became public knowledge in 2018. The resort offered a design style that was not to everyone's liking on a prime piece of land around the former River Country.

Despite the 2020 cancellation of Reflections, the land is a prized location, and it would be no surprise to see the project revived at a later time, or a new project moving in to take its place.

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CJR1 day ago

This kind of reminds me of when they were building BLT and did not announce it right away. It could be a bit before we hear much officially. Gotta sell those Poly condos.

MisterPenguin1 day ago

The entrance to RnRC!!

Sirwalterraleigh1 day ago

…no seriously…what’s your real opinion? 😂

Doberge1 day ago

Sorry but you'll need to settle for the characters being blown up even bigger and moved outside to finally answer the question "What would a deluxe All Star Movies resort charging $500/night look like?"

SpaceMountain771 day ago

I do not recall if it was someone within our community or posted on another board, but a member said they were part of a focus group where the name Disney's Colors of Nature Resort was discussed. I remember liking it much more than Reflections - A Disney Lakeside Lodge.

Bocabear1 day ago

A Spring Hill Suites with Pocohantas fiberglass figures in the lobby aand vinyl wallpaper graphics behind the front desk sounds so very magical and creative....

Surfin' Tuna1 day ago

There is little to no chance they will spend the money to redesign, because that would be spending the money. They will build it and someone will buy it. The location will sell it even if it means destroying the vibe of the place. It's really sad.

MKeeler1 day ago

I’ll settle for pulling the obnoxiously over the top characters out of the interior, a slight redressing of the exterior to tone down the modernity and make a bit more transportive, and a name change. All of which could be done, but I severely doubt will be.

Bocabear1 day ago

I am pulling for them cancelling the project officially...until they get a whole new team in there that wants to create beautiful thematic Disney resorts again..... Another boring usual design is not inspiring...there are enough hotels on property...

Surfin' Tuna1 day ago

I think almost everyone is pulling for anything other than the original plan

MKeeler2 days ago

I’m still pulling for a River Country Lodge.

SomeInternetGuy7 days ago

Looks like work on whatever this project has become might be about to begin. There was a recent FAA permit filed for a 240ft mobile crane to be onsite from October 14th 2024 - August 14th 2025. The filing is simply titled “CSI Mobile Cranes” and the GPS coordinates put it right near the former River Country. There should be more detailed info on the permit in the next week or so as it gets processed.

GimpYancIent16 days ago

Agree. A scrapping and reinvention no. However, in keeping with current Disney management mentality a cheapening or watering down of the original, sadly yes.

Bocabear16 days ago

Yeah but they paid for them already.....So for sure we will get that...Maybe some changes in thew interior design since the products that were spec'd are no longer the same... but I would not expect them to start over again.... not after the investment in the plans....