Disney is offering a new look at The Wetlands, the outdoor recreation area planned for Disney Lakeshore Lodge when the resort opens at Walt Disney World Resort in summer 2027. The space will sit just beyond the lobby and will be shaped around the natural setting of Bay Lake, giving the new property a major family-focused leisure area from the start.
The Wetlands will include both wet and dry play zones, with design inspiration drawn from the music and storytelling of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Pocahontas. Disney has described the area as a sweeping outdoor recreation space where guests can move between pools, splash features, climbing areas and quieter places to relax.
Introducing the Wetlands 😎 This outdoor recreation area will immerse Lakeshore Lodge's guests in the beauty of Bay Lake at @WaltDisneyWorld ☀️ https://t.co/MI6LheiYcs
✨ Heron Shores: Imaginative climbing features
✨ Otter Springs: Interactive water features
✨ Daydream River:… pic.twitter.com/MOrIFevndk— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) June 17, 2026
Several named areas will define the experience. Heron Shores will be aimed at younger guests, with imaginative climbing features designed for hands-on play. Otter Springs will focus on interactive water elements, giving children space to slide, splash and cool off during warm Florida days. Daydream River will wind through the recreation area as a lazy river, offering a slower way for guests to move through the landscape.
The main pool area will be Lakeside Lagoon, a zero-entry pool designed for guests of all ages. It will include a spiral waterslide, making it one of the central attractions within The Wetlands. At the opposite end of the resort, Perspective Pond will offer a leisure pool and whirlpool spa, with evening views of Magic Kingdom fireworks expected to be one of its strongest draws.
The new details help clarify how Disney is positioning Lakeshore Lodge. Rather than relying only on accommodations and proximity to the parks, the resort is being built with a substantial recreation program that encourages guests to spend time on property. That matters for families who increasingly look for resort days as part of a Walt Disney World vacation, especially when traveling with young children or multigenerational groups.
Disney Lakeshore Lodge will feature 967 themed accommodations, ranging from studios to multi-bedroom villas. The scale suggests the property will serve both traditional Disney resort guests and Disney Vacation Club travelers looking for more space and longer stays.
The project has had a long development history. It was first announced in 2018 under the name Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge before being delayed during the pandemic. Disney later revived the concept under the Lakeshore Lodge name, with a design direction inspired by nature and its influence on Disney artists.
For travelers, The Wetlands adds another reason to watch the resort’s opening closely. With Bay Lake views, Pocahontas-inspired details, a lazy river, pools and fireworks-facing relaxation areas, Disney Lakeshore Lodge appears designed to function as both a park base and a destination resort in its own right.
