![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/The-Wetlands-new-Disney-Lakeshore-Lodge-pool-and-lazy-river-concept-art-Courtesy-of-Disney-1200x675..jpeg\")
<\/p>\nNewly released concept art for The Wetlands, Disney Lakeshore Lodge\u2019s aquatic recreation area, offers the clearest look yet at what could become one of the most ambitious pool complexes at Walt Disney World.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Disney Lakeshore Lodge, the Disney Vacation Club resort that\u2019s under construction at the former site of River Country<\/a>, will carry on the property\u2019s history of having an immense area dedicated to swimming and water play. The area that once housed Disney World\u2019s first water park, which closed in 2001 and sat abandoned for decades, will be the home of\u00a0Disney Lakeshore Lodge<\/a>\u00a0and its pool area, The Wetlands at Lakeshore Lodge.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Disney Parks Blog<\/a>\u00a0provided an update about Disney Lakeshore Lodge on June 17. The update focuses mostly on The Wetlands at Lakeshore Lodge, an area where guests \u201cwill be invited to relax, unwind, and reconnect with nature.\u201d Described as a \u201csweeping outdoor recreation area just beyond the lobby that\u2019s surrounded by the beauty of Bay Lake,\u201d The Wetlands will open with the resort hotel in summer 2027.<\/p>\n In the concept art above, there is a large building in the background. This may be a possible waterfront restaurant or recreation building.<\/p>\n During a construction tour<\/a> Attractions Magazine attended earlier this year, company representatives focused heavily on the resort\u2019s environmental design and relationship with Bay Lake, but offered few details about recreational amenities. The newly released concept art provides a look at how Disney plans to bring that philosophy into the guest experience.<\/p>\n While on the tour, Walt Disney Imagineering repeatedly emphasized that Disney Lakeshore Lodge would be shaped by its natural surroundings. \u201cThat context and setting here is all about nature and the nature experience,\u201d Dean Husper told media. <\/p>\n \u201cAs we\u2019re planning the resort carefully, we want to be able to take advantage of existing opportunities in this nature setting.\u201d \u2014 Executive Architect and Principal Architect for Walt Disney Imagineering, Dean Huspen.<\/p>\n Watch our video below to hear directly from Huspen during a media tour.<\/p>\n First look: The Wetlands at Lakeshore Lodge<\/p>\n Designed for all ages, the area will include wet and dry play areas for kids, inspired by the music and storytelling of classic animated film \u201cPocahontas.\u201d Like the lyrics of \u201cColors of the Wind,\u201d the heron and the otter will be everyone\u2019s friends, represented with large statues within the outdoor space.\u00a0<\/p>\n Within The Wetlands, guests will find Heron Shores, a dry play space with hands-on play opportunities and plenty of climbing areas. Otter Springs is the wet play area, full of interactive water features and areas where kids can splash and slide. And then there\u2019s the lazy Daydream River, a current that floats guests through the entire area, allowing them to take in the landscape.<\/p>\n In the center of The Wetlands will be a zero-entry pool, Lakeside Lagoon. Designed for all ages, the pool will feature ample space to swim, as well as a water slide. On the other side of the resort, guests will find a pool with a different vibe, Perspective Pond. With a leisure pool and a whirlpool spa, the area will offer views of the nightly fireworks at Magic Kingdom Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n Along a scenic path that winds through the recreation area, guests will discover fun facts about the local flora and fauna that surrounds them. And, there\u2019ll be a special plaque somewhere in the midst of it all that honors a \u201cbeloved historic attraction\u201d that once stood in the same spot. (We\u2019re betting it\u2019s River Country<\/a>!)<\/p>\n The Wetlands sound like the perfect spot for cooling off after a long day at the theme parks or for spending a relaxing non-park vacation day with family. In fact, this new water recreation area just may turn out to be the best pool on Walt Disney World property, but we\u2019ll have to wait until summer 2027 to see for sure.<\/p>\n More about Disney Lakeshore Lodge<\/p>\n Disney Lakeshore Lodge<\/a>\u00a0will be located along the waters of Bay Lake in the former site of River Country. With its proximity to Magic Kingdom and its location adjacent to Disney\u2019s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, it\u2019s sure to be a popular resort with Disney guests.\u00a0<\/p>\n In addition to the \u201cPocahontas\u201d-inspired pool area, Disney has said the resort will take inspiration from films like \u201cBambi\u201d and \u201cBrother Bear.\u201d The resort will have 967 rooms, ranging from studios to multi-bedroom villas, as well as one- and two-bedroom, waterfront lake houses.<\/p>\n A dock has also been spotted at the resort, confirming the hotel will provide boat transportation to Magic Kingdom in the same way resorts like Disney\u2019s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and Disney\u2019s Wilderness Lodge do.<\/p>\n While further information about the resort, like dining options and recreational experiences, has yet to be announced, we expect continued updates\u00a0as the summer 2027 opening of Disney Lakeshore Lodge draws closer.<\/p>\n More Attractions Magazine stories<\/p>\n Follow us:<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re ready for your next Disney Destinations vacation or your first, our trusted partner Mouse Fan Travel will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation-planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable Disney vacations. Visit Mouse Fan Travel<\/a> for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.<\/p>\n![\"concept](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/disney-wetlands-slide-pool-concept-art.jpg\")
Lakeshore Lodge pool and slide concept art.
Provided by Disney<\/p>\n![\"Lakeshore](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Lakeshore-Lodge-lakefront-building-for-dining-or-recreation-during-construction-April-2026-Photo-by-.jpeg\")
Lakeshore Lodge, building for dining or recreation during construction April 2026.
Photo by Dani Meyering<\/p>\n![\"Disney](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/disney-wetlands-splash-area.jpg\")
Otter Springs concept art.
Courtesy of Disney<\/p>\n![\"lakeshore](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/disney-wetlands-lazy-river.jpg\")
Daydream River concept.
Courtesy of Disney<\/p>\n![\"Disney](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Disney-Lakeshore-Lodge-construction-tour-with-Disney-Imagineering-represenatives-Photo-by-Dani-Meyer.jpeg\")
Dean Huspen speaks to the media during the construction tour of Lakeshore Lodge.
Photo by Dani Meyering<\/p>\n![\"Disney-Lakeshore-Lodge-Aerial-Rendering-Courtesy-of-Disney.\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Disney-Lakeshore-Lodge-Aerial-Rendering-Courtesy-of-Disney.jpg\")
Disney Lakeshore Lodge Aerial Rendering.
Courtesy of Disney<\/p>\n
![\"MouseFanTravel\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DCL_A.png\"\/ "\\"\\"")
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