PHOTOS: Disney Begins Pool Construction at NEW Lakeshore Lodge Hotel

Disney World’s newest hotel is FINALLY starting to look like a hotel!

If you’ve been following the ongoing progress at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge, you’ve likely noticed how quickly this long-awaited hotel is taking shape along the shores of Bay Lake. The site has been buzzing with activity in recent months due to the ongoing construction, and thanks to the latest aerial photos captured of the hotel’s grounds and progress, we’re getting a much clearer picture of how this nature-inspired hotel is coming together.

When it was first announced, we were all beside ourselves with excitement to be getting a brand new Disney World hotel near the campground area. This new hotel will be nestled between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Lakeshore Lodge will offer a new way to stay near Magic Kingdom while still maintaining that quiet, natural escape Disney fans love. The hotel’s theme leans heavily into the idea of serenity and connection to nature. And from what we can see of it so far, the pool is being designed as the heart of that experience.

Located toward the back center of the property, this area appears to potentially serve as both a scenic retreat and a social hub. It’s far enough removed from the main building to feel tucked away, yet positioned perfectly for views of Bay Lake, giving its hotel guests and visitors the perfect tree line backdrop.

Recent aerial images captured by @Bioreconstruct show a large, cleared area framed by newly graded paths and foundations that trace what appears to be the outline of the main pool and surrounding deck. There’s noticeable definition taking shape, too! The pool appears to have broad, curved areas that seem to suggest river-like contours and the beginnings of what will eventually become a beautifully landscaped relaxation zone.

While the hotel’s concept artwork looks like it may be an ambitious design that blends the rustic tranquility of a lakeside lodge with the playful energy of a Disney World hotel, even in its current state, you can already sense the careful attention being paid to imagining how its guests will flow through the space once it’s complete.

Just a year ago, this site looked like little more than cleared land and construction vehicles. Now, the hotel’s structure is rising quickly, and construction is moving forward with shaping the outdoor spaces. It seems Disney could stay on their 2027 expected opening timeline.

For now, it’s fascinating to watch the Imagineer’s vision take form in real time. The hotel’s back-center construction zone may just look like dirt and framing at the moment, but you can already imagine what’s to come.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on construction as it continues over the coming months. Stay tuned for more updates on Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge and more right here at AllEars.

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Will you be staying at Lakeside Lodge once it opens at Disney World? Leave your thoughts on it in the comments below!