A new construction permit in the vicinity of Disney's Wilderness Lodge suggest that work may soon resume on Reflections - a Disney Lakeside Lodge.
Several days ago, Walt Disney World filed an extensive construction permit for several addresses located between Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort. Initial speculation centered around an expansion of the Wilderness Lodge. However, some sleuthing by website WDWMagic.com revealed that many of the details mirrored the original permits for Reflections - a Disney Lakeside Lodge.
Reflections was originally announced back in February 2019. It was described as a "nature-themed" resort featuring 900 rooms with both Disney Vacation Club villas and hotel rooms. Located on the site of the former River Country waterpark, the resort was set to include a variety of stand-along buildings similar to the Wilderness Lodge Cascade Cabins and an elaborate pool complex with a lazy river.
Reflections original site plan
During the D23 Expo in August 2019, Disney showed several pieces of concept artwork including a restaurant themed to the Disney animated feature 'The Princess and the Frog.' The resort was scheduled to open sometime in 2022 as the immediate follow-up to Disney's Riviera Resort.
However, Reflections was an early victim of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of March 2020, ground clearing work had been completed and some foundations poured. However, the early state of construction and uncertainties regarding future of the tourism industry prompted Disney to halt all work. The site is still surrounded by construction fending, however it has been left relatively untouched for about 4 years now.
2019 Expo concept art
However, in May of this year, Disney requested an extension for the original permits. Originally set to expire in May 2024, Disney requested that they remain active until May 2029. This week's news suggests work may resume sooner rather than later.
Construction on a new Disney resort typically takes around 3 years to complete. Although sales have not even opened for Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, the new points are unlikely to remain available beyond 2027. Recent sales numbers suggest Riviera could be looking at a sell-out in the next 3-4 years. The timing is right for DVC to begin planning its next Walt Disney World location.
Reflections construction site (August 2023)
Some have speculated that Reflections could be functionally linked to The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, a newer DVC destination which seemingly holds limited appeal on its own. We are just days away from the start of the 2024 D23 Expo in Anaheim. With the theme parks keynote session planned for Saturday, August 10, it is possible that we hear more about plans for this once-and-maybe-future DVC resort.
A separate permit has also been filed for the Willderness Lodge, which may relate to the announced refurbishment of Copper Creek Villas & Cabins. This permit runs through late 2026. The Copper Creek renovations were announced as a 2025 project. However many DVC projects are known for spanning multiple calendar years. The permit may also apply to Wilderness Lodge hotel rooms and other public spaces, extending the timeline. In recent years, Walt Disney World undertook massive refurbishments at both Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney's BoardWalk Inn & Villas which took more than 2 years to complete.
