The Bay Lake DVC resort 'Reflections - A Disney Lakeside Lodge' may be the first major COVID-19 cancellation at Walt Disney World

Jun 15, 2020 in "Disney Lakeshore Lodge"

Posted: Monday June 15, 2020 10:14am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Evidence is mounting that the Bay Lake Disney Vacation Club resort 'Reflections - A Disney Lakeside Lodge' may be the first major Walt Disney World cancellation due to COVID-19.

According to various sources from the construction side of the project, delivery of material has been permanently cancelled, and the work that was done to begin the concrete pours has been removed and the land will likely be returned to its pre-construction state.

Reflections - A Disney Lakeside Lodge site in March 2020

Project 89 as it was known, was somewhat controversial since it began, with the resort offering a design style that was not to everyone's liking on a prime piece of land around the former River Country.

Nature-Inspired Resort concept art

The economic climate is obviously not conducive to build new resort hotels at this time, with both the company and guests looking to reduce spending over the coming years.

Despite the likely 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.

It should be noted that Disney is yet to make any official announcement of a cancellation.

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MisterPenguin15 hours ago

So.. the A Frames will be lifted up onto trees to become a treehouse near the horse ranch?

HauntedPirate18 hours ago

Not personally involved, actually. But the company I work for has some material involvement with it. Which means blueprints, architectural drawings, etc. :)

Ayla18 hours ago

Thanks for keeping it all straight (though I suspect you are somehow involved with this project). 🙂

HauntedPirate18 hours ago

No. The A-frames are along the shore. The treehouses have a different layout and are not A-frames.

Ayla19 hours ago

So it looks like potentially A-frame "cabins" that will be called treehouses?

HauntedPirate19 hours ago

Well, "treehouses" is a bit of a subjective term with this project, it's how they are labeled on the plans but they are not true "treehouses" like SSR's are. LL has 4 of them. I think. Can't remember if it's 3 and 1 ADA-accessible or 4 and 1.

Ayla19 hours ago

FW has treehouses, too? I thought only SSR did?

Disney4family19 hours ago

The first floor lobby has hard plastic couches with pillows that are chained to them. It doesn't really scream "deluxe" either.

HauntedPirate19 hours ago

Small point of order - The treehouses are behind Pioneer Hall (which will be connected to the main building via an elevated walkway, from what I've seen). The small and large A-Frames are all along the lakeshore.

Ayla19 hours ago

A 9 story behemoth is in no way harmonious with a campground.

plutofan151 day ago

From ground level with existing trees in the areas of the cabins and campsites, this will be blocked well.

Bocabear1 day ago

I am sure they completely intended to share restaurants, but probably not the amenities... You can eat here and buy stuff but you are not welcome in our nicer pools. It is a shame they made no effort whatsoever to create a coherent theme between the two properties... I guess one is mid century modern Marriott Goes on Vacation in a National Park next door to a low rent campground...if that is a theme..... Unless they intend to completely refurb and rebuild Fort Wilderness to make it a really really nice resort with a train for transportation and a Steamboat that circles Discovery Island...Yes I know it has no means of steering...lol It would be nice if bringing that sort of saturation to the area might get them thinking about Discovery Island again...though doubtful in this day and age.....

Doberge1 day ago

I also don't really understand the site line issues. There might be a few camp sites and two cabins that can see it from the 100 loop but like you said it's predominantly viewed from Settlement area and otherwise not seen from the rest of FW. But the location is closer than I imagined. There are A frames right behind Pioneer Hall and even more is being down closer to the FW pier. I don't think there is much to need to separate. Parking lot is easily gated and pool can have scanners if needing. But really I think the resorts can be symbiotic with FW picking up easy access to new table and quick service options and Lakeshore having options to go to Pioneer Hall for Hoop dee Doo and Crocket's, and the rec options at FW via the Settlement bus stop or a three resort shuttle bus FW-Lakeshore-WL.

Doberge1 day ago

A little more context for location: They're also working on infrastructure to to east of A frames closest to FW, even more behind Pioneer Hall and on old Clementine Beach. It's right there near an old pier. Theres still beach (and a beach VB net on the east side of the FW pier and rec building). And here a view from Tri-Circle-D Ranch: