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 "Reflections - A Lakeside Disney Lodge"

Forum Forums Tweet Share Tweet Share

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.

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

Phicinfan1 hour ago

The opportunity to create a connector to the Contemporary is there, if they chose to do it.

nickys1 hour ago

Like what? And why, given that FW and WL only have bus or boat?

Phicinfan1 hour ago

I am curious why the only assumption is boat or bus? I have hopes they might look at something else… No not expanding monorail, and no this is supposition not any inside info

Phicinfan1 hour ago

Sorry but do we know the defined route to the new site? I don’t believe new rd to that site isn’t a possibility

nickys3 hours ago

It’s not cutting any perk. None of the resort boats go to the TTC. WL & FW boats go to MK and back. You can also take boats between the Bay Lake resorts. Buses aren’t the only option. I agree a train would be nice but it’s too much liability.

Bocabear3 hours ago

For those that want to go on to EPCOT...without having to take a boat to the monorail and then switch to another monorail...as a convenience.... But yeah, they would probably cut that perk. I am sure they would never bring thaty train back, but a train between the three properties would seem like a fun reason to stay there... It would also connect the three into a more cohesive resort area.... If you were staying at the Wilderness Lodge, how great would it be to take a train over to the Hoop De Doo or Crockett's Tavern... Likewise to be at Wilderness and hop a train over to Wilderness Lodge for cocktails and dinner would be so much more pleasant and fun than taking a bus....

nickys5 hours ago

Why would the boats go from MK to the TTC? But yes, I’d hope there would be dedicated boats at busy times, with a shared service through the day. No way will the train return.

Nickm20225 hours ago

I agree I think adding the boat route would help tremendously. In general I think the biggest drawback to the wilderness area is that it's extremely isolated despite being so close to so much. I also am happy Disney is adding more to this area along with adding more to the Boardwalk area (even if they have a long way to go)

Bocabear7 hours ago

I wonder if they plan on adding a dedicated boat route from Reflections to Mk, then TTC, then back to Reflections.... That woould help...if they are using the bigger boats , especially in the mornings..... but otherwise it would be a real cluster.... Would they consider bringing back the old narrow gauge train and run a rail from Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness with a dedicated stop at Reflections? That might make it a more fun place to stay...and you could then have the amenities of 3 resorts available...Especially if Reflections were not the stripped nown Urban Modern style, but designed to match the other two resorts.... Making an Old Florida Wilderness area on Bay Lake... The Train, Stables, Campground Huge Lodge and the new dedicated DVC resort all done with a more interesting Pool and grounds.... That would be something I might be interested in... But the current modern thing with no trannsportation other than busses between the resorts over there...No thanks.

MR.Dis8 hours ago

Yes, yes, yes. It is all about transportation. The congestion is already really bad. So now you are going to add over a 1000 rooms, and expect to get buses in and out of this area in a timely matter? Thanks but no thanks.

Bocabear10 hours ago

There was nothing about Reflections that made us want to add points to our contract...It is not a particularly easy place to get to, the bus system would most likely have to also service Wilderness Ledge and Fort Wilderness making long commute times, As far as amenities, They would have to build a pool...which would probably be as charmless as what they just built for the Poly...like the overall theme for this resort.... Unless they have started over the design....which I am sure they did not...

MickMinn2219 hours ago

We were fans of the reflections initial announcement. Then bummed when it appeared cancelled. We thought about adding on a DVC contract at the new poly. Now we are excited to see work here again. I hope they make some changes from the initial concept art but we will very seriously consider adding on here when opened.

nickys1 day ago

That could be true of the A frame cabins.

dmc4931 day ago

I've had this thought in my head ever since construction restarted, I wonder if a large amount of the structure (precast pieces) were manufactured before the job got put on ice, and have been sitting in a yard or warehouse somewhere ever since. And since Disney already paid for the cost of a building structure, it was inevitable the job would come back.... Again a wild hunch, but it's definitely possible. Still could mean they swap the theme of the resort, but who knows