New FAA Filing Suggests Construction on Reflections Resort Project at Disney World May Be Imminent

Sep 26, 2024 in "Disney's Lakeshore Lodge"

Gallery / 1 Photo
Nature-Inspired Resort concept art

Posted: Thursday September 26, 2024 9:25am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

A recent filing with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) appears to confirm that the Reflections—A Disney Lakeside Lodge project, once thought to be canceled, may soon resume construction at Walt Disney World.

The FAA case details the use of large mobile cranes for the construction of a 10-story hotel, with the cranes reaching a maximum height of 240 feet above ground level (AGL) when fully extended. During non-working hours, the crane height will be reduced to 150 feet AGL. This description closely aligns with previous plans for the Reflections resort, adding further weight to the speculation that the project is back on track.

The proposed cranes are significant because they will be used for the construction of what is expected to be a towering structure—indicative of the scale of a large resort hotel. The height and location specified in the filing suggest that Disney may indeed be moving forward with the delayed Reflections resort.

The FAA filing indicates that the crane would be onsite from October 14, 2024, through August 14, 2025.

Background on Reflections—A Disney Lakeside Lodge

Originally unveiled by Disney in 2018, Reflections—A Disney Lakeside Lodge was planned as a deluxe nature-themed resort situated on the shores of Bay Lake, between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. The resort was to include over 900 hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club (DVC) villas spread across a variety of unique accommodation types.

However, in 2020, amid the financial strain brought on by the pandemic, Disney quietly shelved the project, and much of the pre-construction work was undone. Since then, the land had been returned to its original state, leading many to believe the project was abandoned indefinitely.

Nature-Inspired Resort concept art

Recent Developments Indicate a Resurgence

This new FAA filing is not the only sign of life for the Reflections project. A recent filing by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) hinted at potential construction on a new resort, further fueling speculation. The CFTOD filing discussed plans for a Master Services Agreement with Chen Moore and Associates, a firm tasked with installing new electrical transformers to service what is referred to as “Project S”—a project widely believed to be Reflections.

Disney has yet to make any formal announcements regarding the revival of Reflections—A Disney Lakeside Lodge. However, with both the FAA and CFTOD filings pointing to imminent construction, it’s becoming increasingly likely that Disney plans to revive the resort in some form.

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KDM310917 hours ago

Let’s hope they are realizing we don’t want hospital rooms for our accommodations.

HauntedPirate9 hours ago

A bit hard to see, but it seems to look a lot like the fly-through @lentesta did a while back, just with more color and furnishing detail.

DCBaker9 hours ago

WDI has shared a brief interior concept video of a Lake House at Disney's Lakeshore Lodge:

Skibum197010 hours ago

I completely agree that OKW is well themed. The buildings are what I would have expected. The rooms were nice and colorful. However, I'm not one to get too upset if the rooms are not perfectly themed. I find the rooms at the Wilderness Lodge fun (probably from before the most recent update) but my biggest concern is cleanliness and quiet. Port Orleans rooms are nice but the buildings are well themed as well. I don't have the most confidence in the new Lakeshore Lodge. The lobby and restaurant look okay but it isn't really appealing to me as a Disney resort.

Ayla10 hours ago

I'm guessing you've never stayed at any of them if you're asking that question.

lazyboy97o10 hours ago

The original value resorts are decorated, not a themed experience.

HauntedPirate10 hours ago

My fear with OKW is that they would, or will, butcher the room refurb like they did with the front desk area.

HauntedPirate10 hours ago

Either that, or there were too many margaritas consumed prior to installation. 🍹 (That is a flaw at OKW, granted, but even that can't take away from the overall theme and feel of the resort)

nickys10 hours ago

Sooooo, a hurricane was coming in and they rushed the job? 😉

JoeCamel11 hours ago

They put the shutters on backwards......

nickys11 hours ago

I think there ate some resorts where the look of the resort itself invokes a time or a place. WL, AKL, Boardwalk, Y&B, Poly longhouses, OKW. The Contemporary -which is just unique in itself with the A-frame and monorail. Some, like Kidani, also have themed rooms to the resort style. Then there is the Poly Tower. Out of place, non descript, bland. But the rooms have been designed to invoke the spirit of Polynesia. Unique, textured wall decorative motifs and so on. Saratoga as a resort is nothing particularly special, but they did do a good job with the rooms in the recent refurb, to reflect the horse racing theme The OKW villas definitely need a refurb but they do have elements of the seaside houses, I loved the prints on the wall, the lamp and rug, for example.

HauntedPirate11 hours ago

A resort is more than what a picture of a room looks like.

nickys12 hours ago

I don’t think he was meaning the rooms. It’s more likely he meant the style of the buildings. They invoke the feel of the Keys from a century or so ago. Large balconies, wooden shutters and so on.