Walt Disney International goes to construct a hotel between Desolate tract Resort and Citadel Desolate tract alongside the shore of Bay Lake at the former River Nation water park. It’s now not an issue of if, but if. This stocks the newest updates at the long term undertaking, why we’re anticipating a statement on the D23 Expo, and why we’re if truth be told on board with the theory.
Firstly introduced again in October 2018 as Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Resort, the proposed hotel in this website online used to be to be “a birthday celebration of Walt Disney’s lifelong love and admire for nature.” The advanced could be a combined use assets like Disney’s Riviera Hotel, with greater than 900 lodge rooms and Disney Holiday Membership villas.
Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Resort used to be additional elaborated upon on the 2019 D23 Expo, and it used to be billed as some of the “most original lodges ever constructed” at Walt Disney International. Idea artwork used to be shared of the unconventional lodging, together with treehouse suites and waterfront A-frame cabins that may be to be had on the hotel. Reflections — A Disney Lakeside Resort would additionally characteristic a cafe impressed by means of Princess and the Frog positioned alongside the “bayou of Bay Lake.” (Bob Chapek’s phrases, now not mine.)
Walt Disney International wasted no time in attending to paintings on Reflections Lakeside Resort, and the undertaking website online used to be very lively as of early 2020. But if the parks closed and all building stopped only some months later, Walt Disney International mothballed the development website online for Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Resort.
The undertaking used to be shelved and crews on website online got rid of concrete and rebar. The undertaking had but to start basis paintings, let by myself vertical building. Rapid-forward 4 years, and it’s necessarily an empty parcel. The longer term house of Reflections continues to be visual from California Grill and even the boat en path to Desolate tract Resort–it’s the large empty house amidst the timber.
For the reason that Reflections Lakeside Resort has been not on time indefinitely, at easiest, you may well be questioning why we’re reporting in this as though it’s an lively undertaking. Finally, the website online has been inactive for a number of years and Walt Disney International has scrubbed all mentions of it, suggesting that it’s been successfully cancelled. Neatly, about that…
Previous this yr, Walt Disney Imagineering filed a request with the South Florida Water Control District to increase some of the allows associated with ‘Challenge 89’ by means of an extra 5 years. This is likely one of the giant image ‘allow applications’ for the proposed Citadel Desolate tract hotel, relating building of the hotel and (because the title suggests) water control as a consequence of the undertaking.
Disney’s request said the undertaking isn’t whole as it used to be close down because of the COVID closure, which “not on time the final touch of this undertaking.” Behind schedule is technically proper, however now not the phrase I’d use to explain the standing of Reflections. Disney deleted previous references to it and hasn’t publicly discussed it in over 4 years. It’s as though Reflections by no means existed, which is extra in line with the Play Pavilion than CommuniCore Corridor.
Previous to that, Imagineering gained a 5-year extension on some other allow associated with the development of Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Resort. That let used to be for the STOLport staging website online–close to the previous Walt Disney International Airport, with the extension lasting till Might 2028. That extension used to be much less conclusive that Reflections could be revived, because it additionally will have served as a staging website online for some other undertaking.
Even in tandem, the ones prior allow applications established–at easiest–a need by means of Walt Disney International to depart the door open for the proposed hotel. They weren’t conclusive of building, however reasonably, Disney hedging its bets so that they didn’t must redo all of the allow paintings will have to the sort of hotel be “wanted” in the following couple of years.
Rapid-forward to August 2024 and we after all have a building allow that, in my opinion, is conclusive of building. Imagineering has filed a building allow for a “thriller” (air quotes) undertaking between Desolate tract Resort and Citadel Desolate tract, with a longer expiration date thru March 31, 2027 and Balfour Beatty indexed because the contractor.
The allow is puzzling as it lists addresses alongside Desolate tract Means that don’t exist. Which is to mention that there’s not anything there–they aren’t current assets addresses at Walt Disney International. Then again, that’s so much much less puzzling while you examine the allow to 1 filed in 2019 for Challenge 89, which additionally has Balfour Beatty because the contractor. Spoiler: they’re for equivalent addresses–and that 2019 allow used to be for the A-frame cabins at Reflections Lakeside Resort.
Whilst it’s conceivable that Imagineering goes to make use of the permit-work for Reflections as the root for increasing the Copper Creek Cabins, which might additionally make a point of sense in tandem with the recently-filed allow for paintings at Desolate tract Resort, we view the timing of those two allows as accident. Those addresses are most probably too some distance from Desolate tract Resort to be a part of Copper Creek. It makes a lot more sense for this to be a correct revival of Challenge 89/Reflections than a variety of Copper Creek.
No longer simplest that, however we’ve gained credible rumors (plural) that this lakeside hotel idea used to be being revived. I used to be skeptical when first listening to this final yr, given the entire Disney Holiday Membership initiatives which might be lately underway and can be actively promoting in the following couple of years.
Then again, I’ve heard sufficient to be satisfied that Disney’s plan is to continue with plans in this parcel. (It might additionally provide an explanation for why Tiana’s Palace hasn’t been introduced for Pecos Invoice–as it’s nonetheless coming to this lakeside hotel!)
Timing-wise, it sort of feels just like the lakeside hotel idea is teed up for a statement on the upcoming D23 Expo. Finally, this allow is coming one week prior to that blockbuster tournament. As a result of that, we added Reflections Redux to Our Checklist of 2024 D23 Expo Parks Panel Predictions–it’s much more likely to occur than now not (a minimum of 51%).
Then again, I nonetheless suppose that is some distance from a positive factor. In terms of Disney Holiday Membership, the corporate pronounces when it’s strategically positive. It doesn’t subject if there’s a D23 tournament or it’s an open secret that building is going on. In the event that they’re all for cannibalizing gross sales from different homes, they received’t announce.
I don’t suppose that’s the case right here. A powerful argument may well be made that the gradual gross sales of the Cabins at Citadel Desolate tract may well be reversed by means of a lakeside hotel being a part of the Palmetto Believe. The Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Hotel goes to promote like hotcakes it doesn’t matter what, in order that doesn’t have any bearing in this.
Additionally, I’m rather satisfied that DVC’s new technique to advertising and marketing is providing quite a lot of choices and permitting them to promote concurrently. Better selection and exact possible choices is excellent for visitors, and no doubt doesn’t seem to be hurting Disney.
There’s additionally the truth that this lakeside hotel used to be all the time meant to be a combined use hotel, with each DVC villas and lodge rooms. Despite the fact that occupancy is down from the sky excessive numbers of the pent-up call for generation, Walt Disney International may just use extra lodge stock. They’re almost definitely completely advantageous with the Disney Holiday Membership aspect promoting slowly and step by step being declared within the subsequent decade-plus, as that’s quite a few high-dollar lodge stock to promote within the period in-between.
The larger query is almost definitely whether or not Disney desires to “announce” one thing on the 2024 D23 Expo that they already printed on the 2019 D23 Expo. That may well be a moderately unhealthy glance in that it reminds visitors of simply how a lot used to be cancelled or not on time indefinitely from that tournament, and makes fanatics extra vulnerable to take any 2024 D23 Expo information with a grain of salt.
All of that does forged doubt at the announcement, however I nonetheless suppose it’ll occur. Purely speculative, however I’d additionally be expecting a brand new title, idea artwork that appears other, and different refined adjustments to the undertaking. It’s been 6 years since this used to be first introduced, and it used to be in building even prior to that. With such a lot passage of time, other management each at Imagineering and Parks & Motels, and moving traits in lodge design, it sort of feels inevitable that what we first noticed in 2018 will trade to a point by the point it opens virtually a decade later.
All of that is advantageous by means of me. “Reflections” sounds just like the title of where the place Don Draper went to rehab and Disney’s hotel designs from that generation go away so much to be desired. I if truth be told suppose there’s a ton of attainable on this idea, and am bullish on Imagineering’s talent to do justice to a hotel at the former River Nation website online.
Neatly smartly smartly, how the flip tables.
That’s one of the vital apt option to get started the statement, taking into consideration that I used to be an outspoken critic of the unique announcement that Walt Disney International would construct a brand new tower hotel between Desolate tract Resort and Citadel Desolate tract. So, what has modified?
For something, it’s lovely protected to mention that the Reflections website online can be advanced someday down the street. Walt Disney International simplest has such a lot top parcels for lodges, and that is one in every of them. No longer simplest that, however a large number of the website online prepwork used to be already achieved and it’s nonetheless in lovely excellent situation. So I suppose my viewpoint is that that is going to occur in the future regardless, through which case, I’ll take quicker.
I wish to be transparent: I don’t love the theory of creating some other lodge in between Desolate tract Resort and Citadel Desolate tract. My unique pushback to this idea used to be that this may irrevocably damage the primitive nature and forested really feel of Citadel Desolate tract. A large a part of what makes the campground so particular is that it’s been slightly undisturbed by means of time, and is likely one of the final bastions of “Holiday Kingdom of the International” generation of WDW.
It’s virtually outstanding how other Citadel Desolate tract feels from the remainder of Walt Disney International—even its neighbor, Desolate tract Resort. It’s virtually as though Walt Disney International management has forgotten about Citadel Desolate tract, and it hasn’t observed the similar adjustments in personality as each different hotel during the last couple a long time.
Any enlargement at or round Citadel Desolate tract will damage the primitive, secluded traits and grace of the campground that give it such a lot enchantment. It’s a campground with barren region proper within the title–the surroundings is the center and soul of Citadel Desolate tract.
I nonetheless consider all of that. The issue is this procedure has already began, and there’s no unringing that bell. River Nation used to be razed, the website online prep-work started, and spaces of Citadel Desolate tract had been changed to deal with the lakeside hotel. The irreparable injury is already achieved.
After all, it would all the time worsen. Presently, it’s a large empty parcel. Not anything however grime and vacancy the place there used to be as soon as a mature and thick woodland. It’s noticeably other and uglier, however a tower that’s visual from from Pioneer Corridor and the Agreement house would arguably be worse.
With that mentioned, when some fanatics visualize this, it sort of feels like they’re envisioning the Island Tower on the Polynesian or within reach 4 Seasons Orlando (pictured above). The previous Reflections Lakeside Resort wasn’t going to be just about that tall. It undoubtedly would encroach on Pioneer Corridor and be visual from that house, but it surely wouldn’t be dwarf the prevailing constructions.
At the plus aspect, Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG) used to be the lead clothier for Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Resort, and they’ve a super observe file with Disney. They designed the unique Grand Floridian Hotel & Spa, in conjunction with Disney’s Victorian inns in Tokyo, Paris, and Hong Kong. All incredible lodges.
In taking a look at WATG’s undertaking web page, it’s transparent they’re in a position to envelope-pushing designs. The gang seems to particularly excel at graceful fashionable designs that incorporate woods, stonework, and herbal fabrics to have nice indoor-outdoor designs. They’ve achieved a number of high-end inns of this nature for Hyatt, Hilton, 4 Seasons, and Ritz-Carlton. Any a type of appears extra bold than the Island Tower, Riviera Hotel, or Fable Springs Lodge.
In my view, I would really like to peer a brand new twist at the ‘hotel’ idea for the reason that I’ve liked the entirety Disney has achieved on that entrance. Whilst it’s unlucky that the overdue, nice Peter Dominick can not design this assets, I’m assured WATG can do a excellent activity. As discussed above, I’m additionally heartened by means of adjustments on the best of Imagineering; from what I’ve heard, that’s been accompanied by means of a mindset shift about design sensibilities. (We’ll see whether or not that’s if truth be told true.)
On best of that, accommodations are my jam. I really like Desolate tract Resort and Animal Kingdom Resort at Walt Disney International, but in addition the Grand Californian at Disneyland, Sequoia Resort at Disneyland Paris, and Explorers Resort at Hong Kong Disneyland (above). All of those vary in refined however vital tactics, making them distinct and distinctive from one some other.
I’m now not naive sufficient to suppose the Walt Disney International of lately would construct a hotel on par with any of the ones, however although this lakeside hotel is part as excellent as a type of, it’s nonetheless profitable. And whilst the artwork prior to now showcased for the unique incarnation of this lakeside hotel wasn’t incredible, it used to be higher than Riviera, Gran Destino, or Fable Springs Lodge. (I used to be in particular keen on the A-frame cabins and treehouses.)
In reviewing WATG’s portfolio and taking a look at previous plans, I believe this lakeside hotel has the prospective to be like a modern twist on Sequoia Resort. That hotel borrows from Frank Lloyd Wright’s fashionable Prairie Taste and is actually underrated as in comparison to the opposite accommodations.
Even acknowledging that the previous River Nation website online will change into a hotel in the future, some Walt Disney International fanatics would possibly take a unique perspective, who prefer it occur later versus quicker. That they’d love to savor Citadel Desolate tract as-is for so long as conceivable and likewise doubtlessly “wait out” the present Disney regime within the hopes of having a greater design. Truthful sufficient–I will’t argue with any of that.
Simply take note: issues can all the time worsen. I don’t know if that is an constructive or pessimistic take. I might for my part reasonably have this hotel now, at a time when (I believe) Imagineering’s design ethos is on track and the corporate is keen to take a position $17 billion into Walt Disney International.
For that subject, I’d choose the undertaking whilst it’s going to be a hotel, within the first position. If Disney cabinets this for some other decade and makes a decision to construct it in-between building cycles in an effort to juice income (taking a look at you, Island Tower!), there’s completely not anything to mention they received’t opt for a higher-capacity (suppose taller) luxurious lodge this is extra crowd-pleasing and successful. Higher the satan you recognize.
To be transparent, my viewpoint isn’t one in every of outright pessimism or cynicism about this idea being even worse one day. I’m if truth be told cautiously constructive about this lakeside hotel. Once more, a large number of this comes all the way down to timing.
Along with the above, I believe Disney lately “will get” nostalgia and, for the primary time ever, is leveraging that during significant tactics at Walt Disney International–one thing they’ve been doing for ages at Disneyland. (It took lengthy sufficient!) We’re seeing this within the Check Observe reimagining, overhauled EPCOT front, and extra.
Whilst I don’t wish to get too some distance afield in armchair Imagineering, I actually suppose this lakeside hotel idea may just pull liberally from the previous and actually change into Disney’s River Nation Hotel. Most likely in spirit reasonably than actually. As superior as that title could be, it’s almost definitely a tad too folksy for a high-end lodge that has to enchantment to each fanatics and most of the people.
However I may just completely see Imagineers drawing inspiration from River Nation in a extra significant approach, in the case of the pool house. May just you consider one thing that conjures up River Nation and opponents Stormalong Bay with a sand seashore, lazy river, and superior water slide. (Unfortunately, I believe the prison division wouldn’t permit one thing like Slippery Slide Falls, however we will be able to dream!)
Truthfully, I don’t suppose that is merely idle wishful pondering. Each new hotel that isn’t at the monorail loop or in a different way adjoining to a theme park wishes a compelling promoting level for its DVC aspect. Kind of like how Riviera Hotel were given the Skyliner. In accordance with what we’ve already observed from the allow bundle, it looks as if the hook for this lakeside hotel is usually a huge pool advanced with a lazy river. It might no doubt make sense!
In spite of everything, I’ll admit that I’d reasonably see Disney’s River Nation Hotel (or no matter it may well be referred to as) quicker reasonably than later as a result of now we have a daughter who’s going to ‘develop’ up at Walt Disney International, and I will call to mind nowhere higher for that than within the “Desolate tract Hotel Area” of Walt Disney International.
If that is going to occur someday anyway, I’d selfishly reasonably have it occur whilst she’s a child so we will be able to make lifelong reminiscences at those lodges, doing journeys with the grandparents in some of the A-frames or treehouses, fast weekend getaways in a Boulder Ridge studio, and so forth. I’d like to profit from the character trails connecting the homes, staying at Desolate tract Resort however strolling over to Citadel Desolate tract for dinner, spending complete days outdoor the parks exploring the world–you get the theory. That’s simplest conceivable if this if truth be told turns into a attached hotel district (like Crescent Lake) and now not if it stays a mothballed building website online.
Suffice to mention, I’m cautiously constructive about Walt Disney International creating this lakeside hotel, and hope it finally ends up enjoyable the spirit of Disney’s River Nation Hotel whilst additionally dwelling as much as the wealthy inventive legacy of the accommodations that experience come prior to it. Will have to be attention-grabbing to observe this undertaking take form at Walt Disney International…assuming it occurs within the first position!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you constructive or pessimistic a couple of revival of Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Resort (or no matter it finally ends up being referred to as now)? Assume it may well be Disney’s River Nation Hotel in spirit or title? Agree or disagree with our evaluation about its attainable or the upside of getting a Desolate tract Hotel Area at Walt Disney International? Some other questions or feedback? Listening to your comments is a part of the joys, so please percentage your ideas beneath within the feedback!
