Disney has received approval to move forward with a large-scale project in Florida.
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New permits recently approved by the Federal Aviation Administration reveal that Walt Disney World will use up to six mobile, high-reaching cranes to construct the resort’s newest hotel, BlogMickey reports. The new 10-story hotel will be built on the site that was originally intended to house Disney’s Reflections—A Lakeside Lodge.
News of these permits came earlier this year, which saw Disney lay out its needs for 240-foot tall cranes. The permit calls for a work schedule of only 10 months, starting in October of this year.
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What Was Reflections?
Reflections was envisioned as a new Disney Vacation Club resort and was set to occupy the land that formerly housed Disney’s River Country Water Park.
River Country opened in 1976 and was the very first water park to be featured at Walt Disney World. Though the water park pales in comparison to the size of Disney’s current water parks, Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, or even Universal’s Volcano Bay, River Country still managed to be one of Disney’s most unique and interesting ventures.
River Country closed temporarily in 2002, though the water park was expected to reopen the following year. That year came and went with no word on What Disney was actually doing with its vacant water park. Guests had to wait several more years to get any answers, until Disney finally confirmed River Country would remain closed permanently in 2005.
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Reflections were Disney’s way of solving its River Country issue and expanding its capacity even more. Construction of the new DVC hotel went smoothly, with most traces of River Country demolished in 2017 to make way for Reflections. However, following the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020, Disney’s Reflections project was put on hold indefinitely.
The project sat in limbo for years until new permits filed by Disney were discovered in 2024.
Earlier this year, Walt Disney Imagineering filed a permit for construction near the Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. This was one of, if not the first, signs Disney’s Reflections project may not be all that dead. The addresses listed in the permit are located along Wilderness Way, which was intended to be used as the entrance to Reflections.
Reflections was described by Disney as an ambitious and exciting new expansion for its Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. It’s possible some elements of the original Reflections may make their way into Disney’s new project, but guests will simply have to wait and see.
Below is Disney’s original announcement regarding Reflections – A Lakeside Lodge:
“This resort experience will be a celebration of Walt Disney’s lifelong love and respect for nature, with some fun and even surprising accommodation types that families will find irresistible,” said Terri Schultz, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Vacation Club. “It will give our members and guests yet another opportunity to stay in close proximity to all the newest attractions and experiences in our theme parks, and with the flexibility, value and world-class service families expect from Disney.”
What are your thoughts about Disney’s new “Reflections” project? What’s your favorite hotel at Walt Disney World?
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