Back in 2018, it was confirmed that Disney was bulldozing the remains of River Country and building a new hotel around Bay Lake that will be named Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge.
As you might expect, this new Magic Kingdom resort will be a deluxe-level property, and will be themed around Walt Disney’s love of the natural world. When completed, this new hotel will include more than 900 rooms as well as Disney Vacation Club villas spread across a variety of unique accommodation types. The resort is slated to be the 16th Disney Vacation Club property, and is part of a larger plan to add as much DVC inventory as possible to the Florida resort.
In addition to its luxury rooms and villas, Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge will also feature a dual-level fireworks viewing lounge and a high end table service restaurant that will feature scenic views of Bay Lake, which will reportedly have a Princess and the Frog theme.
And while we’re currently waiting to hear more about projects that are downsized, cancelled, or delayed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, it looks like work on this upcoming hotel project is actually moving full steam ahead, according to a new report from The Orlando Business Journal.
Construction continuing (with some adjustment) despite COVID-19 pandemic
Though construction through Disney companies has ground to a halt inside Disney theme parks as of March 13, 2020, it looks like third-party company, Balfour Beatty Construction LLC, which is responsible for principal construction on Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, is actually continuing on with work on this massive project for Disney.
According to a statement provided to the Orlando Business Journal, this construction company said that it has been deemed an essential business by the county and is implementing social distancing in the field to maintain their team’s ability to keep building while ensuing their employee’s safety. And while things could change at any moment, it looks like this company is determined to keep working on this project as long as possible.
Making a 2022 deadline
We’re only a third of the way through 2020 (though it feels like it has been much longer!) but Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge is still set to open sometime in 2022, which means this project will need to be completed in around 18-20 months at the very latest if it is to open on time.
Though we’re of course always happy to see work progress on any big Disney project, it is still very surprising that work is continuing on this hotel, especially as occupancy is forecasted to be down for several years, even after theme parks reopen once the imminent danger from COVID-19 has passed. However, it looks like while other projects are cancelled, delayed, and trimmed down,it looks like this is one project that Disney is still ready to see through, even though it won’t be completed for quite a while.
Interestingly, this isn’t the only Disney-adjacent project that is moving forward in this uncertain landscape, as construction continues on brand new housing for College Program participants, just outside the gates of Walt Disney World at the Flamingo Crossings hotel, housing, and retail center. You can read more about that project here.
As always, while this situation is evolving, all travelers should check out the CDC’s official site here, which has information on the virus and how to prevent its spread.
