Disney has shared concept art for the recreation area heading to Disney Lakeshore Lodge, and it puts water front and center. The space, called The Wetlands, sits just past the lobby and pairs pools, a lazy river, and play zones with views of Bay Lake.
The theme draws from a nature-focused corner of the Disney animated catalog, and there is a small tribute hidden in the pathways for fans who remember what once stood here. Here is a closer look at what Disney Vacation Club members and guests can expect.
A Pocahontas Theme Sets the Tone
The Wetlands takes its storytelling cues from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Pocahontas, with a particular focus on the song “Colors of the Wind.” Disney points to the lyric about the heron and the otter as friends, and that line shapes the names and feel of the children’s play areas.
The choice suits a resort built along Bay Lake. The animal imagery gives Disney a natural link between the film and the lakeside setting, helping the recreation area feel rooted in its surroundings rather than themed at random.
Two Play Areas for Younger Guests
The kids’ spaces split into dry and wet zones, each tied to the Pocahontas thread. Heron Shores handles the climbing, with features built for hands-on exploration. Just around the riverbend, Otter Springs adds interactive water elements where younger guests can splash and slide.
By giving the heron and the otter their own areas, Disney frames the spaces as part of a larger nature story. For families traveling with children, the layout offers options whether kids want to stay dry and climb or cool off in the water.
The Two Pools at The Wetlands
The Wetlands includes two pools positioned on opposite sides of the resort, each with a different purpose. Together they give guests a choice between activity and a calmer setting.
Lakeside Lagoon serves as the feature pool and sits at the center of the area. It uses a zero-entry design, meaning a gradual walk-in rather than a hard edge, and it includes a spiral waterslide that drops riders into the water. This is the more active of the two pools and the likely gathering point during the day.
Perspective Pond offers the quieter option. This leisure pool and whirlpool spa is positioned for Magic Kingdom fireworks views in the evening. If watching the show from the water appeals to you, Disney points to this pool as the place to be after dark.
The Daydream River Lazy River
Rounding out the water offerings is the Daydream River, the area’s lazy river. The current carries guests through the recreation area, providing a slow way to take in the surrounding landscape.
Disney positions the river as a way to bookend a day at the resort, whether you start with a morning float or wind down as the sun sets over Bay Lake. Combined with the two pools and the children’s zones, the lazy river helps make The Wetlands a full recreation hub rather than a single pool deck.
A Hidden Nod to River Country
A scenic path runs through the area with fun facts about the local flora and fauna. Tucked along that walk is a plaque honoring a historic attraction that once stood on this exact spot, a reference to River Country.
For longtime fans of this stretch of property, the detail adds a layer of history to the new build. It is the kind of small touch that rewards guests who take time to explore the pathways rather than head straight for the water.
Conclusion
The Wetlands brings together two pools, a lazy river, and themed play areas under a Pocahontas-inspired story, with Lakeside Lagoon and Perspective Pond covering both active and relaxed swimming and the Daydream River tying the space together. The River Country plaque adds a piece of property history for those who look for it. With Disney Lakeshore Lodge set to open in Summer 2027 as a Disney Vacation Club resort on Bay Lake, this concept art offers an early window into the recreation experience guests and members can plan around.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
