Disney Vacation Club owners have a chance to stay at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge before anyone else. The club is hosting a three-day “First Wave” member preview event at the new resort ahead of its official opening. Here is a full breakdown of the dates, the villa stay, the added perks, and the points details you will need to know before booking opens.
When the Preview Event Takes Place
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The First Wave Experience runs from June 24 through June 27, 2027. That places it just days before Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge opens to the general public on July 1, 2027. Members who take part get to settle into the resort while it is still exclusive to this preview group, giving them an early feel for the property before the wider crowds arrive.
What the Stay Includes
At the center of the event is a three-night stay in one of the resort’s villas. Beyond the room itself, the package bundles in several extras that cover a good portion of a Walt Disney World trip:
- Two 3-day Park Hopper passes for Walt Disney World
- One dinner at Moonglade, the resort’s new table-service restaurant
- One breakfast at Pioneer Hall
- One dinner at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
- A $200 Disney Dining Promo Card per person, for guests ages 3 and older
Disney also plans to hand out a set of commemorative keepsakes, along with presentations and behind-the-scenes insights on how the resort came together.
Room Types You Can Book
The preview covers the full range of accommodations at Lakeshore Lodge, so members can choose the layout that suits their group. Options include the 2-person Duo Studio, the Resort Studio, and the Deluxe Studio, along with one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas. The waterfront Lake Houses are also available for those who want to stay closest to the water.
Points and Pricing
Reservations for the First Wave Experience must be booked using Disney Vacation Club points. Rates start at 184 points for three nights of accommodations for two adults, and that figure includes all of the perks listed above.
You can add more people to the reservation, with each additional guest receiving the same park tickets, meals, and benefits. Additional adults cost 68 vacation points or $1,349 each, while additional children cost 50 vacation points or $999 each. Keep in mind that the maximum occupancy of the room cannot be exceeded, so the size of your chosen accommodation will set the limit on your party. For the complete figures, Disney has published an official points chart for the event.
Booking Details and Rules
Booking opens at 10:00am on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Since this is an exclusive event with limited availability, having your plans ready ahead of that time is a reasonable approach.
There are a few program rules to note. Points used to book the experience are converted to Reservation Points. Both the owner and the corresponding points must qualify for Membership Extras in order to participate. Disney is waiving the $95 Disney Collection exchange fee for the initial booking, though that fee will apply if you make any changes to the reservation afterward.
How It Connects to the Resort Opening
The First Wave Experience is one of a few early milestones for Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge. Cash reservations open to DVC members starting October 6, 2026, and the resort officially opens on July 1, 2027. The preview event slots in between those points on the calendar, serving as the first opportunity for members to actually stay on the property.
Final Thoughts
The First Wave Experience gives Disney Vacation Club owners an early stay at Lakeshore Lodge along with park tickets, dining, and a look at how the resort was built. With booking opening November 7, 2026, and a starting rate of 184 points for two adults, members interested in an early visit will want to review the points chart and the Membership Extras requirement before that date. It is a focused way to see the newest DVC resort before its doors open to everyone else.
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.
