For more than 35 years, there has been one undisputed king of resort pools at Walt Disney World. Since opening in 1990, Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts has set the standard for what a Disney resort pool should be. It is not just a pool. It is practically an attraction in itself.
Spanning three acres, Stormalong Bay features a sand-bottom pool, winding waterways, and the iconic 230-foot-long shipwreck waterslide that many guests consider second only to the slides found at Disney’s water parks. Families specifically choose to stay at Yacht and Beach Club because of this pool complex. In fact, there are plenty of guests who save for years to justify the higher price tag simply because their children love spending entire days at Stormalong Bay.
That is why Disney’s newly released concept art for Lakeshore Lodge immediately caught my attention.
The resort’s outdoor recreation area, known as The Wetland, looks incredibly ambitious. According to Disney, it will include Daydream River, a lazy river that winds through the pool complex, Lakeside Lagoon featuring a zero-entry pool and waterslide, interactive water play areas called Otter Springs, and Heron Shores, an elaborate climbing area with bridges and treehouse-style structures.
I have been very open about my skepticism surrounding Lakeshore Lodge. From the concept art we have seen so far, the resort itself feels more like an upscale Marriott than a distinctly Disney destination. It has lacked the immersive storytelling and larger-than-life charm that many Disney fans expect from a new resort.
But this pool complex could completely change that conversation.
If The Wetland looks anything like the concept art when it opens, it could become one of the biggest draws for families staying at Walt Disney World. There is something incredibly appealing about having a resort that offers a lazy river, waterslide, splash areas, and adventure play spaces all just steps from your room.
I can even envision a future where families book Lakeshore Lodge specifically because it can serve as a substitute for a water park day. No, it will never fully replace Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. Those parks offer a scale and variety that no resort pool can match. However, once Disney eventually ends the complimentary water park admission on check-in day, the convenience of having an almost water park-like experience included with your resort stay becomes a major selling point.
Parents know how valuable convenience is on a Disney vacation. Not having to board a bus, pack up for an entire day away from your hotel, or spend additional money on a separate ticket could make Lakeshore Lodge incredibly attractive to families with younger children.
For the first time in decades, Stormalong Bay may finally have a legitimate challenger to its crown.
The question now is simple: can Lakeshore Lodge’s Wetland live up to the incredible concept art, or will Stormalong Bay continue its reign as Walt Disney World’s greatest resort pool complex?
