Reflections Complete: The Full Story of Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge and the Evolution of DVC (Ep. 524)

The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Leisure, Society & Culture, Places & Travel

4.8 • 979 Ratings

🗓️ 24 March 2025

⏱️ 48 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill are joined by DVC expert Paul Krieger to finally wrap up the long-running series on Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge—now Lakeshore Lodge. They explore how this project evolved from concept to construction, what’s next for the Fort Wilderness area, and how Disney Vacation Club is changing the way it builds and brands new resorts. Reflections Becomes Lakeshore Lodge – How Disney quietly rebranded and reimagined the long-delayed Bay Lake resort. DVC's Changing Design Philosophy – From rustic to refined: Why today’s DVC resorts look more like luxury hotels than themed lodges. Water Features and Cabins Revealed – What new blueprints and site plans tell us about the size of the pool complex and three distinct cabin types. The Rise of Fort Wilderness as a DVC Mega-Resort – 350 cabins, plus Lakeshore Lodge, could make it the largest DVC footprint at Walt Disney World. DVC History with Paul Krieger – A crash course in the evolution of the Disney Vacation Club—from Old Key West and Vero Beach to the Island Tower at the Polynesian. Will We Ever Get Buffalo Junction or a Fort Wilderness Railroad? – Jim and Len speculate on what could still be built if Lakeshore Lodge succeeds. It’s the end of the Reflections series and a deep dive into how Disney builds resorts, tells stories, and sells timeshares—DVC style. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors DVC Resale Market Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free. Learn More DVC Rental Store Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you’re a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don’t forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures! Learn More Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Drawn to Life, the groundbreaking live stage show at Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida,
0:04.9	has been dazzling visitors to the Walt Disney World Resort for more than three years now.
0:09.8	This family-friendly extravaganza, which really has to be seen to be believed,
0:14.0	seamlessly blends pieces of classic Disney animation with mind-blowing live acrobatics.
0:19.2	Drawn to Life is presented Wednesday through Sunday on the west side of Disney Springs.
0:23.3	This shopping, dining, and entertainment complex is open to anyone visiting Central Florida, and parking is free.
0:29.3	Again, that's Drawn to Life, live on stage at Disney Springs in Orlando.
0:34.6	Welcome back to another edition of the Disney Dish podcast with Jim Hill. It's me,
0:38.4	Len Testa, and this is our show for the week of Shmer's Day, March 24th, 2025. On the show today,
0:43.7	news and listener questions. Then in our main segment, Jim and special guest, Paul Krieger,
0:49.0	finish our story on reflections, a Disney lakeside lodge. I really meet it this time.
0:55.6	Let's get started by bringing in the man who says that diaries are useless because you still have those feelings, but now there's
0:59.8	evidence. It's Mr. Jim Hill. Jim, how's it going? It's going well, Lynn. And by the way, you speak
1:05.0	of Diaries. The truly great Academy Award winning comedian Stephen Wright has an amazing Diaries-related bit.
1:12.4	Do you ever hear this?
1:13.3	No, I haven't.
1:14.2	Okay, well, it starts off with, I still have my diaries from when I was a newborn.
1:18.8	For day one, it says, still tired from the move.
1:24.1	And for day two, it says, everyone here talks to me like I'm a moron.
1:30.6	By the way, did you ever hear the story about how Stephen Wright effectively broke through,
1:36.9	became one of the top comedians?
1:38.8	I mean, he's working in Boston at comedy club.
	...

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