DeSantis’ Florida Team Targets Disney’s Abandoned Park, Possible Construction Timeline Uncovered

A recent development may prove one of Walt Disney World’s most exciting projects is far from dead.

Related: Disney Reveals Opening Date for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Attraction

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) filed to install electrical transformers for a “new resort” on Wednesday, August 28. The filing outlines a new Master Services Agreement with Chen Moore and Associates for servicing, with this new development being referred to as “Project S.”

While no official statement has been made by The Walt Disney Company, this new filing indicates that plans for Disney’s canceled Reflections—A Disney Lakeside Lodge resort are far from dead.

Disney officially announced Reflections back in 2018, with the resort being Disney’s attempt to once again add to the already daunting number of hotels owned and operated by the company in Orlando. Reflections was also Disney’s answer to River Country, an abandoned water park that had been sitting empty for decades, with the company envisioning a bold new resort to take over the vacant property.

Disney’s Abandoned River Country

Related: Disney Cracks Down on Resort Hotels After Widespread Infestations Wreak Havoc

River Country was the first water park to be featured at the Walt Disney World Resort, originally opening in 1976. River Country was home to seven pools and five water slides, with the water park being an incredibly unique and ambitious undertaking by Disney.

The company sought to combine the ruggedness of camping with the fun of water parks, envisioning River Country as a place guests of all ages could enjoy. River Country’s defining feature was its freshwater lagoon, which used water from the manmade Bay Lake.

River Country closed in 2001 and was eventually entirely abandoned by Disney, sitting empty for years. What remained of the shuttered water park was demolished in 2019 to make way for Reflections, though plans for this new hotel were quickly thwarted due to the effects of the global pandemic in early 2020.

While Disney never made a public announcement about Reflections, the project was assumed to have been canceled as years passed. However, with the CFTOD’s new filing, it appears all systems are a go for Reflections to finally get off the ground.

New Filing From Central Florida Tourism Oversight District

Related: Disney Exposed in ‘Child Star’ Documentary

The purpose of the CFTOD’s new filing is to “provide a new transformer service yard, transformer loop, and SCADA monitoring cabinets for a new resort.” This new resort is likely Reflections or a new, entirely unannounced project from Disney.

This new development from the CFTOD follows a permit filed by Walt Disney Imagineering earlier this summer, further fueling rumors that Reflections is far from actually canceled.

While Disney is yet to make a formal statement regarding the status of Reflections, all signs indicate something will be done with the land that formerly housed River Country.

During the original announcement in 2018, Disney stated that Reflections would be designed to complement its beautiful and natural surroundings. The new resort was set to feature more than 900 hotel rooms and cabins.

Related: Universal Studios Rumored to Close Unpopular Ride Permanently, New Update Shared

The specific address mentioned in Disney’s permit is along Wilderness Way, which was set to be used as the entrance to Reflections.

This permit lists “site and facility improvements,” contracting Balfour Beatty, a company that was listed on a previous permit for Reflections back in 2019.

Disney’s permit is valid through the end of March 2027, indicating whatever project this may be could take several years to actually get off the ground.

What are your thoughts about Disney’s Reflections project? Where’s your favorite place to stay during a trip to Walt Disney World?