Hundreds of phone calls weren’t enough to secure a room at Disney World’s newest hotel.
Walt Disney World Resort has more than 25 hotels, but securing a reservation isn’t always straightforward. During busier periods, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, certain resorts can sell out weeks or even months in advance.
Disney also gives certain guests early access to new hotel reservations. Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members, for example, are sometimes offered exclusive booking windows, while Annual Passholders can also receive early access to select accommodations.
These opportunities are especially popular when Disney opens a new resort. Members can use their Disney Vacation Club points to book accommodations, with some exclusive experiences also offering additional perks unavailable to regular guests.
Disney’s next hotel has already attracted plenty of attention, partly because the project has been in development for years. Now, its first major booking event has ended in frustration for some guests.
Disney World Reservations Sell Out as Guests Report Phone Issues
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge has officially sold out of reservations for its exclusive First Wave preview experience, scheduled for June 24 to 27, 2027.
The experience allows eligible Disney Vacation Club members to stay at the new hotel before it opens to the public on July 1, 2027.
Bookings opened at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday, November 7. However, by approximately 12:10 p.m., every available reservation had reportedly been claimed.
The process proved particularly frustrating because Disney required members to book over the phone, rather than using the usual online reservation system.
According to multiple guests, Disney Vacation Club Member Services was overwhelmed with calls. Some members were placed on hold for extended periods, while others reported being disconnected before they could even reach a representative.
After over 400+ calls over 2 hours, looks like I missed out. The Disney Lakeshore Lodge First Wave is sold out according to the website. This experience was less than magical.
After over 400+ calls over 2 hours, looks like I missed out. The Disney Lakeshore Lodge First Wave is sold out according to the website. This experience was less than magical. pic.twitter.com/FC0hy2SRpq
— Rob Whiteside (@RobSWhiteside) November 7, 2026
Another guest reported similar difficulties.
300+ calls since the second lines opened, go through all the prompts, system says nobody is available and to try again later with no hold system and disconnects. Pretty awful experience.
300+ calls since the second lines opened, go through all the prompts, system says nobody is available and to try again later with no hold system and disconnects. Pretty awful experience.
— ketchy311 (@Ketchy311) November 7, 2026
Disney had previously warned members to expect longer-than-usual wait times due to the popularity of the experience. However, some guests reportedly never managed to join a hold queue at all.
The First Wave package included a three-night stay at Lakeshore Lodge, three-day Park Hopper tickets, and exclusive dining experiences.
Guests would also receive dinner at the resort’s Moonglade restaurant, breakfast at Pioneer Hall, tickets to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, and a $200 Disney Dining Promo Card per eligible guest.
The experience was restricted to Disney Vacation Club members eligible for Membership Extras, with reservations requiring a set number of points based on accommodation type.
For those who missed out, the only remaining option for the exclusive June preview is to request a place on the waitlist.
Disney’s Newest Resort Prepares for Its 2027 Opening
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge has had a complicated journey to opening day.
The property occupies the former site of River Country, Disney World’s original water park, which permanently closed in 2001.
Disney originally announced plans for a resort on the land in 2018, calling it Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge. However, construction was halted during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving the project seemingly abandoned.
Work eventually resumed in 2024, with Disney announcing that the development would move forward under the new Lakeshore Lodge name.
The hotel will feature 967 rooms along Bay Lake, situated between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
Accommodation options include studios, multi-bedroom villas, and standalone waterfront Lake Houses. The latter will feature A-frame architecture, large windows, and private outdoor spaces overlooking Bay Lake.
Disney has also confirmed several amenities, including swimming pools, a lazy river, restaurants, and lounges. Guests will be able to travel to Magic Kingdom via a complimentary water taxi.
The resort’s design draws inspiration from animated films such as Bambi (1942), Pocahontas (1995), and Brother Bear (2003).
However, the property’s relatively minimalist exterior has divided Disney fans, with some arguing that it lacks the distinctive architecture associated with older Disney World hotels.
Despite the criticism, demand for the exclusive First Wave experience was clearly high enough to exhaust its limited availability within hours.
Importantly, the sellout does not affect regular hotel reservations.
Disney began accepting bookings for Lakeshore Lodge in October, initially offering early access to Disney Vacation Club members on October 6 and Annual Passholders on October 7.
Reservations opened to the general public on October 8, with stays available from July 1, 2027.
Do you plan on booking a stay at Lakeshore Lodge?
