Has Walt Disney World Named a Contractor and Design Firm for New Resort Coming to Former River Country Site?

There have been rumblings for some time that another new resort would be coming to Walt Disney World. More specifically, the new resort would be built on the now-closed River Country Water Park site at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. It appears that the possibility of this resort is becoming more and more likely as several online sources are stating that Disney has just named a contractor and design firm to lead this new project.

The design firm that has been named is Wimberly, Allison, Tong & Goo (WATG). You may be familiar with their work as they are the same firm who designed Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Balfour Beatty is the contractor that has been named to oversee the construction of the new resort and are currently the contractor associated with the new tower coming to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. 

Rumors of a new resort coming to Walt Disney World began back in March of this year when we reported that permits were filed for a “Project 89.” Those permits indicated that Geotechnical Borings were being installed right near the former River Country site to test the subsurface soils in the area. Earlier this month, permits also referencing “Project 89” were submitted indicating that Disney would be creating a stockpile of dirt in the same area.

Today, we are also learning some new details about the new resort. Sources online state that construction costs for the new resort will run an estimated $350 million. Total development costs to Disney will be even higher. The new resort will house approximately 300 DVC rooms which could be 2-bedrooms and separated into 1-bedroom and studio options. It is also rumored that new resort will have about 400 standard guest rooms.

Walt Disney World has not officially confirmed that this new resort is coming but all signs are leading to an announcement coming shortly. Keep following along with us at Chip & Co for all the latest.

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