Bay Lake exclusively houses the residents of the District, comprising Disney employees and their immediate family members. This community is situated on the north shore of Bay Lake, specifically on Bay Court. The land within the District is owned solely by fully owned subsidiaries of The Walt Disney Company, encompassing rights-of-way for state and county roads. Additionally, there are five five-acre lots owned by senior Disney employees, strategically providing them with voting power within the Reedy Creek Improvement District.
To the east of the Buena Vista Golf Course and west of the intersection of State Road 535 and Interstate 4 lies Lake Buena Vista, a modest body of water. Formerly known as "Blake Lake" before Disney's acquisition, it was named after Buena Vista Street in Burbank, California, the location of Disney's corporate headquarters. The term "Buena Vista," a Spanish phrase translating to "good view," was incorporated into the names of several Walt Disney Company business entities.
In 2015, the guide maps for the Disney Springs shopping, dining, and entertainment district started endorsing Village Lake as "Lake Buena Vista." This lake, along the borders of the district and Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, is interconnected with the actual Lake Buena Vista through a stream. The connection is facilitated by a bridge linking Disney Springs' Marketplace area with Saratoga Springs Resort.
