Walt Disney World has introduced plans to construct a brand new DVC tower at Polynesian Village Resort. On this submit, we’ll share particulars and a timeline, permits, and new summer season building photographs. Plus, our opinion of the Disney Trip Membership enlargement and why that is doubtless occurring. (Up to date April 18, 2024.)
Situated on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon and on the monorail line to Magic Kingdom, the venture replaces Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Present, a luau that includes conventional Polynesian dances, dwell music, and an all-you-care-to-enjoy tropical feast. Spirit of Aloha is now completely closed.
The brand new Disney Trip Membership tower will primarily be between the prevailing Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Wedding ceremony Pavilion, which itself is adjoining to the Grand Floridian. This high-profile Magic Kingdom resort space has already change into overcrowded in recent times with the addition of the Villas on the Grand Floridian. A brand new tower will solely exacerbate that, and will find yourself placing undue pressure on infrastructure such because the monorail.
“It’s no secret that our Members and company love the monorail resorts at Walt Disney World,” mentioned Invoice Diercksen, senior vice chairman and common supervisor of Disney Trip Membership. “Increasing our Disney Trip Membership choices on the Polynesian would give our Members and Visitors yet one more unbelievable possibility for staying near the magic whereas making trip reminiscences that final a lifetime.”
The proposed Disney Trip Membership tower addition that’s being constructed at Polynesian Village Resort is presently slated to open in late 2024 at Walt Disney World. Plans for the Poly tower embrace quite a lot of visitor room varieties, new recreation choices, and eating choices. DVC signifies that extra data and venture particulars might be shared at a later date.
Through the query & reply portion of final yr’s Condominium Affiliation assembly, Disney Trip Membership board member Yvonne Chang confirmed that the brand new tower might be a part of the prevailing Polynesian Villas & Bungalows rental affiliation. That’s actually the one key element that’s been shared in regards to the Poly tower because it was introduced, and the only piece of idea artwork (above) was launched.
Barring an asterisk to this or final minute change of plans, this could imply that every one present direct and resale homeowners of Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows may have entry to the brand new Poly tower as a part of the 11 month reserving window, together with mixed annual dues and the 2066 possession finish date for all homeowners. That is precisely what Disney Trip Membership did with the Massive Pine Key addition at Grand Floridian, so it’s not a complete shock.
However, it wouldn’t have been with out precedent to do two completely different rental associations. That’s precisely what occurred just a few years again at Wilderness Lodge, which now has separate associations for the Boulder Ridge Villas and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins. The brand new Poly tower is bigger and extra distinct than the Grand Floridian or Wilderness Lodge additions, so separate associations was a wholly believable end result right here.
In our view, including the tower to the prevailing affiliation is the precise transfer. A number of years in the past, we addressed a standard query: Why is Disney Trip Membership Availability So Restricted? That’s price studying, however in case you don’t wish to trouble, a part of the rationale was the bungalows. Including the brand new Poly tower to the present rental affiliation ought to assist dilute these factors, enhancing total availability.
Moreover, this gives extra selection for DVC members who already personal at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. It will add duo studios, devoted 1-bedroom villas, devoted 2-bedroom villas, 2-bedroom lock-off villas, and (possibly) Grand Villas, in addition to (in all probability) a unique kind of deluxe studio than within the present longhouses. It will make the Poly Villas way more versatile.
Lastly, it received’t be topic to the dreaded resale restriction, since that doesn’t exist as half of the present rental affiliation. I’m beginning to wonder if this protectionist “experiment” at Disney’s Riviera Resort was deemed a failure, and maybe we received’t see it on the Cabins at Fort Wilderness or Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge. (Then once more, it did seem once more for the Villas at Disneyland Resort, so maybe not.)
All of this makes shopping for on the Polynesian Villas & Bungalows extra enticing to us. Granted, that’s as a result of we’d in all probability solely think about shopping for through the resale market–and I’m nonetheless very hesitant till each seeing this in individual and experiencing the diploma to which it burdens the resort’s infrastructure. One factor is for sure, although–this seals the deal that we wouldn’t purchase at Disney’s Riviera Resort!
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows presently has 380 Disney Trip Membership villas, together with the most important Deluxe Studios at any Disney Trip Membership resort at Walt Disney World. There are additionally the distinctive over-the-water two-bedroom Bora Bora Bungalows, which aren’t almost as fashionable and have been problematic for his or her influence on the factors pool.
This follows different work round Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort in the previous few years. That included enhancements to the Nice Ceremonial Home, a brand new porte-cochère, and rebuilt monorail station. All of that appears good, a pleasant step ahead for the resort that maintained its thematic integrity whereas bringing wanted enhancements to the getting old property.
Room refurbishments have been additionally a part of the Poly’s overhaul. See our Overview, Images & Video: New Moana Rooms at Polynesian Village Resort for a tour and ideas on the adjustments from our most up-to-date lodge keep. When you’re wanting on the current DVC rooms, see our Overview, Images & Video: New Rooms at Polynesian Villas.
Now let’s flip to a building replace as work progresses on the Polynesian tower as of mid-April 2024…
Polynesian Tower Spring 2024 Building Replace
Building continues to hurry forward on the DVC tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. We lately stayed on the Modern and noticed progress throughout many monorail rides and journeys across the Seven Seas Lagoon; listed below are photographs exhibiting the work accomplished up to now, in addition to the size of this construction as in comparison with the prevailing Poly longhouses, Wedding ceremony Pavilion, and Grand Floridian outer buildings. As you’ll be able to see from the photographs above and beneath, the Poly tower fairly actually towers above them!
Simply within the span of some days, we noticed appreciable progress. The Poly tower has been absolutely enclosed for just a few months now, with work transferring to interiors and on exterior portray and accents. Greater than any in-park venture, the Poly tower is de facto being constructed with exceptional velocity. (If TRON Lightcycle Run or the EPCOT overhaul have been constructed with this sense of urgency, each would’ve been carried out years in the past!)
It’s fascinating to observe the work–to the extent that it’s nonetheless seen. Building staff are in all places outdoors and on the bottom stage, however work has now moved to the within of the tower, too. The Poly tower appears to be like higher with these coats of paint than it did as plain concrete, however that’s not saying a lot. It’s nonetheless completely hideous.
The boxy tower remains to be very incongruous with all the pieces else across the monorail loop, and stands out like a sore thumb. That’ll be the case when it’s absolutely completed, because it’s clearly not going to get any shorter or have a visible profile in line with the prevailing Polynesian Village Resort. I nonetheless can’t consider Disney thought this was acceptable to construct on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon. It was one factor with Disney’s Riviera Resort or Gran Destino Tower, that are comparatively remoted, however that is a part of the ‘skyline’ of Magic Kingdom’s monorail loop.
This tower is progressing even sooner than did Disney’s Riviera Resort or Gran Destino, and people went up fairly shortly! It’s additionally amusing how a lot sooner Walt Disney World builds resorts versus sights. Possibly “amusing” isn’t the precise phrase. It’s a little bit discouraging. Defenders of Disney will level to the comparative complexity, which is at the least partly honest. However CommuniCore Corridor and Plaza and the encircling bushes in EPCOT aren’t precisely the head of Imagineering. The unlucky actuality is that Disney purposefully prolongs building timelines in lots of these initiatives to unfold capital expenditures over a number of fiscal years. However I digress.
The underside line is that the DVC tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort ought to simply make its Late 2024 scheduled opening timeframe. If something, that looks as if it’s on the conservative facet if the venture retains up its present tempo. Then once more, with Disney Trip Membership gross sales slowing and each Riviera and Aulani nonetheless having loads of unsold stock–to not point out the newer Villas at Disneyland Resort and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness–maybe the tempo will gradual so DVC can enable its current properties to promote first.
This is able to additionally clarify why Disney hasn’t introduced a lot else in regards to the Polynesian tower. As ugly as this constructing appears to be like from the surface, it’ll promote like hotcakes. (As famous above, I believe it’s hideous…and would nonetheless think about shopping for right here as a matter of practicality.) As such, saying as little as attainable in regards to the Polynesian tower so it doesn’t steal the highlight from different new resorts which might be being actively offered might be the savvy transfer.
Polynesian DVC Tower Commentary
I understand change is inevitable, however I’ll miss this path and the seashores it passes. I’ve spent many a morning photographing the dawn over right here, utilizing the dual and triplet palm bushes on these seashores to border the Polynesian’s longhouses.
Newer Walt Disney World followers could not understand it, however this stretch of land was as soon as comparatively tranquil. I don’t recall what it was like earlier than the Wedding ceremony Pavilion was constructed within the mid-Nineties, however up till the Villas at Grand Floridian, it was a peaceable space with giant swaths of seaside and inexperienced area between the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. Now, there’s plenty of parking and improvement, with extra on the horizon. Actually has a “paved paradise to place up a parking zone” type of feeling to it.
My honest hope is that the Poly tower is constructed as if it have been a standalone resort like Riviera Resort or the deliberate Reflections, quite than within the model of Bay Lake Tower or the Villas at Grand Floridian. Which means, that it incorporates counter and desk service eating places and different facilities.
The final time we stayed on the Polynesian, the seaside was full of company through the Disney Enchantment fireworks–to the purpose that there was actually no accessible area–and the foyer was extremely crowded with folks ready to be seated at ‘Ohana and elsewhere. The present Polynesian infrastructure is usually already stretched to its breaking level, and this tower wants to offer reduction to that. Including visitor rooms with out facilities will additional exacerbate these issues, so we actually hope that isn’t the plan.
Common readers will recall that I used to be harsh in regards to the proposed Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge (above), which was supposedly a “nature-inspired” resort. It was slated for the previous River Nation water park location alongside the shore of Bay Lake between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness.
Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge was one of many initiatives placed on indefinite maintain on account of the closure. Based mostly on Walt Disney World’s actions on that building web site and scrubbing all references to Reflections from the web, the venture was safely assumed to be cancelled. I used to be ecstatic. Completely over the moon in response to its cancellation. Reflections was a half-baked plan from the beginning, and Disney not continuing with it was a great factor.
This Poly tower information makes me want that Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge have been by no means cancelled. Not as a result of I’ve instantly had an about-face on Reflections (removed from it), however as a result of it will imply that this very-similar wanting venture on the Polynesian wouldn’t be occurring.
Maybe it will be merely a matter of stopping the inevitable, with the location between the Grand Floridian and Polynesian Village Resorts slated for future enlargement down the highway. I’d nonetheless roll the cube on that. At the least delaying improvement would possibly imply getting one thing that appears applicable for the world, and has some semblance of theme.
As for commentary in regards to the design, I needed to test my calendar after I first noticed the Poly tower idea artwork, pondering possibly it was April Fools’ Day. A lot to my disappointment, this isn’t a lame joke. (It’s lame, simply not a joke.)
I received’t rehash all of it right here, however my criticisms of this new DVC tower on the Polynesian are almost an identical to these of Reflections. That’s in no small half as a result of this venture bears a putting resemblance to the cancelled Reflections tower. (My dangerous–Imagineers have been impressed by the unique Poly plans. Positive factor.)
Disney’s current strategy to growing resorts adjoining to current resorts doesn’t encourage a lot confidence, and this appears to be like like a generically trendy design that might be at dwelling in Vacation Inn’s portfolio.
Anybody who has been to just about any main metro space in the previous few years has undoubtedly seen one thing at the least vaguely much like this Polynesian addition. It appears to be like so much like mixed-use developments in Anaheim–to not point out the Disneyland Resort DVC tower (beneath), and even the cancelled Reflections plan.
That these three designs are nearly indistinguishable regardless of being situated a 3 very thematically-different resorts ought to say all that must be mentioned. Regardless of Disney’s finest efforts to invoke previous plans and historical past to preemptively stymie criticism of this unambitious addition, the precise “inspiration” is just trendy, generic lodge/rental/condo towers.
Maybe a few of you’ll dismiss this as useless negativity, particularly those that have been wanting ahead to Reflections or are huge followers of current Walt Disney World resort additions. That’s clearly your prerogative, and to every their very own.
The factor is, we’ve not been damaging about each lodge change at Walt Disney World. On the contrary, we’ve been extra constructive than the common reader about current resort reimaginings, adjustments, and expansions. The DVC conversion at Grand Floridian makes full sense, and people rooms look good. The brand new foyer on the Modern is improbable.
Past that, many of the new room designs in the previous few years are typically good, with Riviera Resort (above) offering the template for the way these needs to be carried out. Each DVC room redo since then–from Saratoga Springs to Boulder Ridge and even the brand new Disneyland Resort–has been a marked enchancment. Disney is getting perform proper–it’s kind that’s the issue.
Extra particularly, it’s the brand new builds and cost-cutting design that I discover problematic. In the previous few years, Imagineering has actually discovered its groove with the interiors, together with room redesigns. In contrast, it looks as if the prevailing sentiment is that the outside and integration of theme merely doesn’t matter. It’s cheaper to construct boxy towers, in order that’s what they do.
Whenever you evaluate Walt Disney World resorts constructed earlier than the mid-Nineties to ones constructed or redesigned in the previous few years, there’s typically a transparent division. Present initiatives are sometimes interchangeable with actual world Vacation Inns or different mid-tier chained model resorts.
Have a look at the distinction between BoardWalk Inn or Seashore Membership and the brand new on line casino tower at Coronado or the Fairfield Inn Des Moines Airport Riviera Resort. There merely is just not the identical depth of element within the designs with new builds at Walt Disney World–they aren’t themed.
One rationalization is that Disney merely doesn’t wish to spend on themed structure, which eat into revenue margins on DVC contract gross sales. This is sensible, and in addition explains why Disney is including these towers alongside current resorts quite than making them standalone properties. By constructing adjoining to present resorts, they will share infrastructure or don’t want to supply each amenity on-site.
One other rationalization is that the corporate desires to make issues as crowd-pleasing as attainable in order to not alienate any potential clients. The factor about this strategy is that if you attempt to attraction to everybody, you find yourself interesting to nobody. Both manner, I don’t get it.
I’m not totally unreasonable about improvement at Walt Disney World, I simply suppose it must be carried out in a sustainable manner, and one which’s respectful of what already exists. Like Gran Destino Tower or Disney’s Riviera Resort, I’ve little question that this Poly tower may have nice visitor rooms, provide worthwhile options, and purposeful enhancements to the Poly.
I’d think about it’ll additionally add 1-bedroom and bigger rooms to Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, one thing that has been requested by DVC homeowners for years. From that perspective alone, I think many members will think about this addition a “win.”
As a lot disdain as I’ve for the outside look of Gran Destino and the Riviera, they’re each glorious resorts if all you care about is their substantive choices and examine them solely from the within, or in isolation. To be honest, that could be the case for a lot of of you.
The surface look of 4 Seasons Orlando isn’t precisely something particular, but it surely’s an amazing lodge on the within. The essential distinction is that 4 Seasons is understood for superlative service, not Disney design–and the 4 Seasons didn’t influence the prevailing ‘skyline’ of Walt Disney World when constructed.
Personally, I believe it’s very reasonable to say that Walt Disney World ought to purpose greater as themed design and immersive environments are its calling card. Exterior design being “adequate” for downtown Anaheim shouldn’t be the bar by which Imagineering is measured. One thing being enough to “complement” Angel Stadium is just not fairly the identical because it becoming with the flagship Grand Floridian or iconic Polynesian. These are exemplars of themed design, and if additions aren’t able to matching their look, they merely shouldn’t be constructed.
At this level, I really feel like I’m losing my breath with all of this, although. When you don’t have a look at the idea artwork for the Polynesian tower on the prime of this submit and instantly suppose that it’s misplaced, there’s in all probability nothing I can say that’ll change your thoughts. We merely have completely different tastes and expectations in regards to the caliber of product Walt Disney World needs to be delivering given the prices and its wealthy legacy. To me, that is all very apparent, however I suppose cheap minds could differ.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider this Walt Disney World information? Are you optimistic or pessimistic a few new tower being added to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort? Blissful that DVC is increasing the Poly Villas, or want they’d construct a brand new stand-alone resort? When you’re a Polynesian (lodge) fan, are you upset by this or detached to it? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
