PHOTOS - Disney reveals new lobby design and Trader Sam's lounge for the Polynesian

[DisneyDad1977]

Sigh... that video should be required watching for anyone who thinks Disney hasn't mangled what WDW was. It's not that the elements have changed, it's what has been emphasized, prioritized, and how they corral people into this 'its all about the parks' mentality that has destroyed what was the 'vacation kingdom'

And to think that all those people had fun without a wrist band!

 

[wdisney9000]

Replacing the water feature with the bird bath is like replacing Splash Mountain with this...

With ideas like this, you will probly be getting an email from TDO to come work for them. They may take Epcots creative direction away from Tom F. and give it to you.

 

[Admiral01]

Ever hear of the word Kungaloosh?

Was at Trader Sam's 2 weeks ago around midnight, got a seat at the bar, ordered an original Kungaloosh. Really enjoyed the whole experience. The location at DLH is cool.

As for Disney planning to destroy the water feature at Poly - that will be enough to keep me away and I will therefore never experience the east coast version of Trader Sam's. I'm done with the Polynesian Village as soon as the water feature is gone.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

I've given it a day and got my emotions and thoughts in check and nope, I'm still pretty sad about the loss of the waterfall. :/

I'm glad mom and I got the "once in a lifetime" trip/stay at the Polynesian because I don't see us doing that again.

 

[John]

At least we'll always have the memories:


(At the 2:10 mark)

Somebody want to tell me again that the quality that WDW once was is just a figment of my imagination ....anybody? How its better today? Want to tell me I am just a doom and gloomer? Look at this video and tell me again..... I dare you. I really shouldn't have viewed it, I didn't feel nostalgia, I felt extremely sad. I would trade AK, Avatarland, NFL, any Star Wars expansion, any attraction additions in the next five years ( which wont be much) for that WDW......any day.

As far as the new Poly lobby is concerned? Its a money thing plain and simple. They don't want the expense on maintaining the thing. Its BS! Just BS!

So what's next? Isn't that the real question?

 

[note2001]

Like other posters, I also have fond memories attached to the Poly lobby/fountain as it was back in the 70s. However, to me the Poly fountain was always a hot mess with no singular focus. (Too large, dark, etc... In other words, I couldn't get a good picture of it with my little point and shoot camera )

The fountain in the released design is simpler, I like it for that, I'm just not sold on the tiki man (tiki symbols are a bit freaky to me) and the fountain size and design needs a more powerful presence: height, water, plants...

Hm, think I just described what they're getting rid of. I guess I'm one of those cases that just doesn't appreciate what they've got until it's gone.

 

[monothingie]

I love how people are falling to pieces over concept art and the removal of the water feature. I'll reserve judgement until everything is done. I have a feeling they are going for a cross between the AKL and GF resort lobbies in terms of design and feel. IF thats the case it could end up pretty nice.

 

[jlsHouston]

The hashtag on twitter for the fountain debacle is #waterfallgate....

 

[Captain Neo]

What is gained by making the lobby look generic and very similar to the lobbies of Wilderness, AK Lodge, Grand Californian, and Alona? Just so a couple dozen more hicks can parade through on their way to the monorail?

Where is the uniqueness and the fantasy element of being deep in the south seas of Polynesia? This looks like any other run of the mill hotel you can stay at in Orlando and not worth the asking price (sure to be raised when the "improvements" are finished!)

 

[Captain Neo]

When they redid Trader Sam's at Disneyland a couple years ago they brought in lots of props from The Adventurers club and tiki room from FL. Is the new trader sam in FL going to get stuff from the Adventurer's club as well or was the rest shipped to Hong Kong Disneyland/thrown out?

 

[Captain Neo]

So far this post seems to be overwhelmingly opinionated on one side. I don't know if I've ever seen such opposition to one of their ideas. Way to go everyone! Keep it up, and maybe they'll hear us. I'm sure nothing would happen in this case but maybe they'll begin to get the picture!

Everyone should comment on the official blog here: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...ic-name-change/comment-page-2/#comment-106199

Many have already done so including myself

Also please e-mail and write to Disney about this

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

"If the waterfall had to go because of maintenance reasons"

They charge 400+$ for a room and they don't have the money to maintain 4 waterfalls in the lobby? Is greed the only thing that has become unlimited with Disney?

 

[Mouse_Trap]

I think I may be in the minority here, but a revamp of the lobby area is a good thing. It has to be said that I don't hold the nostalgia for the waterfall that most here seem to.

However, the concept area for the area looks poor and very uninspiring. The centre piece looks like a joke.

Sigh. I'm pretty sad. Maybe they can pipe in waterfall smell, or at least sell waterfall air fresheners.

I heard they are getting ready in China to mass produce 'limited edition' pins featuring a piece of a rubble from the waterfall.

Well I understand the family friendly aspect (good luck with that, Florida!), but I don't think a child can sit at a bar where alcohol is served. If there's a bartender behind the counter, the child can't sit there. The reason being that somebody can slip a drink to the minor quite easily, or the minor can drink from another's alcohol easily.

Surely a 'minor' can sip and alcoholic drink anywhere they serve alcohol? If fact, surely the most difficult place to get away with it is at the bar right in-front of the bar staff?

 

[Bairstow]

But I want a BAR; the primary image of a 10 year old sitting at the bar is totally wrong to me.

Pretty sure it's a woman with a silk shirt and a dumb haircut.


windows 7 screenshot

 

[BWK05]

I agree that the concept art looked generic, but after staying there last summer I was disappointed in the renovated rooms, they also look generic and the carpeting looks very similar to the carpet in Bay Lake Towers. We stayed in Rarotonga and the new waste drain pipes for the sinks were pvc pipes strapped to the wall....not exactly what I call a "Deluxe" property.

 

[GoofGoof]

Pretty sure it's a woman with a silk shirt and a dumb haircut.


windows 7 screenshot

Even worse. They are building a bar filled with ugly women with weird hair that look like 12 year old boys

 

[kkocka]

Surely a 'minor' can sip and alcoholic drink anywhere they serve alcohol? If fact, surely the most difficult place to get away with it is at the bar right in-front of the bar staff?

Hell if I know the exact reasoning behind it, but go ahead and try it and see what you get. Ask a bartender the next time you're out.

 

[Chemnitz]

With the rates they charge this honestly seems like a cruel joke. I think I will be going to Universal this year to experience its golden age since I missed WDW's.

 

[Monkee Girl]

I agree that the concept art looked generic, but after staying there last summer I was disappointed in the renovated rooms, they also look generic and the carpeting looks very similar to the carpet in Bay Lake Towers. We stayed in Rarotonga and the new waste drain pipes for the sinks were pvc pipes strapped to the wall....not exactly what I call a "Deluxe" property.

I just got back from an 8 day stay in Rarotonga and thought the update was nice ...definitely fresher without making too many changes. I did like the bathrooms and how there was enough room and light for 3 people to all do our make up at once. And the Polynesian has the BEST showers ever.

The one issue I did have though was that I was surprised that with all the money spent on updating the rooms, they didn't fix the issues with the fridges. They get warm under that cabinet so we have to keep the doors open to keep the fridge cold. It makes the entry hall congested and you had to watch not to bang your leg on them. Then the Mousekeepers always closed them after cleaning. What a pain.

I'd also like to say that on my drive down we stayed at a cheaper/generic (not $500 per night) hotel and they had a microwave in the room along with a larger, standing fridge not hidden in a closet...Just sayin' Disney!

 

[NoChesterHester]

*beats head against table*