ShookieJones
We need time for things to happen.
Good point and explanation - and it didn't make my brain hurt.
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Disney is going to scale back the Polynesian DVC plans in a big way.
- Thread starter tikiman
- Start date
tl77
Well-Known Member
I respect that so many love the Polynesian but, to me, it feels like what it is: a 1960s imagined version of what a South Pacific hotel would look like to a bunch of middle-aged guys. Each time I visit, I expect to see Steve McGarrett (the 1970s version) to walk by. "Book 'em Danno."
I was hoping an extensive refurb driven by the DVC would finally bring the Poly into the 21st Century.
Most of the resort hotels in the real South Pacific were built in the 60's and 70's... So wouldn't that make Disney's Polynesian... historically accurate? ....just a little something to think about
bethymouse
Well-Known Member
Love your avatar! Cute Kitty Cat!Bummer news all around. The Polynesian is my favorite resort and I definitely wanted to add on DVC points there. I hope they don't scrap it all together. And I've been keeping my fingers crossed they would keep the GCH as is but I guess that's sounding less and less likely
bethymouse
Well-Known Member
Me
2!
bethymouse
Well-Known Member
No! No ! No! You're the best! I planned my POLY vaca. for our 15th anniversary around your site! The music is nice too!
bethymouse
Well-Known Member
Oh my! What's going to happen next!?
tl77
Well-Known Member
The Poly was the first resort I was ever at, and as much as I love the water fall in the lobby I think maybe the reason they're having to get rid of it is because the resort has nearly doubled in size since it first opened, and if they add even more DVC rooms I think they are simply going to need more lobby space
CDavid
Well-Known Member
In the middle of all the (completely justified) outrage over the what is to become of the GCH, we haven't really touched on the question of just why Disney would scale back DVC plans at the Polynesian. We know DVC is a cash cow for WDW and they are addicted to (over) building more and more timeshares regardless of its long-term implications and with little regard to maintaining theme and setting amongst the resorts (particularly around the Seven Seas lagoon). So, why scale back development at a resort certain to be a fast sellout at a premium price?
ParentsOf4
Well-Known Member
Most hotels that old have been torn down or gone through major renovation (like gutting the entire interior). Certainly any high-end hotel charging $500/night has been modernized.Most of the resort hotels in the real South Pacific were built in the 60's and 70's... So wouldn't that make Disney's Polynesian... historically accurate? ....just a little something to think about
The Poly generally receives a pass because of pixie dust nostalgia but, IMHO, it just feels tired and dated.
I understand why so many love it but if it wasn't located on WDW property, it would have needed to go through a major renovation to survive.
P.S. I just found out it received a major renovation in 2002! OMG, so that 1970's look is intentional!
ParentsOf4
Well-Known Member
Great question!
The sale of Animal Kingdom Villas (AKV) has been disappointing. It looks like it will finally sell out some time next year, painfully slow by DVC standards. In a short time span, AKV (opened in 2006 with 708 rooms), BLT (2009 with 428 rooms), and SSR (2004 with 1260 rooms) doubled the number of DVC rooms. The Villas at the Grand Floridian (VGF), opening later this year, is much smaller, only 147 rooms, tiny by DVC standards. They already should have some preliminary sales numbers from that indicating how successful a Poly DVC should be.
Is what's being scaled back the number of DVC rooms or the upgrades being made? In other words, is DVC reaching a saturation point or is corporate Disney trying to build the Poly DVC on the cheap?
With DVC prices now starting in the $150/point range, the market is very different than 10 years ago when Disney was asking around $65/point.
I'm looking forward to reading the new plans from @tikiman.
llrain
Well-Known Member
"it just seems like they are out to wreck what people love"
On recent visits to European Countries I was first hand taught the fact and a couple times asked
by locals, "Why does America tear everything down, dont you like to keep your history".
It was here that I learned that as a country we no longer accept our history and embrace it and that
sooner or later everything of our past will be gone.
I loved the passion and embracing of the Italians, Irish and french in their past, How they spoke of it and
how their History is well alive.
I also wish they would not touch anything POLY but what are you going to do?
On recent visits to European Countries I was first hand taught the fact and a couple times asked
by locals, "Why does America tear everything down, dont you like to keep your history".
It was here that I learned that as a country we no longer accept our history and embrace it and that
sooner or later everything of our past will be gone.
I loved the passion and embracing of the Italians, Irish and french in their past, How they spoke of it and
how their History is well alive.
I also wish they would not touch anything POLY but what are you going to do?
majortom1981
Active Member
AKV is not selling fast because of location. You have to take a 20 min long bus ride to everywhere except animal kingdom. Also the fact that kidani doesn't have quick service and you need to go to jambo house for it.
willtravel
Well-Known Member
It's been awhile since I have been there and may be mistaken, but doesn't WL have a water feature? If so, is that a lot of maintenance?
xdan0920
Think for yourselfer
WL has a tremendous water feature. Which originates in the lobby. It is downright spectacular, and IMO the pinnacle of the WDW resort experience.
Tonka's Skipper
Well-Known Member
Love rumors!..........time will tell what really happens!
AKK
AKK
This is what you call a lobby water feature
http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/gay...ry/18dec2008-views-from-room-balcony/8830.htm
This is just down the road from Disney at the Gaylord Palms at about half the price of the Poly.
http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/gay...ry/18dec2008-views-from-room-balcony/8830.htm
This is just down the road from Disney at the Gaylord Palms at about half the price of the Poly.
GLaDOS
Well-Known Member
Nope. Sam's hasn't been in the Springs plan since before it was announced.
Think a similar experience, with a different theme and bigger location. Then you have one of WDI's plans for DS.
bgraham34
Well-Known Member
Yeah but differences are:
1. You get free bus from airport.
2. extra Magic Hours (which if rumors are true will be gone in the next few years)
3. Whole Disney Experience.
All in all Still probably worth saving the coin.
Most hotels that old have been torn down or gone through major renovation (like gutting the entire interior). Certainly any high-end hotel charging $500/night has been modernized.
The Poly generally receives a pass because of pixie dust nostalgia but, IMHO, it just feels tired and dated.
I understand why so many love it but if it wasn't located on WDW property, it would have needed to go through a major renovation to survive.
The Polynesian buildings were completely gutted in 2002. All the rooms were stripped out of everything but the steel walls and some of the air ducting. This redesign (2013) removed everything out of the halls and added in new plumbing and HVAC. Perception maybe that the Polynesian is old and untouched but that is just untrue. Very little other than the look of the outside of the resort is original. Even the exterior materials of the longhouses have been replaced in the last few years.
