News New Polynesian Resort DVC villas building to open 2024

[castlecake2.0]

Our suite at the RR was very nice...huge even...and the view was great, but the whole resort kind of left everyone cold...It did feel like we were staying off property... but next to a skyliner station... there was nothing about the hotel that felt "Disney" there was no grand atrium, gorgeous lobby or engaging public spacers... A restaurant on the roof that looked the opposite way from EPCOT...but if you stand in the hallway next to the restrooms and look out the window you can see fireworks... Odd decisions all around. I am frightened that new POLY tower will be done by the same team

I think they were seeing if they could go the “boutique” route while Gran Destino went the grand route. Hopefully they see what turned out better.

 

[MaryJaneP]

Can't they call Tower something else beside Polynesian DVC, like maybe Dubai Suites or some other name?

 

[correcaminos]

Can't they call Tower something else beside Polynesian DVC, like maybe Dubai Suites or some other name?

They'll likely give it a name like they did with the bungalows and each long house. PVB is just encompassing for the resort. It might not be with PVB too so it might have its own like CCV and BRV.

 

[Disney Analyst]

It's funny, I've head quite a few (outside these boards) say that Riviera Resort is one of their top on property hotels to stay at now. Everyone has different views on these things.

I will say, I like my hotels to be modern, and clean.

(I adore the aesthetic of Gran Destino's lobby etc.).

 

[lazyboy97o]

It's funny, I've head quite a few (outside these boards) say that Riviera Resort is one of their top on property hotels to stay at now. Everyone has different views on these things.

I will say, I like my hotels to be modern, and clean.

(I adore the aesthetic of Gran Destino's lobby etc.).

The price of shoddy McMansions are also going through the roof.

 

[UNCgolf]

It's funny, I've head quite a few (outside these boards) say that Riviera Resort is one of their top on property hotels to stay at now. Everyone has different views on these things.

I will say, I like my hotels to be modern, and clean.

(I adore the aesthetic of Gran Destino's lobby etc.).

I think most of the complaints about the Riviera relate to the exterior, not the interior. There's just very little good to say about the exterior; it reminds me of a condo tower at Myrtle Beach (although even some of those don't look quite as cheap as the Riviera looks). There's nothing upscale or elegant about it.

There are issues with this new Polynesian building, but it at least looks relatively upscale in a way the Riviera does not.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I think most of the complaints about the Riviera relate to the exterior, not the interior. There's just very little good to say about the exterior; it reminds me of a cheap condo tower at Myrtle Beach (although even some of those don't look quite as cheap as the Riviera looks). There's nothing upscale or elegant about it.

There are issues with this new Polynesian building, but it at least looks relatively upscale in a way the Riviera does not.

Yep, the villas and dining at Riviera have received high praise.

Maybe Topolino's could've been angled to face Epcot, but overall people seem pleased with Riviera's content, just not the bland gray box it's wrapped up in.

That's been a recurring theme with each of these towers. Speaking of which, did you know Swan Reserve has really good views? Here was our view looking toward Epcot (thanks Bonvoy):

On second thought, maybe WDW needs more towers? Think of all the views we're missing out on! As a starting point, they could put a high-rise next to Expedition Everest and say it's inspired by the massive metropolises of South Asia. It would even have panoramic views of KiteTails!

 

[rawisericho]

Yep, the villas and dining at Riviera have received high praise.

Maybe Topolino's could've been angled to face Epcot, but overall people seem pleased with Riviera's content, just not the bland gray box it's wrapped up in.

That's been a recurring theme with each of these towers. Speaking of which, did you know Swan Reserve has really good views? Here was our view looking toward Epcot (thanks Bonvoy):

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On second thought, maybe WDW needs more towers? Think of all the views we're missing out on! As a starting point, they could put a high-rise next to Expedition Everest and say it's inspired by the massive metropolises of South Asia. It would even have panoramic views of KiteTails!

Yes, those views are perfect, primarily because you don't have to see the Swan Reserve.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Yes, those views are perfect, primarily because you don't have to see the Swan Reserve.

For sure, that view is fantastic, and I’m happy we got to experience it once — but I’d still criticize the Reserve’s exterior and wish they’d opted for a more unique approach.

Poly tower definitely has more potential from an architecture standpoint, it’s mainly the location that irks me.

 

[Bocabear]

It's funny, I've head quite a few (outside these boards) say that Riviera Resort is one of their top on property hotels to stay at now. Everyone has different views on these things.

I will say, I like my hotels to be modern, and clean.

(I adore the aesthetic of Gran Destino's lobby etc.).

Is that to imply that the Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Contemporary are antiquated and dirty? WDW is a product of Theme design...it is the foundation of it's success...Bringing theme design outside of the parks and into the hotels was their innovations and what made them a success... Those that are only interested in staying at a clean modern hotel have tons of choices everywhere...The point of the Magic Kingdom resorts was to "Stay In The Magic"...
A Fairfield Inn or run of the mill modern Sheraton are not examples of Magic...lol

 

[dreday3]

I think they were seeing if they could go the “boutique” route while Gran Destino went the grand route. Hopefully they see what turned out better.

We stayed at Gran Destino and we loved it. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Great restaurants and bars. But....man we did not feel like we were at Disney! It really surprised me that I felt that way.
I think it's more of a CSR issue as a whole. Nothing about it felt like a Disney vacation to me. It just felt like we were at a really nice resort in Arizona.
I think Gran Destino would have been better as a stand alone somehow with some kind of other transportation to parks besides buses. That killed it for us. But that's just us - we had bad luck with the buses, otherwise I would recommend it to people because it really was a great hotel.

I think the Poly DVC addition might be a good addition if they go the Gran Destino route. (also I love the Moana rooms at Poly)

I just watched a video of the Incredible rooms at CR. Man, I completely dislike those. Awful.

 

[correcaminos]

We stayed at Gran Destino and we loved it. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Great restaurants and bars. But....man we did not feel like we were at Disney! It really surprised me that I felt that way.
I think it's more of a CSR issue as a whole. Nothing about it felt like a Disney vacation to me. It just felt like we were at a really nice resort in Arizona.
I think Gran Destino would have been better as a stand alone somehow with some kind of other transportation to parks besides buses. That killed it for us. But that's just us - we had bad luck with the buses, otherwise I would recommend it to people because it really was a great hotel.

I think the Poly DVC addition might be a good addition if they go the Gran Destino route. (also I love the Moana rooms at Poly)

I just watched a video of the Incredible rooms at CR. Man, I completely dislike those. Awful.

Funny thing is i loathe overt IP like they are doing in Polynesian and CR tower equally as bad. I hope they keep it subtle like the studios and bungalows.

 

[castlecake2.0]

We stayed at Gran Destino and we loved it. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Great restaurants and bars. But....man we did not feel like we were at Disney! It really surprised me that I felt that way.
I think it's more of a CSR issue as a whole. Nothing about it felt like a Disney vacation to me. It just felt like we were at a really nice resort in Arizona.
I think Gran Destino would have been better as a stand alone somehow with some kind of other transportation to parks besides buses. That killed it for us. But that's just us - we had bad luck with the buses, otherwise I would recommend it to people because it really was a great hotel.

I think the Poly DVC addition might be a good addition if they go the Gran Destino route. (also I love the Moana rooms at Poly)

I just watched a video of the Incredible rooms at CR. Man, I completely dislike those. Awful.

We did a staycation there last year and it was never one of my favourite resorts until then. Fell in love with it, the drawback most people have of not being close to any parks actually turned it into one of the reasons we loved it so much, we were never “tempted” to go to a park instead of relaxing. I think it has that subtle Disney feel they used to be a lot better at. We knew we were at Disney but wasn’t getting slapped across the head with characters. The resort is also just beautiful, and somehow has more working water features around it then all the parks combined. I think it’s a great choice for people just wanting a relaxing resort trip, but I agree that the busses aren’t great so if you’re doing a park focused trip probably not the best option.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Is that to imply that the Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Contemporary are antiquated and dirty? WDW is a product of Theme design...it is the foundation of it's success...Bringing theme design outside of the parks and into the hotels was their innovations and what made them a success... Those that are only interested in staying at a clean modern hotel have tons of choices everywhere...The point of the Magic Kingdom resorts was to "Stay In The Magic"...
A Fairfield Inn or run of the mill modern Sheraton are not examples of Magic...lol

Perhaps me using the word clean isn't the right phrase? I don't know how to explain the designs I enjoy, and I do not insinuate others are dirty when I say clean.

A clean design aesthetic? Modern? Sleek? I dunno.

 

[dreday3]

We did a staycation there last year and it was never one of my favourite resorts until then. Fell in love with it, the drawback most people have of not being close to any parks actually turned it into one of the reasons we loved it so much, we were never “tempted” to go to a park instead of relaxing. I think it has that subtle Disney feel they used to be a lot better at. We knew we were at Disney but wasn’t getting slapped across the head with characters. The resort is also just beautiful, and somehow has more working water features around it then all the parks combined. I think it’s a great choice for people just wanting a relaxing resort trip, but I agree that the busses aren’t great so if you’re doing a park focused trip probably not the best option.

To me the best Disney feel without it being in your face is Yacht/Beach. But that has a LOT to do with location.

If we did an all bus resort again, it would be AKL. I love it there too for a fully immersive feel.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Perhaps me using the word clean isn't the right phrase? I don't know how to explain the designs I enjoy, and I do not insinuate others are dirty when I say clean.

A clean design aesthetic? Modern? Sleek? I dunno.

I get what you’re saying: modern, sleek, clean, bright all feel appropriate.

The new towers at WDW are definitely skewing this way on the inside, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Looks like the DLH DVC will offer something similar (maybe with a bit more mid-century flair), and the new Westin Anaheim also brings this to the table at DLR - have done a few staycations there and really like it.

It’s not the end of the world that interior design at the resorts is skewing this way, it’s just a shame the carefully curated atmosphere of the legacy resorts is being disrupted in the process.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I get what you’re saying: modern, sleek, clean, bright all feel appropriate.

The new towers at WDW are definitely skewing this way on the inside, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Looks like the DLH DVC will offer something similar (maybe with a bit more mid-century flair), and the new Westin Anaheim also brings this to the table at DLR - have done a few staycations there and really like it.

It’s not the end of the world that interior design at the resorts is skewing this way, it’s just a shame the carefully curated atmosphere of the legacy resorts is being disrupted in the process.

Anything clean and sleek, modern but Mid-Century... I am IN.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Anything clean and sleek, modern but Mid-Century... I am IN.

Will be interesting to see if the Disneyland Hotel DVC delivers on that style, but the concept art looks promising.

Still kind of weird to see something so similar plopped between the Polynesian longhouses and GF - hopefully those Pacific accents shown between some of the villas don't get cut.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

We were just at the Poly last week for our second DVC stay there, and they didn't drop the ball at all, and if the concept art is fairly accurate, they won't be dropping it again.

I have stayed at Marriotts all over the country and driven by literally hundreds of Holiday Inns, and not one of them looked like the concept art for the new Poly tower. You guys need to get a new game. The constant comparisons that are so off are just getting tiring.

I stayed at the Poly recently for the first time in a decade and it was great! It still has loads of charm and originality to me. I don’t think the new tower will take away from that. I have also stayed at the riviera and thought it was very nice. The skyliner transportation is amazing, the dining is top tier and the rooms were very nice.

 

[BrianLo]

The price of shoddy McMansions are also going through the roof.

Psh, you Americans are just behind the times. Everything is going up here.