News New Polynesian Resort DVC villas building to open 2024

[Epcot82Guy]

OMG it's not done. It's just the bones. What the heck do you think the poly looked like while it was being built?

Can't we at least hold off the drama until it's starting to reveal itself?

It's totally valid to say a concrete box isn't a good representation. I think the "drama" is better stated as exasperation and frustration as the company moves farther and farther away from what many considered the hallmarks of what constitutes Disney Parks. It's "one more example" vs. being good/bad itself. And, Disney could certain redirect its efforts. It's happened in the past.

But, the majority of recent hotel projects unfortunately support the frustration of the "generic modern de-theme or reduced theme" crowd. So, there is some validity for this frustration.

I fully support you holding out hope. And, I will heartily eat my words if this ends up going in a better direction in the end than anticipated. But, I support the skepticism as well when we are multiple rodeos in, so to speak. (Especially since these are actually cheaper to build... which is magic to the Mouse's ears.)

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Oh man, this is so plain. May as well serve me my free breakfast at a Hampton Inn here.

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I'm sorry - but that is one of the worst offenders of all. It's not "plain". It's poorly designed. The THEME makes no sense in the context of the resort, the bar's concept is "nice modern bar" with little touches inspired by a French film, and the execution is moderate at best. When Disney builds something like these, we can talk.

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/beautiful-restaurant-chandeliers

Instead, they are building moderately decorated spaces that have a few higher end touches. Then they put in little details from a popular film and pretend its both themed and luxury. It's neither in my opinion.

And, The Rope Bar in the link I shared (which is arguably the closest to this chandelier) is at the Shore Club in Turks and Caicos. A genuinely luxury resort in a sought after (not cheap) destination. And rooms run about $600-700 a night... the same as those in the Grand Floridian.

 

[UNCgolf]

What trend to remove the themes? The last resort was the Riviera was themed pretty well for what is was trying to accomplish.

I don't really agree with this, in that it doesn't have the exterior detailing of actual old luxury hotels in the French Riviera -- but I would agree that it was a strange choice for theme in the first place. Especially looming over the Caribbean Beach resort.

 

[CastAStone]

OMG it's not done. It's just the bones. What the heck do you think the poly looked like while it was being built?

Can't we at least hold off the drama until it's starting to reveal itself?

Thank you

 

[Epcot82Guy]

I don't really agree with this, in that it doesn't have the exterior detailing of actual old luxury hotels in the French Riviera -- but I would agree that it was a strange choice for theme in the first place. Especially looming over the Caribbean Beach resort.

Actually, maybe it is beautifully themed. European imperialism looking down over the lower classes of the island people and their cultures... Just not sure that's what Disney was going for...

 

[Doberge]

But, the majority of recent hotel projects unfortunately support the frustration of the "generic modern de-theme or reduced theme" crowd. So, there is some validity for this frustration.

Yes, but it’s not limited to Disney. Tishman Hotel EVP has said regarding Swan and Dolphin work "It is a total redesign. Entertainment architecture has had a very successful run, but it's time for a fresh new look." That's out of Jim Korkis's book "Hidden Treasures of the Walt Disney World Resorts." Tishman owns Swan and Dolphin, Westin Times Square, Sheraton Chicago, and others. So it's an industry thing that Disney is following more so than lost touch.

Now if someone wants to say Disney should zig where others zag, as they've done before leading the way in other historical projects including the OG Poly and Contemporary, then fair enough. If they stick close to renderings, which understandably people question after the porte cochere renovation, then they'll be fine and it'll end up as something the likely majority of folks will enjoy. If they cut corners and it actually does look cheap then I'll complain about it.

 

[networkpro]

OMG it's not done. It's just the bones. What the heck do you think the poly looked like while it was being built?

Can't we at least hold off the drama until it's starting to reveal itself?

 

[dreday3]

View attachment 731115

Right.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Yes, but it’s not limited to Disney. Tishman Hotel EVP has said regarding Swan and Dolphin work "It is a total redesign. Entertainment architecture has had a very successful run, but it's time for a fresh new look." That's out of Jim Korkis's book "Hidden Treasures of the Walt Disney World Resorts." Tishman owns Swan and Dolphin, Westin Times Square, Sheraton Chicago, and others. So it's an industry thing that Disney is following more so than lost touch.

Now if someone wants to say Disney should zig where others zag, as they've done before leading the way in other historical projects including the OG Poly and Contemporary, then fair enough. If they stick close to renderings, which understandably people question after the porte cochere renovation, then they'll be fine and it'll end up as something the likely majority of folks will enjoy. If they cut corners and it actually does look cheap then I'll complain about it.

The issue is demographics. Other than S&D, none of those hotels are entertainment architecture. They are also in the middle of downtown Chicago and Times Sqaure. They don't have the ability of transporting people to other places. Disney is literally built on that notion, as you say. (Or at least they were historically.) Since the beginning, Disney World was about creating things that couldn't be created elsewhere due to size restrictions. Building general hotel towers because that's the design trend in NY, Manhattan and large cities shows the lack of creativity. Plus, those hotels compete against the modern - much like Vegas.

Vegas didn't stop doing themes because it was passe. They did it because they wanted to divorce themselves from the "child friendly" image of the 90s. And, now it's a large complaint of many long-time visitors. Plus, you have to constantly keep up-to-date.

Someone like Tishman is fine to listen to. But, you also have to look at drivers like least cost, ROI, etc. If they can get away with this, modern Disney will. Because it's a financial decision targeting the easiest audience - not striving to create something better or long-lasting.

Contemporary has been the most difficult resort to update effectively. (And, luckily, its of an age that it is swinging back to almost being back into vintage style.) I think these hotels may very well suffer that fate in a few years. What is contemporary and modern today in architecture will not be the same in 10-20 years...

 

[Bocabear]

Oh man, this is so plain. May as well serve me my free breakfast at a Hampton Inn here.

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See, it's not just me.
The theme was completely tone-deaf to the resort that surrounds it.
It is nicer then the old Mizner Lounge, but the Mizner Lounge never really tried to be anything but an after thought, and losing the orchestra and band stand is a real shame.
so, bravo JD you proved my point, but clearly didn't understand what I was saying.
Never said it looked cheap, just modern and wrong.

 

[build_it]

It’s not drama, it’s a critic of a project.

To judge size and scale it doesn’t have to be done. To judge the rendering, which is seemingly very close to what we are seeing constructed, it doesn’t have to be done.

Judged by those who might never fork over the amount of money it will take to stay here, we’ll that may be a self fulfilling prophecy. Build an inferior product and charging too much for it. It should be judged.

If they wanted something cheap that was on theme to the existing resort, they should have used Aulani as a starting point. If they wanted to theme it to a box, they should have put it in a different location and called it a new resort all together. It’s not like they don’t own any other land.

There are a host of poor decisions here from a design and business standpoint. All are valid and deserve to be noted.

 

[Beacon Joe]

 

[nickys]

Also, like why is this not it's own new hotel in the northwest plot area?

I think somewhere amidst my last couple of posts here today and shred of faith I had in Disney officially died. These losers cannot make a good decision at all on anything

I think that is easy to answer. This is a DVC addition. And I’m not sure if they’ll build another stand-alone DVC resort anytime soon. Shared amenities mean shared operating costs and less development costs.

 

[Ayla]

Great job, Disney. This will hands down be an amazing addition. And in the history of all resorts ever considered for gracing the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon, this Hampton Inn tower that would look at home on the south end of Virginia Beach certainly will be.... something. A breathtaking backdrop to that pricey destination wedding, too, I'm sure.

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God, that sightline is awful.

 

[Bocabear]

and WHERE is The Zach? Surely he can come over to the Polynesian and do a little video gushing about the floor samples....

 

[scottieRoss]

It would never be priced like a plain Marriott on the monorail line... and the Hotels we are discussing are all MUCH more expensive than a standard Marriott hotel...
If you like generic hotels that is great... That is your opinion... We come to these boards to talk about our observations and opinions...

The original Disney hotels all had themes, and people have loved them for 50+ years...
I do not care for the new trend to remove the themes... feels like a downgrade to me... and to all of the people that I personally know...who are also fans of the original Disney resorts...and DVC owners. I am basing my personal opinions on things I personally see and the people I interact with...

The original Disney hotels did not 'have themes'. The Polynesian Village Resort had a theme, the Contemporary did not have a theme, it was just the mid-century modern hotel, while we were in the Mid-Century. It was the epitome of Brutalist architecture, when Brutalist architecture was the rage. The next hotel was the Disney Golf Resort. Again, a themeless Mid-Century lowrise. This was followed with more brutalist architecture at Hotel Plaza.
They did not try themed resorts again until Caribbean Beach Resort and Grand Floridian Beach Resort.

 

[scottieRoss]

Yes. That design was actually stunning. On the positive side, I have to think that at least some of the design work for that resort ended up influencing significant parts of DisneySea. Maybe?



At least it wasn't really noticeable from the Pineapple Lanai / pool area. But the lush area and beach along the path over the the Grand Floridian was really a wonderful and serene area. Talk about place-setting and mood. Two things Disney used to be good at and care about.

On a selfish level, other than being completly @#$Y^ed off about the DVC GF expansion people now being in the same 11-month availability window as those of us who bought into the OG GF DVC building, I'm livid that they went ahead and utterly trashed the view for those of us who bought points based on lake view points. I used to enjoy the view over to the Polynesian. Now? Forget that. I guess I can try to get the lake view on the short wing that faces away from the Poly... unless all those GF expansion people screw up my 11 month window.

I think you do not understand how timeshares work. Adding in additional owners to the association does not change anything. For every addition of points, there is an equal number of new villas available. In fact, while the property is for sale, they continually declare and make available for point stays more rooms, faster than the points sell. So right now it is even easier for you.

 

[FigmentFan82]

Oh man, this is so plain. May as well serve me my free breakfast at a Hampton Inn here.

View attachment 731106

WDW - We rethemed a bar to Beauty and the Beast! - Cool wheres the beauty and the beast stuff? Well if you squint the chandlier is supposed be Belle's ballroom dress. - Uh, ok? So you're theming Grand Flo to Beauty and the Beast, ok! - We just re-themed Citricos to Mary Poppins! - Uh what? what about beauty... - you see the pattern on the chairs kinda looks like her carpet bag! - uhhh, so Grand Flo is Mary Poppins themed now? - No, that's not what we said!

 

[JD80]

WDW - We rethemed a bar to Beauty and the Beast! - Cool wheres the beauty and the beast stuff? Well if you squint the chandlier is supposed be Belle's ballroom dress. - Uh, ok? So you're theming Grand Flo to Beauty and the Beast, ok! - We just re-themed Citricos to Mary Poppins! - Uh what? what about beauty... - you see the pattern on the chairs kinda looks like her carpet bag! - uhhh, so Grand Flo is Mary Poppins themed now? - No, that's not what we said!

I dunno, I just think some things look nice and enjoy myself.

 

[FigmentFan82]

The original Disney hotels did not 'have themes'. The Polynesian Village Resort had a theme, the Contemporary did not have a theme, it was just the mid-century modern hotel, while we were in the Mid-Century. It was the epitome of Brutalist architecture, when Brutalist architecture was the rage. The next hotel was the Disney Golf Resort. Again, a themeless Mid-Century lowrise. This was followed with more brutalist architecture at Hotel Plaza.
They did not try themed resorts again until Caribbean Beach Resort and Grand Floridian Beach Resort.

Trying so hard - they didn't have a theme! Also first thing you say is poly had a theme. I'm pretty sure Contempo would never have been built by anyone else to look like it did except Disney. They went out of their way to make it what it is. It's themed, just like the whole resort is a - say it with me now - THEME PARK