News New Polynesian Resort DVC villas building to open 2024

[Chip Chipperson]

We can agree to disagree on this one. I very much like BLT and they did not phone it in like they are doing with the Polyday Inn.

I don't mind the look of BLT, but it has the worst pool of any DVC resort. They definitely phoned it in for that, at least.

 

[FigmentFan82]

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

And there's nothing wrong with that. Enchanted Rose is arguably a very gorgeous bar, but within the context of what exists in Grand Flo, it appears at odds with everything else around it. It's more square peg in round hole than anything else. That's what most have against the changes they've been making lately. It comes off as someone creating the new space disassociated with everything else that surrounds it, like it was created in a vacuum.

 

[UNCgolf]

And there's nothing wrong with that. Enchanted Rose is arguably a very gorgeous bar, but within the context of what exists in Grand Flo, it appears at odds with everything else around it. It's more square peg in round hole than anything else. That's what most have against the changes they've been making lately. It comes off as someone creating the new space disassociated with everything else that surrounds it, like it was created in a vacuum.

I actually thought the Enchanted Rose looked bad in person -- absent the chandelier, which is pretty nice, most of the rest of it looked like cheap faux "luxury" rather than something you'd find in an actual luxury resort. I was actually kind of shocked by how bad it looked.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

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.

The issue with your argument is that the original slate of resorts were much more themed. The COntemporary (Tempo Bay at the time) was showcasing cutting edge urban hotel design. While I agree that is not as much of a theme and didn't age as well, it was meant to be frequently updated to remain relevant. Hence the Contemporary name chosen. You also had Ft. Wilderness which was always had a western ranch theme.

Plus, if you look at the other hotels proposed, all were highly themed - the Persian, Asian, Venetian.

I agree that the Golf wasn't well themed. But it was pushed by executives who spent their time golfing. So, it was catering to that crowd alone - not the general Disney World guest. And, it was the first resort to get cut and sold, being one of the least popular.

I understand the point you are trying to make, but it leaves out some important history.

 

[Bocabear]

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.

The Contemporary was indeed a theme... 1971 was not Mid Century...Mid Century generally refers to 1950-60s... This was 1971 and the lines, furnishngs and style were defnitely ahead of what was being commonly done. The shell being concrete may be have had a touch of brutalism, but the finish overall was definitely not... Brutalism is generally just that... The Contemporary was sleeker and gentler on the eye.
It was always considered a theme resort... not common everyday design.
I guess you can point to John Portman for really pushing the envelope on "Atrium Hotels"...but then again I don't think his work is common everyday either...though definitely more Brutalist in his approach with textured and unfinished concrete on the interiors...

 

[Jambo Dad]

God, that sightline is awful.

Yes it is although I still find the faux-Riviera resort plopped with no context in the middle of the Caribbean to be more egregious.

 

[Bocabear]

Yes it is although I still find the faux-Riviera resort plopped with no context in the middle of the Caribbean to be more egregious.

Right?? There was so much they could have done... I guess they thought with the new tower at Coronado Springs, they could not theme it to the Mexican Riviera...which would have tonally made more sense next to the Caribbean Beach Hotel... but to do a Riviera and the only theming is a mansard roof and some photos of Walt and Lillian traveling just seems sad and creatively bankrupt.
I like the mosaics...but they have nothing to do with the hotel theme either. The lobby could be in any hotel anywhere as with the grounds, restaurant and pool... When I thought that Saratoga Springs was the worst theme they ever came up with for a resort, they proved that had not yet reached the bottom...lol

 

[WDWYankee15]

Right?? There was so much they could have done... I guess they thought with the new tower at Coronado Springs, they could not theme it to the Mexican Riviera...which would have tonally made more sense next to the Caribbean Beach Hotel... but to do a Riviera and the only theming is a mansard roof and some photos of Walt and Lillian traveling just seems sad and creatively bankrupt.
I like the mosaics...but they have nothing to do with the hotel theme either. The lobby could be in any hotel anywhere as with the grounds, restaurant and pool... When I thought that Saratoga Springs was the worst theme they ever came up with for a resort, they proved that had not yet reached the bottom...lol

As someone who lives just outside the real Saratoga Springs, I would not say the theme of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort is bad. They do a very good job of representing the area with look and feel of it. If you are not someone familiar with the real Saratoga, then I can see how one thinks the resort is just plain or unthemed.

At the same time, I really don't think that was the point of your comment all together but was an aside that I felt needed to be commented on.

 

[Bocabear]

I have been to Saratoga Springs and I think they captured about nothing of the charm of the area. It is a fine well maintained timeshare resort, but I don't see anything about it that feels like turn of the century Saratoga Springs...just putting some horse prints on the walls doesn't quite do it... I get it, they had to repurpose the Disney Institute... They just should have done more with it...
At this point it should really just be the Disney Springs Resort...forget the Saratoga tie-in which seems pretty minimal at best.

 

[DznyRktekt]

And Riviera's mansard roof is completely out of scale with the building.. Riviera is a mess, similar to the new cruise ship that was not purpose built for the Disney fleet and painted "themed" to fit with the rest.

 

[Haymarket2008]

And Riviera's mansard roof is completely out of scale with the building.. Riviera is a mess, similar to the new cruise ship that was not purpose built for the Disney fleet and painted "themed" to fit with the rest.

Fully agree. I will concede that Le Petit Cafe and the Voyageurs' Lounge has REALLY grown on me. Huge fan.

Apart from that, it lacks all character and I find the varied French movie posters to be super tacky.

Another positive: Topolino is a wonderful dining experience, but the space itself is wildly under-developed.

 

[Communicora]

A big part of the issue is


The Grand Venezian would have been impeccable. Incredibly expensive, but impeccable.

In my opinion, The Mediterranean would have been even better. It's a shame they have gone with such a boring direction, architecturally.

 

[Bocabear]

I will agree about the architecture shown on this model...reminds me of Michael Graves... though honestly if it had been built in the early 70s, I am sure there would have been some wow factor to it... the early hotels all carried a bit of theme to them....
The Arabian resort and The Asian Resort looked to be the most elaborate from what we know of them...

 

[Disstevefan1]

In my opinion, The Mediterranean would have been even better. It's a shame they have gone with such a boring direction, architecturally.


View attachment 733450

The good old days, when TWDC actually cared about WDW.

 

[Bocabear]

It sure was a different world... Even when you look back to the 90s and their additions... they were really trying to keep that spirit alive...Tower Of Terror, Alien Encounter, Indiana Jones and the Temple Of the Forbidden Eye... It seems to be half-hearted since the turn of the century....

 

[lazyboy97o]

And Riviera's mansard roof is completely out of scale with the building.. Riviera is a mess, similar to the new cruise ship that was not purpose built for the Disney fleet and painted "themed" to fit with the rest.

Don’t you know? The modern luxury travel demands inauthenticity. The inappropriate scale and obvious fake was of the Mansard roofs help reassure those who’ve purchase this shared vacation experience that it truly is a slice of home away from, suburban brought here to a one of a kind vacation destination.

 

[DznyRktekt]

Post modernism was alive and well within Disney Co. during the Eisner era. It was an inspiration to me.

 

[MagicRat]

I can’t wait to see how far they have gotten since April, when we walk from the G Flo tomorrow.

 

[JoeCamel]

I can’t wait to see how far they have gotten since April, when we walk from the G Flo tomorrow.

Watch out for the troll under the bridge

 

[Bocabear]

Post modernism was alive and well within Disney Co. during the Eisner era. It was an inspiration to me.

Actually me too. I loved that style... fresh and colorful in it's time... A lot of the Graves architecture still looks great. They keep trying to normalize the interiors at the Swan and Dolphin instead of leaning into the original designs... They should be treated like the art that they are... The contemporary convention addition was not my favorite though...Hard to tack Michael Graves onto an existing and equally impressive piece of architecture...