News New Polynesian Resort DVC villas building to open 2024

[Brian]

There is a difference in DVC hotel design and Eisner era buildings. Today scale is not considered. Large towers with high room counts within small footprints are the new formula. Towers are "themed" by adding some afterthought components (trim, awnings, etc). Look at the original Grand Floridian, Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach, Wilderness Lodge. Scale is completely different and architecture was present. Not so much anymore.

Not to excuse it, because you're right, but there is much higher demand for DVC in this day and age as opposed to during the Eisner era. Before COVID, there were concerns they would run out of inventory to sell at Riviera before they could finish Reflections.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

We still don’t know if the Polyday Inn is going to be part of the same association or not?

The Public Offering Statement was recently updated and the language regarding the tower suggests that it will be a new association.

 

[Bocabear]

I just don't understand why they can't do the higher room counts in a smaller footprint, but theme and scale it appropriately to feel like the rest of the resort, instead of a barely themed sore thumb... There were all sorts of things that could have been done to this tower idea to at least add the "Polynesian Village" look to the building instead of "Modern Resort Hotel" any tropical vacation spot. The Riviera, while a perfectly nice hotel for a Biloxi Casino, completely lacks the "Disney Difference"...that thing that used to set Disney World resorts apart from the others. When they released the concept art for Riviera, there was a lot of discussion about how "This is just the stand in concept art...it will look much better than that...let's not judge the project by this until it is done...well in the end it looked like the concept only a little less special... I fear this happening here too. Rather than all the modern styling could they not have done something evocative of the Polynesian Islands or the rest of the resort it sits in?

 

[networkpro]

I just don't understand why they can't do the higher room counts in a smaller footprint, but theme and scale it appropriately to feel like the rest of the resort, instead of a barely themed sore thumb... There were all sorts of things that could have been done to this tower idea to at least add the "Polynesian Village" look to the building instead of "Modern Resort Hotel" any tropical vacation spot. The Riviera, while a perfectly nice hotel for a Biloxi Casino, completely lacks the "Disney Difference"...that thing that used to set Disney World resorts apart from the others. When they released the concept art for Riviera, there was a lot of discussion about how "This is just the stand in concept art...it will look much better than that...let's not judge the project by this until it is done...well in the end it looked like the concept only a little less special... I fear this happening here too. Rather than all the modern styling could they not have done something evocative of the Polynesian Islands or the rest of the resort it sits in?

They certainly didn't use this blocky structure for Aliinui where the real estate is significantly more expensive. Its ironic that the new Poly tower looks strikingly familiar like its the same structure planned for Reflections, just in a different location.

 

[mysto]

I think the first picture of the latest update tells part of the story. The bungalows stole the view from mere mortals so they had to build up 5 stories so the people can once again pay for a view.

Once the polyday tower is sold out, they will probably build another tower in front of it stealing it's views. It would definitely be in a more expensive, very separate, DVC contract. On top of the wedding pavillion?

Latest pictures of the poly.

 

[Bocabear]

They certainly didn't use this blocky structure for Aliinui where the real estate is significantly more expensive. Its ironic that the new Poly tower looks strikingly familiar like its the same structure planned for Reflections, just in a different location.

I was thinking the same thing when I saw it...Reflections...Rapa Nui... Or yet another uneventful Marriott School Of Design structure.
There are good designers out there that could design within theme...Where is all the drama? The South Seas flair... What the people that shell out gobs of money to stay at the Polynesian Village Resort are paying for? It certainly isn't this Springhill Suites/Aloft motel.

 

[correcaminos]

The Public Offering Statement was recently updated and the language regarding the tower suggests that it will be a new association.

The one from the news site? Many think they were grasping with their conclusion. Too early to tell.

 

[CntrlFlPete]

here is a recent pic

 

[SpaceMountain77]

The one from the news site? Many think they were grasping with their conclusion. Too early to tell.

Many, current owners at Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, are hoping this is untrue because they want access to the added inventory. However, having been a member for 11+ years and received an updated Public Offering Statement with each add-on, it is striking that the language used does not reference PVB.

 

[correcaminos]

Many, current owners at Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, are hoping this is untrue because they want access to the added inventory. However, having been a member for 11+ years and received an updated Public Offering Statement with each add-on, it is striking that the language used does not reference PVB.

If this is the update in February it also referenced Reflections. Disney referenced the parent name of Polynesian Village Resort for this one. Which when you search is just an overview. Normally I trust and respect what DVC news has to say but this was a reach because the update was done really for VDH IIRC. I do not believe that this far out they would amend and not announce the answer like they did with the cabins being 17th resort. It's unfortunately a speculation that many commented elsewhere that was a poorly thought out one and more like trying to make news.

Once Disney announces we'll see what they say. Nothing about this tower is striking to me in the POS - not yet.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

There is a difference in DVC hotel design and Eisner era buildings. Today scale is not considered. Large towers with high room counts within small footprints are the new formula. Towers are "themed" by adding some afterthought components (trim, awnings, etc). Look at the original Grand Floridian, Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach, Wilderness Lodge. Scale is completely different and architecture was present. Not so much anymore.

Architecture by accounting.

 

[raymusiccity]

Not to excuse it, because you're right, but there is much higher demand for DVC in this day and age as opposed to during the Eisner era. Before COVID, there were concerns they would run out of inventory to sell at Riviera before they could finish Reflections.

That's all well and good.....but I still can't understand the leap from Reflections to this!

 

[Indy_UK]

Cheaper than building a whole new resort and the extra amenities and infrastructure they probably would need to add

 

[Haymarket2008]

Hate to report this, but the tower looms large over everything. It dominates the skyline when you are right in the center of the Polynesian back courtyard. Really sad to see.

 

[John park hopper]

Stayed at the poly when they had the original lobby and it was fantastic then Disney down graded the lobby and now building a high rise DVC you will be able to see. It destroys the illusion you were in a tropical paradise all for the almighty dollar shame on you Disney.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

I am confident that the marketing video will reference the original concept art (see RetroWDW and below) and someone will share their "sincere" desire to fully realize what had been planned.

 

[scottieRoss]

Stayed at the poly when they had the original lobby and it was fantastic then Disney down graded the lobby and now building a high rise DVC you will be able to see. It destroys the illusion you were in a tropical paradise all for the almighty dollar shame on you Disney.

The original plan for the Poly was a modern tower surrounded by the long houses. We are finally getting the Polynesian Village we were promised 55 years ago.
Also, you do realize that the entire purpose of both Walt Disney World and the Walt Disney Corporation is to chase the almighty dollar.

 

[John park hopper]

"An early concept for Disney’s Polynesian Resort featured a 12-story tower, a bold design that might have looked more at home among the luxury hotels on Honolulu’s Waikiki Beach.

By about 1970, the site plan had evolved to a more architecturally authentic “village” layout, much of which remains today. Incredibly, construction began in February 1971, less than eight months before the first guests were scheduled to arrive."
Sorry a high rise was never promised 55 years ago.

 

[scottieRoss]

"An early concept for Disney’s Polynesian Resort featured a 12-story tower, a bold design that might have looked more at home among the luxury hotels on Honolulu’s Waikiki Beach.

By about 1970, the site plan had evolved to a more architecturally authentic “village” layout, much of which remains today. Incredibly, construction began in February 1971, less than eight months before the first guests were scheduled to arrive."
Sorry a high rise was never promised 55 years ago.

See above for the original promotional material. So, yes a high rise tower was promised. Just like a city was promised. Are you saying that if Disney were to build their Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow finally, it was not promised almost 60 years ago?

 

[lazyboy97o]

See above for the original promotional material. So, yes a high rise tower was promised. Just like a city was promised. Are you saying that if Disney were to build their Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow finally, it was not promised almost 60 years ago?

Promotional art is not a promise.