News New Polynesian Resort DVC villas building to open 2024

[Disney Analyst]

I can’t find the video. Link??

I think they took it down.

 

[BrianLo]

Sizewise, how does the lobby compare to the original poly? Hopefully not as small as Riviera’s.

A lot bigger than RIV, bigger than VDH, a lot smaller than the lodges. More spacious than Grand Floridians DVC tower, but obviously not vertically.

I’d say very “adequately” sized, but unlike the main cash sites there isn’t a ton off it. Just an entrance to the Restaurant. Technically speaking for an offshoot DVC attached to a resort with a pre existing lobby, it’s on the bigger end of things. Maybe similar size to Kidani but with again a bit less verticality.

 

[HairyChest]

A lot bigger than RIV, bigger than VDH, a lot smaller than the lodges. More spacious than Grand Floridians DVC tower, but obviously not vertically.

I’d say very “adequately” sized, but unlike the main cash sites there isn’t a ton off it. Just an entrance to the Restaurant. Technically speaking for an offshoot DVC attached to a resort with a pre existing lobby, it’s on the bigger end of things. Maybe similar size to Kidani but with again a bit less verticality.

Is there a giftshop/store?

 

[BrianLo]

Is there a giftshop/store?

I don’t think so. Not that we saw.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

So I just toured the island tower!

The building and facilities are ready, there’s just a bit of outdoor work remaining. Landscaping particularly facing the monorail side and then they are putting in the remaining pathway work under the tree like exit structure on the lagoon side.

It’s very, very nice. Still on the beige end of things, but there is a lot of aqua marine notes woven throughout. The lobby also has giant green plant cylindrical structures and the paddles for lack of a better term overhead do have some colour splashed into the characters.

Artwork is beautiful and understated; less Disney characters smattered around. Maybe they are hidden but it doesn’t jump out to me. The only real prominence is Moana elements that you’ll notice mostly on the feature wall when you approach that all the characters (sans Moana) are etched into it. Only the giant crab is really evident from the main level.

Really nice finishing. Everything is textured. Tiles in the lobby are pretty. There’s four conceptual artwork of Poly, including the classic original tower design on the second level. Pool deck is the most phoned in feature; whereas everything outside of the pool deck is textured or some of the pathway is styled after lava pocketed rock.

The water feature in the restaraunt is an infinity feature. So constantly flowing over. The restaurant is going to be super popular.

The pocket gardens are really, really nice and probably will have to stay limited to the Island Tower guests only until the end of time. I think people who don’t love the tower will like the pocket gardens. They feel the most original Poly with a lot of indoor plants and more colour. They’ve made a big deal of the views and begrudgingly they are amazing views. A lot of the less desirable infrastructure like the transit authority, Tron or roadways etc happens to be fortuitously blocked out by the barrier island and it’s basically just the castle well aligned. I mean there’s probably a reason the Wedding pavilion is where it is.

I don’t think anyone dug in will change their minds, but this is definitely not a resort where quality is inherently lacking. Nor is it sterile white. There’s no ambiguity which building you are in (unlike looking at the renovated Boulder, vero etc, that all kind of look the same with different soft good elements splashed in).


View attachment 830150

Sorry, still no photos until opening.

Sounds like riviera…

Which blows.

 

[BrianLo]

Sounds like riviera…

Which blows.

Quite aesthetically different interior, probably the most that I’ve seen them do since everything recently has been very white and pretty character centric. But the same other complaints as RIV will no doubt be what everyone walks away with next week.

You will not like it. I don’t mean that in an accusatory way. Only fence sitters might be swayed. I wouldn’t mind the design principles for Aulani’s refurb with a splash more beyond blue and brown.

 

[UNCgolf]

So I just toured the island tower!

The building and facilities are ready, there’s just a bit of outdoor work remaining. Landscaping particularly facing the monorail side and then they are putting in the remaining pathway work under the tree like exit structure on the lagoon side.

It’s very, very nice. Still on the beige end of things, but there is a lot of aqua marine notes woven throughout. The lobby also has giant green plant cylindrical structures and the paddles for lack of a better term overhead do have some colour splashed into the characters.

Artwork is beautiful and understated; less Disney characters smattered around. Maybe they are hidden but it doesn’t jump out to me. The only real prominence is Moana elements that you’ll notice mostly on the feature wall when you approach that all the characters (sans Moana) are etched into it. Only the giant crab is really evident from the main level.

Really nice finishing. Everything is textured. Tiles in the lobby are pretty. There’s four conceptual artwork of Poly, including the classic original tower design on the second level. Pool deck is the most phoned in feature; whereas everything outside of the pool deck is textured or some of the pathway is styled after lava pocketed rock.

The water feature in the restaraunt is an infinity feature. So constantly flowing over. The restaurant is going to be super popular.

The pocket gardens are really, really nice and probably will have to stay limited to the Island Tower guests only until the end of time. I think people who don’t love the tower will like the pocket gardens. They feel the most original Poly with a lot of indoor plants and more colour. They’ve made a big deal of the views and begrudgingly they are amazing views. A lot of the less desirable infrastructure like the transit authority, Tron or roadways etc happens to be fortuitously blocked out by the barrier island and it’s basically just the castle well aligned. I mean there’s probably a reason the Wedding pavilion is where it is.

I don’t think anyone dug in will change their minds, but this is definitely not a resort where quality is inherently lacking. Nor is it sterile white. There’s no ambiguity which building you are in (unlike looking at the renovated Boulder, vero etc, that all kind of look the same with different soft good elements splashed in).


View attachment 830150

Sorry, still no photos until opening.

This sounds like what I expected. I assumed it would be a very nice hotel, but it's not a themed hotel, which is what makes me have little interest in it as far as something on Disney property. I'd rather stay off-site (or at Swan/Dolphin/Swan Reserve) for far less money if I'm going to stay in an unthemed hotel.

 

[BrianLo]

This sounds like what I expected. I assumed it would be a very nice hotel, but it's not a themed hotel, which is what makes me have little interest in it as far as something on Disney property. I'd rather stay off-site (or at Swan/Dolphin/Swan Reserve) for far less money if I'm going to stay in an unthemed hotel.

I’d compare it to the new VGF resort rooms in terms of how well or not you feel the resort theme itself is evoked. A tad better than RIV in terms if you take the artwork down there’s still some remaining materials, carpet and tile work that is more overtly Polynesia inspired evoking lava flows, water and sand.

But I really don’t think opinions are going to be changed other than it doesn’t present cheaply.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Skyliner >>>> monorail.

Obviously.

 

[UNCgolf]

I’d compare it to the new VGF resort rooms in terms of how well or not you feel the resort theme itself is evoked. A tad better than RIV in terms if you take the artwork down there’s still some remaining materials, carpet and tile work that is more overtly Polynesia inspired evoking lava flows, water and sand.

But I really don’t think opinions are going to be changed other than it doesn’t present cheaply.

I don't know how opinions even would be changed at this point -- everybody has already seen the building and lobby; it's not like it's a secret. Whether it's nice or not isn't really at issue.

And I'm not even arguing it's a disaster or anything like that, other than maybe the location where they chose to build it. I'm sure plenty of Disney guests are happy to have another hotel like this. It's just not what interests me in a Disney resort; I'd rather stay at a heavily themed moderate like Port Orleans Riverside than stay here (or the Riviera, for that matter). I've never been overly interested in staying at the Contemporary either, even though I think it's in a somewhat different category.

 

[BrianLo]

I don't know how opinions even would be changed at this point -- everybody has already seen the building and lobby; it's not like it's a secret. Whether it's nice or not isn't really at issue.

And I'm not even arguing it's a disaster or anything, other than maybe the location where they chose to build it. I'm sure plenty of Disney guests are happy to have another hotel like this. It's just not what interests me in a Disney resort; I'd rather stay at a heavily themed moderate like Port Orleans Riverside than stay here (or the Riviera, for that matter). I've never been overly interested in staying at the Contemporary either, even though I think it's in a somewhat different category.

I hope it is coming across that I’m trying to be objective for you all!

It’s not helpful for me to come out and say it’s beautiful and I loved it when I know it addresses very little of the things a lot of you guys care about.

As for location, this is going to sound dumb… but the funny thing is when you are inside the ugly structure already, you are looking at the Poly that you actually like. So the views are actually surprisingly pleasing.

I think most of you would like the pocket gardens for that reason. Not that it justifies the other 90% of the choices you disagree with. Probably a lot of you will be ok with the restaraunt too.

 

[James Alucobond]

It's just not what interests me in a Disney resort; I'd rather stay at a heavily themed moderate like Port Orleans Riverside than stay here (or the Riviera, for that matter). I've never been overly interested in staying at the Contemporary either, even though I think it's in a somewhat different category.

You’re yards from the other Polynesian buildings and the Grand, so I think it’s a bit of a different situation. Should a new build have to mooch off the atmosphere of its host resort rather than enhance it? Certainly not, but you’re almost better off staying in it purely for views of the more themed areas of the resorts rather than staying in one of the adjacent outbuildings with diminished atmosphere.

 

[UNCgolf]

I hope it is coming across that I’m trying to be objective for you all!

It’s not helpful for me to come out and say it’s beautiful and I loved it when I know it addresses very little of the things a lot of you guys care about.

As for location, this is going to sound dumb… but the funny thing is when you are inside the ugly structure already, you are looking at the Poly that you actually like. So the views are actually surprisingly pleasing.

I think most of you would like the pocket gardens for that reason. Not that it justifies the other 90% of the choices you disagree with. Probably a lot of you will be ok with the restaraunt too.

I don't even think the exterior structure is ugly (I do think the Riviera is kind of ugly because the exterior looks significantly cheaper than what it's trying to emulate, and it towers over its surroundings). I just don't think it really fits right there on the shore between the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian. It's too... generic feels like the wrong word, because that sometimes carries a more negative connotation than I really intend, but it feels like you could make some relatively small edits to it and it would fit in the middle of a city as a hotel or apartment/condo building.

 

[nickys]

This sounds like what I expected. I assumed it would be a very nice hotel, but it's not a themed hotel, which is what makes me have little interest in it as far as something on Disney property. I'd rather stay off-site (or at Swan/Dolphin/Swan Reserve) for far less money if I'm going to stay in an unthemed hotel.

I don't know how opinions even would be changed at this point -- everybody has already seen the building and lobby; it's not like it's a secret. Whether it's nice or not isn't really at issue.

And I'm not even arguing it's a disaster or anything like that, other than maybe the location where they chose to build it. I'm sure plenty of Disney guests are happy to have another hotel like this. It's just not what interests me in a Disney resort; I'd rather stay at a heavily themed moderate like Port Orleans Riverside than stay here (or the Riviera, for that matter). I've never been overly interested in staying at the Contemporary either, even though I think it's in a somewhat different category.

Both Riviera and Island Tower are DVC resorts. And yes, I know Island Tower is an addition to the Poly, but like Kidani and Bay Lake, it is wholly a DVC addition. Which tend to be lesser themed than the non-DVC resorts.

Of course cash guests can book there, and until they’re fully declared Disney will have plenty of cash rooms to sell to guests. But they don’t have to attract guests in the same way as POR does. Eventually there will be very few rooms available for cash guests to book. So there’s no need for most people to change opinions on the resort.

The subtler theming inside, the lack of Disney characters everywhere is actually a positive for many DVC members. The main considerations will be location and the points charts. And the reality is that Island Tower will be hugely popular - because it offers the 1 & 2 bed villas at the Poly rather than just studios.

 

[Minthorne]

The Polynesian "Cultural" Center is neither Polynesian, nor cultural.

You forgot to say, "Discuss."

 

[Ayla]

You forgot to say, "Discuss."

View attachment 830168

I don't discuss facts.

 

[UNCgolf]

Both Riviera and Island Tower are DVC resorts. And yes, I know Island Tower is an addition to the Poly, but like Kidani and Bay Lake, it is wholly a DVC addition. Which tend to be lesser themed than the non-DVC resorts.

Of course cash guests can book there, and until they’re fully declared Disney will have plenty of cash rooms to sell to guests. But they don’t have to attract guests in the same way as POR does. Eventually there will be very few rooms available for cash guests to book. So there’s no need for most people to change opinions on the resort.

The subtler theming inside, the lack of Disney characters everywhere is actually a positive for many DVC members. The main considerations will be location and the points charts. And the reality is that Island Tower will be hugely popular - because it offers the 1 & 2 bed villas at the Poly rather than just studios.

What highly themed Disney resorts have Disney characters everywhere? That's not sign of the great themed Disney resorts; that's generally a sign of the bad ones.

Anyways, I'm aware it's DVC -- that's why the location is the only big problem for me. If this had been built elsewhere on property then I still wouldn't be interested in staying there but it would also have little to no effect on anything, more like the Riviera.

I also think that DVC being less themed is relatively new and isn't actually something specific to DVC. They just haven't really built any rooms that aren't DVC recently. It's not like Old Key West, Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas, Boardwalk Villas, etc. weren't themed like other Disney resorts.

 

[Casper Gutman]

What highly themed Disney resorts have Disney characters everywhere? That's not sign of the great themed Disney resorts; that's generally a sign of the bad ones.

Anyways, I'm aware it's DVC -- that's why the location is the only big problem for me. If this had been built elsewhere on property then I still wouldn't be interested in staying there but it would also have little to no effect on anything, more like the Riviera.

I also think that DVC being less themed is relatively new and isn't actually something specific to DVC. They just haven't really built any rooms that aren't DVC recently. It's not like Old Key West, Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas, Boardwalk Villas, etc. weren't themed like other Disney resorts.

Yes, the assumption that DVC members don’t like Disney theming seems odd to me.

But then, a lot of things about the DVC seem odd to me…

 

[MickMinn22]

I’m a fan of the overall design of the resort and the rooms especially after our tour. We very seriously considered adding a contract to establish a second home in DVC. However the pool situation really was the deal breaker for us. This pool seemed lifeless and very disappointed it’s simply a splash pad as opposed to a true play area. After our tour we went to the poly just to enjoy the resort and consider it. The pool was packed and I couldn’t imagine it after adding the tower guests as I’d have to imagine majority would migrate to the poly pool.

I do get that they likely didn’t go big on the pool as any structures would ruin views of the MK from the restaurant and potentially viewing areas. But that is a huge negative to the resort.

 

[Bocabear]

The original Polynesian waterfall pool was beautiful...and the structure was not some hulking monolith like the main Poly pool has now... They could have created some beautiful exotic looking water features and additions without it blocking views, but adding to the view...