asianway
Well-Known Member
One day both will have a four story pair of mouse ears and more retail space.
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PHOTOS - Disney reveals new lobby design and Trader Sam's lounge for the Polynesian
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
Cosmic Commando
Well-Known Member
More rooms and a DVC sales booth on every floor! The chandeliers will be at Mouse Surplus.
Monkee Girl
Well-Known Member
Only got to page 4...can't believe there are 11 pages already! lol...anyway, My take on the whole thing...I love the poly and just got back from an 8 day stay last week before all the major construction started in the lobby.
The picture isn't bad to me. I think it looks nice. But I am not a fan of the netted balls; that looks silly...looks more whimsical like the 'little Mermaid' than Polynesian. I also think the tiki fountain is a slap in the face to the fans of the waterfall. If the waterfall had to go because of maintenance reasons, then it's something I have to live with; but I wish they chose to either do something a little grander than the tiki fountain or maybe move to a narrower/longer fountain/photo spot to the wall or something. what they have in the photo doesn't cut it.
As for the lighting, I like the current dark state; it's natural and sets the feeling of being in a different place. I would not want bright unnatural light filtering in. But the picture doesn't look any brighter than how the Poly is now; so I am not too worried about that.
And as for seeing the shops; to me, no one is buying anything in the Boutiki until they stock it up with merchandise we want to buy! They have been selling the same stuff for years and so we hardly buy anything anymore. The same hawaiian dress has been sold there for 6+years now. Same jewelery too. I know my aunt wasn't happy; and she's a shopper who especially wants to shop at her resort. They should have a wider variety of hawaiian style items. So with all this new lobby; I hope they choose to bring some more different things to the shop.
Anyway, I am still going to hole off fully going postal until i see the finished product. We are booked for next Easter so I am interested to see what progress, if any, has happened. But I agree that the water feature needs a re-imagine than what they have.
Overall though; I am glad they are making an addition of Trader Sams. The more to do at the resort, the better. One thing I would LOVE for them to add; especially with the more open lobby, would be more prominent hula classes. The one they have is little (not very known) and usually done in front of the fountain later in the day. I thing it would be cool if they did the class maybe 3 times a day (morning, noon, night) where everyone can see; I think it adds to the ambiance of the place. Anyway, my little wish for the resort
The picture isn't bad to me. I think it looks nice. But I am not a fan of the netted balls; that looks silly...looks more whimsical like the 'little Mermaid' than Polynesian. I also think the tiki fountain is a slap in the face to the fans of the waterfall. If the waterfall had to go because of maintenance reasons, then it's something I have to live with; but I wish they chose to either do something a little grander than the tiki fountain or maybe move to a narrower/longer fountain/photo spot to the wall or something. what they have in the photo doesn't cut it.
As for the lighting, I like the current dark state; it's natural and sets the feeling of being in a different place. I would not want bright unnatural light filtering in. But the picture doesn't look any brighter than how the Poly is now; so I am not too worried about that.
And as for seeing the shops; to me, no one is buying anything in the Boutiki until they stock it up with merchandise we want to buy! They have been selling the same stuff for years and so we hardly buy anything anymore. The same hawaiian dress has been sold there for 6+years now. Same jewelery too. I know my aunt wasn't happy; and she's a shopper who especially wants to shop at her resort. They should have a wider variety of hawaiian style items. So with all this new lobby; I hope they choose to bring some more different things to the shop.
Anyway, I am still going to hole off fully going postal until i see the finished product. We are booked for next Easter so I am interested to see what progress, if any, has happened. But I agree that the water feature needs a re-imagine than what they have.
Overall though; I am glad they are making an addition of Trader Sams. The more to do at the resort, the better. One thing I would LOVE for them to add; especially with the more open lobby, would be more prominent hula classes. The one they have is little (not very known) and usually done in front of the fountain later in the day. I thing it would be cool if they did the class maybe 3 times a day (morning, noon, night) where everyone can see; I think it adds to the ambiance of the place. Anyway, my little wish for the resort
ryguy
Well-Known Member
For me the renovation as whole is disappointing in the sense that the three things that reflect Hawaii IMO are waterfalls, volcanoes, and beaches. All three of those features are being drastically altered at the resort.
We have known that GCH has needed to be reworked for awhile now. The hope was to fix what is needed but leave the general feel of the building. That doesn't seem to be the case. Truthfully the whole resort is going feel completely different by the end of 2015. Which is sad really.
The only thing that's sounds good is trader Sams and even that might be a let down. Tikiman seems to think that a few cool things have not been announced so I am holding out hope they make up for the changes that have already been announced.
Think about it,almost half of the resort is becoming timeshare. And the rumor is that the general public can't rent out the rooms. The beach is a disaster with the bungalows, and the waterfall is going the way of Stonehenge in Spinal Tap. Not good.
We have known that GCH has needed to be reworked for awhile now. The hope was to fix what is needed but leave the general feel of the building. That doesn't seem to be the case. Truthfully the whole resort is going feel completely different by the end of 2015. Which is sad really.
The only thing that's sounds good is trader Sams and even that might be a let down. Tikiman seems to think that a few cool things have not been announced so I am holding out hope they make up for the changes that have already been announced.
Think about it,almost half of the resort is becoming timeshare. And the rumor is that the general public can't rent out the rooms. The beach is a disaster with the bungalows, and the waterfall is going the way of Stonehenge in Spinal Tap. Not good.
aladdin2007
Well-Known Member
El Grupo
Well-Known Member
I can appreciate the passion most here have for the Poly water feature. And I can understand the frustration associated with its planned demise.
However, I've only noticed a handful mention that they've contacted Disney directly regarding this matter. Have the majority posting here written emails and letters to Disney, as well as flooded various offices with calls to express their displeasure with this decision? I'm just curious because, if I had such a connection to something that is being taken away, those responsible would kindly hear about it everyday.
However, I've only noticed a handful mention that they've contacted Disney directly regarding this matter. Have the majority posting here written emails and letters to Disney, as well as flooded various offices with calls to express their displeasure with this decision? I'm just curious because, if I had such a connection to something that is being taken away, those responsible would kindly hear about it everyday.
This is just a continuation of removal of all waterfalls/fountains throughout WDW. Do the people that plan these removals realize how hot it gets in Florida (for months on end) and that just the sound of running water is refreshing to people that spend their whole day in the parks? Do these people even visit Florida? Soon, it will become a hot dry place, which no one wants.... There will be repercussions to this change...
Poly1974
Active Member
Thanks Skyway, I needed that. Ah, the good old days when the WDW motto was "what can we do better?", not "how can we do this cheaper?".
Bairstow
Well-Known Member
The thing is, Disney's "own agenda" is getting guests to make repeat stays at their old and expensive Polynesian resort.
In fact, George Kalogridis said this yesterday when he unveiled the artwork.
If the reaction to the new design is going to be so overwhelmingly negative that it's going to effect repeat business to the hotel, and from what I heard yesterday, it might be, Disney might reconsider their choice.
It's not like they've broken ground on the lobby project or anything.
Brian Swan
Well-Known Member
I have never stayed at the Poly, but I have always enjoyed visiting it. Being a fan of Trader's in DLH, I think the idea of having one in the Poly is a great idea. But I want a BAR; the primary image of a 10 year old sitting at the bar is totally wrong to me. I actually had that happen to me at 10PM at Tambu last trip and I pointedly asked for my drink in a to-go glass. There needs to be SOMEPLACE that an adult visitor, without kids, can escape "family friendly" on property without having to take a cab to UOR (Raglan Road, fortunately, is not bad for this). Every deluxe resort NEEDS an "adults-only" bar...The TS artwork reminds me of the old kids storybook LPs - it's horrible.
Ever since I was a kid, I have been almost obsessed with fountains and waterfalls. Words cannot describe how I feel about the removal of the water feature.
As for not listening to "the fan base" - I have come to the conclusion that Disney really doesn't give a flying you know what about those of us who have been "regular" customers for 40+ years. The see new (foreign) big bucks, and the rich international tourist set as their new target audience, and their decision-making is not based on American nostalgia, but rather on where they can get the most bucks the fastest. I fear that "International Moderne" will be the future of most of Disney's remodels - at least on the deluxe side of things.
Ever since I was a kid, I have been almost obsessed with fountains and waterfalls. Words cannot describe how I feel about the removal of the water feature.
As for not listening to "the fan base" - I have come to the conclusion that Disney really doesn't give a flying you know what about those of us who have been "regular" customers for 40+ years. The see new (foreign) big bucks, and the rich international tourist set as their new target audience, and their decision-making is not based on American nostalgia, but rather on where they can get the most bucks the fastest. I fear that "International Moderne" will be the future of most of Disney's remodels - at least on the deluxe side of things.
Captain Chaos
Well-Known Member
Oh frac, you know they read these boards... Why give them these ideas???? AGH!!!!!Replacing the water feature with the bird bath is like replacing Splash Mountain with this...
Sad thing is, there are people here who would defend such a move too...
Captain Neo
Well-Known Member
God d**nit it looks like a generic hotel now and won't have any of the unique ambiance/smells/sounds that the original concept did. Where are the parrots, the waterfalls, the plant life? Hilariously I bet they will jack up the price of the rooms too.
To the people who have been in charge of WDW for the past 14 years. I hate you so much.
To the people who have been in charge of WDW for the past 14 years. I hate you so much.
Kman101
Well-Known Member
It's definitely disappointing that Disney wants to see kids sitting at a bar, whether it's family oriented or not.
I agree, can't there be ONE place for just adults? Can't they do something for kids during the morning or something?
64 comments on the blog post (which now seems to take an effort to actually find) and 62 of them are pleading with Disney not to remove the waterfall.
I agree, can't there be ONE place for just adults? Can't they do something for kids during the morning or something?
64 comments on the blog post (which now seems to take an effort to actually find) and 62 of them are pleading with Disney not to remove the waterfall.
GrammieBee
Well-Known Member
There are people who want everything new, shiny and reflecting whatever is the current fashion. Others cherish the old, historic and classic because once they are gone, they are gone forever.
The Polynesian's lobby plantings and waterfalls were a classic which convayed the feeling of a lush tropical jungle more typical of Polynesia than Hawaii. There were actually different waterfalls on each of the four sides. You walked into the lobby and there was Polynesia waiting for you.
Tropical plantings and water features are difficult to maintain, but these gave an iconic feeling to the Polynesian's lobby and could have been redone and should never have been completely eliminated. They fit the theme of Polynesia much better than the new lobby concept.
How sad. The Polynesian lobby has lost it's charm.
The Polynesian's lobby plantings and waterfalls were a classic which convayed the feeling of a lush tropical jungle more typical of Polynesia than Hawaii. There were actually different waterfalls on each of the four sides. You walked into the lobby and there was Polynesia waiting for you.
Tropical plantings and water features are difficult to maintain, but these gave an iconic feeling to the Polynesian's lobby and could have been redone and should never have been completely eliminated. They fit the theme of Polynesia much better than the new lobby concept.
How sad. The Polynesian lobby has lost it's charm.
Captain Neo
Well-Known Member
This was when Disney was hungry and actually put the effort in. They went the extra mile for high quality guest experience, pushing the envelopes with real innovation, etc. Modern WDW, thanks to poor management, has lost all of the magic it used to have.
flynnibus
Premium Member
Sigh... that video should be required watching for anyone who thinks Disney hasn't mangled what WDW was. It's not that the elements have changed, it's what has been emphasized, prioritized, and how they corral people into this 'its all about the parks' mentality that has destroyed what was the 'vacation kingdom'
pixargal
Well-Known Member
Thank you, Skyway, for posting that wonderful video. This was the era when I fell in love with Disney World. Such a rush of nostalgia just swept over me.
MickeyPeace
Well-Known Member
So the name is being changed back to "Village" to evoke nostalgia about what was so great about the Poly. At the same time the heart and soul is being ripped out. That's like telling someone you love them then punching them in the face.
To make things worse, we all know that WDW doesn't do minimal as the concept art suggests. As others have said, it would be phase one of a plan to add merch cart, DVC sales clutter.
My vote is to keep the water feature or build a new one even more impressive than the existing one.
To make things worse, we all know that WDW doesn't do minimal as the concept art suggests. As others have said, it would be phase one of a plan to add merch cart, DVC sales clutter.
My vote is to keep the water feature or build a new one even more impressive than the existing one.