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PHOTOS - Disney reveals new lobby design and Trader Sam's lounge for the Polynesian
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
1023
Provocateur, Rancanteur, Plaisanter, du Jour
You clearly misunderstand the audience you are addressing. You are speaking to people who are invested in TWDC in a multitude of ways (physically, financially, and emotionally in some cases.) You must have some real interest in WDW to end up on a website titled wdwmagic.com .
In regards to the Polynesian, Disney is removing value and decreasing aesthetic appeal. With the new over water bungalows (hunting shacks to some), Disney has reduced the aesthetic appeal from the outside of the resort. Disney has also destroyed the views of several longhouses situated in the eye line of the new bungalows. With the removal of the large thematic element in the lobby, Disney has reduced the immersive nature of the Grand Ceremonial House. This thread is one of many describing the "defurbishment" or the "easy way out" mentality that is gripping every dollar without regard to the future.
In a forum, there are going to be 2 opinions. (i.e. Disney is great and can do no wrong and Disney is good but can be much better.) Many contributors here started out with the former and have ended up with the later. Under the current leadership, the transition from one to the other has leaned heavily into the "Disney can do much better" category.
When there are hundreds of examples of "bad show" currently in Florida, the intentional removal of "good show" can be gut wrenching. Would removing the Mary Blair mosaic in the Grand Canyon Concourse at the Contemporary for a wall paper picture of the Grand Canyon be an improvement? Would removing the animatronic pirates in PotC and replacing them with 3D screens be an improvement? Changing fundemental elements promoting "good show" in favor of low maintenence "bad show" is worth rallying around?
A simple thought that may or may not be a good analogy.
WDW was like Thanksgiving Dinner at grandmother's house. There was plenty of good food and you had choice of your favorites. All of the extras were there ready, free for the taking. There was plenty of quality leftovers that inspired days worth of lunches and dinners. You always looked forward to next year.
WDW now is like going to Golden Corral. There is food that is similar to Grandma's. There's a long line or series of lines to get to the food. While you can go back for seconds, it may not feel worth it. If you want extras, you pay more for them. There's no leftovers. And you may or may not be inspired to return for next year's meal.
For what it's worth, the resorts around the lake are beautiful. The Poly is less so at the moment. It will probably not improve much based on TDOs current direction. I will be happy if I am wrong.
As an Aside, I am looking forward to Trader Sam's.
*1023*
Tags:
@GrandCanyonConcourse @Evan-500
In regards to the Polynesian, Disney is removing value and decreasing aesthetic appeal. With the new over water bungalows (hunting shacks to some), Disney has reduced the aesthetic appeal from the outside of the resort. Disney has also destroyed the views of several longhouses situated in the eye line of the new bungalows. With the removal of the large thematic element in the lobby, Disney has reduced the immersive nature of the Grand Ceremonial House. This thread is one of many describing the "defurbishment" or the "easy way out" mentality that is gripping every dollar without regard to the future.
In a forum, there are going to be 2 opinions. (i.e. Disney is great and can do no wrong and Disney is good but can be much better.) Many contributors here started out with the former and have ended up with the later. Under the current leadership, the transition from one to the other has leaned heavily into the "Disney can do much better" category.
When there are hundreds of examples of "bad show" currently in Florida, the intentional removal of "good show" can be gut wrenching. Would removing the Mary Blair mosaic in the Grand Canyon Concourse at the Contemporary for a wall paper picture of the Grand Canyon be an improvement? Would removing the animatronic pirates in PotC and replacing them with 3D screens be an improvement? Changing fundemental elements promoting "good show" in favor of low maintenence "bad show" is worth rallying around?
A simple thought that may or may not be a good analogy.
WDW was like Thanksgiving Dinner at grandmother's house. There was plenty of good food and you had choice of your favorites. All of the extras were there ready, free for the taking. There was plenty of quality leftovers that inspired days worth of lunches and dinners. You always looked forward to next year.
WDW now is like going to Golden Corral. There is food that is similar to Grandma's. There's a long line or series of lines to get to the food. While you can go back for seconds, it may not feel worth it. If you want extras, you pay more for them. There's no leftovers. And you may or may not be inspired to return for next year's meal.
For what it's worth, the resorts around the lake are beautiful. The Poly is less so at the moment. It will probably not improve much based on TDOs current direction. I will be happy if I am wrong.
As an Aside, I am looking forward to Trader Sam's.
*1023*
Tags:
@GrandCanyonConcourse @Evan-500
Texas84
Well-Known Member
I stayed there once and have visited several times to eat. I'll miss the fountain but I'm not freaking out about it.
Sage of Time
Well-Known Member
Doesn't matter if you stayed at Poly or not. The waterfalls were in a public space. It's a net loss for the resort, not just those paying to sleep in a building NEXT to the building with the waterfalls in them. Simple as that.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
Thank you very well said, As I note I'm a REFORMED Pixie Duster who as a result of some ham handed moves by Disney have moved solidly into the "Disney can do MUCH better " camp.
Just think DVC - You are effectively pre-buying your vacations for 40+ years, Only Die Hard Disney fans would do this - Yet Disney is working very hard to alienate these customers as well.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
Sadly not any longer, Which will have knock on effects on F&B and merchandise sales but since WDW is no longer run as an integrated whole the Hotel Manager will smile while the F&B and Merch managers in the Poly will be looking to end their misery.
This is the worst effect of WDW's current managment style in that it effectively pits each B/U against one another to 'make their numbers' and overall the Guest loses because of the behind the scenes competition.
Disney Analyst
Well-Known Member
Oh, I am by no means a Disney apologist, or pixie duster. I am the first to admit when I find issue with Disney. And believe me, I think WDW is in a pretty sad state of affairs... I guess this waterfall in the lobby of a hotel ranks at the very bottom of my cares list. But again, I have no emotional attachment to it, and come from purely an unbiased view. I can see why Disney did this, as the original lobby was quite cluttered and not easy to figure out upon first glance. The open feel is the Lobby design Disney seems to want, and thus.. Disney will have.
ParksAndPixels
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
But it's the Walt Disney World Resort! Haha. Disney has some nice amenities at their hotels but I have been to true resorts that blow them out of water. Bottom line with all this is, you're paying for the location.
ParksAndPixels
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
I think the biggest issue with ALL of this, it is a reminder of what things were once like, the innovation, creativity & yes Disney Magic... This discussion is not simply about a waterfall it is about a much bigger issue we all see taking place at the parks & resorts.
We all have our favorite things on property and whether you like the old look or new look I think we all agree we want to see Disney step up their game again and take something that is good and again make it exceptional!
We all have our favorite things on property and whether you like the old look or new look I think we all agree we want to see Disney step up their game again and take something that is good and again make it exceptional!
I am looking forward to the redesigned Ceremonial House. I know I am in the minority but dare I say, I didn't care for the old lobby 
. For me it was just too much in the middle, no visibility no grand feel to it. It just seemed old. I like the idea of more seating. I like the Lobby's such as the GF, Wilderness Lodge, AK Jambo, and even the Boardwalk ( I know some of you probably just threw up a little bit in the back of your mouth).
I can fully appreciate those who loved the old Poly, any change can be unsettling and add to it the potential of Disney doing things simpler or vanilla can be maddening. I'm hopeful that the Poly will be even better.
. For me it was just too much in the middle, no visibility no grand feel to it. It just seemed old. I like the idea of more seating. I like the Lobby's such as the GF, Wilderness Lodge, AK Jambo, and even the Boardwalk ( I know some of you probably just threw up a little bit in the back of your mouth).I can fully appreciate those who loved the old Poly, any change can be unsettling and add to it the potential of Disney doing things simpler or vanilla can be maddening. I'm hopeful that the Poly will be even better.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
I travel extensively for business and I've stayed at Hotels which blow Disney's so called Resort's out of the water.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
If Disney had done the AMAZING new waterfall for which there was concept art also. Yes we would miss the old one but we would welcome the new one with open arms. Disney is NOT a Museum the Poly has changed many times over the years but prior to this the changes were always congruent with the overall theme of the resort.
Now we have a lobby which is far inferior to many mid market hotel lobbies yet charges 2-5x the price and many other things have been removed from this formerly Deluxe resort. The Wyland gallery which sold AMAZING stuff,
Yes it was priced out of reach of many people but it helped set expectations that this was indeed a Deluxe property. All gone to be replaced by tacky merchandise carts selling overpriced made in China junk.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
I'm sure the Mommy Bloggers would gush over that change being the most magical change ever, Along with the other BRAND advocates.
ParksAndPixels
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
I haven't seen the other concept art spoken of but if I had been given the opportunity to have a resort overhaul, I would have liked to seen a drastic high increase to really make the lobby feel more open and gone for a higher water feature, with maybe a little smaller width. Something that had a major presence but without consuming as much floor space.
Maybe have the water flow through lobby towards front water feature and rear towards pool area? Something like WL?
And the bungalows would not have happened unless the long houses had more of an elevation difference so the park views wouldn't be lost from many rooms
Maybe have the water flow through lobby towards front water feature and rear towards pool area? Something like WL?
And the bungalows would not have happened unless the long houses had more of an elevation difference so the park views wouldn't be lost from many rooms
Little Green Men
Well-Known Member
I don't know if that example fits, they removed a large feature from the lobby, maybe removing the large Mary Blair mural for a lesser mural would be a better example. The area is the same but the grand centerpiece is no longer grand.
@1023 I'm not happy that they removed the fountain, I stayed there twice and loved the whole resort. I made sure to take some video of the fountain on my last visit because I knew it was going away. I don't mind the bungalows and am waiting to see the final product of the lobby before I decide if it's good or bad. It won't be the same that's for sure. The new sign gives me slight hope that the water feature can be nice, the stone looks similar. I do think more space in the lobby can be a plus, we'll see.
@tikiman is an insider about the resort and has said that there will be improvements and to wait to see the finished product.
Last edited:
kkocka
Active Member
Lots and lots of complaining. Lots.
While we can all acknowledge the loss of the fountain is a shame, realize too that WDI probably appreciates the same features that we all do, but there are legit reasons to remove them sometimes. I highly doubt they look for things to remove that are cherished by fans. Pages ago I related this to the removal of the waterfalls in the Disneyland Hotel - they were pretty extensive and fantastic to walk down into the caves. (see them here http://www.disunplugged.com/2012/01/02/memories-waterfalls-of-the-disneyland-hotel/) but fast forward and as cool as they were, the renovation final product is a million times cooler than what is around.
Like a house, sometimes problem areas have to be addressed for the better of the structure. It seems we can't really pinpoint what exactly all the water feature problems were, or weren't, as I've read plenty of contradicting points and guesses here. So let's assume that unfortunately this is something that has to be addressed. Have some faith that the final product will be cool and/or well done and look nice at least - again, maybe it doesn't share the nostalgia but its a step forward. Perhaps it'll fit real well with the room reno's and the DVC additions.
As far as the glass float lamps, maybe from the photos taken and/or the point of view is underwhelming, but they are polynesian in theme. Plus you may as well get used to them because you'll certainly see some in Trader Sam's Grog Grotto.
While we can all acknowledge the loss of the fountain is a shame, realize too that WDI probably appreciates the same features that we all do, but there are legit reasons to remove them sometimes. I highly doubt they look for things to remove that are cherished by fans. Pages ago I related this to the removal of the waterfalls in the Disneyland Hotel - they were pretty extensive and fantastic to walk down into the caves. (see them here http://www.disunplugged.com/2012/01/02/memories-waterfalls-of-the-disneyland-hotel/) but fast forward and as cool as they were, the renovation final product is a million times cooler than what is around.
Like a house, sometimes problem areas have to be addressed for the better of the structure. It seems we can't really pinpoint what exactly all the water feature problems were, or weren't, as I've read plenty of contradicting points and guesses here. So let's assume that unfortunately this is something that has to be addressed. Have some faith that the final product will be cool and/or well done and look nice at least - again, maybe it doesn't share the nostalgia but its a step forward. Perhaps it'll fit real well with the room reno's and the DVC additions.
As far as the glass float lamps, maybe from the photos taken and/or the point of view is underwhelming, but they are polynesian in theme. Plus you may as well get used to them because you'll certainly see some in Trader Sam's Grog Grotto.
Little Green Men
Well-Known Member
I like BLT's lobby, especially the stylized art at the entrance. I usually take the bridge from the Grand Canyon Concourse to go into BLT though.