PHOTOS - Disney reveals new lobby design and Trader Sam's lounge for the Polynesian

[DC0703]

I believe the official name is The Hanging Balls in Sacs Display. MemoryMaker will include pics of guests enjoying the balls.

Ha - that was the first thing I thought of when i saw those lights in the photos as well.

 

[Incomudro]

It does lack a wow factor, but I believe that it was decided that interior space is favored over a wow factor at this time.
Still, I'll refrain from making a final judgment 'till it's all together.
Sometimes one really does need to wait until something all comes together to make a conclusion.
Some of that will include the grounds - the entire collective whole.

 

[flynnibus]

Thank god they put cushions on those benches... I feared they would be left as it was. Yes, that's how low our expectations of disney have fallen.

 

[DC0703]

I never stayed at the Poly but I always thought that atrium was really neat. Seeing the new wide open lobby breaks my heart a little. It's not bad looking per se, and the decision to open up the area is understandable. Still, I liked that whole tropical rainforest vibe it had going on. If they had to remake the lobby, I would have preferred something more fanciful and bold, like the Animal Kingdom Lodge's lobby.

 

[Incomudro]

I'd like to know if the Nautilus bowl the kid is holding in the concept art is going to be for real.

 

[RayTheFirefly]

Are they finished with planting? Compared to the concept art, it looks super barren. No lush landscaping in the planters, just those little flowers.

 

[phi2134]

i loved the old lobby, it was a bit cramped sometimes with how big that hotel actually is, but the new lobby looks like your average mall

 

[DC0703]

Are they finished with planting? Compared to the concept art, it looks super barren. No lush landscaping in the planters, just those little flowers.

There will probably be additional potted plants added later, in moveable pots rather than those established planters. The bromeliads they have there in those pics don't require a lot of room for roots, so they are good for smaller/shallower spots. Palms would need a deeper space. I'm sure there will be more landscaping once the space is open.

 

[psherman42]

The lobby doesn't look bad, and I won't judge it until I see it completed, but as someone who grew up staying at the Polynesian, my heart still breaks for what the lobby once was.

By the way, does anyone know when it will be completed?

 

[kkocka]

Didn't Joe Rohde do the design direction for the DVC Hawaii? Was he involved in this remodel? People seem to love Aulani...It has beautiful murals and details....maybe he should have been consulted on the interior design for this remodel...some brand continuity....just a thought...

I'm not sure how often he shares stuff that he's presently working on, but as of now I haven't seen anything on his Instagram account so I would assume he is not involved.

I'd like to know if the Nautilus bowl the kid is holding in the concept art is going to be for real.

I would safely bet on a Nautilus bowl being legit - it might vary in the final product, but most of Trader Sam's-related concept art has had some legit translations.

 

[Cesar R M]

I've been lurking here for a long time as well, and I've got to say that I agree with your post.
I've been to the Polly twice (never stayed there) and, yes I loved the water feature.
I'm a big sucker for tiki style décor and yes fountains that look volcanic.
I'll miss that fountain, and I'm sure my kids will as well.
However, I understand what the current redesign must be addressing.
If the fountain was indeed leaking, it probably needed to be essentially gutted to get to the problem.
In addition, it's unfortunate but the volume of people the WDW accommodates today is on a magnitude unseen in the 70's.
Today's lobby designs are different...
Vast, open unclaustrophobic spaces are the way it's done now - and the Polynesians redesign is in keeping with the theme we see at the other WDW hotels now.
And yes, it's important to not judge what we are seeing to closely to concept art.
Perhaps more importantly, it's important to not negatively judge a work in progress before completion.
I can't help but be reminded of when I would be drawing a dinosaur in school, and some kid would be pearing over my shoulder exclaiming; "That doesn't look like..." when I was far from finished.

they could have added a very big waterfall in one of the corners, but they didnt.

 

[FigmentForver96]

If I was entering the lobby for the first time I would probably think it looked really cool, but unfortunately I know what was there before so it's hard to love it. I don't hate it, as it is wayyy better then what I imaged in my mind but it could have been better.

 

[Incomudro]

I'm not sure how often he shares stuff that he's presently working on, but as of now I haven't seen anything on his Instagram account so I would assume he is not involved.



I would safely bet on a Nautilus bowl being legit - it might vary in the final product, but most of Trader Sam's-related concept art has had some legit translations.

Might have to take a trip to the Polynesian and get one this spring.

 

[Sage of Time]

PHOTOS - See the new look Polynesian Resort lobby as construction nears completion

It looks so empty and devoid of texture.

All they need to do is put in the tiki statue...

 

[Clamman73]

I would say my best new feature is the stencil border...

 

[Little Green Men]

I like the blue, it looks very tropical.

they could have added a very big waterfall in one of the corners, but they didnt.

Aren't they putting some outside?

Looks so empty in there now. I don't know how much water noise that new little fountain's gonna make, but just seems it's going to be a little too quiet and echoey in there now. We'll see...

They still have to add furniture.

Thank god they put cushions on those benches... I feared they would be left as it was. Yes, that's how low our expectations of disney have fallen.

Well it's in the concept art and there were pictures of the new cushions by the construction wall.

 

[Sage of Time]

I don't think the stonework is blue. I just think it has some sunlight shining on it. It looks identical to the existing stonework that tiles the GCH.

 

[Little Green Men]

I don't think the stonework is blue. I just think it has some sunlight shining on it. It looks identical to the existing stonework that tiles the GCH.

Yeah it does look different up-high rather than close-up.

 

[note2001]

I've been playing the optimist so far. With these pics it's hard to tell what this will look like without those curtains hanging around it and there are still plenty of elements to be added. But as it stands, I want to shed a tear.

 

[Sage of Time]

I've been playing the optimist so far. With these pics it's hard to tell what this will look like without those curtains hanging around it and there are still plenty of elements to be added. But as it stands, I want to shed a tear.

Same.