Father Robinson
Well-Known Member
Tell him not to rush.I think He's taking in an extended vacation before being committed to stand in that lobby for the next 50 years.
(Still in production) I'm sure he will arrive when he's ready.
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PHOTOS - Disney reveals new lobby design and Trader Sam's lounge for the Polynesian
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
Bocabear
Well-Known Member
It looks nice and serviceable... Id does not look like the Polynesian anymore...Just a hotel with a nice lobby. The rubble fountain is a joke...tiki or not. All of the creative choices that could have been made to maintain some of the wow factor, and this is what we get... it is nice... it is just not special.
And I guess I should say it does make you focus more on the architecture...which is nice.
all in all..it is nice. It's not a fair replacement for a rainforest in the lobby, but it is nice...but I never doubted it being nice... Was just hoping for more.
And I guess I should say it does make you focus more on the architecture...which is nice.
all in all..it is nice. It's not a fair replacement for a rainforest in the lobby, but it is nice...but I never doubted it being nice... Was just hoping for more.
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tl77
Well-Known Member
It's basically like lobby for Wilderness and Animal kingdom Lodges now, the focal point will be what's outside the big wall of windows along the back wall, and the lobby is just a place to sit and admire that view. Will have to wait and see when the pool area is finished
Bocabear
Well-Known Member
Well...Wilderness and Animal Kingdom Lodges have towering atrium structures and really well themed architecture... The Polynesian Lobby was designed to have the rain forest centerpiece...that was it's wow factor...not what is outside... So no matter how WOW the outside, the inside will always feel diminished...and let's face it, I am sure the outside will be nice...but most likely not a wow... It seems to be the trend...
feels like all the creative design talent now works for someone else...not Disney.
flyerjab
Well-Known Member
I do feel for the people that have deep ties to this resort and have made it a mainstay over the years. I have said over and over again, I am not a WDW longtime fan. My fondness for the entire WDW resort only started with my first trip ever in 2009. Since then my family has completely fallen in love with venturing down to Orlando from good ole northeastern PA. I already know that there are probably parts/locations/rides/etc. that I have started subconsciously nurturing a growing affinity for that will be endearing to me over time. And ultimately I will feel a sense of great loss and probably anger if and when they are ultimately replaced for something that I perceive as less valuable or unique.
Now I will tell you that I have only ever stayed in the Poly twice, and once was for just one night. Maybe it is because I enjoy the grandness of the lobbys in WL or GF or AKL, those huge open spaces...but the lobby of the Poly never "got to me" in that way. I always felt it to be grimmer, with a color pallette that exhibited more bland colors beyond the overriding green of the plants in the fountain. The outside areas of the Poly my family absolutely loved as a whole: the dark pathways beneath the lush vegetation on that resort, the tiki torches, and the pool with the views of the water pageant and the MK fireworks. Amazing!!
As far as the early pictures, I do not hesitate to state that I appreciate the use of the brighter, more vibrant colors. And I do like the colors of the lighted globes and lamps that hang from the ceiling. I haven't necessarily bought into the whole idea of we can't maintain a water feature in here when there are water features in other lobbys - all around the world. To me, it was a way for WDW to cover for the fact that they have simply tired of the lobby. I have been on tikiman's website and looked at the history of the Poly. I never knew how much it has changed over the decades that it has been in existance. The fountain in the lobby, though, appears to have been present forever. As with everything in today's world, however, I am certain that money was involved to a degree. They probably could have put a smaller water feature in there than the fountain but have apparently opted for this other more open direction.
In any case, I know I am in the minority when I say that I like the new look, mainly because of the presence of color, something that was lacking to me. But believe me, I totally get why others are dismayed by this change. It has already made me think about the things that have already become special to me: eating ice cream in the outside lounge chairs on the backside of the Boardwalk Inn that faces the water; visiting the stables with the kids at FW; the hidden nooks with fireplaces on the upper floors of the WL lobby area; chips and salsa with the wife at the little bar inside the pyramid in the Mexico pavilion. And of course there are others. I suppose I should start trianing myself now to deal with change at WDW. Ever since 2009 this resort has been in a constant state of change so hopefully it won't be as much of a struggle for me if some of my favorite spots are removed. Time will tell.
Now I will tell you that I have only ever stayed in the Poly twice, and once was for just one night. Maybe it is because I enjoy the grandness of the lobbys in WL or GF or AKL, those huge open spaces...but the lobby of the Poly never "got to me" in that way. I always felt it to be grimmer, with a color pallette that exhibited more bland colors beyond the overriding green of the plants in the fountain. The outside areas of the Poly my family absolutely loved as a whole: the dark pathways beneath the lush vegetation on that resort, the tiki torches, and the pool with the views of the water pageant and the MK fireworks. Amazing!!
As far as the early pictures, I do not hesitate to state that I appreciate the use of the brighter, more vibrant colors. And I do like the colors of the lighted globes and lamps that hang from the ceiling. I haven't necessarily bought into the whole idea of we can't maintain a water feature in here when there are water features in other lobbys - all around the world. To me, it was a way for WDW to cover for the fact that they have simply tired of the lobby. I have been on tikiman's website and looked at the history of the Poly. I never knew how much it has changed over the decades that it has been in existance. The fountain in the lobby, though, appears to have been present forever. As with everything in today's world, however, I am certain that money was involved to a degree. They probably could have put a smaller water feature in there than the fountain but have apparently opted for this other more open direction.
In any case, I know I am in the minority when I say that I like the new look, mainly because of the presence of color, something that was lacking to me. But believe me, I totally get why others are dismayed by this change. It has already made me think about the things that have already become special to me: eating ice cream in the outside lounge chairs on the backside of the Boardwalk Inn that faces the water; visiting the stables with the kids at FW; the hidden nooks with fireplaces on the upper floors of the WL lobby area; chips and salsa with the wife at the little bar inside the pyramid in the Mexico pavilion. And of course there are others. I suppose I should start trianing myself now to deal with change at WDW. Ever since 2009 this resort has been in a constant state of change so hopefully it won't be as much of a struggle for me if some of my favorite spots are removed. Time will tell.
DC0703
Well-Known Member
After seeing pics of the finished lobby, I will echo the sentiment that it looks decent, but nothing special or unique. It reminds me a lot of the Wilderness Lodge, minus that hotel's intricate details in the woodwork and whatnot. It does let a lot more light in, which I'm mixed on. In some ways, the darker feeling of the lobby gave it character and mood. On the other hand, it is more spacious and open, which is a more modern approach.
Ultimately, the space looks more ordinary now. As others have said - no wow factor.
Ultimately, the space looks more ordinary now. As others have said - no wow factor.
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
I think it is a bit absurd to claim the lobbies at WL and AKL are just sitting areas to view the geyser/giraffes. Those lobbies are stunning works of art. Poly never had that scale and now it is a small, pretty plain lobby. It would be fine for a moderate, but if you compare it to the Lodges, Contemporary, or GF, it doesn't measure up (at those room rates). The outside fountain better have dolphins on staff who will jump and Eee Eee Eeeee! every 15 minutes. Or maybe a functional volcano with Tommy Lee Jones 30 years younger (Josh Brolin?)
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Well it's a good thing this isn't the opening lobby to a Grandiose and deluxe resort… Oh wait.
baymenxpac
Well-Known Member
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
What do you expect? You're dealing with a company that measure success based on metrics of how well you meet your margins and your numbers.
You have a culture of people who cannot think beyond the balance sheet anymore.
I mean the entrance to a rain forest café is more impressive than that…
tl77
Well-Known Member
When they designed the Poly the rainforest in the lobby was all they had, and lobby itself was much smaller than it is now, and I thought it was great, although I liked it better will the parrots in there, but they are clearly trying to shift focus to the pool area with the new Tiki bar and so on. The new lobby design is supposed to be a non-event to try and get people look out the large windows, and move beyond the lobby area. Personally I'm more glad to see the ridiculous volcano pool gone that sad about the lobby
tl77
Well-Known Member
The Yacht and Beach clubs are also deluxe resorts and their lobbies are just sitting areas to view the pool area
Father Robinson
Well-Known Member
Exactly. Which is what (made) the Poly's lobby so spectacular.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Yes but there's something very ornate about the lobbies of the yacht and Beach club as well as boardwalk… It just seems like old blue blood money.
This? I'll wait until I see it firsthand by to paraphrase a Olympic gymnast… I am just not impressed.
Because of the lobby is supposed to be the first thing guests see when they get here… The absolute opening to the story of their vacation, then I'm not enthusiastic about what their stories going to be
Lee
Adventurer
What do I expect?
Sadly...I've come to expect disappointment.
That's my struggle with WDW. I feel like I'm losing more things that I love than I'm gaining. Have been for a while. It's a very unpleasant feeling.
dgp602
Well-Known Member
Is it just me, or does the blue stone that is on the footprint of the old fountain feel like a left over scar of what used to be? It's like a constant reminder of past beauty...
WDWtraveler
Well-Known Member
Photo update as of Friday, Dec 19. Overnight, the Polynesian Village Resort lobby was completed and open to guests this morning. The curtains were gone overnight. New furniture, new rugs, new seating areas. Even the carpet on the lobby stairs to the second level was completely replaced. In these photos, the lobby floor is overly "blue", but in actual appearance it is more closely like the original stone around the center lobby.
On the second level, the waiting area for 'OHana's has new furniture and carpet to match the lower lobby.
Finally, the kid's TV area near the front door was being completed this morning, with all new furniture.
On the second level, the waiting area for 'OHana's has new furniture and carpet to match the lower lobby.
Finally, the kid's TV area near the front door was being completed this morning, with all new furniture.