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

[GoofGoof]

I'm from New England, so I like the heat but I can't stand August. I would love to live in Florida but maybe only in the winter months.

Winter weather is nice' you can get lucky in the summer, but it's no guarantee.

 

[note2001]

Few, if any, decisions are universally loved within the company (Maelstrom, Adv. Club, etc.), and the Poly lobby is no exception.
However, they will never admit to getting it wrong. Never.

They will never admit to getting this wrong, or understand that they got it wrong? (Two different things there.)
We don't need them to stand up and admit they're wrong. However, we also don't want them to proclaim the project as a full out success when we can all see it's not.

What most of us would like is to see the company resolve errors and not pass them off as "the reception for <this project> has been excellent" when we know the opposite is true. In the age where (nearly) everyone has internet access, the truth tells a story of it's own, and any attempts to cover it up and change the story tarnish a once shining reputation even more.

I'm not saying they must rebuild the fountain to appease the fans. What I am asking is that they work to fix glaring errors in the product produced.

 

[lazyboy97o]

They will never admit to getting this wrong, or understand that they got it wrong? (Two different things there.)
We don't need them to stand up and admit they're wrong. However, we also don't want them to proclaim the project as a full out success when we can all see it's not.

What most of us would like is to see the company resolve errors and not pass them off as "the reception for this that or the other thing has been excellent" when we know the opposite is true. In the age where (nearly) everyone has internet access, the truth tells a story of it's own, and any attempts to cover it up and change the story tarnish a once shining reputation even more.

I'm not saying they must rebuild the fountain to appease the fans. What I am asking is that they work to fix glaring errors in the product produced.

The positive mentality of Walt Disney Imagineering has been really perverted to the point where even constructive criticism can put a huge target on one's back.

 

[Lee]

They will never admit to getting this wrong, or understand that they got it wrong? (Two different things there.)
We don't need them to stand up and admit they're wrong. However, we also don't want them to proclaim the project as a full out success when we can all see it's not.

What most of us would like is to see the company resolve errors and not pass them off as "the reception for this that or the other thing has been excellent" when we know the opposite is true. In the age where (nearly) everyone has internet access, the truth tells a story of it's own, and any attempts to cover it up and change the story tarnish a once shining reputation even more.

I'm not saying they must rebuild the fountain to appease the fans. What I am asking is that they work to fix glaring errors in the product produced.

They will never admit being wrong. Never have. Especially when they know it.

Time after time, despite evidence to the contrary, Disney will spin an unpopular decision as a rousing success. All they have to do is cherry-pick a few of the positive posts in this thread and say, "See, our most dedicated guests love the new Poly Lobby!"

It's how they operate.

 

[flyerjab]

The rock feature seriously looks like a big pile of petrified horse manure....with flowers around it

It does have that sort of vibe to it doesn't it? More dinosaur-like though.



I couldn't help myself with this one. It was too easy. Right now I will admit that the water feature shouldn't even be called a water feature. For those that loved the fountain and kept giving WDW their money to stay at the resort over the years, they could have put in something better than what is there. I know it isn't finished (assuming the Tiki statue is going in eventually) but man.

 

[note2001]

The positive mentality of Walt Disney Imagineering has been really perverted to the point where even constructive criticism can put a huge target on one's back.

They will never admit being wrong. Never have. Especially when they know it.

Time after time, despite evidence to the contrary, Disney will spin an unpopular decision as a rousing success. All they have to do is cherry-pick a few of the positive posts in this thread and say, "See, our most dedicated guests love the new Poly Lobby!"

It's how they operate.

And that right there is where the problem lies: Disney Imagineering, and corporate main are still acting with a recession attitude and tossing employees under the bus when a project goes awry. Last I checked the fear of layoffs should be over and that target should no longer exist if one is a good dedicated employee. It took more than one person to sign off on this new design, and I'm sure it took more than one person to create and accept delivery of a fountain inferior to that design.

Those targets should be placed on the backs of those who allow this attitude to stay in the office, not those who work hard. But all this is for another thread and I apologize for the divergence from the topic.

 

[Father Robinson]

Few, if any, decisions are universally loved within the company (Maelstrom, Adv. Club, etc.), and the Poly lobby is no exception.

Universally, based on numbers of complaints, this decision was an absolute train wreck. Maelstrom, etc.. I believe had plenty of back and forths with the negative and positive feelings. This doesn't have enough positive reviews to fill a bus.

 

[JohnD]

Putting aside the design asthetic (e.g. red chairs) for the moment, what, if anything was supposed to be gained by this redesign? Was it accomplished?

 

[Clamman73]

Putting aside the design asthetic (e.g. red chairs) for the moment, what, if anything was supposed to be gained by this redesign? Was it accomplished?

Lower upkeep cost.

 

[GoofGoof]

Putting aside the design asthetic (e.g. red chairs) for the moment, what, if anything was supposed to be gained by this redesign? Was it accomplished?

They probably cut the operating cost of the resort.

If you are looking for a positive, it does look a little more updated/modern. The Poly had a bit of a dated feel to it. I think for most people it was part of the nostalgia.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

I for one, liked the orange rug.

 

[ford91exploder]

Putting aside the design asthetic (e.g. red chairs) for the moment, what, if anything was supposed to be gained by this redesign? Was it accomplished?

I'm guessing more retail space the downstairs store has been enlarged and is open to lobby for its entire length, Moana's Merchandise is easily 3x the square footage of the old heavily themed store. So if it was increased retail/DVC sales space I'd say they succeeded brilliantly.

Not to mention lowered OPEX due to removal of dynamic elements.

 

[ford91exploder]

I mean this question with all sincerity, so please, I ask you, please no sarcasm, but they do read these and other boards occasionally,do you think all this bashing has caused them to think even for a moment that maybe this was a bad move? Do you think it's enjoyable to them to know that 98% of people have such strong opposition to this outcome? How'd you like to be the manager of the Poly reading these threads...

Disney NEVER admits they made an error that's part of the company DNA.

 

[Communicore]

I forgot to add those seats felt funky. Definitely not Disney caliber seats.

 

[RSoxNo1]

They will never admit being wrong. Never have. Especially when they know it.

Time after time, despite evidence to the contrary, Disney will spin an unpopular decision as a rousing success. All they have to do is cherry-pick a few of the positive posts in this thread and say, "See, our most dedicated guests love the new Poly Lobby!"

It's how they operate.

John Lasseter publicly criticized the original Disney California Adventure in a Cars Land presentation at the 2011 D23 Expo. It was explaining the need for the investment, but he essentially said the park wasn't up to Disney standards.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

They will never admit being wrong. Never have. Especially when they know it.

Time after time, despite evidence to the contrary, Disney will spin an unpopular decision as a rousing success. All they have to do is cherry-pick a few of the positive posts in this thread and say, "See, our most dedicated guests love the new Poly Lobby!"

It's how they operate.

I think Iger admitted they were wrong with DCA 1.0- or are you just talking Florida?

 

[Cesar R M]

My point being is... all the extra space and seating was added for what purpose? Is it filler, or was it actually felt like it was needed? To those saying that change was needed... the old thing had to be rebuilt.. etc. Ok, so we say "lets reboot this sucker.." and what objectives do they set out to have in the new space based on their needs? If you are taking things in a positive direction.. you should be addressing needs. Instead it feels like we just cleared things out and needed an artistic theme to fill the space in.

agree, they could have added a bigger fountain in one of the walls where the gigantic red seatings are..

 

[Cesar R M]

Few, if any, decisions are universally loved within the company (Maelstrom, Adv. Club, etc.), and the Poly lobby is no exception.
However, they will never admit to getting it wrong. Never.

I suppose they always play the game of "lets all agree and never say things sucks to the boss.. so we all get a bonus"

 

[Cesar R M]

John Lasseter publicly criticized the original Disney California Adventure in a Cars Land presentation at the 2011 D23 Expo. It was explaining the need for the investment, but he essentially said the park wasn't up to Disney standards.

John Lesseter is of the very very few men who cares about giving something out of the ordinary.

 

[Gabe1]

They will never admit being wrong. Never have. Especially when they know it.

Time after time, despite evidence to the contrary, Disney will spin an unpopular decision as a rousing success. All they have to do is cherry-pick a few of the positive posts in this thread and say, "See, our most dedicated guests love the new Poly Lobby!"

It's how they operate.

Much like they moderate the comments on their blogs. Cherry picking, omitting anything close to negative and posting guests comments that are rave reviews.

I was never a great supporter of making room for non resort guests to loiter in the resort I was paying to stay in. As much as I like the Contemporary we have not stayed there in years. The resort is a tourist attraction and filled to the gills with guests that are not resort guests. To the point where it is difficult to relax in the resort you are paying top dollar to stay in. Not what I am looking for in a resort. I want to be the one hang'n in my resort during a thunderstorm, verses having to retreat to my room because it is inundated with non resort guests. This type of seating in the lobby just encourages that.