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

Cesar R M

Cesar R M

Well-Known Member
orky8 said:
I'm not going to comment on the sanity of those that choose to pay $1500 to stay there. But, if they made the place feel like Hawaii/Polynesia of today, not a throwback to Polynesia, then I could see myself convinced to stay there. And I still might. But the fountain and the lobby in general feels very, very dated. That's my, admittedly, minority opinion.

I would pay good money if they picked up Aulani and plopped it on top of the current Poly (especially with Aulani's pool complex). I have no sentimental feelings for the place, so I'm trying to give my honest opinion. I recognize, others have deeply sentimental feelings.

When I look at pictures of Bora Bora and the amazing bungalows there, they don't look dated with darks woods but modern yet still capturing the essence of their culture. I think Aulani did a good job with this too. And the Poly did a good job as well -- 40 years ago, but it still looks like a 40 year old interpretation of Polynesia.
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so by your point.. all hotels should be modernized and remove the very specific themes they once had?
That is akin of going to an ancient french hotel with exquisite 1800's architecture. Then have it rebuilded to look like your modern EXPRESS hotels.
 
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Communicore

Communicore

Well-Known Member
I am going to miss this original feature. It is indeed sad. Hopefully the Trader Sam's is good. I went to the Anaheim one last August and enjoyed it although it seems too small but it was a fun time.
 
John

John

Well-Known Member
Bocabear said:
I am sure there is some reason they want the floor space but they are not revealing that yet... Maybe vending carts....another expanded DVC kiosk... There was also a rumor a while back that the whole building was slated to be demolished and a new lobby and restaurants going in it's place.... but who knows, maybe this got cut.
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I will bet ANYBODY a dinner and drinks that a DVC kiosk will now be in this now open and accessible area...any takers?
 
John

John

Well-Known Member
tikiman said:
The grotto is not a bar like the Trader Sam's out west. It is a family friendly version of the Trader Sam's bar so there will be things for kids to order and it sounds like an area for kids to sit up at the counter.
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WOnderful! Just what I want....a place to sit and relax and have a drink with kids running around. Gosh that sounds like fun. Its not that I have anything against kids. I have one myself and not to mention a grand daughter. But I guess its to much to ask for adult offerings anymore at WDW.

edit: oooops I forgot about the up charged Harambe nights at AK. How could I.....
 
Calvin Coolidge

Calvin Coolidge

Well-Known Member
Can someone explain to me the appeal of the Poly? I'm sure there must be something y'all see in it other than just nostalgia that I just don't get. Is there something beyond "it's been there a long time and we have stockholm syndrome?" The electric water pageant? Is it just the monorail? Because Grand Flo is also on the monorail and y'all seem to hate that resort.

The new lobby looks much better by my estimation, and Trader Sam's should be great. I think a Sam's could elevate the whole thing, and make it less "70s tacky because it's old" and more "70s tacky because we totally meant to do that."
 
Cesar R M

Cesar R M

Well-Known Member
Calvin Coolidge said:
Can someone explain to me the appeal of the Poly? I'm sure there must be something y'all see in it other than just nostalgia that I just don't get. Is there something beyond "it's been there a long time and we have stockholm syndrome?" The electric water pageant? Is it just the monorail? Because Grand Flo is also on the monorail and y'all seem to hate that resort.

The new lobby looks much better by my estimation, and Trader Sam's should be great. I think a Sam's could elevate the whole thing, and make it less "70s tacky because it's old" and more "70s tacky because we totally meant to do that."
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probably not many people look the "contemporary" look..some people want to be immersed in something different.
 
Polydweller

Polydweller

Well-Known Member
flynnibus said:
No, people hate change they don't see as an improvement. If you convinced them this was BETTER... the majority would buy in. But they are failing to convince people where the improvement is.
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Actually no. I was trained as a psychologist and the professional literature consistently shows that people dislike any sort of change, even when they approve of it. We are all creatures of habit and tend to dislike any kind of change.
 
E

EnchantedTikiResponse

Member
No problem gbear. I intentionally left my words an empty canvas for thought police to paint their personal insecurities or narcissisim onto. Unruffle your feathers you silly guy! But back to the Polynesian. I'm glad people are being vocal about their concerns. Perhaps focus your displeasure toward George Kalogridis his TDO the boyz.
 
laynalee07

laynalee07

Well-Known Member
Someone please pinch me, so I can wake up from this horrible dream!
It seriously looks like our beloved water feature is getting replaced by a little tiki toy that you could win out of a claw machine!
I will be eating at Ohana's next thrusday and am seriously considering climbing on top of the waterfall and protesting! Haha... I'm gonna have to warn my husband that he might have to hold me back.
EPIC FAIL DISNEY! EPIC!!!!:arghh:
 
Spike-in-Berlin

Spike-in-Berlin

Well-Known Member
Terrible, abominable, disgusting if you know the original. From all what TDO has already taken from us or is planning to take this hurts most. The small but impressive lobby jungle with the waterfalls, gone forever. I will NEVER ever stay at this resort again. Did you read this TDO?
NEVER AGAIN!
 
dhall

dhall

Well-Known Member
The Accountaneers have spoken! 400 square feet of space that consistently missed all revenue targets.

Bad Fountain!!! Bad!!!

Of course, with 400 square feet more of space in the lobby, retail prices might have to go up a bit in order to meet the now slightly larger revenue/square foot calculation. Oops
 
Calvin Coolidge

Calvin Coolidge

Well-Known Member
Polydweller said:
Actually no. I was trained as a psychologist and the professional literature consistently shows that people dislike any sort of change, even when they approve of it. We are all creatures of habit and tend to dislike any kind of change.
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I'll cop to being sad for a little while when I realized that I'd never be able to recreate a certain childhood picture I have of my brother and me in those Duckberg cutouts in the old Toontown Fair.

These forums have this weird thing where everyone is always complaining that nothing new is ever built, and then when something new is built, they find a way to complain that it isn't exactly as it was.

The Poly/Tiki fans mostly all loved that Tiki Shrug figure and now everyone is suddenly dead set against it now that it's replacing the janky old waterfall that they remember from their first trip in 1988.

Cesar R M said:
probably not many people look the "contemporary" look..some people want to be immersed in something different.
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I guess I just don't get why everyone loves "Oahu in 1971" but hates "knockoff of a famous San Diego hotel that is universally beloved"
 
DisneyJunkie

DisneyJunkie

Well-Known Member
Definitely NOT a fan of the new design for the lobby (how can they take out that beautiful water feature that's such a hallmark of the place?), nor am I a fan of the name change (don't see anything wrong with leaving it as 'Disney's Polynesian Resort'). I'm all for the DVC additions, but some of these other changes......they simply don't need to be made.
 
Bairstow

Bairstow

Well-Known Member
dhall said:
The Accountaneers have spoken! 400 square feet of space that consistently missed all revenue targets.

Bad Fountain!!! Bad!!!

Of course, with 400 square feet more of space in the lobby, retail prices might have to go up a bit in order to meet the now slightly larger revenue/square foot calculation. Oops
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I don't think the art suggests that the space where the waterfall rock currently sits would be used for retail/food areas.
I honestly can't even tell if you're being sarcastic.
 
asianway

asianway

Well-Known Member
Calvin Coolidge said:
I'll cop to being sad for a little while when I realized that I'd never be able to recreate a certain childhood picture I have of my brother and me in those Duckberg cutouts in the old Toontown Fair.

These forums have this weird thing where everyone is always complaining that nothing new is ever built, and then when something new is built, they find a way to complain that it isn't exactly as it was.

The Poly/Tiki fans mostly all loved that Tiki Shrug figure and now everyone is suddenly dead set against it now that it's replacing the janky old waterfall that they remember from their first trip in 1988.



I guess I just don't get why everyone loves "Oahu in 1971" but hates "knockoff of a famous San Diego hotel that is universally beloved"
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There's plenty of crap that needs to be replaced before the Poly lobby...
 

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