Standing by to get slammed here... I've been lurking on this thread for months now, and I still can't believe how much angst there is over a waterfall. I'll admit I've never stayed at the Poly (although I have visited it MANY times, and OMG I had completely forgotten about the green tiles) and I do not have generational nostalgia for it. As someone who has had an almost obsessive love of fountains and waterfalls for as far back as my memory goes, I thought it was very cool. But even as a teen in the 70s when I first visited the Poly, I thought the whole GCH looked kind of cheesy. It reminded me of the "Hu-Ke-Lau" - a strip mall "Polynesian" restaurant that I went to with my parents where we ordered "Pu-Pu Platters (complete with a sterno hinachi in the middle) and plates of deep-fried mystery meat covered in flourescent pink sauce with pineapple chuncks and maraschino cherries. I have never had a desire to stay there.
I love water features as much or more than anyone (check out the Sea World Renaissance if you want a water feature), but I don't think they are a requirement for a deluxe resort. The Jambo House lobby is arguably the most beautiful interior space in WDW and there is only a minor water feature that you pass as you go down the steps to the dining areas. The GF, BC, YC, and CR also have no significant water features. WL has a very cool, but relatively minor one. And the "new" GCH will have one - just not as huge as the older one.
Removing the waterfall may not have been the "easy way out", but rather a conscious decision to bring the decor from the 70s into the 21st century. Reports indicate that there will be significant water features just outside of the entrance; in nature, doesn't it make sense that "natural" features are outside, not inside of the buildings? There has been scant artwork to show us what this will finally look like when it is done; one picture of the lobby and one of the new Trader's. And a few early-stage construction photos. I remember what my house looked like when it was dry wall and cement and it certainly didn't indicate what it looks like now. And how many times have the final product "really" looked like early-stage artists' renderings. Although the waterfall IS a loss, perhaps when ALL of the elements are complete the effect will be equally as impressive - in a different way (at least I hope so). Disney has made some pretty big blunders in the past, but I'm not ready to throw this whole thing under the bus until I see it complete. But until it IS complete, you probably won't see me there...
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.
