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PHOTOS - Sight-line test balloons up over Disney's Polynesian Resort
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
JWG
Well-Known Member
We all knew it was inevitable that the most popular resort on property would eventially have DVC added. I credit Disney, they started at CR where they could build out of the way and test the water before taking action on the central resort across the lake. I hope their next move is to demo the remaining wing at CR and build an additional tower for DVC. It's gotten very difficult to get into BLT even as an owner there. Maybe VGF and Poly will help resolve that, but I doubt it.
Monorail resorts, don't underestimate their popularity.
Monorail resorts, don't underestimate their popularity.
tikiman
Well-Known Member
I’m not happy about the water feature being removed but I do understand it for two reasons. I know how often they have had to do major work on it and I am guessing it is not the most convenient location to be doing major work. Also I can see it takes up a lot of space that would allow them to redesign the lobby. Don’t get me wrong, I think the center atrium and waterfall is the signature welcome of the resort and with it gone, generations will not know that feeling but until I see what they have planned it is hard to say if it is a good idea or bad.
I realize many won’t believe DVC is coming to the Polynesian until Disney sends out an official statement, others will believe it when they start adding buildings but right now I can say will 100% certainty that they have designs for the DVC and are moving forward. Other than reading rumors that DVC is not doing well and because of that they might cancel the plans for DVC at the Polynesian I have no credible source that tells me Disney won’t continue with its plans. For years I was skeptical that DVC was possible at the Polynesian but since last October and more recently I can’t ignore the information I have been given.
They will be moving forward with the new rooms in the longhouses starting in a few weeks and should be done about Summer of next year. This will be the first step in the resort transformation. When they work on the GCH and the first phase of DVC I don’t know any dates yet and even when they plan on being done is not clear.
I do worry that all the change will affect the feel of the resort but I have faith in Disney designers that it will look good. My concern is more the increased traffic from adding that many more rooms and how they will increase the amount of parking. Also how will adding two new DVCs affect the monorail? Hopefully they have done these studies and have a plan.
As much as I have never been a fan of DVC I am starting to see it as my only way to afford going to the Polynesian in the future with how much prices have increased. I remember when the largest suite at the Polynesian was $700 a night, now a club level standard size room with a view during the Holiday season is $1045 and that is before taxes.
I realize many won’t believe DVC is coming to the Polynesian until Disney sends out an official statement, others will believe it when they start adding buildings but right now I can say will 100% certainty that they have designs for the DVC and are moving forward. Other than reading rumors that DVC is not doing well and because of that they might cancel the plans for DVC at the Polynesian I have no credible source that tells me Disney won’t continue with its plans. For years I was skeptical that DVC was possible at the Polynesian but since last October and more recently I can’t ignore the information I have been given.
They will be moving forward with the new rooms in the longhouses starting in a few weeks and should be done about Summer of next year. This will be the first step in the resort transformation. When they work on the GCH and the first phase of DVC I don’t know any dates yet and even when they plan on being done is not clear.
I do worry that all the change will affect the feel of the resort but I have faith in Disney designers that it will look good. My concern is more the increased traffic from adding that many more rooms and how they will increase the amount of parking. Also how will adding two new DVCs affect the monorail? Hopefully they have done these studies and have a plan.
As much as I have never been a fan of DVC I am starting to see it as my only way to afford going to the Polynesian in the future with how much prices have increased. I remember when the largest suite at the Polynesian was $700 a night, now a club level standard size room with a view during the Holiday season is $1045 and that is before taxes.
WDW1974
Well-Known Member
I just feel that DVC is a plague that has been unleashed upon WDW.
I know DVCers are not going to like this, but as DVC has expanded, the quality around the resort has steadily gone in the other direction and the more DVC has become a priority, the less the parks have.
It was obvious by 2000 that EVERY deluxe resort was going to be 'contaminated' by timeshare and they even had plans for some at the moderates, although I think that has been tabled in favor of adding units INSIDE EPCOT.
20 years ago WDW was the Vacation Kingdom of the World and admired for its quality, cleanliness and guest service.
Now, WDW is The Timeshare Kingdom of the World and ... well, anyone who has been a regular knows just how stale a product it is.
COProgressFan
Well-Known Member
I get what you're saying, Steve. But the central fountain in the GCH is what makes the Poly the Poly. It is so important to the entire feel of the resort and its identity. While I know Disney designers can do some wonderful things when given the resources (Aulani, for example) I worry that the Poly that we all knew and loved in 1975, 1995, and 2012 (even though it has changed) will be nothing like the "new Poly".
Trying to be optimistic, this is probably what many west coast DL Hotel fans felt when that property was recently gutted and modernized. I know many folks were terribly upset by the changes, but I think the general consensus is that that the massive refurbishment there was a major improvement. I guess we will have to wait and see and hope for the best.
As for your concerns about the existing infrastructure handling the new DVC units at the Poly, Grand, (and BLT) I am fairly certain that current WDW management just doesn't care. These resorts were not designed to originally accommodate this number of guests. As a result, it puts a strain on things like parking, monorails/buses/boats, restaurants, pools, beaches, etc as you mentioned. But as we have been shown numerous times through their previous decisions, the impact all of this has on the guests is not a concern, sadly. TDO seems to think they can just keep building and raking in the dough, and somehow those issues will address themselves, or go away. They won't.
I am just not confident at all that this will turn out well.
ChrisM
Well-Known Member
On the other side of the coin, I'm reasonably certain the central fountain is the primary source of that ghastly stench that permeates the GCH. And which is one of the primary reasons I refuse to stay there.
Nasty.
tikiman
Well-Known Member
Well we all wish that Disney would be the Disney of old that thought about the experience more than what will make money. The ironic part is doing what is right may cost money but will make money also by getting fans loyal to the brand as it did when it started. Well to Disney’s advantage there are plenty of loyal Disney fans that are raising kids on Disney parks and experiences so for those of us who miss the Disney of old we have to have faith in the Disney that is focused more on money than on quality. If we don’t like it they have 100 people lined up behind us to stay in our room and buy our park ticket. Until all the true Disney fans stop going and spending they have no reason to change.
I am the first one to admit I am not ready to give up Disney but how bad would it have to get for you to give it up? I think it will be out of my price range before I will give it up because of quality. Isn’t that sad…
I am the first one to admit I am not ready to give up Disney but how bad would it have to get for you to give it up? I think it will be out of my price range before I will give it up because of quality. Isn’t that sad…
WDW1974
Well-Known Member
I dunno, but in your other post you quoted a club level room at over a grand a night. For a hotel that really is a 3-star masquerading as a 4. ... I've stayed at 5-star world-class resorts around the world for less than half of that ... often closer to 75% off that.
I wonder where people (provided they are Americans) get the kind of money it would require to take these trips. And I travel all the time. And stay in nice places (btw, just started what likely will explode by asking folks on Travel Planning board why they feel the need to stay at WDW resorts to begin with ... that oughta be good!)
I've never come close to paying $1,000 a night for a standard room in any hotel in any place on earth. Hell, I've never paid much over $200 for a room at WDW anywhere, anytime, ever and I am at the point where I don't even feel that they're worth that.
I don't like to ever tell folks what they should do with their money (unless they ask ... or post to a travel forum where I feel it's fair game) because I wouldn't want people questioning me. .... But the Poly is truly at this point in time not worth more than $150-200 a night tops in any standard room with any view. It just isn't.
But I'm out of rehab for Pixie Dust addiction and can see things clearly.
As to your point that Disney has 100 people lined up to replace us, Id simply point to their current stats and panic mode at TDO to refute that. That has always been the attitude, no doubt. But no more ... there isn't an endless supply of rubes who want nothing better than to vacation with Disney in Orlando. There are many, many, many better and less pricey options and if you've visited almost anytime in the past 10 years then you've seen largely the exact same product. That's not going to get people back unless they're simply addicts. And, yes, there's a limited supply of them as well.
disneyflush
Well-Known Member
When Disney had to work to earn your money they worked hard at giving you a reason to come back.
When they got all your money up front for 30 years they found it a little more challenging.
disneyeater
Active Member
I don't know that DVC is the reason for the decline. I think there has been greater focus on the bottom line which has lead to both increased timeshare sales (they bring in almost immediate cash) and decreased expenditures (which likely includes decreases to new attractions, staffing, maintenance....)
WDW1974
Well-Known Member
YES!
THIS!!!
And, despite what some say about the DVC market, I've seen nothing to show Disney cares what DVCers think once the contracts are signed in any major way. ... Sure, they'll leave glassware in your units even though they prefer paper cups like you'd get at a Days Inn. Sure, every once in a while they'll take your dues and add a pool or a feature pool/slide.
But demand they provide a higher quality product overall? I don't think so!
WDW1974
Well-Known Member
I believe it is PART of the decline. In no way the only reason or even the biggest.
But PART of it based on the business model that Disney is operating under.
tikiman
Well-Known Member
Good to see your out.
I agree that the Polynesian is not worth the rack rate prices. Its not like I am enjoying the resort 30% more than I was a few years ago but that is how much more I am paying and at some point I will have to make other arrangments. Im staying for a long weekend coming up at the end of this month and it is without the family because of cost. Even with that it is costing me over $2000 by the time the 4 days is over. I remember going on vacation to WDW for a week for that much. I do hope that Disney slows the rate of increase but I don't see it happening.
As for the rooms not being worth $200 a night well I think that is a little low because you are not just paying for the room but for the location, atmosphere and amenities. Im sure someone will argue that but obviously some of us like the Polynesian are are still willing to pay for it for some reason.
ChrisM
Well-Known Member
I'm far too lazy to participate in discussions in any of the other boards on this site, but I figured I'd provide my humble answer to that question.
I recently paid cash (not a DVC member, not a points renter) for a 2 bedroom villa at BLT. No discounts on those suckers, so you can imagine the price was mildly ludicrous.
It was worth it to me, however, because I had the accomodations I wanted (the 1 and 2 bedroom villa layouts are the best thing Disney has designed in a decade....yeah, let that sink in and depress you) and I could walk back and forth to the Magic Kingdom. With a 5 year old and 3 year old, that was well worth it.
I travel quite extensively, as well, and the prices at WDW are comical for what you receive. And while I'm sort of an elitist , it pains me to pay a luxury premium for a lower calibre resort. But that's the price for the amenities I wanted since what I wanted made me a captive audience. (BLT was generally okay - the finishes were nice enough, but the place was really worn for only being 2-3 years old. And apparently no one really put much thought into the fact 90% of guests would use the south elevator bank while the north bank would hardly see any action whatsoever...but put the same number of elevators in each bank.)
A vacation house rental, cook, and driver would be a fun indulgence....but I'd like my kids to turn out at least semi-normal. Make 'em walk.
Cosmic Commando
Well-Known Member
That is the glaring omission from anyone who says that DVCers will become the WDW version of DL's local AP crowd who demand quality in the parks... DL's AP crowd could easily (and sometimes do) decide not to renew and opt for Uni or SeaWorld or Knott's instead each year. DVCers have already bought their Disney hotel rooms for the next 40 years.
alissafalco
Well-Known Member
Well I do have to say that I went the the "real" French Polynesia for my honeymoon and we paid about $750 a night at the Intercontinental Thalasso Resort and Spa, and it was worth every penny. Nothing in the world can compare to staying in a hut with a glass bottom over the water in Bora Bora.
The French Polynesia 404 by alissafalcowilliams, on Flickr- our wedding Thank You card
The French Polynesia 462 by alissafalcowilliams, on Flickr -inside our hut
HONEYMOON 628 by alissafalcowilliams, on Flickr-our bedroom view!!
EPCOTCenterLover
Well-Known Member
^^^WOW!!!
ChrisM
Well-Known Member
alissafalco
Well-Known Member
It actually wasn't that bad. Air Tahiti Nui flew direct from JFK, it was a 13 hour flight. Unfortunately though they no longer fly direct from NY.
ChrisM
Well-Known Member
I hated it. But anything over 9 hours pretty much kills me.