Polynesian Resort Adding Bungalows

tjkraz

Active Member
There's no MK view? The way it is positioned it looks like there is.

Not according to the image below.

Some rooms will have views of the Poly and Seven Seas Lagoon. Many will just look toward other GF buildings or the wedding pavilion. Big Pine Key building blocks any direct view of the Magic Kingdom. Will see some fireworks above but not much more than that.

VGFonGoogleEarth.jpg
 

GoofGoof

Premium Member
Not according to the image below.

Some rooms will have views of the Poly and Seven Seas Lagoon. Many will just look toward other GF buildings or the wedding pavilion. Big Pine Key building blocks any direct view of the Magic Kingdom. Will see some fireworks above but not much more than that.

VGFonGoogleEarth.jpg

I think the top floors may be tall enough to look over the buildings in front. It is hard to tell what the elevations are from a sketch. The lower floors probably not, just a view of the fireworks. The whole back side of BLT has no view of the MK either and it sold out. I do think that if the rumors of the Poly are true they will try to keep it under wraps. I know if I was considering buying at GFV and then found out about these plans I would definitely wait.
 

Disneykidder

Well-Known Member
Hmmm. Granted I haven't been to Disney since August but it looked like there were a bunch of rooms that would have a MK view. Given that there will be a small portion of them that do have that view, I forsee a lot of points for them as well as booking fast. But I agree with GoofGoof. If I found out amist the building of GFV that the Poly would have DVC, I would wait, too.
 

tjkraz

Active Member
I think the top floors may be tall enough to look over the buildings in front. It is hard to tell what the elevations are from a sketch. The lower floors probably not, just a view of the fireworks. The whole back side of BLT has no view of the MK either and it sold out.

People will certainly buy the points but it's never going to be the picturesque location that many have envisioned. At BLT, about 35-40% of the rooms have an unobstructed view of the MK. At Grand Floridian 0% will have an unobstructed view.

BTW in case you haven't been following, that small section of the resort which most faces in the direction of the Magic Kingdom will only house Grand Villas. Studio, 1B and 2B villas will...at best...have obstructed side views.
I do think that if the rumors of the Poly are true they will try to keep it under wraps. I know if I was considering buying at GFV and then found out about these plans I would definitely wait.

They may try to keep things under wraps. DVC has taken both approaches over the years. BLT was nearly finished before they acknowledged its existence, but Grand Floridian villas were announced before the first shovel hit the ground.

Whatever the case, Poly is sure to be exceedingly expensive. It probably won't open for 2-3 years so take the Grand Floridian price and add 20-30%. And you can probably add at least that much to the point charts, too.
 

GoofGoof

Premium Member
People will certainly buy the points but it's never going to be the picturesque location that many have envisioned. At BLT, about 35-40% of the rooms have an unobstructed view of the MK. At Grand Floridian 0% will have an unobstructed view.

BTW in case you haven't been following, that small section of the resort which most faces in the direction of the Magic Kingdom will only house Grand Villas. Studio, 1B and 2B villas will...at best...have obstructed side views.

The quality of the views is yet to be determined, but by looking at the available pictures more than 0% will have views of the MK. It may not be 40% but some will have views. It is possible that most will be the grand villas.

BLT has a Birdseye view of MK that you won't get from GFV since it lacks the height. My last stay at BLT was on the 3rd floor in a MK view room. Even though the trees across the road block you from having a straight in view of all of MK like you get from top of the world or a hogher floor you can still see most of the castle and Space Mountain as well as the fireworks. IMHO the views from the back of BLT are fantastic too. The lake is very peaceful and relaxing to watch and if you are up high enough you can see Spaceship Earth, Everest and the higher fireworks from illuminations. Not having a view of MK doesn't prevent it from being a desirable room. You are still on the monorail and have use of all of the resort facilities. Look at BCV. That little wing has no view of the lake or any park, but it's still wildly popular among DVCers. It has a great location (walk to EPCOT) and a great pool.
 

tikiman

Well-Known Member
Yes the Bungalows are in the concept for the DVC expansion. I could not say anything until it was out there from someone else. I still have not listened to the show that reported it, I just read what was posted and from what I know they planned on 15 of them and they were located off the beach of Tahiti and not over in Luau Cove. Also Aotearoa, Fiji and Tuvalu will not be part of DVC and will not be removed but the Luau building will be coming out. I did not see or hear of any plans to put anything out in the water over on the west side of the resort but the west side should be where they start.
I guess the resort suggested that the work on the bungalows were going to start this year, well if that is true then I would think they are just working on the underwater structure because my understanding is the grand villas over the water would be a later phase. I would not be surprised to see the first phase over at the luau to start this year but then I would not be surprised if we saw nothing start for a year or two. The information I got for the plans for DVC did not include any timeline. Other discussions I have had involved some info about something starting this year (GCH rehab) and some info about DVC being ready by 2017. We all know plans change with Disney all the time and the info I got was from about a year ago or more.
I hope soon I can share more of the details but for now I was asked not to say anything unless someone else reports it.
 

Genie of the Lamp

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Yes the Bungalows are in the concept for the DVC expansion. I could not say anything until it was out there from someone else. I still have not listened to the show that reported it, I just read what was posted and from what I know they planned on 15 of them and they were located off the beach of Tahiti and not over in Luau Cove. Also Aotearoa, Fiji and Tuvalu will not be part of DVC and will not be removed but the Luau building will be coming out. I did not see or hear of any plans to put anything out in the water over on the west side of the resort but the west side should be where they start.
I guess the resort suggested that the work on the bungalows were going to start this year, well if that is true then I would think they are just working on the underwater structure because my understanding is the grand villas over the water would be a later phase. I would not be surprised to see the first phase over at the luau to start this year but then I would not be surprised if we saw nothing start for a year or two. The information I got for the plans for DVC did not include any timeline. Other discussions I have had involved some info about something starting this year (GCH rehab) and some info about DVC being ready by 2017. We all know plans change with Disney all the time and the info I got was from about a year ago or more.
I hope soon I can share more of the details but for now I was asked not to say anything unless someone else reports it.

Thanks for coming here and posting your insight about this development.:) I can't wait to hear more as the details come out.
 

kane47

Well-Known Member
I posted this on another thread. Just wondering what everyone thinks.


It is a neat idea but the major appeal of these types of bungalows is the crystal clear water below that allows you to view the fish and jump right off your patio into the water to swim. Wouldn't the lack of clear swimmable water hamper the true value of this type of accommodations?
 

tikiman

Well-Known Member
I posted this on another thread. Just wondering what everyone thinks.


It is a neat idea but the major appeal of these types of bungalows is the crystal clear water below that allows you to view the fish and jump right off your patio into the water to swim. Wouldn't the lack of clear swimmable water hamper the true value of this type of accommodations?

I keep seeing this said but jumping in the water is the last thing I thought I would want to do. All I thought when I saw it was that it would be a cool room with the best water view around. Maybe thats just me.
 

bethymouse

Well-Known Member
Bottom line: For me, unless I can convince my hubby to buy into DVC ( probably never going to happen). I will never be able to stay there!:( I am almost certain the "average" folks like me will not be able to afford such an extravagent thing as a bungalow!:(
 

GoofGoof

Premium Member
I gave this thread a bump since there is some new news on this front (new to me anyway, I've been a little busy this month so I just noticed it). If this is being discussed elsewhere sorry for the duplication, but its pretty epic news IMHO. Our resident Polynesian expert @tikiman posted this on his site earlier this month:

http://www.tikimanpages.com/tiki/news/222-dvc-starting-in-2013

The highlights: Not 1 but 2 T shaped DVC buildings, plus Tahiti will be converted to DVC, plus 15 grand villas over the water!!!! All this and a new pool area with a lazy river:). This is going to be an extremely popular DVC addition. Check out the link which has more details and a map of the projected layouts. Thanks to @tikiman for updating us on this exciting news.
 

Disneykidder

Well-Known Member
Wow, @GoofGoof. I hadn't seen it either so thanks for the update. That does look pretty interesting. I suppose everyone knew it was inevitable since Contemporary for BLT and now The Grand Floridian got GFV. I know I will be staying there one of these days!!!! (I'd actually rather stay there than GFV!!)

The lazy river sounds cool. It will be quite popular. I also like how there are two buildings. One offering the view and the other the river.
 

GoofGoof

Premium Member
Wow, @GoofGoof. I hadn't seen it either so thanks for the update. That does look pretty interesting. I suppose everyone knew it was inevitable since Contemporary for BLT and now The Grand Floridian got GFV. I know I will be staying there one of these days!!!! (I'd actually rather stay there than GFV!!)

The lazy river sounds cool. It will be quite popular. I also like how there are two buildings. One offering the view and the other the river.
I think the pool area and lazy river is one of the most exciting parts. The DVC wing on the grounds of the luau and the huts over the water had been separately rumored in various places, but this is the first time I've seen all of this reported as happening together and from a reputable source. Based on the fact that the buildings that are being removed in these plans are also scheduled as the last to be renovated I would say there is definitely some fire to go with the smoke. I would imagine Disney will not officially announce anything until GFV is mostly sold out. I would imagine lots of people would think about waiting for this.
 

GoofGoof

Premium Member
You can still stay in there even if it is DVC. :)

Or you could join our cult... I mean club;).

I did notice they would be taking away some of the volume of regular hotel rooms which could mean less availability and even less discounts for cash guests. On the flip side they would be adding a new pool area which I assume would be open to all resort guests (unlike BLT's pool which is DVC guests only). Maybe another restaurant or lounge will be in the works too.
 

olinecoach61

Well-Known Member
Or you could join our cult... I mean club;).

I did notice they would be taking away some of the volume of regular hotel rooms which could mean less availability and even less discounts for cash guests. On the flip side they would be adding a new pool area which I assume would be open to all resort guests (unlike BLT's pool which is DVC guests only). Maybe another restaurant or lounge will be in the works too.
Well I was thinking the same thing, will the new pool area be open to everyone at the resort?
 

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