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News Refurbishment coming soon to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort - Moana details to be included
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
James Alucobond
Well-Known Member
For as slowly as Disney moves at construction, I'm consistently impressed by how quickly and secretly the horticulture team is able to transform spaces.
Disney Analyst
Well-Known Member
Honestly, with these decent shots showing the underside, I don’t mind it. Just looks like wood planks painted white.
Works for me.
UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
Maybe it's because I already know it's metal, but it doesn't look like wood at all to me. It looks like a steel/aluminum sheet.
I'm not planning to stay at the Polynesian anyways, though, so it doesn't matter to me.
MrPromey
Well-Known Member
I agree and maybe for the same reason.
That said, if they were to do something about that, I'd say this is coming along better than I was expecting.
Mr. Moderate
Well-Known Member
The construction pace is frustrating slow and they need to kick it in gear. Please get this open before October.
rle4lunch
Well-Known Member
I wonder how he got his helicopter so low in order to take these pics?!? bonus points if you know the movie this screen grab is from.
rle4lunch
Well-Known Member
hpyhnt 1000
Well-Known Member
The new porte cochere is... fine(ish). I know it's referencing very different cultural and architectural sources, but the entrance at Animal Kingdom Lodge is just executed so much better.
Poly:
AKL:
There's just so much more attention paid to the Lodge structure. I find the colors to be more natural, the beams and columns are textured to mimic wood, there's extra details like the cross bracing and roof connectors to further help "sell" the illusion, and the chandeliers hang as contrasting focal points.
Compare to the Poly where the white glass orbs get lost against the similarly colored roof, there's practically zero attempt to hide the concrete and steel nature of the structure, we lack supporting details like roof connectors and rope lashing, and basic infrastructure like the fire sprinklers is painfully obvious and detracts from the design (compared to AKL where the sprinklers are better integrated).
At the end of the day, both entries are steel and concrete mimicking a wooden structure, but only one pulls it off. You can't help but conclude the AKL designers knew exactly what they needed to do and pretty much nailed the execution whereas the Poly folks... didn't.*
*I know the area is still a construction zone so maybe/hopefully we'll see some improvements in the months ahead.
Poly:
AKL:
There's just so much more attention paid to the Lodge structure. I find the colors to be more natural, the beams and columns are textured to mimic wood, there's extra details like the cross bracing and roof connectors to further help "sell" the illusion, and the chandeliers hang as contrasting focal points.
Compare to the Poly where the white glass orbs get lost against the similarly colored roof, there's practically zero attempt to hide the concrete and steel nature of the structure, we lack supporting details like roof connectors and rope lashing, and basic infrastructure like the fire sprinklers is painfully obvious and detracts from the design (compared to AKL where the sprinklers are better integrated).
At the end of the day, both entries are steel and concrete mimicking a wooden structure, but only one pulls it off. You can't help but conclude the AKL designers knew exactly what they needed to do and pretty much nailed the execution whereas the Poly folks... didn't.*
*I know the area is still a construction zone so maybe/hopefully we'll see some improvements in the months ahead.
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ImperfectPixie
Well-Known Member
My exact thoughts. It's BAD.
castlecake2.0
Well-Known Member
UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
Yeah, in theory the new area is an improvement, and it looks okay from a distance. Up close, though the execution is awful and far below Disney's usual (former?) standards.
Bocabear
Well-Known Member
Yes the new porte cochere structure has much better lines than the old...(which was wood)... Problem is the actual finished doesn't look either "Polynesian" or Deluxe, both of which this hotel is supposed to be.
It is not merely a utilitarian structure to cover arrivals from the elements, It is also a guest's first impression of the Resort. More care needs to be taken with the final details.
Yes! The new structure is great, just finish it in an appropriate manner. Details really do matter especially when you are making a first impression.
It is not merely a utilitarian structure to cover arrivals from the elements, It is also a guest's first impression of the Resort. More care needs to be taken with the final details.
Yes! The new structure is great, just finish it in an appropriate manner. Details really do matter especially when you are making a first impression.
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hpyhnt 1000
Well-Known Member
To be fair, the vast majority of hotels compare unfavorably to AKL's Jambo House! On property, only Wilderness Lodge holds a candle to it.
Say what you will about Disney's hotel service standards, but the design of the Lodge's common areas isn't just good by Disney standards, it really is world class. A rare instance where WDW got something truly special.
montyz81
Well-Known Member
For comparison: This is what they are actually capable of:
I am looking at it from a materials used perspective, not from an outward design perspective. Steel girders do not give me that sense of being in a structure based in the polynessiean region. The old entrance did, the Aulani entrance does. If only Joe were still around to fix this