News Refurbishment coming soon to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort - Moana details to be included

[matt9112]

I interpret the somewhat modernised feel as deliberate—they're going for a more streamlined look rather than something that tries to pass itself off as an actual wooden structure. Based on the pictures, I like what I'm seeing overall, though I can certainly understand where some of the negative assessments are coming from. The only thing that I find really objectionable is the netting in which the spheres are suspended.

I agree at face value it's a big step up but definitely not perfect. I think disney has sanitized alot of things with refurbs. It is what it is. There mind and direction is made up. This instance is the least of my concerns.

 

[WDWTrojan]

View attachment 586380

Thanks for posting the mock up. This just proves my point. Let’s look at the finished product which includes:

1)Richly detailed artwork on the roof panels
2)Detail and design on the columns so they do not appear to be solid concrete pillars.
3) A variety of textures and surfaces to add complexity.

By comparison, the new Polynesian entrance has corrugated metal and unthemed support beams. No rich detailing to be found.

Reminds me of the old backlot tour where you could see all the unthemed supports for the facades. The inside of this looks like the designers forgot that once you drove into the structure, you’d still be “onstage.”

 

[UNCgolf]

Thanks for posting the mock up. This just proves my point. Let’s look at the finished product which includes:

1)Richly detailed artwork on the roof panels
2)Detail and design on the columns so they do not appear to be solid concrete pillars.
3) A variety of textures and surfaces to add complexity.


View attachment 586383

By comparison, the new Polynesian entrance has corrugated metal and unthemed support beams. No rich detailing to be found.

View attachment 586384

Reminds me of the old backlot tour where you could see all the unthemed supports for the facades. The inside of this looks like you’ve stepped backstage.

The hanging lights (is that what they are?) actually make it look even more like a warehouse because of the overall unfinished/industrial appearance of everything else, especially since it's just black netting.

 

[MisterPenguin]

This lack of detailed theming almost makes me not want to spend the money I don't have for a stay at the Poly.

 

[Little Green Men]

Thanks for posting the mock up. This just proves my point. Let’s look at the finished product which includes:

1)Richly detailed artwork on the roof panels
2)Detail and design on the columns so they do not appear to be solid concrete pillars.
3) A variety of textures and surfaces to add complexity.


View attachment 586383

By comparison, the new Polynesian entrance has corrugated metal and unthemed support beams. No rich detailing to be found.

View attachment 586384

Reminds me of the old backlot tour where you could see all the unthemed supports for the facades. The inside of this looks like the designers forgot that once you drove into the structure, you’d still be “onstage.”

Theres clearly white in the Aulani version. Ones inside the building, the other is a carport.

Support beams for both structures but whatever floats your boat

 

[Skywise]

Yep. Compare both versions it’s clear which is better View attachment 586349View attachment 586350

The wooden one. Absolutely no contest.

The bottom one looks like an Ihop.

 

[Little Green Men]

The wooden one. Absolutely no contest.

The bottom one looks like an Ihop.

Nope

 

[Chomama]

Is the monorail stopping at Poly yet? Staying for the 50th and trying to find updated info. Thanks!!

 

[Little Green Men]

Is the monorail stopping at Poly yet? Staying for the 50th and trying to find updated info. Thanks!!

Yes

 

[Chomama]

Yes

Thank you!!!

 

[LittleBuford]

The hanging lights (is that what they are?) actually make it look even more like a warehouse because of the overall unfinished/industrial appearance of everything else, especially since it's just black netting.

They are lights, as can be seen from this walkthrough video:




They're the only part of the refurb I think is truly bad.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Theres clearly white in the Aulani version. Ones inside the building, the other is a carport.

Support beams for both structures but whatever floats your boat View attachment 586404

Where is there a visible W beam in this photo?

 

[UNCgolf]

Theres clearly white in the Aulani version. Ones inside the building, the other is a carport.

Support beams for both structures but whatever floats your boat View attachment 586404

I don't know why you keep posting pictures of Aulani -- even people who like the way the Polynesian looks couldn't possibly argue that it looks even 1/10th as good as Aulani. It makes the Polynesian look bad almost by default.

 

[Little Green Men]

I don't know why you keep posting pictures of Aulani -- even people who like the way the Polynesian looks couldn't possibly argue that it looks even 1/10th as good as Aulani. It makes the Polynesian look bad almost by default.

Been to Aulani four times. It’s magnificent but we’re comparing a carport to the actual lobby here.

 

[WDWTrojan]

Theres clearly white in the Aulani version. Ones inside the building, the other is a carport.

Support beams for both structures but whatever floats your boat View attachment 586404

Where do you see any white untinted concrete like on the monorail platform? Where do you see exposed support metal support beams (that aren’t attempted to be masked as wood)?

Even the underside of the “wood” on the outside of the lobby structure is painted to keep the illusion. While the metal support beams are dressed to look like wooden beams.

This Polynesian build looks nothing like this. It looks industrial and rushed.

 

[castlecake2.0]

Surround the circular cement columns with square themed wooden cover and it would look better. Also I’m trying to convince myself that the floating orb things are a supply chain issue stand in till they can get ones that match the lobby.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Surround the circular cement columns with square themed wooden cover and it would look better.

Then you’d have these massive columns supporting a tiny little roof structure.

 

[James Alucobond]

Then you’d have these massive columns supporting a tiny little roof structure.

I mean, they kind of already have spindly steel sticking out of the top of the concrete pylon. Couldn't really look worse.

 

[UNCgolf]

Been to Aulani four times. It’s magnificent but we’re comparing a carport to the actual lobby here.

The second photo you posted is of the carport, though, which looks amazing compared to the one at the Polynesian.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

The second photo you posted is of the carport, though, which looks amazing compared to the one at the Polynesian.

It just goes to show how different people can look at the same thing and see something wildly different, I guess.

Personally, though, I don't know how people are looking at these two things and seeing similar levels of quality: