Trip Report Tu in ‘25

Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Tu in ‘25

These lyrics came to mind when I thought about my trip reporting. (I also thought, Here we go AGAIN but the above sounds much more poignant.) It’s now that time of year when my Disney trips are frequent. And this Disney Senior loves sharing her visits with y’all because your engagement makes it fun!

Yes, there will be stuff that’s the same. Yes, there will be surprises (too soon for the reveals). And yes, there will be sun rises!

Spring break countdown is at 4 days.

Since this intro needs a picture, here are Tu.

 

[Katiekitten]

Following along!

 

[93boomer]

Tu's Two Homes

When I joined this forum nearly 15 years ago and needed a username, Tuvalu immediately came to mind. The Polynesian was my favorite resort and I'd recently experienced a theme park view room in the Tuvalu longhouse which blew me away. I must always stay in this room!, I remember thinking (and I did, a couple more times.)

Our kids grew up at the Polynesian and my nostalgia there is strong. The tropical vibe was so relaxing and the location couldn't be beat. And then the arrival of bungalows and a DVC conversion of three longhouses changed my beloved resort forever. (As did social media, but that's another story.)

In time (2017 to be exact) the passion for my first love had faded and was replaced by a new love. The theming of Wilderness Lodge could not have been more opposite, but the peaceful, relaxation vibe was strong. So strong in fact that over the last two years, WL overtook Poly for my number of stays and nights.

And since someone is bound to ask:
WL 42 stays/216 nights
Poly 36 stays/206 nights

The addition of Polynesian Island Tower confirmed that my stays at the Poly were over. As if the resort wasn’t already overrun with people, let’s add more rooms!

Yet - Tuvalu needed closure. And I was curious about the theme park views in that big new eyesore.

Enter a generous friend who offered to rent me DVC points. One night was all I needed.

When: August 16-24, 2025
Who: Tuvalu and Woody
Where: Disney’s Polynesian Island Tower and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

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Excited to see how the trip went!!

 

[WDisneyW]

Following

 

[cgersic]

I'm here too!! Can't wait to see what you think!

 

[Tuvalu]

Following along!

Excited to see how the trip went!!

Following

I'm here too!! Can't wait to see what you think!

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, August 16

Life had thrown us some difficulties in the month since I’d returned from Disneyland with Em. There was talk of canceling our annual August vacation, but I knew Woody needed to get away. You may recall his last vacation (May) was fraught with my urgent care visit, Poly’s skin infection and multiple meet-ups which kept us on the go A LOT. My poor husband was overdue for downtime and refreshment. As we pulled out of our driveway, I prayed the upcoming week would provide that for him.

We had the option of stopping at Chick-fil-A for breakfast since it was a Saturday, but I knew Woody prefers the restrooms, fuel pumps and brisket tacos at Buc-ees so I suggested we drive a little further south for breakfast.

I grabbed a couple of Woody’s tater tots to accompany my brisket and egg taco. (And I remembered to pack our “car picnic” trays, @MickeyCB.)

Our next stop, approximately two hours later, was Publix.

And by Publix I mean the Florida Welcome Center. Though upon first glance it was hard to tell the difference!

It was smooth sailing the rest of the drive and we arrived on property a little past 2 pm. I had not received our room text, but I had done my research and learned there is no guard shack at Polynesian Island Tower - just a security gate to be opened by MagicBand or key card. We’d have to visit the Great Ceremonial House to check in.

Tu is home?

 

[Captain Barbossa]

but I knew Woody prefers the restrooms, fuel pumps and brisket tacos at Buc-ees so I suggested we drive a little further south for breakfast.

I grabbed a couple of Woody’s tater tots to accompany my brisket and egg taco.

Thought of you fairly recently. Was heading up to Chatt about a month ago and had my first ever visit to the Beaver Propaganda Emporium.

Stopped at the one very close to your and Keith’s neck of the woods.

Was hoping to try your beloved brisket taco, but I was a few minutes tardy to breakfast hours and they were already pulling them off the rack. I opted for the chopped brisket sandwich instead.

Absolutely delicious

Stopped again a few days later on the drive back and got the brisket burrito and a apple pie.

They too were absolutely delicious.

Even caught a glimpse of the Holy Beav himself

So what’s the verdict? Let’s just say I’m going to be eating crow after I get done filling out my application for lifetime beaver cult membership.

 

[Tuvalu]

@Captain Barbossa

 

[pkkurz]

Can’t wait to hear about your one night stay at Island Tower. We visited the lobby and restaurant a few weeks after it opened and were not impressed.

 

[Tuvalu]

Can’t wait to hear about your one night stay at Island Tower. We visited the lobby and restaurant a few weeks after it opened and were not impressed.

 

[lindawdw]

I'm so happy that you started this TR as I've been wondering your thoughts on the Poly Tower stay!

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, con’t

We stopped at the Front Desk to activate our MagicBands. The CM confirmed that our room wasn’t ready yet, which did not surprise me since DVC rooms have a 4 pm check in. Woody and I were hungry (and thirsty!) and decided to visit the Oasis Bar and Grill at the quiet pool. I used my MB to open the pool gate.

We grabbed the last table in the shade and had just sat down when my phone buzzed with our room number! But we were already committed to food and beverage so the room would have to wait.

The server came over to take our drink order. Woody requested a Kona Longboard and I was in the mood for something frozen, so I asked if the bar had a blender. (Not my first rodeo with Poly bars and blenders .) I asked if it were possible to get a strawberry colada.

“Sure, I can get you a Miami Vice!” chirped our server as she walked away.

I looked at Woody (a bartender himself back in the day) and mouthed, “Miami Vice?”

He shrugged and I immediately went to Google. Turns out a Miami Vice is a layered strawberry daiquiri snd piña colada. My strawberry coladas of yore were those two drinks blended together, but I could make this work.

We had to ask for menus since the server assumed we weren’t eating.

Both of us opted for the grilled chicken avocado wrap - which was suspiciously missing avocado. But we were too hungry to send the wraps back.

Once we settled the bill we went to the parking lot to move our car to the PIT (a quite humorous acronym, IMO).
The angle of the MagicBand reader at the PIT gate was awkward and it took Woody a few tries before the arm lifted. The lot had ample parking and we got a spot close to the entrance, which never happens at the main lot.

Artsy shot.

Non-artsy.

 

[lindawdw]

I'm so excited that your room was ready so early! Your lunch looks delicious!

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, con’t

I forgot to take lobby pictures but here is one from my April report. Wasn’t particularly impressed then or now.

No riff raff is allowed on any upper floor (unless accompanied by a DVC rep giving a tour.)

In most Disney resorts, a MB is required only for club level access. But with “viewing areas” built into the PIT, this restriction is understandable.

The east-facing viewing area, and the views from it.

View from west-facing area.

Now to find our room!

 

[Tuvalu]

Our studio room was on the sixth floor (#8652). The room was well-appointed and still had that “new room smell.” The bathroom was right off the entry. DVC studios tend to have only one bathroom sink (a negative IMO) due to the mini-sink in the kitchenette.

There wasn’t a lot of counter space. The mirrors (and the bathroom in general) gave me Contemporary Resort vibes, rather than Polynesian.

The stall shower was across from the vanity (mirror reflected in pic.) I was hoping for the same great shower experience as in the longhouse studios, but it was NOT the same.

The toilet was next to the shower and had an opaque door, which felt more creepy than private. (There was a barn door which covered the entire bathroom entry, but barn doors can be cumbersome.) This "water closet" is so blah - and why are there no towels on the towel rack?!

The storage closet - across from the bathroom - was tiny.

Now for the good. The main room felt very spacious, perhaps due to the placement of the kitchenette, Murphy bed/couch, and queen bed.

Here's my favorite feature of the studio - the banquette!

While there was plenty of room for Woody and me, the studio might be a bit cramped for a party of four + luggage/stuff, especially for more than a couple days.

 

[93boomer]

Our studio room was on the sixth floor (#8652). The room was well-appointed and still had that “new room smell.” The bathroom was right off the entry. DVC studios tend to have only one bathroom sink (a negative IMO) due to the mini-sink in the kitchenette.

There wasn’t a lot of counter space. The mirrors (and the bathroom in general) gave me Contemporary Resort vibes, rather than Polynesian.

View attachment 881251

The stall shower was across from the vanity (mirror reflected in pic.) I was hoping for the same great shower experience as in the longhouse studios, but it was NOT the same.

View attachment 881252

The toilet was next to the shower and had an opaque door, which felt more creepy than private. (There was a barn door which covered the entire bathroom entry, but barn doors can be cumbersome.) This "water closet" is so blah - and why are there no towels on the towel rack?!

View attachment 881253

The storage closet - across from the bathroom - was tiny.

View attachment 881254

Now for the good. The main room felt very spacious, perhaps due to the placement of the kitchenette, Murphy bed/couch, and queen bed.

View attachment 881257

Here's my favorite feature of the studio - the banquette!

View attachment 881255

View attachment 881256

While there was plenty of room for Woody and me, the studio might be a bit cramped for a party of four + luggage/stuff, especially for more than a couple days.

Not very tropical vibes. I love that banquette too!
I guess they ran out of room in the living quarters so the bathroom suffers.

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, con’t

The grand reveal of what I had been waiting for. Not just a theme park view - an entire Seven Seas Lagoon view.

Yes, I was pleased!

Little did I know how much better this view would get....

 

[lindawdw]

Saturday, con’t

The grand reveal of what I had been waiting for. Not just a theme park view - an entire Seven Seas Lagoon view.

View attachment 881301

View attachment 881298

View attachment 881297

Yes, I was pleased!

View attachment 881302

Little did I know how much better this view would get....

That has to be the BEST view I've ever seen from a room at WDW!!! I don't think I would have wanted to leave that balcony during my stay especially as day turned into night! Parts of the room did have a bland feeling but overall, it looks nice. Love your pink Poly shirt.

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday, con’t

We changed into swimwear and decided to check out the new Cove pool. It was bigger than I expected. We put our stuff on a lounger and went into the water, which felt like a warm bath thanks to the afternoon sun.

The pool had a zero-depth entry for littles.

A stairs/lounge shelf entry.

And a deeper end, though the deepest part was in the center of the pool.

No one was in the spa, which probably was only a few degrees warmer than the pool.

And for all the Negative Nellies who criticized the Moana raft on the splash pad as a climbing hazard for children - it’s not. Climbing is very much allowed for children and adults parents.

And in the category of signs we never expected to see…..

SERIOUSLY??!! Is this a problem? Woody said it must be, otherwise there would be no need for the sign.

We spent about an hour at the pool before thunder chased us out. Dark clouds were coming in from the west. Notice the difference in the pool picture below from the first picture in this post.

 

[lindawdw]

It looks like a beautiful pool area. It's too bad that the thunder chased you away so soon.