Wyland Galleries closing at Disney's Polynesian Resort

[monorail81]

Maybe they are expanding the quick serve into it? They could use some more space again...or maybe they are going to put their DVC grocery area there. It's gotta go somewhere.

 

[dolce20]

I am extremely disappointed to hear of the news. Although Wyland wasn't part of the original GCH, it was truly a lovely addition when they put it in. It really fit beautifully in a high-end way, adding that unique touch that one should expect from the deluxe level resort.

Personally, I have made purchases from the WG at the Poly. Gorgeous hibiscus pendant that reminds me of the amazing flowers on Poly property. Also, a seahorse and black pearl pendant that I love and cherish. It's become tradition for my husband to browse with me before a wonderful dinner at Ohana..then to go back to the gallery after dinner to finalize our purchase. Laila is our salesperson and she is a very special lady. She remembers us year after year and couldn't be sweeter, more knowledgable or professional. I truly hope she continues representing Wyland, perhaps at the Boardwalk resort. Too bad, Poly. Better be replaced with something very special.

 

[TowerOfTerror]

Check out @tikiman for more info on this - TDO will be removing the water features in the lobby, basically turning the unique GCH into a overpriced Hampton Inn with a really large gift shop. UGH

It might be better staying at the Hampton Inn soon. $400 vs $100 a night with free breakfast. Not sure how the Hampton can stay in business charging those rates.

Now a different idea is to bring in some local Hawaiian specialities food and merchandise and have a mini bazaar type market. Shaved Ice, makasada, saimin, and spam and any other Hawaiian goods thrown into the mix. Now that's something fun and unique than the boring t-shirt / DVC bologna selling store that they will probably throw in there.

 

[asianway]

It might be better staying at the Hampton Inn soon. $400 vs $100 a night with free breakfast. Not sure how the Hampton can stay in business charging those rates.

Now a different idea is to bring in some local Hawaiian specialities food and merchandise and have a mini bazaar type market. Shaved Ice, makasada, saimin, and spam and any other Hawaiian goods thrown into the mix. Now that's something fun and unique than the boring t-shirt / DVC bologna selling store that they will probably throw in there.

Hampton does very well. Not very labor intensive. Housekeepers are scheduled based on rooms sold, front desk staff, a few managers & 10% ish off the top to pay Hilton for the name and running the place. Breakfast is only gonna cost less than $5 a room on average.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Are they closing it because no one ever bought anything there? I always viewed that place more as a "museum" than "gift shop". It was fun to walk around inside and look, but no way was I ever going to spend the equivalent of a second Disney vacation on a dolphin sculpture, which would go, where, exactly, in my house. Unless you live in Key West, very little inside the store is going to fit with most people's home decor. Maybe that was part of the problem.

The store at Boardwalk also sells jewlery you can wear on yourself. Even if you don't live in Key West.

I'm also pretty sure framed artwork can fit in many home styles.

 

[ford91exploder]

It might be better staying at the Hampton Inn soon. $400 vs $100 a night with free breakfast. Not sure how the Hampton can stay in business charging those rates.

Now a different idea is to bring in some local Hawaiian specialities food and merchandise and have a mini bazaar type market. Shaved Ice, makasada, saimin, and spam and any other Hawaiian goods thrown into the mix. Now that's something fun and unique than the boring t-shirt / DVC bologna selling store that they will probably throw in there.

Guess you haven't been for a while a standard 'Theme Park View' room is $964 this month, A 'Standard' (parking lot) view room is $675.

TDO would never put something in thats unique and special, They want a plan-o-gram store.

 

[ford91exploder]

Hampton does very well. Not very labor intensive. Housekeepers are scheduled based on rooms sold, front desk staff, a few mangers & 10% ish off the top to pay Hilton for the name and running the place. Breakfast is only gonna cost less than $5 a room on average.

AND they are CLEAN unlike Disney rooms recently...

 

[wdwfan22]

AND they are CLEAN unlike Disney rooms recently...

I don't know where your staying but every Disney resort room i've stayed in has always been clean. I can not say the same for Hampton Inn rooms

 

[asianway]

I don't know where your staying but every Disney resort room i've stayed in has always been clean. I can not say the same for Hampton Inn rooms

Hilton has brand standards every hotel must adhere to. Disney is hit or miss-who on here found a dirty diaper in a drawer they wouldn't come & tend to?

 

[dgp602]

I couldn't care less about the Wyland Galleries, but the water feature is iconic and I have slim hopes that even a superb remodel can match it.

I don't think the water fountain removal has been confirmed...

 

[asianway]

I don't think the water fountain removal has been confirmed...

If @tikiman says it's gone, it's gone

 

[wdwfan22]

Hilton has brand standards every hotel must adhere to. Disney is hit or miss-who on here found a dirty diaper in a drawer they wouldn't come & tend to?

That's sad that you found a dirty diaper, but as far as brand standards I've stayed in a few dumps that were Hampton Inn's because of work travel, so they are hit or miss as well

 

[asianway]

That's sad that you found a dirty diaper, but as far as brand standards I've stayed in a few dumps that were Hampton Inn's because of work travel, so they are hit or miss as well

Wasn't me but someone here did and it wasn't resolved until two interactions with the front desk and much apathy. I will no longer stay at a WDW resort - Swan, Dolphin, or Bonnet Creek all the way.

 

[aladdin2007]

On tikimans site his latest updates as of Dec 18, don't mention anything about GCH or water features going away any time soon. Paging tikiman.........we need you here lol.

 

[luv]

I was never a fan of the Wyland shop and am not sorry to see that go.

Love the water features and think the hotel will be less nice when they're gone.

Turning the Poly into time-share. If you'd told me this ten years ago, I wouldn't have believed it. Just barely believe it now and I see the construction with my own eyes. Such a shame.

I really am so glad I was able to visit Disney when it was on top.

 

[ford91exploder]

I don't know where your staying but every Disney resort room i've stayed in has always been clean. I can not say the same for Hampton Inn rooms

BLT, OKW, SSR - You know the downscale Disney resorts,

BLT - Rust and Mold in the showers
OKW - Mold on Showers and Carpet
SSR - Crumbs in the bedding in a supposedly cleaned room

And this has only happened THIS YEAR, Yeah standards are going downhill, I've also been in Hampton Inn's for work which were trashed but called front desk and got moved to better room - unlike the static which one gets from Disney these days.

 

[luv]

I've had some serious problems with Disney housekeeping, too. Not always! Usually it is better than not. But I've had some doozies!

 

[WDW Monorail]

Wyland at the Polynesian has only been ope for 10-12 years. The location at the Boardwalk has been open for longer. The Polynesian gallery focuses more on sculptures while the Boardwalk location features mainly paintings and prints. The will likely move most of the sculptures to the Boardwalk.
I have a very nice Wyland Dolphin sculpture. I saw it for the first time at the Poly gallery and a time later I purchased it.

 

[Prince-1]

Check out @tikiman for more info on this - TDO will be removing the water features in the lobby, basically turning the unique GCH into a overpriced Hampton Inn with a really large gift shop. UGH

Here is Tikimans responseto a question asked as to why the water feature is being removed:

"Because the pumps take water from the outside ponds and they bring in some nasty bacteria. The filters are a old and poor design that they often have to shut down the whole thing and spend many hours to repair. It was down when we were there in May. Because of all the work they need to do it was decided it would come out."

Now while I am sure if they wanted to fix this and keep it as a feature at the Poly they could, if tikiman is right then at least there is a good reason to have it taken out.

 

[ford91exploder]

Here is Tikimans responseto a question asked as to why the water feature is being removed:

"Because the pumps take water from the outside ponds and they bring in some nasty bacteria. The filters are a old and poor design that they often have to shut down the whole thing and spend many hours to repair. It was down when we were there in May. Because of all the work they need to do it was decided it would come out."

Traditional TDO - Only moving part on Disney property should be a cash register drawer, Why not replace the filters with MODERN ones which are easy to maintain, Filtration tech has improved greatly since the late 70's - why you could even install a UV sanitizer. But no lets remove an iconic feature which makes the lobby a joy to visit and replace it with some tile so it looks like a Hampton Inn.