Walt Disney World has introduced plans to construct a brand new DVC tower at Polynesian Village Resort. In this publish, we’ll share particulars and a timeline, allow plans, building images, our opinion of the Disney Vacation Club enlargement, and why that is seemingly occurring. (Updated March 21, 2023.)
Located on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon and on the monorail line to Magic Kingdom, the proposed mission will exchange Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show, a luau that includes conventional Polynesian dances, stay music, and an all-you-care-to-enjoy tropical feast. Spirit of Aloha has not reopened because the closure two years in the past, and is now completely closed.
For these unfamiliar with Spirit of Aloha, the brand new Disney Vacation Club wing will basically be between the present Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Wedding Pavilion, which itself is adjoining to the Grand Floridian. This high-profile Magic Kingdom resort space has already grow to be crowded in recent times with the addition of the Villas on the Grand Floridian.
“It’s no secret that our Members and guests love the monorail resorts at Walt Disney World,” stated Bill Diercksen, senior vice chairman and normal supervisor of Disney Vacation Club. “Expanding our Disney Vacation Club offerings at the Polynesian would give our Members and Guests yet another incredible option for staying close to the magic while making vacation memories that last a lifetime.”
Per Disney Vacation Club’s announcement, Imagineers engaged on this mission have been impressed by the early ideas for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. They declare to be honoring the previous whereas furthering the resort story with this addition.
The proposed Disney Vacation Club tower addition that’s being constructed at Polynesian Village Resort is at present slated to open in late 2024 at Walt Disney World.
The DVC enlargement would be part of the remainder of the Poly in providing beautiful views of the Magic Kingdom. Proposed plans would provide extra rooms, new recreation choices and eating choices. DVC signifies that extra info and mission particulars shall be shared at a later date.
Since debuting in 2015, Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows has been a favourite resort vacation spot, providing an island paradise at one in all Walt Disney World’s hottest resorts.
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows at present has 380 Disney Vacation Club villas, together with the most important Deluxe Studios at any Disney Vacation Club resort at Walt Disney World. There are additionally the distinctive over-the-water two-bedroom Bora Bora Bungalows, which aren’t almost as in style and have been problematic for his or her affect on the factors pool.
This follows different work round Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort final 12 months. That included enhancements to the Great Ceremonial House, a brand new porte-cochère, and rebuilt monorail station. All of that appears good, a pleasant step ahead for the resort that maintained its thematic integrity whereas bringing wanted enhancements to the growing older property.
Room refurbishments have been additionally a part of the Poly’s overhaul. See our Review, Photos & Video: New Moana Rooms at Polynesian Village Resort for a tour and ideas on the modifications from our most up-to-date resort keep. If you’re trying on the present DVC rooms, see our Review, Photos & Video: New Rooms at Polynesian Villas.
Since the unique announcement, Disney Vacation Development has filed new permits with the State of Florida. The plans in these permits provide a bit extra perception into the brand new tower, its facilities, and placement within the Luau Cove space at present occupied by the Spirit of Aloha dinner present and seaside.
The plans pictured above present the pool space, splash pad, constructing structure, its place relative to the seaside, and car parking zone. The plans additionally verify that there is not going to be a monorail station inside the brand new Polynesian resort tower.
Above is a Google Maps overlay I cobbled collectively that gives an approximation of the place all of this shall be constructed relative to the present Polynesian Village Resort and the Wedding Pavilion. On the plus aspect, at the least it’s not taking out any of the present longhouses.
Now let’s flip to a building replace as work progresses on the Polynesian tower…
Polynesian Tower Spring 2023 Construction Update
We not too long ago stayed on the Grand Floridian and had a number of possibilities to take a look at the realm the place the brand new tower is being constructed. Photos right here have been taken from the monorail, boat the Polynesian, and atop California Grill on the Contemporary.
We’ll begin with a view from the Highway within the Sky, as we took a experience on the monorail for an aerial view on the demolition work as the corporate prepares the Polynesian for the upcoming Disney Vacation Club tower. Below is a take a look at the sting of the development web site, approaching from the Grand Floridian and Wedding Pavilion.
Just within the span of some days, we noticed appreciable progress on the Poly tower as concrete panels have been lowered into place and built-out the constructing. The tower is admittedly being constructed with outstanding velocity.
Here’s a fair higher view from the boat between the Grand Floridian and Polynesian:
It was fascinating to look at the concrete slabs lowered into place and inserted into the constructing. We’ve seen this technique of building in different building round Central Florida, however it’s the primary time I’ve seen this with Walt Disney World resorts. This tower is progressing even sooner than did Disney’s Riviera Resort or Gran Destino, and people went up fairly quick! It’s considerably amusing how a lot sooner Disney builds resorts versus sights. (Maybe “amusing” isn’t the proper phrase. It’s a bit discouraging.)
Regardless, the DVC Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort ought to simply make its Late 2024 scheduled opening timeframe. If something, that looks as if it’s on the conservative aspect if the mission retains up its present tempo. Then once more, with Disney Vacation Club gross sales slowing and each Riviera and Grand Floridian nonetheless having loads of unsold stock (and the Villas at Disneyland Hotel happening sale quickly), maybe the tempo will gradual so DVC can enable its present properties to promote first.
Polynesian DVC Tower Commentary
I notice change is inevitable, however I’ll miss this path and the seashores it passes. I’ve spent many a morning photographing the dawn over right here, utilizing the dual and triplet palm bushes on these seashores to border the Polynesian’s longhouses.
Newer Walt Disney World followers might not notice it, however this stretch of land was as soon as comparatively tranquil. I don’t recall what it was like earlier than the Wedding Pavilion was constructed within the mid-Nineties, however up till the Villas at Grand Floridian, it was a peaceable space with massive swaths of seaside and inexperienced house between the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. Now, there’s plenty of parking and improvement, with extra on the horizon. Really has a “paved paradise to put up a parking lot” form of feeling to it.
One factor that’s nonetheless unanswered by the plans and announcement is whether or not the brand new Disney Vacation Club tower shall be a part of the present condominium affiliation, or a brand new one. The enlargement to the Villas at Grand Floridian (above) is a part of that resort’s present condominium affiliation, however that’s additionally a conversion somewhat than a brand new construct. (See Grand New Rooms at Walt Disney World’s Flagship Resort for a glance inside these.)
With the Polynesian enlargement, it would make sense to roll this into the present condominium affiliation to dilute the affect of the Bora Bora Bungalows. There’s in all probability a compelling counterpoint for treating the brand new wing in another way, however it eludes me proper now.
However it’s categorized, my honest hope is that the Poly tower is constructed as if it have been a standalone resort like Riviera Resort or the deliberate Reflections, somewhat than within the type of Bay Lake Tower or the Villas at Grand Floridian. Meaning, that it accommodates counter and desk service eating places and different facilities.
The final time we stayed on the Polynesian, the seaside was filled with friends through the Disney Enchantment fireworks–to the purpose that there was actually no accessible house–and the foyer was extremely crowded with individuals ready to be seated at ‘Ohana and elsewhere. The existing Polynesian infrastructure is often already stretched to its breaking point, and this tower needs to provide relief to that. Adding guest rooms without amenities will further exacerbate those problems, so we really hope that isn’t the plan.
Regular readers will recall that I used to be harsh in regards to the proposed Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge (above), which was supposedly a “nature-inspired” resort. It was slated for the previous River Country water park location alongside the shore of Bay Lake between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness.
Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge was one of many tasks placed on indefinite maintain because of the closure. Based on Walt Disney World’s actions on that building web site and scrubbing all references to Reflections from the web, the mission was safely assumed to be cancelled. I used to be ecstatic. Absolutely over the moon in response to its cancellation. Reflections was a half-baked plan from the beginning, and Disney not continuing with it was an excellent factor.
This Poly tower information makes me want that Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge have been by no means cancelled. Not as a result of I’ve out of the blue had an about-face on Reflections (removed from it), however as a result of it could imply that this very-similar trying mission on the Polynesian wouldn’t be occurring.
Perhaps it could be merely a matter of stopping the inevitable, with the positioning between the Grand Floridian and Polynesian Village Resorts slated for future enlargement down the street. I’d nonetheless roll the cube on that. At least delaying improvement may imply getting one thing that appears applicable for the realm, and has some semblance of theme.
As for commentary in regards to the design, I needed to test my calendar once I first noticed the Poly tower idea artwork, considering possibly it was April Fools’ Day. Much to my disappointment, this isn’t a lame joke. (It is lame, simply not a joke.)
I gained’t rehash all of it right here, however my criticisms of this new DVC tower on the Polynesian are almost equivalent to these of Reflections. That’s in no small half as a result of this mission bears a hanging resemblance to the cancelled Reflections tower. (My dangerous–Imagineers have been impressed by the unique Poly plans. Sure factor, Bob.)
Disney’s current method to growing accommodations adjoining to present resorts doesn’t encourage a lot confidence, and this appears like a generically trendy design that may be at residence in Holiday Inn’s portfolio.
Anyone who has been to just about any main metro space in the previous few years has undoubtedly seen one thing at the least vaguely much like this Polynesian addition. It appears so much like mixed-use developments in Anaheim–to not point out the upcoming Disneyland Hotel DVC tower (beneath), and even the cancelled Reflections plan.
That these three designs are just about indistinguishable regardless of being situated a 3 very thematically-different resorts ought to say all that must be stated. Despite Disney’s greatest efforts to invoke previous plans and historical past to preemptively stymie criticism of this unambitious addition, the precise “inspiration” is solely trendy, generic resort/condominium/house towers.
Perhaps a few of you’ll dismiss this as pointless negativity, particularly those that have been trying ahead to Reflections or are massive followers of current Walt Disney World resort additions. That’s clearly your prerogative, and to every their very own.
The factor is, we’ve got not been unfavourable about each resort change at Walt Disney World. To the opposite, we’ve been extra constructive than the common reader about current resort reimaginings, modifications, and expansions. The DVC conversion at Grand Floridian makes full sense, and people rooms look good. The new foyer on the Contemporary is incredible.
Beyond that, a lot of the new room designs in the previous few years are usually good, with Riviera Resort (above) offering the template for a way these needs to be executed. I’m even (largely) optimistic in regards to the recently-announced BoardWalk restaurant and reimagining, other than the foyer.
For essentially the most half, it’s the brand new builds that I discover problematic. In the previous few years, Imagineering has actually discovered its groove with the interiors, together with room redesigns. By distinction, it looks as if the prevailing sentiment is that the outside and integration of theme merely doesn’t matter.
When you examine Walt Disney World resorts constructed earlier than the mid-Nineties to ones constructed or redesigned in the previous few years, there’s usually a transparent division. Current tasks are sometimes interchangeable with actual world Holiday Inns or different mid-tier chained model accommodations.
Look on the distinction between BoardWalk Inn or Beach Club and the brand new on line casino tower at Coronado or the Fairfield Inn Des Moines Airport Riviera Resort. There merely just isn’t the identical depth of element within the designs with new builds at Walt Disney World–they don’t seem to be themed.
One rationalization is that Disney merely doesn’t need to spend on themed structure, which eat into revenue margins on DVC contract gross sales. This is smart, and in addition explains why Disney is including these towers alongside present resorts somewhat than making them standalone properties. By constructing adjoining to present accommodations, they will share infrastructure or don’t want to supply each amenity on-site.
Another rationalization is that the corporate desires to make issues as crowd-pleasing as doable in order to not alienate any potential clients. The factor about this method is that if you attempt to attraction to everybody, you find yourself interesting to nobody. Either approach, I don’t get it.
I’m not totally unreasonable about improvement at Walt Disney World, I simply suppose it must be executed in a sustainable approach, and one which’s respectful of what already exists. Like Gran Destino Tower or Disney’s Riviera Resort, I’ve little doubt that this Poly tower can have nice visitor rooms, provide worthwhile options, and purposeful enhancements to the Poly.
I’d think about it’ll additionally add 1-bedroom and bigger rooms to Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, one thing that has been requested by DVC house owners for years. From that perspective alone, I believe many members will contemplate this addition a “win.”
As a lot disdain as I’ve for the outside look of Gran Destino and the Riviera, they’re each glorious resorts if all you care about is their substantive choices and consider them solely from the within, or in isolation. To be honest, which may be the case for a lot of of you.
The exterior look of Four Seasons Orlando isn’t precisely something particular, however it’s an ideal resort on the within. The important distinction is that Four Seasons is understood for superlative service, not Disney design–and the Four Seasons didn’t affect the present ‘skyline’ of Walt Disney World when constructed.
Personally, I believe it’s very reasonable to say that Walt Disney World ought to goal greater as themed design and immersive environments are its calling card. Exterior design being “good enough” for downtown Anaheim shouldn’t be the bar by which Imagineering is measured. Something being ample to “complement” Angel Stadium just isn’t fairly the identical because it becoming with the flagship Grand Floridian or iconic Polynesian. Those are exemplars of themed design, and if additions aren’t able to matching their look, they merely shouldn’t be constructed.
At this level, I really feel like I’m losing my breath with all of this, although. If you don’t take a look at the idea artwork for the Polynesian tower on the prime of this publish and instantly suppose that it’s misplaced, there’s in all probability nothing I can say that’ll change your thoughts. We merely have totally different tastes and expectations in regards to the caliber of product Walt Disney World needs to be delivering given the prices and its wealthy legacy. To me, that is all very apparent, however I suppose affordable minds might differ.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider this Walt Disney World information? Are you optimistic or pessimistic a couple of new tower being added to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort? Happy that DVC is increasing the Poly Villas, or want they’d construct a brand new stand-alone resort? If you’re a Polynesian (resort) fan, are you upset by this or detached to it? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we can assist you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!