Disney World’s newest hotel tower, Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, opens in just a few days, but we recently got a chance to see it EARLY.
We had the opportunity to step inside the hotel and check out its gorgeous lobby, as well as visit a variety of room types. We also spent some time chilling out in the Terrace Gardens, as well as check out some of the food from the tower’s new restaurant, Wailulu Bar & Grill. But there was one thing that struck us as odd when we first stepped inside the new expansion: something BIG is missing from this hotel.
When we visited the lobby of Island Tower, we looked all over and realized that there isn’t a typical hotel check-in desk. Like NONE. Nada. NOTHING. So if you’re staying here, how are you supposed to check in? We are perplexed!
Well, obviously, you can always do Mobile Check-in on the My Disney Experience app, but if you need help, there are Cast Members in the lobby who can help you with anything you might need, including checking in and room requests, as well as help you with any issues you might have with your room.
This is also not a case of Disney just not having put in a check-in desk yet at the hotel. We spoke to a Cast Member who told us that there are no plans to add an official check-in desk. So, yes, this is all part of Disney’s plans for the hotel. Maybe it has something to do with keeping the aesthetic in the lobby more chill or something?
Anyway, we thought this was interesting because this is a first for us, so if you happen to be staying at Island Tower, don’t freak out if you don’t see a check-in desk: just find a Cast Member to help you.
Stay tuned to DFB for more.
We’re Among the First to See Disney World’s NEW Hotel Tower. Here’s What to Expect.
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What do you think? Would you miss a check-in desk when you’re at a hotel? Let us know in the comments!
Tiffany says
It is nice to have Cast Members floating around but I would prefer a dedicated station (desk) where I know a Cast Member will be present, instead of having to hunt for a Cast Member for help. Not to mention if there are other guest around the Cast Member too, who was there first? What if I want a paper copy of the resort map or a print out of my room charges, etc. Would it be that much of a bother for Disney to add at least one desk/podium for Customer Service?
Dan says
This is not a big deal. There is no check in desk in the Boulder Ridge Villas at the Wilderness Lodge either and those have been open for over 20 years.
Pris says
Very much like at Riviera. I guess I’m old school. I found it very confusing where to go when arriving.
Jaz says
That’s Disney trying to use less cast members. They raise prices for guest and use less cast members so they don’t have to pay. This is not good because it removes the magic that sometimes cast members can make happen. Also one other thing missing… A nice pool with a slide. This looks like a pool from most generic hotels.
Patricia Woitkowski says
It’s the same thing at Grand Floridian DVC. No check in, just some desks with managers(?) if you have any questions or problems.
naturaldisastergirl says
We normally do everything we can through the app (although I’d love to be on it less in the parks), but I’d say it’s only been about 50/50 that we haven’t needed to go to guest services for some reason on our trips, whether that was due to a charge that was erroneously applied to our bill (like a rollaway we didn’t have), or the need to extend a stay, or ask to have gift cards applied to our room charge balance, or pickup something that we had shipped to the resort, or something else. Not having a desk to go to where you can ask for a printout (without feeling like a pita), or clearly know who may have been waiting before you, does not sound magical. But there is so much that happens at Fort Wilderness (where we’ll go if we go DVC), I find it difficult to imagine that they will get rid of their guest services building/desk. For one thing, that’s where you pick up your golf cart! I’m sure it is fine in the places where there’s no ‘front desk’, but it is out of keeping with other off-resort ‘deluxe’ accomodations as well.