Unsurprisingly, not all Disney World change is met by a universal embrace.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
If you’re like us, you’ve been extensively following the progress made on Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort‘s NEW Island Tower Disney Vacation Club (DVC) villas. Debuting on December 17th, 2024, this new tower promises a luxurious stay, but that doesn’t mean it’s been safe from controversy. The design has created a divide and, honestly, we understand both sides of the argument.
The Island Tower will feature a 10-story tower with villas that sleep two to nine people — including studios, one- and two-bedroom villas, and two-bedroom Penthouse villas. Available to be booked by anyone despite being part of the DVC program, these villas will have water-view options, access to a new pool and beach, and, according to Disney, will “complete the vision created by Disney Imagineers decades ago while embracing the rich culture from the Polynesian Islands.” Still, the new Polynesian Resort addition has been met with some very real backlash.
Island Tower Construction
This past summer, we got a vibe check from YOU, fans of the Polynesian Resort, and the results weren’t particularly enthusiastic. In a poll, 60% of you said that you WON’T be staying at the Island Tower.
We heard all sorts of reasoning, the most prevalent relating to the tower’s theming.
©Disney
We saw complaints that the tower aesthetic was “ugly”, bland, and lacking in true immersive theming that doesn’t justify the price point. One reader wrote, “If I’m going to pay deluxe resort money to stay in Disney I want to be immersed in theming. The new builds all look like corporate conference hotels you could find anywhere.”
©Disney
The Polynesian Resort is famous for its ability to transport guests into an island getaway setting that plunges you into a luxuriously tropical vacation. Some complaints were tied to the choice to go more modern while abandoning the classic look of the rest of the resort. One reader wrote that the Island Tower “doesn’t match the era of the hotel at all. I want to feel like I just walked onto the set of a 1960s South Pacific film.”
Another reader added that the look was more akin to a Hilton resort while other complaints included the beige color scheme.
©Disney
One major deterrent will definitely be the price point. One potential guest did some inquiring and came back with a quote of $25,000 for a 5-night stay…YIKES! It’s gonna take some serious DVC points to afford a stay here and will likely fall outside of the budget for many families visiting Disney World. “Maybe, if I win the lottery,” one reader wrote.
Many are hoping that the price starts to come down after the initial opening. Until then, they’ll bide their time and stay elsewhere. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is one of the most popular and beloved properties in all of Disney World, so to say the Island Tower will fail would be foolish, but it’s clear there are many (including several of our readers) who are willing to give it a chance once the prices become more manageable.
Artist rendering of “Moana’s Voyage” a whimsical new splash area featuring life-size sculptures of Moana and her iconic canoe. © Disney
Of course, 60% isn’t 100% which means 40% of our readers are already keen on staying at the new DVC villas. Some love the design and others trust the resort to offer something amazing. In our opinion, the new tower does look a bit more light and bright than the current Polynesian buildings.
Its modern design rooted in island theming is an interesting way to blend the old with the new and we kind of like having the choice between the look of the classic resort versus the newer look when it comes to our stay. The ocean and beach colors inside the tower are beautiful despite being unexpected, so, all in all, we’re willing to give this new addition a chance before casting judgment.
Artist Rendering — Wailulu Bar & Grill © Disney
Beginning October 29th, you can become a Member at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows and new reservations for the Island Tower can be made in November. Reservations can be made online via the Disney World website or by calling (407) 934-7639.
©Disney || Island Tower
You can check out more photos of the new rooms coming to Island Tower by clicking the link below!
SEE INSIDE the NEW Rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Tower in Disney World
We’ll continue to keep you updated on all kinds of Disney World hotel news and updates so stay tuned right here at the Disney Food Blog for all the latest!
FULL TOUR of a 2-Bedroom Suite at Disney’s NEW Polynesian Village Resort Island Tower
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Which side of the argument do you fall regarding the new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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I do not like it.
The problem with analyzing this hotel from a price point perspective is that it is a DVC resort and it is primarily meant for DVC members who are staying there on points. As a DVC member I have every intention of staying in this resort someday using my points. I have zero intention of ever paying actual money to stay in this resort or any other DVC resort for that matter.
It is kind of bland….Maybe they could turn it into “Cars Land”
“…and we’re not sure we like it”. Duh! Ya think??? I think the 60% who don’t like it are just those who have bothered to respond. I think it’s probably closer to 75-80%. I am DVC and there’s nothing there I can’t get better and more if elsewhere. Again, I’m curious to see how DVC sales go for this new venture. I’m willing to bet not well.
It’s a hike to MK or the monorail at the main building.
I think it’s lovely, that being said, I think the addition of vibrant lush florals would complete the look perfectly. That’s what’s missing for me. The plant life, you need something to symbolize the wildlife of Polynesia. Aside from that, the price point is insane. I stopped staying with Disney a very long time ago. I live near Cape Cod and have a timeshare there with cheap yearly maintenance fees. I swap every year for a gorgeous Marriott the Lakeshore Reserve that sleeps 8-12 for under $500 for the week. I couldn’t justify the Disney price tag anymore. Disney, as much as I love and will continue going, has become more and more out of touch with the everyday family and their pocketbook.
How about other issues such as ruining a wonderful transition on the path between the Grand Floridian and Polynesian. Now they jammed an eyesore in there.
Secondly, no structure on the Polynesian property should be taller than the Grand Ceremonial House.
Thirdly, additional rooms on the monorail will pack both monorails and buses from the resort, not to mention the impact to dining at both the Polynesian and Grand Floridian.
The property was a mistake for so many reasons, but was low-hanging fruit for Disney because they could use all the existing Polynesian infrastruture and avoid developing something new like Riviera while trying to make-up for the original DVC mistake at the Polynesian that only included studios (not counting bungalows because few have the points required for a stay in them).
If I wanted to Vaca in Waikiki, I’d go there at 10% the cost. Or, go to Tahiti and experience a real Pacific Island without the crowds. Not DVC if the whole World can barge in….. $25K No, Never Ever.
As a DVC member with a home base of SSR who loves to stay at the Poly, these additional rooms will definitely help someone like us to reserve rooms since we only have a 7 month booking window. Also gonna trust Disney to spruce up the tower design.
Many of the comments echo the same complaints heard about the Riviera. Yet it has become increasingly popular and harder to book. I suspect the Polynesian Tower will follow the same path.
I loved it the first time I saw the video of the interior! In fact I said, time to buy more points! Love the modern upscale resort vibe. I grew up in the 60’s I have no desire to stay somewhere that looks like the past.
Is it pretty ? Yes.
Does it fit in with what everyone fell in love with about the Poly ?
No it doesn’t.
This is just another example of Disney not listening to us. Most people fell in love with the way the Poly stands out and transports you go the 60s Polynesian vibe. We want the dark shiny floors exploding with tiki everything, plants, flowers, hidden pathways with water falls and fountains. Nobody asked for a Hilton. This looks like where businessmen go to have meetings and gather at the bar with their lanyards. So disappointing.
Since the artist renditions were first released people have been moaning about it. Personally I feel there is nothing offensive about it. I was in Disney a couple of weeks ago, however, and saw the outside of the building in IRL for the first time. The thing that jarred the most was that it was so close to the Wedding Pavilion. The WP is set a little way from the Grand Floridian but the Poly tower was literally towering above it. The WP looks as if it is based at Poly not GF.