I can’t. I. Just. Can’t. Walt Disney World has announced plans to build a DVC tower (that’s right, another tower) at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort & Bungalows. The new Polynesian Village DVC tower will be built on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon between the Grand Floridian Wedding Pavilion and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. This is the current location of the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show. The villas are projected to open in late 2024. Do you feel a rant coming on? I feel a rant coming on.
We try so hard to be positive about all things Disney, but it has been particularly difficult lately. You want to take away the Magic Express? Fine. You want to raise prices of food and drink in the parks, again? Fine. You want to take the once free Fastpass system and replace it with a paid a la carte Genie +/ Individual Attraction Selection option? Fine. You want to officially close Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show? Fine. You want to replace it with a giant Holiday Inn looking monstrosity smack dab on the beach between the Wedding Pavilion and the Polynesian Village? No. NO, NO, NO. No. Wait, it’s April 1st isn’t it? Whew, thank goodness. Not funny. Wait, what? It’s not April Fools Day? You actually plan to do this? My head hurts…I’m gonna go lie down.
Per the Walt Disney World website, this is how they describe the Polynesian Village Resort: Celebrate the spirit of the South Pacific at this oasis of tropical palms, lush vegetation and so much more. From moonlit nights immersed in the outdoor island ambience to the exotic tastes of our world-class restaurants, discover the signature tropical atmosphere that’s made Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort a favorite Disney destination since 1971. Now, let us take a look at what they have proposed to build:
Bam! How do you like me now? Not very much I’m guessing. Hurts doesn’t it? According to Disney Vacation Club’s announcement, Imagineers working on this project were inspired by the early concepts for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and claim to be honoring the past while furthering the resort story with this addition. We doubt Imagineers had much say about any of this and we really doubt they want to be blamed credited for it. This has Disney executives and shareholders stink all over it. It resembles Gran Destino Tower and Riviera Resort a little too much to be inspired by early concepts. Nice try though. Does anyone else think it looks like recycled concept art from the proposed Reflections Lakeside Lodge? You be the judge. Let’s look at the now cancelled Reflections concept art:
Oddly enough, when we first heard about Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, we were excited for it. Although it didn’t seem very “nature-inspired” to us, the concept art did have an Aulani quality to it we could work with. (We actually think the Reflections concept art is more fitting for the Polynesian Village with a lower skyline and welcoming entrance.) The planned location was the former River Country water park along the shore of Bay Lake between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. Another Magic Kingdom resort seemed like a great idea and the location was somewhere that the architecture didn’t take away from theming of current Disney resorts. To be honest, we were never fond of the Polynesian Bora Bora Bungalows. While a great concept in theory, building 20 bungalows that cost more than actual bungalows in Bora Bora while blocking views across the lagoon for hundreds of other paying guests, seemed a little like entitlement at its worst. But the bungalows are gorgeous and very “on-theme” for the Polynesian, plus they feature their own splash pool.
The first phase of DVC expansion to the resort opened April 1, 2015, adding 20 over-the-water ‘Bora Bora’ Bungalows and converting 2 existing buildings (Moorea (formerly Tahiti), Pago Pago (formerly Rapa Nui)) into Deluxe Studios. The Tokelau conversion was completed mid-2015 creating a total of 380 Deluxe Studios between the 3 buildings.
The proposed Disney Vacation Club tower addition that’s being built at Polynesian Village Resort is currently slated to open in late 2024 at Walt Disney World. The DVC expansion would join the rest of the Poly in offering stunning views of the Magic Kingdom. Proposed plans would offer additional rooms, new recreation offerings and dining options. DVC indicates that more information and project details will be shared at a later date.
This follows other work around Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort finished construction around the resort last year. That included enhancements to the Great Ceremonial House, a new porte-cochère, and rebuilt monorail station. We really like the updates and improvements to the aging property. They freshen up the beautiful property while maintaining the integrity of the theming. Room refurbishments were also part of the Poly’s overhaul. See our Polynesian Village Update and Room Review, Photos & Video to take a tour and hear our thoughts on the refurbishment of our beloved hotel.
At the time of posting this story, the Spirit of Aloha buildings and grounds have been demolished and construction is set to begin. If you have never visited the Polynesian Village, you are so lucky. You won’t miss the tranquil setting of the beach and walkway to the Grand Floridian. We have spent many evenings enjoying the quiet solitude and the fireworks across the lagoon at Magic Kingdom. For now, the walkway between the Polynesian, Wedding Pavilion and Grand Floridian remains open. The construction fence sits right against the edge of the sidewalk. We imagine this walkway will close once demolition is complete and actual construction begins. It doesn’t seem possible that it could remain open with the space limitations.
Disney has not given a timeline for anything relative to this project. Permits have been filed with the state of Florida by Disney Vacation Development. The plans in these permits offer a little more insight into the new tower, its amenities, and placement in the Luau Cove area once occupied by the Spirit of Aloha dinner show and beach. On the plans above, we can see the pool area, splash pad, building layout, its position relative to the beach, and parking lot. We also noticed that there is not a monorail station inside the new Polynesian resort tower, which we assumed but can now confirm.
The new DVC Tower has been met with mixed reviews. Personally, we believe in the product and quality that the Disney legacy was built on. Unfortunately, this is not that. If you look at the concept art of the proposed tower and think it fits with the theming and overall aesthetic of the Polynesian Village, we are from different schools of thought and cannot be friends….lol, agree to disagree. This does NOT celebrate the spirit of the South Pacific, nor does it immerse guests in outdoor island ambience. The landscape of Disney is forever changed. It has been replaced with high rises and pavement. They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.
What do you think of the newest addition to one of Walt Disney Worlds most popular themed resorts? Will you plan a trip to stay at the Polynesian Village DVC Tower? We would love to hear your thoughts and invite you to leave a comment below.You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram.