Island Tower at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

[Mikey15]

So they are going to sleep 9?

I thought they announced that at the unveiling? Rooms sleeping 2-9?

Even though the Studios sleep 4, the 1Bds sleep 5, so it appears both dedicated & lockoff 2Bds will sleep 9. There might have been some speculation about the PH sleeping 8 instead? We've only really seen the "living room" of that and can see one full/queen murphy in that but not necessarily the twin for the 9th sleeper, unless the twin is in one of the two bedrooms in the PH.

 

[CastAStone]

I thought they announced that at the unveiling? Rooms sleeping 2-9?

Even though the Studios sleep 4, the 1Bds sleep 5, so it appears both dedicated & lockoff 2Bds will sleep 9. There might have been some speculation about the PH sleeping 8 instead? We've only really seen the "living room" of that and can see one full/queen murphy in that but not necessarily the twin for the 9th sleeper, unless the twin is in one of the two bedrooms in the PH.

You are correct. Disney confirmed the 2BR regular as 9 and the 2BR PH as 8.

 

[CastAStone]

You are correct. Disney confirmed the 2BR regular as 9 and the 2BR PH as 8.

Oh and the 5th sleeping surface is in the 1BR part, so like how SSR/BLT/OKW/AKV are done vs how BCV/BWV/BRV are done.

 

[supercarrie]

Yes, I agree. It seems quite narrow side-to-side.

I think they are likely going to be the same size, roughly, as VDH. Their studio kitchens are arranged the same way and the 1 bedrooms are similarly laid out, too, with the exception of the front entryway/washer and dryer and the hallway area which they seem to have reconfigured for Island Tower.

I don't recall VDH feeling particularly narrow, but looking at YouTube footage of both VDH and Island Tower, I can see how they do appear to be on screen. Both look tiny compared to Riviera!

 

[hockeydad21]

I think they are likely going to be the same size, roughly, as VDH. Their studio kitchens are arranged the same way and the 1 bedrooms are similarly laid out, too, with the exception of the front entryway/washer and dryer and the hallway area which they seem to have reconfigured for Island Tower.

I don't recall VDH feeling particularly narrow, but looking at YouTube footage of both VDH and Island Tower, I can see how they do appear to be on screen. Both look tiny compared to Riviera!

I think the concern around the rooms being narrow stems from the lens Disney chose when photographing these rooms. The slight fisheye lens distorts the view a bit in order to capture more of the room.

Take a look at the 1 bedroom photos here. If you look at the first photo, most wouldn’t believe you could pull down the queen and single Murphy beds at the same time given the limited space that appears there. But when you look at photo 2, you can see that there’s actually plenty of space between the 2 beds. In the end, I think everyone will be satisfied with the size of the rooms.

 

[ClipperDerek]

Those wide angle GoPro lenses really play tricks on you. Be warned though, I use those lenses to make small spaces (like my airplanes cockpit) look huge. I will not be surprised if these villas are feeling a little cramped compared to the huge 1970’s spaces we are used to at the longhouses.

 

[tidefan]

Like RIV, I am not a fan of the galley style kitchen. I think my favorite 2 Bedroom setup is what they have in an Aulani dedicated 2 Bedroom, BLT, or OKW/Vero. I also like the Kidani setup with the island.

 

[supercarrie]

Those wide angle GoPro lenses really play tricks on you. Be warned though, I use those lenses to make small spaces (like my airplanes cockpit) look huge. I will not be surprised if these villas are feeling a little cramped compared to the huge 1970’s spaces we are used to at the longhouses.

They will 100% feel smaller than the longhouses. I think VDH's studios are 368 square feet versus current Poly studios at 447 square feet. I just don't think they will feel "tiny" relative to other DVC properties. Certainly not as bad as BLT, lol.

 

[CastAStone]

They will 100% feel smaller than the longhouses. I think VDH's studios are 368 square feet versus current Poly studios at 447 square feet. I just don't think they will feel "tiny" relative to other DVC properties. Certainly not as bad as BLT, lol.

That’s true, but so much of that space at the longhouses is in the “2nd” bathroom. I think the living area between the 2 studios is likely to be within 10-15 sqft.

 

[hockeydad21]

They will 100% feel smaller than the longhouses. I think VDH's studios are 368 square feet versus current Poly studios at 447 square feet. I just don't think they will feel "tiny" relative to other DVC properties. Certainly not as bad as BLT, lol.

Agreed. It’s a foregone conclusion they’ll be smaller than the longhouse studios. I’m guessing the tower deluxe studios will be around VGF deluxe studio size ~ 410-425 square feet.

 

[intamin]

Agreed. It’s a foregone conclusion they’ll be smaller than the longhouse studios. I’m guessing the tower deluxe studios will be around Riv’s deluxe studio size ~ 410-425 square feet.

If they're around RIV's size I'd call that a win still. I was thinking they'd be closer to high 300s

 

[Patsaizan]

Those wide angle GoPro lenses really play tricks on you. Be warned though, I use those lenses to make small spaces (like my airplanes cockpit) look huge. I will not be surprised if these villas are feeling a little cramped compared to the huge 1970’s spaces we are used to at the longhouses.

You are right. Looking at the photos, my guess is the rooms are along the size of Copper Creek one bedrooms. On the smaller side.

 

[Kailunkat]

Don't know if people saw this or not but Tikiman put out an update today on FB saying that Tangaroa Terrace will NOT be rehabbed into a public space. It will become back of house area instead.

 

[SugarSweetLee]

Question I'm wondering about a little- once Tower rooms officially open up for points bookings, what sort of availability impact do you think that will have on other resorts? Assuming owners of anything other than Poly likely won't be able to book anything meaningful there for quite some time due to priority reasons, but with all the Poly owners who *would have* booked the original Poly rooms OR at other resorts at the 7th month but will now be choosing the tower instead (/changing existing bookings to get it), will there be a noticeable change in other resort availability as folks shuffle around?
Or...how many rooms are expected to be available for points (vs cash) right off the bat when they officially flip the switch?

 

[hockeydad21]

If they're around RIV's size I'd call that a win still. I was thinking they'd be closer to high 300s

Oooo I actually take back my statement. I thought VGF deluxe studios were ~420 sq ft. Turns out they are not. Apparently they’re only 374 sq ft, which is roughly what I anticipate the tower’s studios to reflect.

 

[Jwaire]

Don't know if people saw this or not but Tikiman put out an update today on FB saying that Tangaroa Terrace will NOT be rehabbed into a public space. It will become back of house area instead.

I never believed this rumor anyway. That building is old and pretty run down. They've been using it for housekeeping, etc. for years.

Laundry room (that's attached) is also old and needs an HVAC replacement.

 

[mkatsy]

Don't know if people saw this or not but Tikiman put out an update today on FB saying that Tangaroa Terrace will NOT be rehabbed into a public space. It will become back of house area instead.

Oh well … it was way too cool of an idea for them anyway. Maybe they should just focus on getting the tower ready for point sales.

 

[Kailunkat]

Question I'm wondering about a little- once Tower rooms officially open up for points bookings, what sort of availability impact do you think that will have on other resorts? Assuming owners of anything other than Poly likely won't be able to book anything meaningful there for quite some time due to priority reasons, but with all the Poly owners who *would have* booked the original Poly rooms OR at other resorts at the 7th month but will now be choosing the tower instead (/changing existing bookings to get it), will there be a noticeable change in other resort availability as folks shuffle around?
Or...how many rooms are expected to be available for points (vs cash) right off the bat when they officially flip the switch?

Good questions but there are no concrete answers for them. They will definitely release the points in stages but until they actually start declaring units for sale in the legal paperwork we won't know.

However, I do guarantee that within minutes of them declaring the units someone will be posting it in this thread
I've been amazed at the resourcefulness and commitment of the posters on these boards!

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Question I'm wondering about a little- once Tower rooms officially open up for points bookings, what sort of availability impact do you think that will have on other resorts? Assuming owners of anything other than Poly likely won't be able to book anything meaningful there for quite some time due to priority reasons, but with all the Poly owners who *would have* booked the original Poly rooms OR at other resorts at the 7th month but will now be choosing the tower instead (/changing existing bookings to get it), will there be a noticeable change in other resort availability as folks shuffle around?
Or...how many rooms are expected to be available for points (vs cash) right off the bat when they officially flip the switch?

My first thought is that PVB longhouses might open up first when PVB existing owners get the jump on Tower rooms—but is it at least possible Disney could allow new PVB buyers a crack at the newly available longhouses before they start clearing a waitlist?

Poly owners can use their points elsewhere through end of Jan, so I think you might see some movement at the most popular WDW resorts if they decide to bring their points back home. Maybe more movement in 1 and 2 bedrooms elsewhere because they’re going to need to be point rich Poly owners to book most of the tower rooms.

 

[SugarSweetLee]

Good questions but there are no concrete answers for them. They will definitely release the points in stages but until they actually start declaring units for sale in the legal paperwork we won't know.

However, I do guarantee that within minutes of them declaring the units someone will be posting it in this thread
I've been amazed at the resourcefulness and commitment of the posters on these boards!

I guess I was a little curious if there was a similar situation to compare to when VGF opened/opened up more?