Island Tower at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

[ClipperDerek]

You have to have posted a certain number of times to upload photos. I think it’s 10 times?

There’s a test board somewhere around here that’s intended for spamming messages to get to 10 posts.

Ah ok. Well I’m about to fly home. Wish I could have shared all the photos before I fly.

 

[ClipperDerek]

You have to have posted a certain number of times to upload photos. I think it’s 10 times?

There’s a test board somewhere around here that’s intended for spamming messages to get to 10 posts.

If anyone is willing to post them for me I’ll send them to you during the flight by email WhatsApp or possibly iMessage. Let me know if you’d like to do it. I just wanted to share with the group but apparently it’s as hard as possible.

 

[BamaGuy44]

Did you guys see the cool video about the tower they put out with a cool fly-through rendering showing detailed views of all the different parts of the hotel?? Oh, wait that was for the Helios at UOA, which won't be open for probably a year

 

[Kailunkat]

Finally, Disney Vacation Club Members and guests staying at the Island Tower addition will enjoy exclusive access to four tropical terrace gardens.

My understanding from this quote is that anyone staying in a longhouse studios on points will have access to the terrace gardens. Which makes sense, if they're declared in the association as shared spaces it couldn't be otherwise.

No - I take that to mean that ONLY people staying in the Island Tower will have access to the terrace gardens (regardless of their booking type, DVC or hotel). Longhouse bookings will NOT have access. Other people can weigh in but that's how I read it.

Interestingly - the fact that they mention FOUR terrace gardens also leads me to believe that they don't actually go all the way through the building, they just mirror each other... That seems like a weird design but it kind of goes along with the way other interesting aspects of the design (like the 2nd floor lobby overhang) were cut or modified based on the structural cost and utility of the space.

 

[zavandor]

No - I take that to mean that ONLY people staying in the Island Tower will have access to the terrace gardens (regardless of their booking type, DVC or hotel). Longhouse bookings will NOT have access. Other people can weigh in but that's how I read it.

Interestingly - the fact that they mention FOUR terrace gardens also leads me to believe that they don't actually go all the way through the building, they just mirror each other... That seems like a weird design but it kind of goes along with the way other interesting aspects of the design (like the 2nd floor lobby overhang) were cut or modified based on the structural cost and utility of the space.

Can they limit access to certain shared spaces declared into the association based on which room is booked?

 

[Hubalorian]

Can they limit access to certain shared spaces declared into the association based on which room is booked?

Yes - I have only seen this done with club level rooms at Jambo house though

 

[Einstein509]

So this is a weird setup and I don't think it applies to any other DVC resort, but there are certain amenities like the pool and fitness center that will be shared with guests across the Polynesian resort (not just DVC). I'm not sure how that works financially or how the upkeep of these facilities will be shared between DVC/DVD and Disney.

I certainly would be upset if DVC members were on the hook to pay for the maintenance on these areas with annual dues when non-DVC members get to use them.

BTW, I'm so glad the portal mystery is resolved. I think that took up at least 20-30 pages on this thread.

 

[MyDogTink]

So this is a weird setup and I don't think it applies to any other DVC resort, but there are certain amenities like the pool and fitness center that will be shared with guests across the Polynesian resort (not just DVC). I'm not sure how that works financially or how the upkeep of these facilities will be shared between DVC/DVD and Disney.

I certainly would be upset if DVC members were on the hook to pay for the maintenance on these areas with annual dues when non-DVC members get to use them.

BTW, I'm so glad the portal mystery is resolved. I think that took up at least 20-30 pages on this thread.

Notwithstanding BLT, isn’t this the same arrangement for other DVC resorts combined with hotels? Such as, VGF, BWV and BCV.

 

[DVCsloth]

Notwithstanding BLT, isn’t this the same arrangement for other DVC resorts combined with hotels? Such as, VGF, BWV and BCV.

I think BLT may be different since the CR is not DVC. Polynesian longhouses are partial DVC and same association.

 

[Mikey15]

Not sure. I thought I read just like pastries and grab and go. But I could be wrong.

Parsing the Parks Blog quote again,

“Wailulu Bar & Grill will feature spacious indoor and outdoor seating areas and a spectacular bar space with views of Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom Park. This casual walk-up pool bar will feature an all-day menu for lunch and dinner that is influenced by the Polynesian Islands’ local and indigenous ingredients. Specialty coffee and on-the-go morning pastries will be available for breakfast.”

While it’s all lumped in one paragraph it sounds like “casual walk-up pool bar” is sort of separate from “spacious indoor and outdoor seating areas” with the people art wearing collared shirts or park clothes rather than bathing suits. Like would that dining space be “casual” and “walk-up” rather than ADR? I’m guessing not.

I think there’s a Ohana / Tambu Lounge, or Kona / Kona Island separation here. Now they could still do grab & go breakfast at the “bar” side and not offer sit-down breakfast at the restaurant. But they also could add sit-down breakfast to that space if they need to.

 

[nlenguyen]

Has anyone bought a recent direct contract and seen the booklet where they show the average points per room of the resort? It might give us insight to how they will compare to VGF. I could not imagine that they would want to out price the VGF rooms, but with point inflation of RR, I am scared to see the points for the larger villas at this resort. The cash prices for the resort seem like the 1 bedroom standard are similar to the pricing of the studio lake view, but I know cash and points come from 2 separate pools

 

[eticketplease]

No but I think the larger accommodations will be more than VGF based on PVB studios are the highest points per night.

Edit: Apparently except for Seasons 1 & 2 when looking at Standard View

 

[AstroBlasters]

Notwithstanding BLT, isn’t this the same arrangement for other DVC resorts combined with hotels? Such as, VGF, BWV and BCV.

Yeah. That original post that you are quoting seems almost non sensical to me…

 

[MonkeyKnifeFight]

Has anyone bought a recent direct contract and seen the booklet where they show the average points per room of the resort? It might give us insight to how they will compare to VGF. I could not imagine that they would want to out price the VGF rooms, but with point inflation of RR, I am scared to see the points for the larger villas at this resort. The cash prices for the resort seem like the 1 bedroom standard are similar to the pricing of the studio lake view, but I know cash and points come from 2 separate pools

It will probably match vgf or be very close. The existing poly studios are identical or nearly identical point wise with grand Floridian studios

 

[DVCsloth]

I think BLT may be different since the CR is not DVC. Polynesian longhouses are partial DVC

Notwithstanding BLT, isn’t this the same arrangement for other DVC resorts combined with hotels? Such as, VGF, BWV and BCV.

Disregard, misread the post.

 

[CarolynFH]

So this is a weird setup and I don't think it applies to any other DVC resort, but there are certain amenities like the pool and fitness center that will be shared with guests across the Polynesian resort (not just DVC). I'm not sure how that works financially or how the upkeep of these facilities will be shared between DVC/DVD and Disney.

I certainly would be upset if DVC members were on the hook to pay for the maintenance on these areas with annual dues when non-DVC members get to use them.

BTW, I'm so glad the portal mystery is resolved. I think that took up at least 20-30 pages on this thread.

As others have said, this is the setup at other combo DVC/Disney resorts like BWV. BW Villas owners pay a percentage of the operational costs for the pools and other facilities shared with BW Inn, based on the percentage of guests in each resort. We share costs for the boats and buses, too. BLT owners pay for 100% of costs for the BLT pool, because it’s not shared with CR. I don’t know whether BLT owners pay a percentage of costs for the CR pools, which they are allowed to use. But in any case, the arrangement at Poly Tower is not at all unusual in the DVC world.

 

[eticketplease]

Does anyone know if PVB owners currently pay anything for the gym that is currently shared with VGF?

If so VGF’s dues may go up once Poly has their own gym.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Interestingly - the fact that they mention FOUR terrace gardens also leads me to believe that they don't actually go all the way through the building, they just mirror each other... That seems like a weird design but it kind of goes along with the way other interesting aspects of the design (like the 2nd floor lobby overhang) were cut or modified based on the structural cost and utility of the space.

I have pictures from the monorail where I saw through one portal clear through to the other side. I guess they're closing them up to be separate since they mention 4 distinct named spaces but I wonder if theres a hallway breaking up the two sides or if there will be a way to walk from one right into the other. And I also wonder how popular the gold course view side will be if it is a separate entity. I would assume even during non fireworks times that most people would crowd into the two on the back to have the views of the lake.

 

[SugarSweetLee]

I have pictures from the monorail where I saw through one portal clear through to the other side. I guess they're closing them up to be separate since they mention 4 distinct named spaces but I wonder if theres a hallway breaking up the two sides or if there will be a way to walk from one right into the other. And I also wonder how popular the gold course view side will be if it is a separate entity. I would assume even during non fireworks times that most people would crowd into the two on the back to have the views of the lake.

I think the golf course side (well, all 4 honestly) could potentially be nice workspaces for folks who have to laptop it during the day while at WDW.

 

[maui22]

I think the golf course side (well, all 4 honestly) could potentially be nice workspaces for folks who have to laptop it during the day while at WDW.

I was thinking the same thing. I had been thinking CFW for this purpose, but after seeing these I envision staying at Island Tower studio. Get up and work here while DW sleeps in.