Island Tower at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

[AstroBlasters]

Not true!

He loved that big ole flop of a “hotel” galactic star cruiser…

I would have liked to experience that, but I’m not sure how I would have done with the need to constantly role play. Opportunity missed.

 

[Chili327]

Agreed! It was a cheap move to not make the roof more similar to that of the longhouses and grand ceremonial house! Nothing but a lousy financial decision by Disney. It really would have just tied it in so much better, but it is what it is

Similarly to VDH. But looks pretty dang good still.

 

[hockeydad21]

Similarly to VDH. But looks pretty dang good still.

Absolutely! I love the look and think it’ll be a major hit for 99% of poly lovers new and old. Just wish the roofs matched. That’s my one nitpick.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

It looks gorgeous just hoping they use high quality materials and a high level of workmanship. Also I know it's just a rendering but I hope they really fill the giant space with lots of living plants. I'm in NY but I keep palm trees growing all year in my house just to remind me of Disney/The Caribbean/Vacation. I would hope they would fill the spaces with similar.

 

[holi easley]

We are at GFV in the Big Pine Key bldg now. I have direct & resale points, but my mom is days from buying RIV. Our Guide made it sound like PVB direct points were soooo far away to buy. Which is why I came to the DIS boards.

While reading this thread, I have “remembered” the resale restrictions, if we ever had to sell them. I think it’s odd that RIV has been for sale since 2019 & still for sale. Granted it was Covid. I have checked the resale sites and they are not selling much cheaper vs. the direct points. Trying to decide between 75 or 100. Basically to add to mine when we come.

Plus I have learned PVB resale will more than likely be ok to get instead of a direct contract. Yet we stayed at BLT & loved it. So now resale has become even harder to pick from.

On the monorail tonight I was sitting backwards and could see the PV Tower backside. There was a hole being dug or dug already. My first thought was I hope that is not the Pool! Anyone else see this?

 

[TheDailyMoo]

We are at GFV in the Big Pine Key bldg now. I have direct & resale points, but my mom is days from buying RIV. Our Guide made it sound like PVB direct points were soooo far away to buy. Which is why I came to the DIS boards.

While reading this thread, I have “remembered” the resale restrictions, if we ever had to sell them. I think it’s odd that RIV has been for sale since 2019 & still for sale. Granted it was Covid. I have checked the resale sites and they are not selling much cheaper vs. the direct points. Trying to decide between 75 or 100. Basically to add to mine when we come.

Plus I have learned PVB resale will more than likely be ok to get instead of a direct contract. Yet we stayed at BLT & loved it. So now resale has become even harder to pick from.

On the monorail tonight I was sitting backwards and could see the PV Tower backside. There was a hole being dug or dug already. My first thought was I hope that is not the Pool! Anyone else see this?

From the monorail you’re technically seeing the front. The pool is already pretty much completed close to the lagoon on the back in the space between the tower and Aotearoa.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

We are at GFV in the Big Pine Key bldg now. I have direct & resale points, but my mom is days from buying RIV. Our Guide made it sound like PVB direct points were soooo far away to buy. Which is why I came to the DIS boards.

While reading this thread, I have “remembered” the resale restrictions, if we ever had to sell them. I think it’s odd that RIV has been for sale since 2019 & still for sale. Granted it was Covid. I have checked the resale sites and they are not selling much cheaper vs. the direct points. Trying to decide between 75 or 100. Basically to add to mine when we come.

Plus I have learned PVB resale will more than likely be ok to get instead of a direct contract. Yet we stayed at BLT & loved it. So now resale has become even harder to pick from.

On the monorail tonight I was sitting backwards and could see the PV Tower backside. There was a hole being dug or dug already. My first thought was I hope that is not the Pool! Anyone else see this?

 

[holi easley]

From the monorail you’re technically seeing the front. The pool is already pretty much completed close to the lagoon on the back in the space between the tower and Aotearoa.

Yes! The side by the lake. That was it? Thanks for clarifying that hole I saw.

 

[SL6827]

Why would Disney want to go cheaper with the design of the roof since it will be the owners who will pay for it?

 

[CastAStone]

I also wonder at what point they shut it down completely because that man made lake became too dirty/infested with snakes and gators. But it looks like it was an absolute blast.

That version of Poly I would buy direct in an instant.

They shut it down because a woman was killed after the traditional style boat she rented was hit by a ferry boat in 1989. It wasn’t immediate but they got sued etc.

Now it’s pontoon boat only.

 

[Jwaire]

Everyone is entitled to thier own opinion, but I agree with Tom Corless when he flat out roasted Disney hard about this lobby design a couple days ago. IMHO, he was spot on!

He's a DVC member and that's his home resort, so personally he has just as much right to provide his opinion as anyone else.

Poly is a beloved resort with a lot of history and unique style.

So, to be frank, those that don't care for the tower's architectural style or contemporary lobby design have just as valid opinions as those that like it.

 

[mkatsy]

He's a DVC member and that's his home resort, so personally he has just as much right to provide his opinion as anyone else.

Poly is a beloved resort with a lot of history and unique style.

So, to be frank, those that don't care for the tower's architectural style or contemporary lobby design have just as valid opinions as those that like it.

"validity" of opinion is referring to the value of his opinion as an authority on the subject of Walt Disney World. He produces a show in which he presents himself as an authority on the subject. If he is missing key knowledge of an important piece of the history of Poly, then it diminishes his knowledge of the subject, and therefore diminishes the validity of his opinion [as an authority]. It does NOT mean that DVC members that don't care for the tower are worth less than those that do. I have to go to work now ....

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

https://www.disneytouristblog.com/island-tower-polynesian-resort-booking-dates-details-disney-world/
Good write up from the other Tom

 

[xdan0920]

To be fair, a lot of the backstage of Tokyo Disneyland is visible due to the uniqueness of the monorail being a part of transit system. What's in the berm is heavily themed even if they slightly under-themed the more affordable tower exterior.

Nothing is going to compare to Hotel Miracosta, whose history goes all the way back to the Westcot project.

View attachment 858482

Explorer's Lodge is a great example though. Aulani is nothing but towers and even Animal Kingdom Lodge, so it's not like there aren't other examples of modern towers that are heavily themed.

Ultimately, I don't think Island Tower is bad. People are going to love it, but I just think they could have done better given the proper budget and support.

Some of the legacy Imagineers are commenting on this subject.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1788970814312009902

Regarding Island Tower's theming,

https://twitter.com/x/status/1789022700729758059

A casino. That's exactly it. These recent designs remind me of casinos.

 

[BamaGuy44]

https://www.disneytouristblog.com/island-tower-polynesian-resort-booking-dates-details-disney-world/
Good write up from the other Tom

Tom B usually has a pretty balanced approach with his opinions, he does a good job, IMO. To me his main issue with the tower is that it doesn't look like the longhouses that were designed 50 years ago. Lots of people agree with him, I personally don't think it's a big issue and I like what I've seen so far.

Hey, we all like what we like. I love Riviera and plenty of people hate it. Doesn't diminish my enjoyment of it one bit

 

[davidhr]

Why would Disney want to go cheaper with the design of the roof since it will be the owners who will pay for it?

With a roof replacement it’s a valid point, but not with the initial construction.

If they’re going to sell points at $230 anyways, anything they save on construction is more profits for them.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

Tom B usually has a pretty balanced approach with his opinions

Agree, I enjoy his writing quite a bit

Also agree on Riviera!! I want to be friends with Tom just to tell him his takes on RR are wrong

 

[disneydad7281231]

Any predictions on when we will see point chart?

 

[FFMickey]

I left the original author attached at the top of this photo, because I don’t want to be disingenuous. I did not find this concept art from the early ‘70 … I lifted it from Facebook now that that’s out of the way. I can see the similarities…

I actually like the look of the lobby. I've seen lobbies like this in Hawaii and Tahiti, so it's still themed correctly. Looking forward for more info to come out, like point charts and room renderings.

 

[CastAStone]

Any predictions on when we will see point chart?

I’m guessing it goes on sale late next month, perhaps June 25th, and we see the point chart less than a week prior.