Island Tower at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

[maui22]

So does that automatically mean quick serve? Those drink refill stations aren’t stand alone are they?

I don’t know about quick service. I wonder if it will be refill station only. One problem Poly main pool has is the lack of a refill station. People go from the pool to Capt Cooks. Not an ideal solution when people are wet from the pool to be walking inside.

 

[AstroBlasters]

You could almost buy a resale Aulani contract and a resale VDH contract for the price of Aulani direct. Not quite. But almost.

Unfortunately….dues.

Also, that assumes zero incentives

 

[maui22]

That seems unlikely, since theres a door into that area from inside the building, with whatever is in it, being against the exterior wall...

I must not be seeing the doorway. Looks to me like there is a doorway to the left. Then a section similar to the Oasis pool bar refill station. I am on my phone so I can’t see it very well, but isn’t the back of this section metal framing, wiring, and plumbing?

 

[intamin]

Unfortunately….dues.

If dues weren't a thing I'd almost certainly buy 500 resale SSR points instead of 200 direct Poly and just spend my time in a bungalow instead

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

If dues weren't a thing I'd almost certainly buy 500 resale SSR points instead of 200 direct Poly and just spend my time in a bungalow instead

So true, so true. I was looking to see if we could switch to try RIV this summer and (of course) there was a bungalow available…300 points for 2 nights. It sounded kind of reasonable in the abstract and then I was like THAT IS ALMOST $3000 just in dues, potentially hitting $4000 with annual cost of points.

 

[Kailunkat]

I've been looking at the picture of what I'm assuming is the 2 bedroom penthouse, and the middle section doesn't make sense to me. Is DVC honestly going to have the people who are paying a premium for these rooms share the balcony? Even if they add a separation, it still doesn't feel like it would be very private. I also thing the boarded up sections are where the doors are going to be, which makes me wonder if there will be one theme park view penthouse, and a standard view penthouse. And then the other sliding doors are regular studios/1 bedrooms. Even then, the privacy isn't great, since those upper balconies can see straight in to the lower penthouse balcony. Definitely not ideal.
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I have been wondering the exact same thing and it seems very strange. The only explanation I have come up with is that the central area is one kind of room (the super secret deluxe penthouse?) and it isn't connected to the two sections on either side. I don't know. It's a weird design choice. So much about this building is a weird design choice. (Why is that top roof not as wide enough to cover that entire section - errrrrgh it bugs me so much lol).

 

[CastAStone]

So true, so true. I was looking to see if we could switch to try RIV this summer and (of course) there was a bungalow available…300 points for 2 nights. It sounded kind of reasonable in the abstract and then I was like THAT IS ALMOST $3000 just in dues, potentially hitting $4000 with annual cost of points.

Yep…I’ll never stay in one of those rooms and that’s fine. The Treehouses seem like a fun enough esoteric specialty lodging.

 

[CWTC]

If dues weren't a thing I'd almost certainly buy 500 resale SSR points instead of 200 direct Poly and just spend my time in a bungalow instead

We did an 8 night bungalow stay in 2023 and were hooked. We are in process of BLT resale and getting SAP+ points to stay a week in a bungalow every 2-3 years.

We’ll also use points for AUL and grand villas maybe but our primary goal for this particular contract are the bungalows!!!

So true, so true. I was looking to see if we could switch to try RIV this summer and (of course) there was a bungalow available…300 points for 2 nights. It sounded kind of reasonable in the abstract and then I was like THAT IS ALMOST $3000 just in dues, potentially hitting $4000 with annual cost of points.

So our rationalization was to price out the bungalows for a cash stay. Mental gymnastics for the win!!

We are also somewhat interested in these 2 br penthouses and can’t wait to see the layout/photos/point charts.

 

[melanieewr]

I have been wondering the exact same thing and it seems very strange. The only explanation I have come up with is that the central area is one kind of room (the super secret deluxe penthouse?) and it isn't connected to the two sections on either side. I don't know. It's a weird design choice. So much about this building is a weird design choice. (Why is that top roof not as wide enough to cover that entire section - errrrrgh it bugs me so much lol).

The same “bug” is making me itch! I have a probably irrational hope that the two sections I think you are referring to, might be additional studios to make the Penthouses 3 or 4 bedrooms. If that center is actually the Penthouses…the lower balcony looks HUGE in comparison to the top. And how would the the lower floor be considered a Penthouse? Hoping for solid answers soon!

 

[act1980]

I’m getting super impatient now

 

[hockeydad21]

It’s also probably actually the best for making our lives convenient (and saving money) as members— so easy to refill by the pool or even swing by on the way to park (for tower guests)— as opposed to a long line to purchase tropical treats.

I don’t disagree. We love the refill stations.

I've been looking at the picture of what I'm assuming is the 2 bedroom penthouse, and the middle section doesn't make sense to me. Is DVC honestly going to have the people who are paying a premium for these rooms share the balcony? Even if they add a separation, it still doesn't feel like it would be very private. I also thing the boarded up sections are where the doors are going to be, which makes me wonder if there will be one theme park view penthouse, and a standard view penthouse. And then the other sliding doors are regular studios/1 bedrooms. Even then, the privacy isn't great, since those upper balconies can see straight in to the lower penthouse balcony. Definitely not ideal.
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i agree that the layout for the 2bdr penthouses is odd and confusing. Like you said, there could be a number of ways they lay these out, but I always thought this would be most logical.

Yes, I know this would essentially mean they’re the size of a grand villa, but I also think that’s what they’re going for minus the additional occupancy, and I think the points to book them will reflect that. I have zero doubt that they'll be absolutely incredible once furnished and will quickly book up.

 

[JackosinDIS]

I don’t disagree. We love the refill stations.

i agree that the layout for the 2bdr penthouses is odd and confusing. Like you said, there could be a number of ways they lay these out, but I always thought this would be most logical.

Yes, I know this would essentially mean they’re the size of a grand villa, but I also think that’s what they’re going for minus the additional occupancy, and I think the points to book them will reflect that. I have zero doubt that they'll be absolutely incredible once furnished and will quickly book up.
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Could it be possible that each penthouse is 2 storeys?

 

[intamin]

Could it be possible that each penthouse is 2 storeys?

If they were 2 stories how would they split the midsection?
But also the way it's set up currently it seems kind of weird to let the people in the top penthouse just be able to look down on the people in the lower penthouse

 

[CastAStone]

Could it be possible that each penthouse is 2 storeys?

That seems to me like it must be the case

 

[hockeydad21]

Could it be possible that each penthouse is 2 storeys?

Very possible. That would be my 2nd guess

 

[JackosinDIS]

If they were 2 stories how would they split the midsection?
But also the way it's set up currently it seems kind of weird to let the people in the top penthouse just be able to look down on the people in the lower penthouse

I was looking at it as 5 separate villas, window in the ground floor and top floor of each…

 

[accm]

Could it be possible that each penthouse is 2 storeys?

That’s what I’m thinking. Both floors of That middle recessed section is one room. I haven’t seen the other side of the building recently to know if there’d be another one on that side.

 

[accm]

I must not be seeing the doorway. Looks to me like there is a doorway to the left. Then a section similar to the Oasis pool bar refill station. I am on my phone so I can’t see it very well, but isn’t the back of this section metal framing, wiring, and plumbing?

It’s hard to show it since I’m on my phone, but on the drawings, there’s a door on the back left corner of the room. I poorly drew it in purple here.

 

[maui22]

It’s hard to show it since I’m on my phone, but on the drawings, there’s a door on the back left corner of the room. I poorly drew it in purple here.
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I see what you are referring to. (I forgot to look at the blueprint).

Seems the metal framing in photos is only a few feet deep so the blueprint room has something behind the framing. Coolers/fridges with soda tanks would be my guess. Perhaps the doorway is for staff only access and not meant for guests?

 

[intamin]

I was looking at it as 5 separate villas, window in the ground floor and top floor of each…

Ehhh I'd say that have been a possibility if the middle wasn't so wide compared to the others. Hrmm