Island Tower at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

[Jwaire]

It might be fun to play guess what hotel this picture is from:

View attachment 865885

High class back then. I miss this one though .

 

[BamaGuy44]

Absolutely. And besides, we’re on Disney property, I wanna see Disney. You ask most people what they associate the word ‘Disney’ with and 10 times out of 10 it’s going to be the movies. Why do we vilify IP from the movies when that literally is Disney.

People will complain about IP, but if they tone it down then it's not "Disney" enough, too generic, etc

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Nah, SSR is almost there. Reopen the spa!

SSR is too large, assuming DVD won't want to restrict that many villas from family reservations. And SSR Spa is too small. Thinking upgraded, redesigned, all-out LUXE adult only resort.

For now, PVB-IT suit us just fine.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

High class back then. I miss this one though .

Where does the time go? My dad took us in '72 & I've stayed with my own fam most years since.
Love that recent pic also.
Poly was always special for us.

 

[intamin]

High class back then. I miss this one though .

I wouldn't have problems staying in that room today lol.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

High class back then. I miss this one though .

Disney seriously undervalues how a simple runner and pillows can make a room feel so much more Disney and themed

 

[Cabius]

I like them, but I have to admit...

The idea is that we can't tell which of those pictures are from WDW?

I'mma pick the ones with Magic Kingdom clearly visible in the background!

 

[Jwaire]

Disney seriously undervalues how a simple runner and pillows can make a room feel so much more Disney and themed

They actually just released a video on one of their social media accounts showing their commercial laundry facility. It was just people pushing carts full of white linens into a machine.

I thought "this isn't the flex you think it is."

 

[TraJon]

They actually just released a video on one of their social media accounts showing their commercial laundry facility. It was just people pushing carts full of white linens into a machine.

I thought "this isn't the flex you think it is."

I can’t fathom how often bedspreads were cleaned at hotels back in the day. I don’t want to know. I’ll take the white!

 

[CarolynFH]

Disney seriously undervalues how a simple runner and pillows can make a room feel so much more Disney and themed

I don’t know how true it is, but I’ve read that the runners and pillows tended to disappear over time, sort of like ash trays and towels bearing the hotel name did “back in the day.”

I liked the look, but I have to admit I was annoyed at bedtime, trying to figure out where to put them!

 

[intamin]

I don’t know how true it is, but I’ve read that the runners and pillows tended to disappear over time, sort of like ash trays and towels bearing the hotel name did “back in the day.”

I liked the look, but I have to admit I was annoyed at bedtime, trying to figure out where to put them!

Agreed, I always thought they looked nice and then I would promptly throw them on the floor. Unfortunately they're just not very practical

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

I don’t know how true it is, but I’ve read that the runners and pillows tended to disappear over time, sort of like ash trays and towels bearing the hotel name did “back in the day.”

I liked the look, but I have to admit I was annoyed at bedtime, trying to figure out where to put them!

Sure I kicked them on the floor for bed but it made me feel good seeing it each morning =[

Pillows look great at GF

 

[TheDailyMoo]

I can't figure out if this is going to make the longhouses harder, easier, or about the same to swap for at 7 months. Because they've been a pleasure to add at the 7 month mark and although I absolutely want to stay in that tower, we just love anything Poly and I'd be happy to have the opportunity to grab easy studios in the longhouses.

 

[ehh]

Studio 5 nights March 2025:
Theme Park View - $5259.14
Preferred View - $4666.85

I was told Preferred means Pool or Golf Course.

March 16-21

Okay, a little comparison shopping. I'm mostly curious how Preferred, Longhouse Lake View, and Theme Park View piece together, but threw in a few other comparisons.

First, DVC discount of 25% means that full priced cash rate for these 5 nights is actually $7,012 for TPV and $6,222 for PV.

A list of Poly cash rates for the same nights:

• DVC Longhouse Studio - Standard View - $4,803
• Hotel Longhouse Room - Resort View - $4,803
• Hotel Longhouse Room - Water View - $5,320
• DVC Longhouse Studio - Lake View - $6,222
• DVC Tower Studio - Preferred View - $6,222
• Hotel Longhouse Room - Theme Park View - $6,912
• DVC Tower Studio - Theme Park View - $7,012

A list of cash rates for the same nights, including Grand Flo (light blue):

• Poly DVC Longhouse Studio - Standard View - $4,803
• Poly Hotel Longhouse Room - Resort View - $4,803
• GF Hotel Room - Resort View - $5,079
• VGF DVC Studio (either) - Standard View - $5,154
• Poly Hotel Longhouse Room - Water View - $5,320
• VGF DVC Studio (either) - Lake/Lagoon View - $5,550
• GF Hotel Room - Water View - $5,679
• Poly DVC Longhouse Studio - Lake View - $6,222
• Poly DVC Tower Studio - Preferred View - $6,222
• VGF DVC Resort Studio - Theme Park View - $6,621
• GF Hotel Room - Theme Park View - $6,773
• Poly Hotel Longhouse Room - Theme Park View - $6,912
• Poly DVC Tower Studio - Theme Park View - $7,012

Takeaways:

• Island Tower TPV sets a new high watermark for cash rates for non-Club rooms, at least for these dates
• Existing PVB Lake View seems to equal to Preferred View for cash rate

If we assume that PVB LV = Island Tower PV for points charts for a Studio (same cash rates), go out on a limb that PVB SV = Island Tower SV for points chart for a Studio (cash rates the same, per other posts), then Theme Park View logically fits into a points chart tier above the existing Lake View. Not unexpected, but nice to have some sort of confirmation.

Considering PVB Studios already average a bit higher than equivalent VGF Studio views in terms of pts/night, and the higher-than-GF cash rate of Poly Theme Park Views, I think we should expect that Poly Island Tower Theme Park View will set a new studio high watermark. VGF Resort Studio TPV averages 31pts/night over a year, so maybe Poly Island Tower TPV comes in at 31.5-32pts/night?

But applying this to 1BR and above is where this gets most interesting:

• 1BR are typically ~2x the points of equivalent view Studios (and generally considered overpriced), but that would put the 1BR TPV at 63-64pt/night average. For context, VGF Lake View is the current highest at WDW, at 52.7pt/ night.
  • AUL Ocean View comes in at 52.9pt/night.
• 2BR are typically ~2.7x the points of equivalent view Studios, which would put the 2BR TPV at 85-86pts/night. VGF Lake View is the current highest, at 71.5pt/night.
  • AUL Ocean View comes in at 71.7pt/night.

These aren't a little higher than current highs, they're 20% higher! And considering the aggressiveness of the view categorization of VDH, we should probably expect most of the lagoon-facing rooms to be categorized as TPV (anything that can see a castle spire), a huge percentage of the resort.

Maybe they bring over some of the VDH points scaling, where 1BR PV is 2x the points of a SV Studio (rather than 2x equivalent view), but I'm not hopeful.

We were hoping to upgrade some of our stays from a Poly LV Studio to a Poly Island Tower TPV 1BR, but if it's 2.4x the points we might have to reconsider.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

People will complain about IP, but if they tone it down then it's not "Disney" enough, too generic, etc

I absolutely adore the decor of these villas.

The Ray carving is magnificent and the murals incorporated into the murphy beds (inside and out) are gorgeous.

The authentic touches with very subtle Moana references appeal to me much more than a lot of "in your face" animation. I especially like the Te Fiti artwork. They even managed to include Hei Hei in a tasteful, unobtrusive manner.

 

[KimMcGowan]

People will complain about IP, but if they tone it down then it's not "Disney" enough, too generic, etc

I think we tend to be a very hard lot to please. I personally love the new rooms and can’t wait to try them out.

 

[Cabius]

Okay, a little comparison shopping. I'm mostly curious how Preferred, Longhouse Lake View, and Theme Park View piece together, but threw in a few other comparisons.

First, DVC discount of 25% means that full priced cash rate for these 5 nights is actually $7,012 for TPV and $6,222 for PV.

A list of Poly cash rates for the same nights:

• DVC Longhouse Studio - Standard View - $4,803
• Hotel Longhouse Room - Resort View - $4,803
• Hotel Longhouse Room - Water View - $5,320
• DVC Longhouse Studio - Lake View - $6,222
• DVC Tower Studio - Preferred View - $6,222
• Hotel Longhouse Room - Theme Park View - $6,912
• DVC Tower Studio - Theme Park View - $7,012

A list of cash rates for the same nights, including Grand Flo (light blue):

• Poly DVC Longhouse Studio - Standard View - $4,803
• Poly Hotel Longhouse Room - Resort View - $4,803
• GF Hotel Room - Resort View - $5,079
• VGF DVC Studio (either) - Standard View - $5,154
• Poly Hotel Longhouse Room - Water View - $5,320
• VGF DVC Studio (either) - Lake/Lagoon View - $5,550
• GF Hotel Room - Water View - $5,679
• Poly DVC Longhouse Studio - Lake View - $6,222
• Poly DVC Tower Studio - Preferred View - $6,222
• VGF DVC Resort Studio - Theme Park View - $6,621
• GF Hotel Room - Theme Park View - $6,773
• Poly Hotel Longhouse Room - Theme Park View - $6,912
• Poly DVC Tower Studio - Theme Park View - $7,012

Takeaways:

• Island Tower TPV sets a new high watermark for cash rates for non-Club rooms, at least for these dates
• Existing PVB Lake View seems to equal to Preferred View for cash rate

If we assume that PVB LV = Island Tower PV for points charts for a Studio (same cash rates), go out on a limb that PVB SV = Island Tower SV for points chart for a Studio (cash rates the same, per other posts), then Theme Park View logically fits into a points chart tier above the existing Lake View. Not unexpected, but nice to have some sort of confirmation.

Considering PVB Studios already average a bit higher than equivalent VGF Studio views in terms of pts/night, and the higher-than-GF cash rate of Poly Theme Park Views, I think we should expect that Poly Island Tower Theme Park View will set a new studio high watermark. VGF Resort Studio TPV averages 31pts/night over a year, so maybe Poly Island Tower TPV comes in at 31.5-32pts/night?

But applying this to 1BR and above is where this gets most interesting:

• 1BR are typically ~2x the points of equivalent view Studios (and generally considered overpriced), but that would put the 1BR TPV at 63-64pt/night average. For context, VGF Lake View is the current highest at WDW, at 52.7pt/ night.
  • AUL Ocean View comes in at 52.9pt/night.
• 2BR are typically ~2.7x the points of equivalent view Studios, which would put the 2BR TPV at 85-86pts/night. VGF Lake View is the current highest, at 71.5pt/night.
  • AUL Ocean View comes in at 71.7pt/night.

These aren't a little higher than current highs, they're 20% higher! And considering the aggressiveness of the view categorization of VDH, we should probably expect most of the lagoon-facing rooms to be categorized as TPV (anything that can see a castle spire), a huge percentage of the resort.

Maybe they bring over some of the VDH points scaling, where 1BR PV is 2x the points of a SV Studio (rather than 2x equivalent view), but I'm not hopeful.

We were hoping to upgrade some of our stays from a Poly LV Studio to a Poly Island Tower TPV 1BR, but if it's 2.4x the points we might have to reconsider.

I think you're likely to be basically right about point charts, up to and including the 2BR TPV rooms being pretty eye-popping.

I have a whole spreadsheet analyzing differences in point charts across resorts/room types/views/seasons, and here's what I ended up predicting (numerical columns represent each season):

Room Type	View	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Duo Studio	Standard	78	94	104	110	120	136	182	75% of same-view Studio
Duo Studio	Lake	107	119	122	131	139	153	218	75% of same-view Studio
Duo Studio	Theme Park	117	131	136	143	156	176	236	75% of same-view Studio
Longhouse Studio	Standard	104	125	139	146	160	181	242	Current Values
Longhouse Studio	Lake	143	158	162	174	185	204	291	Current Values
IT Studio	Standard	104	125	139	146	160	181	242	Match Longhouse
IT Studio	Preferred	143	158	162	174	185	204	291	Match Longhouse
IT Studio	Theme Park	156	175	181	190	208	235	315	+30% of Standard view
1BR	Standard	218	263	292	307	336	380	508	+110% of same-view Studio
1BR	Preferred	300	332	340	365	389	428	611	+110% of same-view Studio
1BR	Theme Park	328	368	380	399	437	494	662	+110% of same-view Studio
2BR	Standard	290	350	388	408	447	505	676	+33%% of same-view Studio
2BR	Preferred	399	442	452	485	517	569	813	+33%% of same-view Studio
2BR	Theme Park	436	489	505	531	581	657	880	+33%% of same-view Studio
2BR Bungalow	Theme Park	824	876	934	994	1094	1180	1447	Current Values

Note that this has the 2BR Preferred points right around the same mark as the VGF's similar rooms. But then the TPV rooms are

• I kinda just took a stab at the Duo studio discount rate, since that's not a common room type.
  
  
• I guessed that the 'Theme Park View' premium would be 30% for seasons 3-7. The current chart has about a 15% premium from S to L for those seasons, so an additional 30% seems about right. It's actually a higher premium in seasons 1-2 -- more like 40%-50% -- because in those seasons the premium for a L room is already quite a bit higher.
  
  
• I'm still really struggling with where to put the 2BR Penthouses. With the exception of CCV, every resort is pretty consistent that a GV is priced at 2.0-2.1x a same-view 2BR. The Bungalows are already priced like GVs -- the most expensive rooms in DVC! -- and if my 2BR estimates are correct they come in right around that 2x mark (excluding seasons 6 and 7 when they're 'discounted' quite a bit).
  
  So are the penthouses going to be priced as not-quite-GVs, maybe 50%-80% more than a normal 2BR, but still less than the bungalows?
  
  Or will they be a huge, premium experience, and leapfrog the Bungalows to set a new high-water mark for DVC point charts?
  
  I should look at quoted cash rates for the 2BR and Penthouses to see how much of a premium that reflects... pricing strategies may vary for cash vs point bookings, but it might provide some insight.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

Okay, a little comparison shopping. I'm mostly curious how Preferred, Longhouse Lake View, and Theme Park View piece together, but threw in a few other comparisons.

First, DVC discount of 25% means that full priced cash rate for these 5 nights is actually $7,012 for TPV and $6,222 for PV.

A list of Poly cash rates for the same nights:

• DVC Longhouse Studio - Standard View - $4,803
• Hotel Longhouse Room - Resort View - $4,803
• Hotel Longhouse Room - Water View - $5,320
• DVC Longhouse Studio - Lake View - $6,222
• DVC Tower Studio - Preferred View - $6,222
• Hotel Longhouse Room - Theme Park View - $6,912
• DVC Tower Studio - Theme Park View - $7,012

A list of cash rates for the same nights, including Grand Flo (light blue):

• Poly DVC Longhouse Studio - Standard View - $4,803
• Poly Hotel Longhouse Room - Resort View - $4,803
• GF Hotel Room - Resort View - $5,079
• VGF DVC Studio (either) - Standard View - $5,154
• Poly Hotel Longhouse Room - Water View - $5,320
• VGF DVC Studio (either) - Lake/Lagoon View - $5,550
• GF Hotel Room - Water View - $5,679
• Poly DVC Longhouse Studio - Lake View - $6,222
• Poly DVC Tower Studio - Preferred View - $6,222
• VGF DVC Resort Studio - Theme Park View - $6,621
• GF Hotel Room - Theme Park View - $6,773
• Poly Hotel Longhouse Room - Theme Park View - $6,912
• Poly DVC Tower Studio - Theme Park View - $7,012

Takeaways:

• Island Tower TPV sets a new high watermark for cash rates for non-Club rooms, at least for these dates
• Existing PVB Lake View seems to equal to Preferred View for cash rate

If we assume that PVB LV = Island Tower PV for points charts for a Studio (same cash rates), go out on a limb that PVB SV = Island Tower SV for points chart for a Studio (cash rates the same, per other posts), then Theme Park View logically fits into a points chart tier above the existing Lake View. Not unexpected, but nice to have some sort of confirmation.

Considering PVB Studios already average a bit higher than equivalent VGF Studio views in terms of pts/night, and the higher-than-GF cash rate of Poly Theme Park Views, I think we should expect that Poly Island Tower Theme Park View will set a new studio high watermark. VGF Resort Studio TPV averages 31pts/night over a year, so maybe Poly Island Tower TPV comes in at 31.5-32pts/night?

But applying this to 1BR and above is where this gets most interesting:

• 1BR are typically ~2x the points of equivalent view Studios (and generally considered overpriced), but that would put the 1BR TPV at 63-64pt/night average. For context, VGF Lake View is the current highest at WDW, at 52.7pt/ night.
  • AUL Ocean View comes in at 52.9pt/night.
• 2BR are typically ~2.7x the points of equivalent view Studios, which would put the 2BR TPV at 85-86pts/night. VGF Lake View is the current highest, at 71.5pt/night.
  • AUL Ocean View comes in at 71.7pt/night.

These aren't a little higher than current highs, they're 20% higher! And considering the aggressiveness of the view categorization of VDH, we should probably expect most of the lagoon-facing rooms to be categorized as TPV (anything that can see a castle spire), a huge percentage of the resort.

Maybe they bring over some of the VDH points scaling, where 1BR PV is 2x the points of a SV Studio (rather than 2x equivalent view), but I'm not hopeful.

We were hoping to upgrade some of our stays from a Poly LV Studio to a Poly Island Tower TPV 1BR, but if it's 2.4x the points we might have to reconsider.

As always, a fantastic and considerate breakdown.

I think this is a very fair assessment of the point charts. A bit jarring to think the Poly could very well have a higher point chart than WDW’s flagship but I guess VGF is different from the Grand Floridian Hotel. I wonder after the opening dust settles if cash prices will sit just below the Grand’s or will it displace its crown.

Where do you place the penthouse point value? If the regular 2bdrm TPV rooms are already more than VGF, is it close to GV points or bungalows?

 

[Cabius]

As always, a fantastic and considerate breakdown.

I think this is a very fair assessment of the point charts. A bit jarring to think the Poly could very well have a higher point chart than WDW’s flagship but I guess VGF is different from the Grand Floridian Hotel. I wonder after the opening dust settles if cash prices will sit just below the Grand’s or will it displace its crown.

PVB is already more expensive than VGF across almost all seasons.

A Lake-View studio at PVB is more expensive than at VGF except for season 1 (tied) and 5 (3 points/week cheaper).


A Standard-View studio at PVB is more expensive than at VGF except for season 1 (16 points/week cheaper) and 2 (tied),


A PVB Bungalow is more expensive than a VGF Grand Villa in every single season.


For every room type where they compete, PVB has had 'the crown' since it opened in 2015! The only way 1BR and 2BR units will be cheaper is if they are discounted relative to the multipliers that Disney usually applies to these point charts.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

PVB is already more expensive than VGF across almost all seasons.

A Lake-View studio at PVB is more expensive than at VGF except for season 1 (tied) and 5 (3 points/week cheaper).
View attachment 865902

A Standard-View studio at PVB is more expensive than at VGF except for season 1 (16 points/week cheaper) and 2 (tied),
View attachment 865903

A PVB Bungalow is more expensive than a VGF Grand Villa in every single season.
View attachment 865904

For every room type where they compete, PVB has had 'the crown' since it opened in 2015! The only way 1BR and 2BR units will be cheaper is if they are discounted relative to the multipliers that Disney usually applies to these point charts.

Wow, I knew this in theory but I didn’t realize it was more expensive for so many seasons. And I’m actually shocked the bungalows are more than the GV I had no idea!

I guess because PVB has always been 95% studios and was an “incomplete” resort, it wasn’t really comparable to VGF until now that gaps have been filled and we can look at it as apples to apples.