Island Tower at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

[MagicDVC]

I always feel bad for the hotel staff and member services when it's not an obvious decision on these categories. Management makes the decision and they have to deal with the consequences.

Take PVB longhouse lake view for example. Roughly 70% of those first floor rooms only see the lake (shore to the bungalows). It's why almost everyone complains and asks to be moved to a higher floor.

Just my opinion, which I 100% guarantee Disney will NOT do.

• Everything on the monorail side may be parking lot view (standard). In theory the higher floors could fall into preferred view. Saying this because BLT floors 1-4 or maybe it's 1-5 facing the parking lot are standard view. Literally the floor above this is theme park view. (When BLT opened, I think standard view was floors 1-2. So many complaints they changed things and modified the point charts).
• Theme Park view seems likely to be lake side. Higher floors will have unobstructed views. Not sure if lower floors should classify. For example, 1st-3rd may have palm trees and the island obstructing their view. Someone did mention GF may block some of these rooms from seeing MK.
• Rest fall into what I'm just guessing is preferred view. Not bad enough to call a standard/parking lot view. Not good enough to classify as a theme park view.

I think a majority of accommodations will be preferred view. TPV will be the upper floors on the lagoon side. I'm going to guess that standard views will be slim in the Tower, maybe the first few floors on the parking lot side. Very similar to BLT.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

If I preferred to see a golf course, I’d stay at Old Key West.

(for a fraction of the points)

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

If I preferred to see a golf course, I’d stay at Old Key West.

(for a fraction of the points)

But it’s a golf course and the monorail and minutes away from dole whip. That’s gotta be a decent upgrade

 

[Ronferr80]

I’m sorry if I missed it while trying to catch up but have two questions:

Was it said if the 1-bedroom has theme park view?

Also what time do new online reservations typically start on Disney site 8am?

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

But it’s a golf course and the monorail and minutes away from dole whip. That’s gotta be a decent upgrade

It is but also feels like slight view-inflation, if that’s what they decide.
The SV at VGF would be the same / just as good IMO.

 

[Mikey15]

Someone did mention GF may block some of these rooms from seeing MK.

Based on the location & angle of Island Tower I don’t see how GF would be in the sightline towards the MK. Worst case might not see Tiana’s over BPK from lower floors, but I’m not sure Tiana’s is the easiest to see without binoculars even from the penthouse.

A high enough floor to see over the island should get you a castle view, which is the main attraction anyway. If they do it right, the “TPV” rooms should all have proper TPV. The question is whether lower floors on the lake side will still be Preferred view or Standard. I thought I read something implying lower/obstructed rooms might be Standard but I can’t find it now.

 

[Sandisw]

Stay on topic and be nice.

 

[Sandisw]

If we are going by amenities and desirability, and not by attaching value to some vague "flagship" label, there is no good argument for the new rooms to settle at or below VGF points. I agree that they aren't likely to price these rooms higher than the coveted VGF, but the result is just going to chill the demand for VGF rooms in my opinion.

The new Poly rooms are a better location at a more immersive resort. If we can stay in one of those rooms, and get on and off the monorail before the VGF folks, walk to the TTC to go to EPCOT, and enjoy the whole Poly vibe (while still being able to walk or boat to VGF to get our fill of its ambiance), I'm not sure why we would use the same number or more points to stay at VGF -- unless we were either in love with the Beaches or Courtyard pools or really valued the mile-long walk to MK (which, yes, is still better than no ability to walk).

This does assume that the tower will be 100% part of the rest of the Poly resort and not subject to some restrictions on use of the resort (i.e., Lava pool -- I can't think of anything else that would matter). If tower guests can't use the Lava pool, and the tower pool is just meh, maybe that changes the calculus a little.

I say the same thing when comparing BWV and RIV too. I think they overpriced RIV relative to BWV, but they didn't really have an option because BWV was already long-established at such a value. I bet if they could erase the slate and start fresh with one of those Men in Black memory eraser things, they would price BWV at or above RIV. And I wonder if they'll avoid that same mistake again with Poly/VGF.

To be clear: we love VGF. We stay there often. This isn't meant to disparage VGF. It's just meant to compare the new Poly rooms to the next closest options.

Since it has been added to the PVB condo association, any change in access to amenities at the resort would apply to all PVB owners. Right now, all the pools are owned by the hotel and owners at PVB have the right to use them. They are not part of the condo association. PVB owners pay their share to have access.

Info on the new pool at PVB tower has not yet been shared, but if I had to guess, it will be a common element of DVC, and thus an agreement will be made between the hotel and DVC to have joint access to all pools (that is how it is at WL) with the expense for all shared between hotel and DVC owners.

 

[hockeydad21]

But it’s a golf course and the monorail and minutes away from dole whip. That’s gotta be a decent upgrade

haha while true, Disney labeling these golf course/monorail facing rooms as preferred is a pure money grab for them in order to inflate the points chart. I get labeling the pool view as preferred because that’s also partial lake view, but the golf course has only one hole within sight from the new tower…and you still need to look across busy Floridian Way to see it off in the distance! It’s not like your room will be within 30 yards of a green or fairway like you are at Saratoga and old key west.

 

[SCDVC2000]

I’m sorry if I missed it while trying to catch up but have two questions:

Was it said if the 1-bedroom has theme park view?

Also what time do new online reservations typically start on Disney site 8am?

Yes, I booked a TP 1 BR. There’s also standard and preferred

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

haha while true, Disney labeling these golf course/monorail facing rooms as preferred is a pure money grab for them in order to inflate the points chart. I get labeling the pool view as preferred because that’s also partial lake view, but the golf course has only one hole within sight from the new tower…and you still need to look across busy Floridian Way to see it off in the distance! It’s not like your room will be within 30 yards of a green or fairway like you are at Saratoga and old key west.

Wow, so dole whip means nothing to you??

JK, I completely understand and agree. I’m terrible with my points and often book TPV (or preferred view if they don’t have TPV- looking et you Riviera) because the view is important to us. I’d be upset paying more just to see Floridan Way and bits of a golf course in the distance. It’s also why I don’t agree with those that think the PV at RIV should have been the parking lot view with Epcot way back in the distance. It’s not a bad view, I just think the lake/skyliner/ToT view is better.

Annoying as it might be to keep track, I do hope they keep those 3 view types at different point levels, too. I don’t want it to be like P/G and Boardwalk view being the same cost, I think that would upset me more.

 

[Mexacajun]

Just booked the first 3 days. 17-20. So excited.

 

[Sandisw]

Wow, so dole whip means nothing to you??

JK, I completely understand and agree. I’m terrible with my points and often book TPV (or preferred view if they don’t have TPV- looking et you Riviera) because the view is important to us. I’d be upset paying more just to see Floridan Way and bits of a golf course in the distance. It’s also why I don’t agree with those that think the PV at RIV should have been the parking lot view with Epcot way back in the distance. It’s not a bad view, I just think the lake/skyliner/ToT view is better.

Annoying as it might be to keep track, I do hope they keep those 3 view types at different point levels, too. I don’t want it to be like P/G and Boardwalk view being the same cost, I think that would upset me more.

From what I understand, the reason they made BW view its own booking category is because it was what everyone requested when they booked pool/garden and I guess it caused a lot of upset owners who didn’t get the request. So, they made it its own

If, PV, ends up pool and lake vs monorail and gold course, they might end up with the same situation with a lot of requests and upset owners who don’t get them.

 

[BrianLo]

I haven't been in the DVC world for very long so forgive what may be blasphemy but it seems really weird to me that duo studios or tower studios are at all popular. I mean I get that they may be lower points and of course low point rooms are the first to be snapped up. But they are tiny! Seems somewhat incongruous with deluxe accommodations.

Resident Duo Studio defender! I'll just say that 4-5 people crammed in a regular Studio somehow doesn't scream luxury to me either. Me in a Duo Studio alone is incomparably a better experience than what 50% of guests are doing. It's all about framing.

I don't think membership has adapted to them quite yet, but I see them becoming increasingly popular moving forward. The Tower design is a bit awkward and wastes space, so I don't think it was the best introduction to the concept.

But Duo Studios are excellent for solo travellers, which is a growing market. Two beds in a studio is a bit unnecessary, though I guess one can leave up the other Murphy bed for the couch. Ultimately it's somewhat useless extra space as a single.

They are also not quite perceptibly used correctly, by either membership or the developer. They are an amazing for an "add on bedroom/bathroom". You can get a two bedroom unit and a Duo studio. Say if you travel with a couple, kids and then grandma. Sure a GV is lovely, but a Duo studio is an extremely cost effective solution for merely a third bedroom and a bathroom. I've considered as resorts evolve that I would actually elect to book a Duo Studio + a 2 bedroom Villa if I was traveling with another couple and their children.

I think the natural evolution is for Duo studios to also start being added to lock off concepts. Make a 3 bedroom unit that's the price of a 2-bed + Duo (for grandma). Or a Studio + Duo lock off (for the parents who are points miserly but want parental time).

 

[Anthony Vito]

Did anyone else watch the walkthrough video and think those rooms are ready to be opened for tours? That was very clearly the sample rooms, I'm assuming at Saratoga, and they were done and set up, with even the fake view from the balcony.

 

[stevehudd]

I asked my guide about the availability of fixed weeks, he did not know yet. If anyone hears otherwise please share.

 

[maui22]

Did anyone else watch the walkthrough video and think those rooms are ready to be opened for tours? That was very clearly the sample rooms, I'm assuming at Saratoga, and they were done and set up, with even the fake view from the balcony.

Back in 2009, we toured a room setup like this at the Doorway To Dreams in Chicago. They also had DTD in NY and I think Boston. The one we toured was for BLT. On the fake balcony, they had full wall posters with fireworks.

It was a very good way to let people see the rooms without being in Florida.

 

[MagicDVC]

I asked my guide about the availability of fixed weeks, he did not know yet. If anyone hears otherwise please share.

We won’t have any definitive info until they go on sale. Highly likely that it will be an option.

 

[got4boys]

Cash prices, views and more photos are up!

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/polynesian-villas-bungalows/rates-rooms/room-only/

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Cash prices, views and more photos are up!

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/polynesian-villas-bungalows/rates-rooms/room-only/

Well, I missed whatever drama happened on Wednesday but at least catching up took long enough for me to see this post so I could peruse the photos on Disney’s website…I can’t believe how many people were complaining about neutral colors for the past 48 hours…the studios look thematically cohesive with the original studios, while blending in more elements of authentic Polynesian design. They even threw in some playful mid century modern elements (like the playful mirrors in the bathrooms).