Island Tower at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

[Jwaire]

Not knocking people who want LOUD theming and overstimulation constantly…. it just doesn’t have to be the only option that qualifies as “real Disney”….

Childless millennials aside (why does that matter?) and that Toy Story hotel in Tokyo is amazing for anyone that loves Toy Story (not my jam), but we are getting to a place where all the Disney hotel rooms are very similar even across categories.

I like the new rooms for what they are, but they're using the same vendors property wide from the Murphy bed to the furniture to the flooring. Not even just DVC. The new Caribbean Beach rooms, the All Stars, etc. are all the same furniture and build quality.

They're not custom designing any hard goods anymore like light fixtures, bed frames, benches, tile, etc. They're just changing out the artwork, textiles and wallpaper.

It'll be interesting to see how it holds up.

They were tasteful with the recent Poly refurb, but again, it was a soft goods plus Murphy bed install. They didn't touch anything else.

Are we gonna see them rip out all the custom furniture at Animal Kingdom Lodge and replace it with modern furniture and grays, browns and whites?

So, I understand some of the criticism and concern.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I watched WDWNT yesterday and laughed quite loudly as Tom stood there with a bear hat and loud/tacky duck tales shirt in a hotel room themed like Andy’s room from Toy Story and attacked the new Poly Tower and DVC by stating something to the affect of “This is what Disney theming is supposed to be!”…..

You mean fat, unshaven Tom Corless wearing the ratty Duck Tales shirt over a blue-collared tee-shirt that looked to be about 20 years old? Sitting in a room that looks like they covered the walls with decals form Hobby Lobby? That guy trying to throw shade on Imagineering's sense of style and design? That moron?

 

[DonMacGregor]

Childless millennials aside (why does that matter?) and that Toy Story hotel in Tokyo is amazing for anyone that loves Toy Story (not my jam), but we are getting to a place where all the Disney hotel rooms are very similar even across categories.

I like the new rooms for what they are, but they're using the same vendors property wide from the Murphy bed to the furniture to the flooring. Not even just DVC. The new Caribbean Beach rooms, the All Stars, etc. are all the same furniture and build quality.

They're not custom designing any hard goods anymore like light fixtures, bed frames, benches, tile, etc. They're just changing out the artwork, textiles and wallpaper.

It'll be interesting to see how it holds up.

They were tasteful with the recent Poly refurb, but again, it was a soft goods plus Murphy bed install. They didn't touch anything else.

Are we gonna see them rip out all the custom furniture at Animal Kingdom Lodge and replace it with modern furniture and grays, browns and whites?

So, I understand some of the criticism and concern.

Except that the new tower rooms are a far more accurate depiction of Polynesian style and indigenous art than the Tiki Culture vibe of the original resort (which there's nothing wrong with). It's a bit unfortunate that the color palette does veer pretty close to some of the more generic designs they've been using lately at other resorts, but it is thematically and culturally accurate. Pus, I am seeing some room photos being released that have far more vibrant colors integrated into them.

Now, if they did turn around and change the AKL rooms that would certainly be a different story.

 

[davidhr]

I watched WDWNT yesterday and laughed quite loudly as Tom stood there with a bear hat and loud/tacky duck tales shirt in a hotel room themed like Andy’s room from Toy Story and attacked the new Poly Tower and DVC by stating something to the affect of “This is what Disney theming is supposed to be!”…..

My wife and I agreed that we will not be taking directions from overgrown childless millennials whose lives are spent visiting theme parks

Yes…. some of us are adults who like peace and serenity…. We have real life children who live in our house with themed rooms and toys around the house that we have to pick up every day…. We don’t want to see that on vacation!

Not knocking people who want LOUD theming and overstimulation constantly…. it just doesn’t have to be the only option that qualifies as “real Disney”….

As a childless millennial I feel personally attacked!

JK

We also like more subtle theming and quietness. That’s what we like about Riviera. I love the Island Tower theming, but don’t think I’ll buy there as the Poly is too crowded for us.

I do enjoy some theming, like the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Childless millennials aside (why does that matter?) and that Toy Story hotel in Tokyo is amazing for anyone that loves Toy Story (not my jam), but we are getting to a place where all the Disney hotel rooms are very similar even across categories.

I like the new rooms for what they are, but they're using the same vendors property wide from the Murphy bed to the furniture to the flooring. Not even just DVC. The new Caribbean Beach rooms, the All Stars, etc. are all the same furniture and build quality.

They're not custom designing any hard goods anymore like light fixtures, bed frames, benches, tile, etc. They're just changing out the artwork, textiles and wallpaper.

It'll be interesting to see how it holds up.

They were tasteful with the recent Poly refurb, but again, it was a soft goods plus Murphy bed install. They didn't touch anything else.

Are we gonna see them rip out all the custom furniture at Animal Kingdom Lodge and replace it with modern furniture and grays, browns and whites?

So, I understand some of the criticism and concern.

Why does the childless comment matter? I think it’s going to be a fundamental difference in many societies when looking at style choices, spending habits, retirement locations, etc of. varios groups. I’m coming at this as an Economist.

To me, the childless comment matters in this specific case because I have found there is often a home style difference between people have an “adult”/ “our pet is our child” compared to homes with “a child/children definitely live here” homes.

Based on that baseline, people tend to want their vacations to put them in a different environment than their day to day life…. wether that be more lux, more silly, more calm, different climate, etc.

So the thought of staying in a hotel suite that is themed like Andy’s room seems like an absolute nightmare. For many people it would be a dream come true. Both can be true and so neither of us should say “this is how Disney should do it and everything else is a sellout!”

 

[BrianLo]

I'm a childless millennial and I don't want to stay in a tacky over-themed room either. Though I'm extremely over-exposed to children from work, so maybe that counts me out.

I think it has more to do with what someone's style is. These rooms are modern. Some people want them to continue to maintain hotel design standards from 1990-2010. Which is perfectly fine if that's your preferred style... but it's also out of style.

There's a reason many are eagerly tracking hard refurb dates for their resorts, things designed two decades ago are starting to feel dated. Riviera and Saratoga (perhaps as early as CCV) are more just a turning point in recognizing design trends have moved. I think it's not so much that Disney can't theme, it's that loud (kitschy/tacky) theming in hotel rooms is not in style any longer.

 

[Cabius]

There's a reason many are eagerly tracking hard refurb dates for their resorts, things designed two decades ago are starting to feel dated. Riviera and Saratoga (perhaps as early as CCV) are more just a turning point in recognizing design trends have moved. I think it's not so much that Disney can't theme, it's that loud (kitschy/tacky) theming in hotel rooms is not in style any longer.

It's also more than a little because it's just cheaper for Disney to execute more pared-back designs that allow them buy most stuff from off-the-shelf existing suppliers, rather than design and fabricate more bespoke elements.

Disney's design decisions shape guest expectations, which then inform design decisions. I think if Disney was making more bespoke -- even LOUD rooms -- they would still be quite popular, and we'd be talking about the Disney Difference vs the off-property resorts that don't have the same sense of flair.

 

[kristenabelle]

I prefer childfree millennial, thanks

But hey, whatever floats anyone's boat!

 

[BrianLo]

It's also more than a little because it's just cheaper for Disney to execute more pared-back designs that allow them buy most stuff from off-the-shelf existing suppliers, rather than design and fabricate more bespoke elements.

Disney's design decisions shape guest expectations, which then inform design decisions. I think if Disney was making more bespoke -- even LOUD rooms -- they would still be quite popular, and we'd be talking about the Disney Difference vs the off-property resorts that don't have the same sense of flair.

Maybe it's just me, but nothing really screams off the shelf. Or even cheap about this room. I guess the Murphy bed concept are a little rinse and repeat. But so were most pull out couches. The Murphy beds are probably more expensive than the old pull outs.

The dining chairs seem uniquely themed to two Maui hooks roped together. The lighting fixtures are all unique. The headboards are all unique. Everything at a glance appears high end.

A banner of wallpaper and a bed runner are not break the bank items. They just are not in style. I highly doubt Disney is spending less, they seem incapable of that.

 

[mkatsy]

Except that the new tower rooms are a far more accurate depiction of Polynesian style and indigenous art than the Tiki Culture vibe of the original resort (which there's nothing wrong with). It's a bit unfortunate that the color palette does veer pretty close to some of the more generic designs they've been using lately at other resorts, but it is thematically and culturally accurate. Pus, I am seeing some room photos being released that have far more vibrant colors integrated into them.

Now, if they did turn around and change the AKL rooms that would certainly be a different story.

I think it will be interesting to see how they theme whatever restaurant/bar goes in there. If I had any say in it, I would keep upscale authentic Polynesian theming in the tower, and then put a new Tropical Tiki style party bar over in Tangaroa Terrace.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I'm a childless millennial and I don't want to stay in a tacky over-themed room either. Though I'm extremely over-exposed to children from work, so maybe that counts me out.

I think it has more to do with what someone's style is. These rooms are modern. Some people want them to continue to maintain hotel design standards from 1990-2010. Which is perfectly fine if that's your preferred style... but it's also out of style.

There's a reason many are eagerly tracking hard refurb dates for their resorts, things designed two decades ago are starting to feel dated. Riviera and Saratoga (perhaps as early as CCV) are more just a turning point in recognizing design trends have moved. I think it's not so much that Disney can't theme, it's that loud (kitschy/tacky) theming in hotel rooms is not in style any longer.

And I am a childed-millennial who enjoyed one night in our Toy Story Hotel room, especially the themed custom toiletry kit (in Shanghai, can’t speak to Tokyo)—but I would never want to own there as my home resort.

I actually like the elaborate (sometimes kitschy) themed style of the 1970s-1990s, probably in part because it was my childhood experience of WDW…but also I think because what Disney parks were originally famous for was building cohesive, heavily themed fantasy lands— I wonder if some of the reaction (including my own) to the architecture here is that is part of the broader trend of moving away from cohesive theming within a land (or resort)…which we have seen more of as Disney expands and adds IP to its parks. Perhaps my kids will see it differently as they grow up with bigger parks with more of a hodgepodge of themes and rides and movie studio IP (and frankly, even better rides).

 

[hockeydad21]

I think it will be interesting to see how they theme whatever restaurant/bar goes in there. If I had any say in it, I would keep upscale authentic Polynesian theming in the tower, and then put a new Tropical Tiki style party bar over in Tangaroa Terrace.

Preach!

 

[Brob2132]

It seems some folks have a difficult time with nuanced discussions. It’s just not my cup of tea, different strokes for different folks, etc.

 

[Lumee23]

I am pretty happy with the decor. I love the textures and the art details they pointed out in the walkthrough. The art on the headboards and back of the Murphy bed looks fantastic. I also really like the Moana touches without it being in your face. My only comment on the decor is in the one bedroom I wish they would have used a non-beige sofa or curtains to break up the color palette a little bit more in that corner of the room. I think the studios look better with the green sofa. I can see why some people think it is too beige but I think it will look better in person with the textures. I enjoy pretty much all of the DVC decor though so I guess I am easy to please.

Layout wise I am bummed that the studios only sleep four and I can see the location of the kitchenette potentially being problematic for those that need to use the Murphy bed. While we can still book the original studios for five I am always appreciative of more options when we need to be point misers so being restricted to just one bedrooms and up in the new tower is a big drawback for us. That being said I am excited to see a tour of the duos since we would be interested in those for our adult only trips and it is nice that there are a lot more of them than there is at Riviera. We like to do split stays to stay on the monorail for our MK days so the duos really fit our needs. I do wish the studios/duos had some rooms with bathtubs though. I can understand the duos not having them but not having one in the studios seems tough for families with young children. Another win for the original studios for our family.

I am happy to see that the cash prices seem to suggest point charts similar to existing Poly and Riviera for the non-TPV rooms. Since this is part of the existing association are we thinking the tower has a net positive benefit on the Poly dues since it is a tower? Or at the very least neutral? I still have sticker shock from the VDH and Cabin dues

 

[Chovy]

It does appear to me that the only dedicated 2 bdr are the theme park view. The Disney points calculator is updated on the Dvc site (no points values) to show the different room types and I see no standard or preferred. https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/destinations/list/florida/polynesian-villas-bungalows

 

[AstroBlasters]

It's also more than a little because it's just cheaper for Disney to execute more pared-back designs that allow them buy most stuff from off-the-shelf existing suppliers, rather than design and fabricate more bespoke elements.

Disney's design decisions shape guest expectations, which then inform design decisions. I think if Disney was making more bespoke -- even LOUD rooms -- they would still be quite popular, and we'd be talking about the Disney Difference vs the off-property resorts that don't have the same sense of flair.

It would also cost a lot more in dues to create and replace bespoke furniture…. I’d probably be happy to pay for it…. but I’m sure that plays into it as well….

 

[JackosinDIS]

It does appear to me that the only dedicated 2 bdr are the theme park view. The Disney points calculator is updated on the Dvc site (no points values) to show the different room types and I see no standard or preferred. https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/destinations/list/florida/polynesian-villas-bungalows

Good spot!

The dedicated 2br are only available with TPV. The 2br lock offs have all view categories to choose from.

 

[Sandisw]

The video didn't cover details on the Duos, I think?

I was responding to the dishwasher being part of moving to a green initiative. Nothing to do with the duo.

 

[AstroBlasters]

You mean fat, unshaven Tom Corless wearing the ratty Duck Tales shirt over a blue-collared tee-shirt that looked to be about 20 years old? Sitting in a room that looks like they covered the walls with decals form Hobby Lobby? That guy trying to throw shade on Imagineering's sense of style and design? That moron?

Yes…. this guy!

The arbitrator of what is “Real Disney”

 

[Cabius]

It does appear to me that the only dedicated 2 bdr are the theme park view. The Disney points calculator is updated on the Dvc site (no points values) to show the different room types and I see no standard or preferred. https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/destinations/list/florida/polynesian-villas-bungalows

Yeah, seeing the same thing. Screenshots from that calculator here --





I guess it's always possible that this system shares an underlying dataset with the cash bookings, which is why these values are already populated, and that there may be S/P 2BRs added at a later date.

But at this point, I'm leaning toward the belief that all the dedicated 2BRs are TPV (there may not be very many of them!), and that Disney is listing the lock-offs as separate 1BR/S for cash bookings to maximize revenue.