Island Tower at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

[AstroBlasters]

I’m not sure how some people look at tan paint and carved tan wood and can’t see any differences.

Same with a blue glass wall and a blue waterfall.

Let’s completely ignore the carved columns, wood beams that look like a ship….

Yup…. Just a “Hilton” (because haters can’t differentiate between a high end Conrad/Waldorf and Hilton or a Ritz Carlton and Marriott.)

I guess some people just can’t look at a drawing and understand what parts represents texture and the craftsmanship of that texture…. it’s all about “I see brown…”

 

[BamaGuy44]

I’m not sure how some people look at tan paint and carved tan wood and can’t see any differences.

Same with a blue glass wall and a blue waterfall.

Let’s completely ignore the carved columns, wood beams that look like a ship….

Yup…. Just a “Hilton” (because haters can’t differentiate between a high end Conrad/Waldorf and Hilton or a Ritz Carlton and Marriott.)

I guess some people just can’t look at a drawing and understand what parts represents texture and the craftsmanship of that texture…. it’s all about “I see brown…”

I won't debate if it's good or bad, I personally like what I've seen so far, but I try to keep an open mind until I see it in person. Taste is suggestive after all. What's funny to me is how so many people just pre decide to hate things within 5 minutes of the announcement when we know basically nothing about it. Then any detail that comes out, find a reason why it's bad/wrong no matter what is.

Not every negative opinion is like that of course, but the ones with the hater attitude I'm talking about are easy to spot.

 

[Salokin]

I know amenities haven’t been confirmed yet but given the penthouses does it seem unlikely that there wont be a topolinos terrace style offering or even top of the world lounge?

 

[maui22]

I know amenities haven’t been confirmed yet but given the penthouses does it seem unlikely that there wont be a topolinos terrace style offering or even top of the world lounge?

Agree, no restaurant or lounge up top.

 

[Salokin]

Agree, no restaurant or lounge up top.

Not for me to tell Disney how to design something like this but given the size and location I thought it would be one of their priorities.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Not for me to tell Disney how to design something like this but given the size and location I thought it would be one of their priorities.

Cynically speaking, I’d guess that not having deluxe public viewing spaces makes the high point TPV rooms even more desirable.

Less cynically, I can understand why Disney didn’t want to build something so awesome it drew even more crowds 60% of the way around the monorail in hopes of getting off a walk-up waitlist— still, I think it was a miss opportunity to add an ultra premium experience. Poly doesn’t have a truly upscale dining option.

 

[Salokin]

I can’t help but feel that some sort of resort restrictions are going to come in or dare I say it have to come in. Maybe resort monorail limited to guests with access via magic band or something? Tighter control around usage of lava pool similar to beach club?

Can the number of monorails in operation be increased or will they put more boats on? Will the tower have its own dock?

 

[Einstein509]

I can’t help but feel that some sort of resort restrictions are going to come in or dare I say it have to come in. Maybe resort monorail limited to guests with access via magic band or something? Tighter control around usage of lava pool similar to beach club?

Can the number of monorails in operation be increased or will they put more boats on? Will the tower have its own dock?

They need pool control. Monorail people control will be harder as there are folks with dining reservations that may not be staying at the monorail resorts.

I don't believe they can put more monorails on the track as it is a safety issue. Not sure on the boat dock. Someone mentioned there is a walkway to nowhere leading up to the lake so it may be a possibility that they put a dock in.

BTW, is anybody else getting ad redirects when they click on function buttons on this site? I'm talking buttons like "Reply" or "Next."

 

[CWTC]

They need pool control. Monorail people control will be harder as there are folks with dining reservations that may not be staying at the monorail resorts.

They are also going to need pool control at GF once the tower opens. We stayed at VGF in May and some days I had a hard time finding a pool chair as it is currently. I’ve been seeing people on facebook suggesting that people staying in the tower head over to the GF pools because they will be closer than the main and quiet poly pools.

 

[stevehudd]

They need pool control. Monorail people control will be harder as there are folks with dining reservations that may not be staying at the monorail resorts.

I don't believe they can put more monorails on the track as it is a safety issue. Not sure on the boat dock. Someone mentioned there is a walkway to nowhere leading up to the lake so it may be a possibility that they put a dock in.

BTW, is anybody else getting ad redirects when they click on function buttons on this site? I'm talking buttons like "Reply" or "Next."

The monorail situation is going to be terrible with the added load. There were already days last year during our mid/late December trip with the grand floridian line stretching past the Enchanted Rose.

 

[SugarSweetLee]

I can’t help but feel that some sort of resort restrictions are going to come in or dare I say it have to come in. Maybe resort monorail limited to guests with access via magic band or something? Tighter control around usage of lava pool similar to beach club?

Pool, sure. Monorail restrictions, absolutely not. Disney makes a lot of money off people who dine and shop at the resorts without staying there, and they wouldn't spend the money on the staff needed to try to limit or monitor that access.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Funny, I’ve stayed in that Conrad Orlando and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t go back and look at my photos when the Island Tower room pics came out. IMO there are some subtle overlapping styles when it comes to the overall look of the two resorts, both rooms and common areas - although both are “lagoon front” higher end properties playing off similar themes and elements - so any similar look makes sense to me, conceptually. Conrad does have a Polynesian style partial outdoor bar and restaurant that I’ve thought could feel similar to the Island Tower bar in the renderings. Guess we’ll see.

The Conrad is a very nice property and if the Island Tower is anywhere close in fit and finish I’d be thrilled, in my humble opinion.

 

[jennypenny]

I'm not going to comment on the rooms until I see them for myself because the RR rooms look much better in person, so hopefully these will too. I'm also not going to complain about it looking the same as everywhere else because I joined DVC back when every room they built was exactly the same -- BW, WL/BR, BCV, VB, etc. The only difference was the paint color and bedspread. Personally, I'm glad that DVC is trying to add Disney touches to the rooms without making me feel like I'm sleeping in an 8YO's bedroom. I realize that's a matter of preference though.

The number of room choices at Poly now though is mind-boggling. Why didn't they split it up like they did with AKV? Polynesian village and bungalows and Polynesian island tower? I feel sorry for the CMs who will have to deal with the inevitable guest confusion and issues.

 

[CastAStone]

Monorail people control will be harder as there are folks with dining reservations that may not be staying at the monorail resorts.

That’s something that could be fixed with better IT.

My plan:
If you either have a within-2-hour restaurant reservation at, or are staying at GF, CR, or Poly, scan your room key, phone, or magic band to board the resort monorail from the TTC before 9:30 AM or to board from MK after 5PM.

If you just want to explore during a restricted period, you could walk or take the regular monorail to the station without restrictions at that time and transfer.

 

[OKW Lover]

Can the number of monorails in operation be increased

The local (resort) loop can operate with up to 4 monorails on line at the same time. (I read that somewhere in the distant past. Don't know just where that was.) Adding another one would actually make things worse as the trains would have to hold more frequently. The big issue is the dwell time in the stations as people load/unload. While that's happening the next train has to hold to maintain spacing.

will they put more boats on? Will the tower have its own dock?

That's an interesting option. I also wonder if there will be a separate bus stop for the tower.

I don't believe they can put more monorails on the track as it is a safety issue.

Yes, safety is an issue. See my first comment here. The monorails operate on a block system, just like regular trains do, that only allows one train in a block at a time. Yes, that can be over-ridden manually but that is a recipe for disaster.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

My plan:
If you either have a within-2-hour restaurant reservation at, or are staying at GF, CR, or Poly, scan your room key, phone, or magic band to board the resort monorail from the TTC before 9:30 AM or to board from MK after 5PM.

I’d be in favor of adding a slight amount of friction to getting on the resort loop.

 

[mkatsy]

Funny, I’ve stayed in that Conrad Orlando and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t go back and look at my photos when the Island Tower room pics came out. IMO there are some subtle overlapping styles when it comes to the overall look of the two resorts, both rooms and common areas - although both are “lagoon front” higher end properties playing off similar themes and elements - so any similar look makes sense to me, conceptually. Conrad does have a Polynesian style partial outdoor bar and restaurant that I’ve thought could feel similar to the Island Tower bar in the renderings. Guess we’ll see.

The Conrad is a very nice property and if the Island Tower is anywhere close in fit and finish I’d be thrilled, in my humble opinion.

I looked it up last night and HKS Orlando did the Conrad. They have ties to Disney through having built the Four Seasons Lake Buena Vista and Dr. Phillip Center ( which has a Disney Theater). Also, there are Imagineers with prior HKS experience. I couldn’t easily find the architect for the tower, and gave up. I agree, the Conrad is stunning, and I think the craftsmanship of the artisans will be stunning in the tower. But I also see overlap in some design elements

 

[nlenguyen]

Wonder if they’ll adjust the point chart accordingly (upwards!).

Typically the 2 bedroom and 2 bedroom lock-off are the same points. But when booking it will be a separate booking category so you will know if booking a TPV if you get the dedicated or lock-off

 

[CastAStone]

Typically the 2 bedroom and 2 bedroom lock-off are the same points. But when booking it will be a separate booking category so you will know if booking a TPV if you get the dedicated or lock-off

I wonder if this will make it hard to get 1 bedrooms at 7Mo. I can’t think of a resort where the lockoffs are more popular but with the upcharge they’re sure to ask for for TPV (and the wall beds replacing couch beds) this might be the first.

 

[DVCsloth]

Disney may need to add direct bus service to Magic Kingdom, especially during busy times. I think the monorail will be extremely overcrowded. It's going to be awfull for GF as well. Pretty sure the monorail cars are very near their serviceable lifespan. Early morning and closing will most likely be an issue. I think Polynesian will be a little too far of a walk for most. It's going to be a beautiful addition, but they are going to have some transportation issues to address.