Island Tower at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

[maui22]

Opening Prices and View Types for Polynesian DVC Island Tower

We got a peek into the opening prices of some of the rooms at the Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows! Brace yourself!

https://dvcfan.com/2024/06/04/opening-prices-and-view-types-for-polynesian-dvc-island-tower/

Duo studio standard will end up being a great buy for a fixed week.

After a second look, I think it ends up similar to RIV. Want to stay SV in the tower, you need to own PVB. Once resort is sold out, many may wish they had fixed weeks for SV.

For example, long term we will happily book 1BR SV for nearly the same points as a Theme Park view studio.

 

[WinterSolider]

Isn’t that the purpose of renovations, to update where updates are needed?

I'm talking about the normal wear and tear that happens between refurbishments, not the decor getting outdated.

Light colors and straight lines show dents and dings a lot more prominently than the rustic, dark, organically-shaped woods of something like Animal Kingdom Lodge.

 

[randc]

Okay, so at least 3 views confirmed between @randc and @tx911 booking experiences:

• Theme Park View
• Preferred View
• Standard View

Pretty much what we expected. If Preferred View is aligned with the Lake View and Standard View is aligned with Standard View from the longhouses, then that allows them to reach into higher points charts with Theme Park View, similar to what they did with TPV at Grand Flo 2.

I called DVC again (waited about 30 minutes) to see what a deluxe studio would be for the dates we have booked for the duo studio; 16-20 Jan 25 and that price is $2,274 for standard view.

I asked how many views were there and he confirmed that there was standard, preferred, and theme park.

 

[BigBadBobbyH]

Did they allow far out booking for VDH like they are at PolyTower? How far out can you book? I’m seeing March and April 2025?

Hi. Here is some info I just got.

Memorial Day weekend - May 23-26 2025 (3 nights). 2BR Penthouse Preferred View $11,559. 2BR Theme Park View $7,580. Cancellation policy in 2025 will be 8 days prior to reservation for full refund.

She did not know how far out we could book at first - she was surprised we got Memorial Day since it is more than 11 months out. But then she spot checked June (yes), October (yes), and November (no). I don't know the exact date she tried in October but looks like it is out to that general time frame.

I confirmed they have both preferred and theme park views for the 2BR Penthouse.

Hope this helps!

ETA: I originally was not certain whether there was a theme park view for 2BR Penthouse but I confirmed that there is.

 

[Sandisw]

Points chart inflation is a myth that has been debunked many, many times.

Points charts have not gotten more expensive over time. They APPEAR to have gotten more expensive over time because the newer resorts have also tended to be the more premium resorts (e.g. monorail and Skyliner).

In terms of "how many dollars of rack rate you save when using a DVC point," the only outliers are Old Key West and Boardwalk Standard View, which are both "too cheap."

DVC has gotten more expensive because they've raised the purchase price per point. They haven't increased the points demand per night.

I agree...the "inflation" of the charts is tied to the cash prices of similar rooms. The cash rates for the earlier resorts is not where it is today...so, I see it as an equivalent in that sense.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Outstanding comment, 10/10.

My only concern with these is that they might age poorly.

My “concern” regarding aging poorly relates more to a possible over-reliance on IP. I don’t think the stylistic theme will age poorly as it’s accurate and reflects a real and vibrant culture that has existed for millennia. Slapping Moana on it to “Disney-fi” it however might be an over-reliance on the future popularity of an IP that is certainly popular today, but has only been so for a handful of years.

 

[WinterSolider]

My “concern” regarding aging poorly relates more to a possible over-reliance on IP. I don’t think the stylistic theme will age poorly as it’s accurate and reflects a real and vibrant culture that has existed for millennia. Slapping Moana on it to “Disney-fi” it however might be an over-reliance on the future popularity of an IP that is certainly popular today, but has only been so for a handful of years.

I think Moana, Princess and the Frog, Tangled, and Frozen are solidly the "Big 4" of the Revival Era just like Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and Lion King defined the Rennaissance Era.

I would have bigger concerns if they were doing Big Hero 6, Wreck-It Ralph, or Zootopia.

Regardless, my point was more about maintenance than thematic shelf-life.

 

[CastAStone]

There are two types of people: those who’ve been to the Islands (the more often and longer the better) and appreciate how much more authentic this style is to actual Island life and decor, and those who think that anything that doesn’t look like Don the Beachcomber in Marina Del Rey, circa 1966 (which is exactly where the Imagineers likely hung out for their inspiration), is a thematic sellout.

Amen

 

[CastAStone]

Points chart inflation is a myth that has been debunked many, many times.

Points charts have not gotten more expensive over time. They APPEAR to have gotten more expensive over time because the newer resorts have also tended to be the more premium resorts (e.g. monorail and Skyliner).

In terms of "how many dollars of rack rate you save when using a DVC point," the only outliers are Old Key West and Boardwalk Standard View, which are both "too cheap."

DVC has gotten more expensive because they've raised the purchase price per point. They haven't increased the points demand per night.

Amen to you too.

 

[WinterSolider]

I agree...the "inflation" of the charts is tied to the cash prices of similar rooms. The cash rates for the earlier resorts is not where it is today...so, I see it as an equivalent in that sense.

So many people swore up and down that Disneyland Hotel would have a higher points chart than Grand Cal, or that FW cabins would be priced at the top of the 1BR range. But no matter how many times points chart inflation is disproven, the narrative never dies.

 

[intamin]

Dishwasher in studio… curveball!

I wish they had put in a washer/dryer instead but otherwise absolutely love it

 

[AstroBlasters]

Wow…. an absolute home run by Imagineering IMO…. and I really like that it has rich and textured theming….. but very subtle theming that you might not even know was there unless you had kids who made you watch Moana 1000 times.

And my Aulani points will work here….

Castle views with fireworks at night…..

Well done, Disney….. well done, indeed.

 

[maui22]

I wish they had put in a washer/dryer instead but otherwise absolutely love it

In the video, she explained the dishwasher was for their environment friendly goal with the tower. Eliminating the paper waste. Nice that we will have real coffee cups again. I forget the year the replaced them with disposable.

 

[kilik64]

My “concern” regarding aging poorly relates more to a possible over-reliance on IP. I don’t think the stylistic theme will age poorly as it’s accurate and reflects a real and vibrant culture that has existed for millennia. Slapping Moana on it to “Disney-fi” it however might be an over-reliance on the future popularity of an IP that is certainly popular today, but has only been so for a handful of years.

I don't think that will be a problem.

The number one streamed movie in 2023 was Moana (by hours streamed metric).

As long as they dont screw up really bad with Moana 2, I dont think this will be an issue at all.

https://www.statista.com/statistics... 2023, the top movie,", which airs on Disney+.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

Hi. Here is some info I just got.

Memorial Day weekend - May 23-26 2025 (3 nights). 2BR Penthouse Preferred View $11,559. 2BR Theme Park View $7,580. Cancellation policy in 2025 will be 8 days prior to reservation for full refund.

She did not know how far out we could book at first - she was surprised we got Memorial Day since it is more than 11 months out. But then she spot checked June (yes), October (yes), and November (no). I don't know the exact date she tried in October but looks like it is out to that general time frame.

So, if I understood correctly, the Penthouses may only have Preferred Views - no Theme Park views.

Hope this helps!

Huh, that’s interesting. Or maybe there’s 2 PH views, preferred and theme park sitting on both sides of the tower and they only gave you info on the PV? Cause what else can we call the rooms with the big balconies facing MK? Maybe they’re already sold out the cash booking for that room on Memorial Day so they didn’t bother giving the info? Seems a stretch but idk

 

[kneely58]

Just booked a duo studio in the tower for marathon weekend. I was told the duo studios in the tower are 293 sf and the deluxe studios are 447 sf. Questioning the 447 since that is the same as the longhouse studios...

 

[Stormalong Smiths]

Wow…. an absolute home run by Imagineering IMO…. and I really like that it has rich and textured theming….. but very subtle theming that you might not even know was there unless you had kids who made you watch Moana 1000 times.

And my Aulani points will work here….

Castle views with fireworks at night…..

Well done, Disney….. well done, indeed.

My reaction exactly... Except unfortunately I don't have any Aulani points to use there! I'll have to make do with an 11-month advantage using my Poly1 points.

 

[LilyJC]

OBSESSED with these rooms! And here admitting as a 42 year old that I love Moana more than my kids!

I’ll need to figure out who my guide actually is in the not too distant future

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

As someone who stays in deluxe studio villas, I personally hate the placement of the kitchenette and the pull down bed. Room looks very small to me.

That is just me though. I know many stay in 1BR and 2BR

 

[tx911]

Hi. Here is some info I just got.

Memorial Day weekend - May 23-26 2025 (3 nights). 2BR Penthouse Preferred View $11,559. 2BR Theme Park View $7,580. Cancellation policy in 2025 will be 8 days prior to reservation for full refund.

She did not know how far out we could book at first - she was surprised we got Memorial Day since it is more than 11 months out. But then she spot checked June (yes), October (yes), and November (no). I don't know the exact date she tried in October but looks like it is out to that general time frame.

So, if I understood correctly, the Penthouses may only have Preferred Views - no Theme Park views.

Hope this helps!

What does the penthouse offer that warrants such a massive premium over the standard 2BR?