Island Tower at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

[Jwaire]

That was quite a few years back now. 2009 IIRC. I don't think the holding issue goes back that far.

Maintenance and trains breaking down, but they switched to the semi-automatic pilot system in 2014. It took years to develop it.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Last night the resort monorail from MK was leaving the last car empty for CR. The penultimate car wasn’t operational. CM at monorail said CR line was dangerously long as the line was down the elevator. I suggested that they reserve cars for all resorts, especially GF, and he said GF isn’t a safety issue.

I can see that. The CR platform is pretty small, and it could easily back up down the escalator. The GF platform line can extend into the lobby (as has been mentioned) and really just becomes an inconvenience and eyesore (and a pain for the Basin store I guess).

 

[GADisneyDad14]

FWIW, for the past year or so, other than refueling/servicing, they’ve almost always been running at least one of the larger ones on the Poly-MK-GF route in addition to the small launches in regular rotation. It used to be just the launches with an occasional large boat in the peak evening hours, but these days a large boat is almost always around, in my observation.

 

[jcolvin5]

We love the bungalows and they actually feel smaller than a usual 2 bedroom but maybe that’s just the shape of them. We love the plunge pool which is the wow factor and why we love them so much. I guess I was just expecting something spectacular in the penthouses. I really really want to see a floor plan and the point charts.

I'm guessing you travel during the warmer months? I actually thought that the "plunge pool" was a huge miss, but we travel Feb and Oct. So a hot tub, much like in the CC cabins, would have been a much better option. I guess it's a matter of perspective and I hadn't seen it from that angle.

And I agree, I feel the Bungalows seem smaller than most 2BRs. Again, I think they fall short of the CC cabins, but they do have some amazing fireworks views.

 

[Einstein509]

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.

Saw the same thing last December. Super long line.

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.

Wait. Your solution is to use Disney IT? HA! LOL!

I predict we get no expanded transportation options at first, and then when it’s a total nightmare they scramble to figure something out.

They’re probably thinking that since they cut off SOG from the Poly monorail it’ll be fine now.

There are talks of connecting SOG and Poly again. Skyway bridge, like they have going to Disney Springs from the hotels there. Disney likely won't pay for it, so it'll be on SOG to do it. However, they have to wait until the road expansion is complete and build it then, so we won't see it for years.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

And obligatory portal update.

 

[DonMacGregor]

FWIW, for the past year or so, other than refueling/servicing, they’ve almost always been running at least one of the larger ones on the Poly-MK-GF route in addition to the small launches in regular rotation. It used to be just the launches with an occasional large boat in the peak evening hours, but these days a large boat is almost always around, in my observation.

Last week, it was a large launch running both times I rode the boat. No stops at GF.

 

[CWTC]

I'm guessing you travel during the warmer months? I actually thought that the "plunge pool" was a huge miss, but we travel Feb and Oct. So a hot tub, much like in the CC cabins, would have been a much better option. I guess it's a matter of perspective and I hadn't seen it from that angle.

And I agree, I feel the Bungalows seem smaller than most 2BRs. Again, I think they fall short of the CC cabins, but they do have some amazing fireworks views.

We usually travel in May and October but if we were going in the winter months we would either not get a bungalow or try the CC cabins. I actually really like being able to sit on the deck/balcony and watch the electric light parade go my.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

While I’m at it…

 

[KimMcGowan]

We usually travel in May and October but if we were going in the winter months we would either not get a bungalow or try the CC cabins. I actually really like being able to sit on the deck/balcony and watch the electric light parade go my.

As a CC owner, I have to say that the Electric Water Pageant is the bane of my existence. I always seem to get stuck at the boat dock waiting to go back to the resort when the pageant is taking place - and you are held until it is completely finished.

 

[holi easley]

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?

With another boat stop, I wish there was a monorail stop there too. It was busy, so busy, when we were there in May. I mean just to get on the monorail. I didn't understand why they stopped the line at the door of PV. When the monorail left they opened the line, to line up and wait. Did that make sense? Do they even have more "trains" to add on the monorail? I just know they are quite old.

Agreed - we were at VGF last month and finding chairs was hard (I saw several people circle around and leave). I’ve seen several posts on facebook suggesting that people at the poly tower go to the GF pools which will problematic.

We were at GF in May too. Yes, chairs were always full. One day, I said "put your stuff by this tree and we are sitting in the pool." It was so hot that it worked well for one day. That is not a solution though to a whole vacation. PV was even worse when we were there getting dole whip. I would think there is a limit on people in the pool.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

While I’m at it…

Thanks. Not a big fan of the balcony railings from the concept art and you’re starting to see installed. Will obstruct a lot when sitting. Minimal “theming” benefit imo.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thanks. Not a big fan of the balcony railings from the concept art and you’re starting to see installed. Will obstruct a lot when sitting. Minimal “theming” benefit imo.

Better eyes than me, didn’t even notice that. FYI, I think it’s obvious, but there’s some plastic film draping across those at the moment. DIS lowers the image quality so much it’s sometimes hard to see details.

 

[accm]

In addition to more/larger boats, I'd be perfectly happy if they added a handful of parking lot trams to shuttle guests on the walkway from Poly around to Contemporary (or at least to the MK) and back. Not sure how difficult this would be to accommodate, but the more transportation options the better, IMO.

Have you ever taken the walkway? There's not enough room for a tram there. And how would you have it cross across the entrance to MK? I mentioned earlier that there's a sidewalk to nowhere, where I'm hopeful they'll add a boat launch.

 

[maui22]

While I’m at it…

Nice image of the portal on the wedding chapel side. That's the first one I can recall seeing really good detail inside there. Windows on the upper area. Lower area has windows, but also a gap for what seems will be a doorway.

 

[Mikey15]

I predict we get no expanded transportation options at first, and then when it’s a total nightmare they scramble to figure something out.

They’re probably thinking that since they cut off SOG from the Poly monorail it’ll be fine now.

The latest room count estimates I’m seeing are:
Duos - 34
Studios Dedicated - 97
1 Bedroom Dedicated - 24
Studio side of 2BLO - 46
1 Bedroom side of 2BLO - 46
2 Bedroom Dedicated - 17
Penthouse - 4
https://dvcnews.com/wdw-resorts/pol...egories-confirmed-speculation-on-villa-makeup

Granted this is only as good as the accuracy of that breakdown, but ~MAX~ occupancy of the tower based on those numbers is only 1,179 people. Without anything at the Island Tower to attract people not staying there (e.g. no Topolinos or Ohana or California Grille), are <1,200 people (probably more like ~1,000 people, since not every room will be full) really going to have that big a transportation impact?

 

[Stormalong Smiths]

Have you ever taken the walkway? There's not enough room for a tram there. And how would you have it cross across the entrance to MK? I mentioned earlier that there's a sidewalk to nowhere, where I'm hopeful they'll add a boat launch.

Oh sure, as I said, I'm "not sure how difficult this would be to accommodate"... It may not even be possible but was musing about possible alternatives.

 

[accm]

Oh sure, as I said, I'm "not sure how difficult this would be to accommodate"... It may not even be possible but was musing about possible alternatives.

Ya, I love the walkway from BLT to MK, and would probably walk from the Poly tower as well, so I would never want to see them close that off for a tram.
I think the best option would be to add an extra boat launch, and at peak times, have dedicated boats for GF, Poly, and the tower.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

A few more.

 

[Stormalong Smiths]

Ya, I love the walkway from BLT to MK, and would probably walk from the Poly tower as well, so I would never want to see them close that off for a tram.
I think the best option would be to add an extra boat launch, and at peak times, have dedicated boats for GF, Poly, and the tower.

Totally agree! Wouldn't want to lose the walkway to pedestrian traffic. I think what you're suggesting re: the boats makes total sense and it will be interesting to see what transpo changes they make, if any.