Island Tower at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

[TheDailyMoo]

This means they very well could be outdoor observation areas!!

Very well could be, that's what I had thought originally, but if they are let's be very real...Disney will be charging for access out there...guaranteed!

 

[accm]

Very well could be, that's what I had thought originally, but if they are let's be very real...Disney will be charging for access out there...guaranteed!

They don't charge for access to the viewing deck at top of the world, what would make you think they'd charge for these areas?

Last time I was at BLT, you didn't even need to show your blue card to access that area, the check point was at the entrance to the lounge.

 

[maui22]

I just wanted to thank you so much for these photos! They actually are really informative for a few current points of speculation:

1. TPV rooms
If there’s a clear sightline from Main St station to floors 6 & up, with some of 5, I think it would be very similar for view of castle & Astro Orbiter / Space Mountain. I’m going to bank that floors 6+ on that side of the building are TPV. Some 5th floor rooms closer to Grand Flo might get lucky.

2. Portals
You’ve shown us for the first time (that I’ve seen) that there are recessed windows and door at the portals, and railings in front. This means they very well could be outdoor observation areas!! The lower one might even have decent fireworks view due to how high in the sky they go, even if it’s not castle-view like the higher one. IMO Disney is doing this right recognizing the sort of thing (like Top of the World) that their customers want!

When I saw the view from the train, I thought that might interest people…now that we know the booking categories.

As for the portals, a few different videos/pictures other have posted had similar details. I couldn’t recall seeing the boards where a doorway would be.

I heard some other details, but don’t want to post. Apparently more information has been shared with higher ups who attended WDI discussions. If what they said ends up being correct, it is clear Disney has been laughing at people comparing it to a Hilton.

 

[CWTC]

I has heard some other details, but don’t want to post. Apparently more information has been shared with higher ups who attended WDI discussions. If what they said ends up being correct, it is clear Disney has been laughing at people comparing it to a Hilton.

Oh c’mon you can’t tease us like that!!!

 

[TheDailyMoo]

They don't charge for access to the viewing deck at top of the world, what would make you think they'd charge for these areas?

It's a whole different animal. A few reasons:

a) It's Disney in 2024 they won't let an opportunity go by without shaking you upside down to get loose change out of your pockets.

b) This is the new Poly tower...it's a premium new development...BLT pales in comparison. The new shiny toy.

c) If it is some sort of viewing area it'll be attached to some sort of club type thing...not necessarily club level but not everyone will be allowed to stake out a spot like it's Main Street before a parade. IF they are viewing areas they will be hot property with an amazing balcony overlooking 7 Seas.

 

[CWTC]

Last time I was at BLT, you didn't even need to show your blue card to access that area, the check point was at the entrance to the lounge.

To be honest - it kind of irks me that they don’t check status to access the deck. It’s less about white card vs blue card (to me at least) and more about DVC vs not DVC. But whatever - this is a PVB thread.

 

[Frugal Fairy Tales]

When I saw the view from the train, I thought that might interest people…now that we know the booking categories.

As for the portals, a few different videos/pictures other have posted had similar details. I couldn’t recall seeing the boards where a doorway would be.

I has heard some other details, but don’t want to post. Apparently more information has been shared with higher ups who attended WDI discussions. If what they said ends up being correct, it is clear Disney has been laughing at people comparing it to a Hilton.

I’m hoping for an indoor pool with a view, and a bar!

 

[maui22]

Oh c’mon you can’t tease us like that!!!

First, I don’t want any details I heard to possibly go back to any CMs.

At this point, I consider them in the rumor category. Not worth anything unless Disney follows through on what WDI told them. Plans change all the time.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

First, I don’t want any details I heard to possibly go back to any CMs.

At this point, I consider them in the rumor category. Not worth anything unless Disney follows through on what WDI told them. Plans change all the time.

One's a portal to Maui and one's a portal to Kauai

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

One's a portal to Maui and one's a portal to Kauai

Almost as good as a SEAs mystery theme.

 

[mistysue]

To be honest - it kind of irks me that they don’t check status to access the deck. It’s less about white card vs blue card (to me at least) and more about DVC vs not DVC. But whatever - this is a PVB thread.

If they are smart and these are viewing area - the access would be for those staying in the tower. The Poly has a unique angle in that the fireworks actually show up right. Not checking will add up to those portals being worse than the beach, and you're going to have everyone DVC from Grand and Contemporary pouring in if it's "all DVC"
It also creates incentive to actually take the smaller studios over the longhouses.

 

[Tatebeck]

It could be a lounge + viewing area and have the reverse layout of BLT for the viewing. Check for reservation/DVC membership at entry to the lounge then access from lounge to the outside viewing area.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

If they are smart and these are viewing area - the access would be for those staying in the tower. The Poly has a unique angle in that the fireworks actually show up right. Not checking will add up to those portals being worse than the beach, and you're going to have everyone DVC from Grand and Contemporary pouring in if it's "all DVC"
It also creates incentive to actually take the smaller studios over the longhouses.

As a VGF owner, I’d prefer it limited to DVC members staying on their own points (could drive more FOMO to buy in, especially if it’s a Y card perk)—but I also think objectively it’s fairer to make it for all PVB DVC guests (tower or main hotel), since tower folks can access common areas.

It would probably be most pleasant to actually use it if they limited it to Y card owners who were also currently staying with points at PVB 1 or 2. Getting away from crowds to watch fireworks will make it feel much more luxurious.

 

[Electron_si]

As a VGF owner, I’d prefer it limited to DVC members staying on their own points (could drive more FOMO to buy in, especially if it’s a Y card perk)—but I also think objectively it’s fairer to make it for all PVB DVC guests (tower or main hotel), since tower folks can access common areas.

It would probably be most pleasant to actually use it if they limited it to Y card owners who were also currently staying with points at PVB 1 or 2. Getting away from crowds to watch fireworks will make it feel much more luxurious.

I Think that DVC-Y and staying at either Poly property makes sense for this given the small size, but I also feel that cash reservation guests would be extremely unhappy about this based on what they are charging for cash stays.

I doubt they would actually limit it that much, I think DVC-Y and staying at any property might be as restrictive as they get with it.

 

[CourtneyAshley]

I Think that DVC-Y and staying at either Poly property makes sense for this given the small size, but I also feel that cash reservation guests would be extremely unhappy about this based on what they are charging for cash stays.

I doubt they would actually limit it that much, I think DVC-Y and staying at any property might be as restrictive as they get with it.

What is DVC-Y?

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I Think that DVC-Y and staying at either Poly property makes sense for this given the small size, but I also feel that cash reservation guests would be extremely unhappy about this based on what they are charging for cash stays.

I doubt they would actually limit it that much, I think DVC-Y and staying at any property might be as restrictive as they get with it.

If cash reservation folks want access they can join the [Disney Vacation] club.

 

[accm]

If they are smart and these are viewing area - the access would be for those staying in the tower. The Poly has a unique angle in that the fireworks actually show up right. Not checking will add up to those portals being worse than the beach, and you're going to have everyone DVC from Grand and Contemporary pouring in if it's "all DVC"
It also creates incentive to actually take the smaller studios over the longhouses.

I can see them doing this, since it would be easy enough to implement. Setup a touchpoint to open the door, and only guests of Poly or the tower or whatever they decide can access. No operational cost, and a nice benefit to whoever is staying there.

It's a whole different animal. A few reasons:

a) It's Disney in 2024 they won't let an opportunity go by without shaking you upside down to get loose change out of your pockets.

b) This is the new Poly tower...it's a premium new development...BLT pales in comparison. The new shiny toy.

c) If it is some sort of viewing area it'll be attached to some sort of club type thing...not necessarily club level but not everyone will be allowed to stake out a spot like it's Main Street before a parade. IF they are viewing areas they will be hot property with an amazing balcony overlooking 7 Seas.

What would they be charging for though? Those don't look like they're big enough to be a lounge, and it makes even less sense to have multiple small lounges that you'll need to staff. I agree though, that it won't be open to anyone to access.

 

[Electron_si]

What is DVC-Y?

Anyone who qualifies for Membership Extras benefits. Right now it is owning more than 150 pts direct but that has been set at different levels over the years.

Some people refer to it as blue card as well

 

[Electron_si]

If cash reservation folks want access they can join the [Disney Vacation] club.

Agreed, “you too can access this viewing area for the low price of 30k plus dues”

 

[CourtneyAshley]

Anyone who qualifies for Membership Extras benefits. Right now it is owning more than 150 pts direct but that has been set at different levels over the years.

Some people refer to it as white card, blue card would be non-qualifying resale purchases.

ah okay. I figured that was what it was called ive just always heard it called blue card. I do not qualify since i am buying resale