Island Tower at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

[Salokin]

I agree on it feeling like a cohesive unit. For others, go out to Poly pier and look from the TTC area and scan the rest of Poly, wedding chapel, and GF. It is one building after another with only small gaps. I can’t remember if I posted a sunset picture or the panoramic picture of Poly.

Because we like easy access to more resorts, restaurants, shops, etc it feels like an upgrade.

Personally, I feel like Poly, GF, and CR have always been a more spread out version of BC/YC, BW, Swab, Dolphin. Dec 17, it will be very easy to go from the tower to GF and back.

In my dreams, Disney would build something on the other side of TTC. I know they wanted to, but some have indicated the land isn’t buildable for a reasonable price. If they could build there and give a bridge or something to allow walking to CR it would complete the Seven Seas
lagoon walking circle.

Just to be able to walk (or run / jog for the enthusiasts!) the full lap would be amazing (and to WL too).

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Just to be able to walk (or run / jog for the enthusiasts!) the full lap would be amazing (and to WL too).

I agree with this sentiment, but I really, really want Disney to stop building new giant resorts before they build a lot more attractions (and rethemes that don’t add capacity shouldn’t count).

If Disney keeps adding total number of “deluxe” rooms (DVC or hotel) or even well-located moderates, it’s going to depress the value of existing points for owners and make our (already limited) extra evening hours less valuable.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I agree with this sentiment, but I really, really want Disney to stop building new giant resorts before they build a lot more attractions (and rethemes that don’t add capacity shouldn’t count).

If Disney keeps adding total number of “deluxe” rooms (DVC or hotel) or even well-located moderates, it’s going to depress the value of existing points for owners and make our (already limited) extra evening hours less valuable.

Preach!

 

[maui22]

I agree with this sentiment, but I really, really want Disney to stop building new giant resorts before they build a lot more attractions (and rethemes that don’t add capacity shouldn’t count).

If Disney keeps adding total number of “deluxe” rooms (DVC or hotel) or even well-located moderates, it’s going to depress the value of existing points for owners and make our (already limited) extra evening hours less valuable.

After or during the MK expansion, I hope they build a 5th theme park.

Expanding parks for more capacity doesn’t solve the problem of every guest with rope drop heading directly to the top 1-2 attractions. Adding a 5th gate means they 10k+ are now at a completely different park.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

After or during the MK expansion, I hope they build a 5th theme park.

Expanding parks for more capacity doesn’t solve the problem of every guest with rope drop heading directly to the top 1-2 attractions. Adding a 5th gate means they 10k+ are now at a completely different park.

I’m not much of a rope dropper anymore (but might become one if Tron or Cosmic Rewind became the 3rd or 4th hottest rope drop attraction)—but I agree with your point more broadly because I am an occasional night parade/fireworks watcher and the mob flowing out of MK and overwhelming all transit options is terrible.

 

[achinforsomebacon]

The penthouses are almost certainly single-story 6-bay units. The bays in the middle section of the tower are only deep enough to hold duo studios, so there is not enough room in one bay for a bedroom with 2 queen beds and a bathroom; the bathrooms would need to be in their own bays. This is even more evident on the monorail side of the tower, where the outer two bays aren’t even big enough for a duo studio. The penthouses are unlikely to be 2 stories because there isn’t room for a staircase in the kitchen/living area.

Edit: upon closer inspection of the most recent construction photos and the site ground level floor plans, it appears I am mistaken about the depth of the middle bays of the tower. It’s a bit of an optical illusion with how the surrounding sections are offset. I still think it is likely that the penthouses are single-story though, occupying 4 bays, with a TPV studio on each end lakeside, and a duo studio at each end on the monorail side. The smaller balcony on the top floor is likely designed to improve the view from the living area of the 9th floor penthouses, which would otherwise feel too enclosed if there was a double-depth balcony above it.

I'd be very surprised if the upper balcony was for a separate penthouse. The description on the Disney site for the penthouses includes "extra-large private deck". The upper balcony isn't extra large and if it was a separate unit, that would make the lower deck the opposite of private. I'd also be pretty peeved to spend the cash/points for a penthouse and have someone looking right down onto my balcony. I can't see how the two levels aren't part of the same unit.

 

[iakona]

I'd be very surprised if the upper balcony was for a separate penthouse. The description on the Disney site for the penthouses includes "extra-large private deck". The upper balcony isn't extra large and if it was a separate unit, that would make the lower deck the opposite of private. I'd also be pretty peeved to spend the cash/points for a penthouse and have someone looking right down onto my balcony. I can't see how the two levels aren't part of the same unit.

I think you're putting way too much faith in precise wording. The website also shows a straight on view of the castle from deep inside the penthouse, which simply isn't possible with the sight lines of the tower. Take the official photos and descriptions with a big grain of salt. Two 4-bay single-story penthouses on each side of the tower makes way more sense than a single 6-8 bay penthouse on each side. If they were going to make 6-8 bay penthouses, why would they only be 2 bedrooms?

 

[Electron_si]

I’m assuming the plans that are available don’t detail whether or not a staircase resides within these units.

 

[Mikey15]

I agree with this sentiment, but I really, really want Disney to stop building new giant resorts before they build a lot more attractions (and rethemes that don’t add capacity shouldn’t count).

If Disney keeps adding total number of “deluxe” rooms (DVC or hotel) or even well-located moderates, it’s going to depress the value of existing points for owners and make our (already limited) extra evening hours less valuable.

Sure, but I believe statistically most park guests each day are not staying in onsite accommodations.

For a sense of scale though, adding Tron to MK added capacity for ~1,680 riders per hour. Building the new massive skyline-ruining Island Tower added capacity for ~1,200 overnight guests.

Don’t get me wrong, I feel the crowding too and think the time for a 5th gate is soon. But Disney cannot currently sleep anywhere near its actual number of park visitors.

 

[iakona]

I’m assuming the plans that are available don’t detail whether or not a staircase resides within these units.

The current plans that are publicly available only show the ground floor. Highly unlikely that the penthouse units have stairs though. If they were 2 stories, the living area would have 2 story windows like BLT or DLH or VGC. There would be no reason for a 2-bedroom penthouse to have a full 2nd story living area with a balcony.

 

[Electron_si]

The current plans that are publicly available only show the ground floor. Highly unlikely that the penthouse units have stairs though. If they were 2 stories, the living area would have 2 story windows like BLT or DLH or VGC. There would be no reason for a 2-bedroom penthouse to have a full 2nd story living area with a balcony.

This 2nd level balcony is really weird then. I agree with everyone else, being on the lower level and having guests above looking down just seems like such a weird situation.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

The website also shows a straight on view of the castle from deep inside the penthouse, which simply isn't possible with the sight lines of the tower.

Yep, convenient angles in their computer generated images have been chosen for sure.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

The current plans that are publicly available only show the ground floor. Highly unlikely that the penthouse units have stairs though. If they were 2 stories, the living area would have 2 story windows like BLT or DLH or VGC. There would be no reason for a 2-bedroom penthouse to have a full 2nd story living area with a balcony.

This is the most convincing argument yet for single floor penthouse but I agree with everyone else, it’s a bizarre and kind of unappealing setup now.

They also messed up by not making the upper balcony the same size. They should have just had the room at the top set up in a step formation just further back into the building so the balcony could be the same size

 

[marmentrout85]

Sure, but I believe statistically most park guests each day are not staying in onsite accommodations.

For a sense of scale though, adding Tron to MK added capacity for ~1,680 riders per hour. Building the new massive skyline-ruining Island Tower added capacity for ~1,200 overnight guests.

Don’t get me wrong, I feel the crowding too and think the time for a 5th gate is soon. But Disney cannot currently sleep anywhere near its actual number of park visitors.

At least now MK might feel a tiny bit less crowded since it'll be the first time TRON and Tiana's with both be opened. Sure, they added the capacity for TRON but lost a lot of ride capacity when Splash Mountain closed.

As far as the crowding at the overall Poly resort is concerned I truly hope that Island Tower will have the proper amenities to help alleviate some of that. IMO they have to impress the hell out of me in that aspect for me to truly buy in at this stage. Otherwise, we might just get some more points at VGF

 

[DonkeyHoTay]

Is there a prevailing theory on when the Poly Tower point sales will begin? My guide says upper management is not saying anything to them about timing and he is not allowed to guess either.

 

[Cabius]

Is there a prevailing theory on when the Poly Tower point sales will begin? My guide says upper management is not saying anything to them about timing and he is not allowed to guess either.

I don't think there is consensus, but I would put the over/under around July 20th personally.

 

[BamaGuy44]

Is there a prevailing theory on when the Poly Tower point sales will begin? My guide says upper management is not saying anything to them about timing and he is not allowed to guess either.

Prevailing theory based on Riviera, and other recent sales, is that sales would have started already or at least been announced for a December opening. So it's all pure guesses at this point.

 

[Tatebeck]

Is there a prevailing theory on when the Poly Tower point sales will begin? My guide says upper management is not saying anything to them about timing and he is not allowed to guess either.

Not a dated guess, but I think once the interest wanes on the steeply priced cash stays they will release info and start selling points. They are just trying to milk as much money out of it as possible at this point

 

[DVC Gma]

Don't you almost feel like the tower is now going to make the Poly and GF feel almost like a resort complex. Obviously there are no reciprocal use benefits but the whole area is beginning to feel like a cohesive unit. That's sort of the feeling I got while staying at the Poly in April and the tower wasn't even looking very built. Next month I'll be at the GF and I want to see if I have that same "sister property" feel from that side.

I agree with you though I like looking at the other properties.

As I was reading your post I looked up our photos from early May 2024. We stayed at GFV BPK room 9405. I took at photo from the balcony that give an almost full view of the tower. THe GF Wedding Chapel and some tropical trees at another GFV building, block the lower parts. But I was taking photos of PVB because I too like gazing at the other places.
I will try to add the photo in a min.

 

[BamaGuy44]

At least now MK might feel a tiny bit less crowded since it'll be the first time TRON and Tiana's with both be opened. Sure, they added the capacity for TRON but lost a lot of ride capacity when Splash Mountain closed.

As far as the crowding at the overall Poly resort is concerned I truly hope that Island Tower will have the proper amenities to help alleviate some of that. IMO they have to impress the hell out of me in that aspect for me to truly buy in at this stage. Otherwise, we might just get some more points at VGF

I feel the same. I was all in to buy day 1 when Poly tower was announced, but now I worry about the amenities and transportation at both Poly's to be overwhelmed more than they already are. Not a fan of battling the millions of existing points to book the tower at 11 months either.

So we ended up buying RIV direct during this round of incentives, and I'm happy to wait a couple of years to see what Poly2 is like after things settle down, then decide if I want to buy in (probably resale)