Island Tower at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

[kanerf]

Welp, closing on a small resale at PVB, so at least I will be able to get a night or two at the towers or more if I save em up. I own lots of other resorts as well, so might be able to trade in, but I want to have some Poly points just in case.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

I was milling around Topolinos watching the fireworks from my window seat at the restaurant last night. I’m at Riviera again tonight but checking in to Poly tomorrow night for my split stay - hope the line for Dole whip has abated by then!

Hah we’re going to RIV tomorrow the afternoon just to do the member update thing and get the little sling bag gift and hit up Bar Riva. See ya at the Poly neighbor!

 

[TheDailyMoo]

I wonder how many of us were milling around the Poly last night and didn’t even know it

I kind of wish we were staying at the resort today since the crowd control will be better but we’re doing Epcot tonight. We had a good spot last night (even though there were no chairs left:/) so we were fine but I did get to the beach 2 hrs before fireworks and just stayed there. It did get pretty packed not long after that. The few people I chatted with that were sitting around us (and eavesdropped into their conversations lol) were not staying at the resort I guess I’d take advantage of that if Disney let me.

Truthfully, I don’t mind people coming to see the fireworks and crowding the beaches, I’d rather Disney put more resources to securing the pools during peak times. I can’t say if there were a ton of non-resort people at the pools but an older couple sitting right next to us while waiting for the fireworks said they used to do that all the time since they were local and could come for the day and stay. I’m sure it’s not something many people do but even an additional 10-15 people can make a difference in an already crowded area.

Hello neighbor I was at Epcot tonight as well! Hope you enjoyed the show!

 

[achinforsomebacon]

Someone posted an interesting zoomed in picture of the left portal facing the lagoon. They now have scaffolding going near the ceiling. In the zoomed in picture, it appears there is piping (my thought was metal) on the wall. Pipes seemed to be similar spacing to studs.

Why would there be metal piping on the wall at this stage? Might this be for some heavy Polynesian themed artwork? If it was for any water, that should have shown up in earlier pictures. Curious if others take a look and have ideas?

Unless the piping you're referring to is on the left of this picture that's hidden, I don't see any piping. Just the glass doors/windows along the back wall.

 

[accm]

Someone posted an interesting zoomed in picture of the left portal facing the lagoon. They now have scaffolding going near the ceiling. In the zoomed in picture, it appears there is piping (my thought was metal) on the wall. Pipes seemed to be similar spacing to studs.

Why would there be metal piping on the wall at this stage? Might this be for some heavy Polynesian themed artwork? If it was for any water, that should have shown up in earlier pictures. Curious if others take a look and have ideas?

Do you have the pciture? Or is it the same one posted above? The one above looks like it's there just to finish the ceiling and walls.
The only thing that I find interesting is the one stud over on the far right.

 

[maui22]

Unless the piping you're referring to is on the left of this picture that's hidden, I don't see any piping. Just the glass doors/windows along the back wall.

Do you have the pciture? Or is it the same one posted above? The one above looks like it's there just to finish the ceiling and walls.
The only thing that I find interesting is the one stud over on the far right.

There was another one very zoomed in from Billy Langston. It is in Tikimans fb feed showing 23h ago. It was a bit blurry. Bottom portion of the picture is blurred (likely some shadowing from trees). You can see the scaffolding, but the right side of the concrete has something that looks like metal on the concrete.

Sorry, don’t feel comfortable his picture and not sure how to post a link (or if that is even possible).

 

[Kailunkat]

@maui22 I misinterpreted what you said about posting (whoops!) - I’m taking the photo down but if people want to see it they can subscribe to Tikimans Facebook group themselves.


Regarding that photo - I think what your seeing the end of the scaffolding unfortunately. The blurriness of the photo is making the end of the scaffolding blend into the concrete wall and making an optical illusion.

 

[accm]

There was another one very zoomed in from Billy Langston. It is in Tikimans fb feed showing 23h ago. It was a bit blurry. Bottom portion of the picture is blurred (likely some shadowing from trees). You can see the scaffolding, but the right side of the concrete has something that looks like metal on the concrete.

Sorry, don’t feel comfortable his picture and not sure how to post a link (or if that is even possible).

I found it, and I agree with @Kailunkat. It's the scaffolding tube, but blurry. It looks like the two pieces I circled below.



Also, I think it says a lot about how little is being shared about this project, that we're now looking at incredibly blurry photos to try and guess what's going to happen.

 

[hockeydad21]

I found it, and I agree with @Kailunkat. It's the scaffolding tube, but blurry. It looks like the two pieces I circled below.

View attachment 873962

Also, I think it says a lot about how little is being shared about this project, that we're now looking at incredibly blurry photos to try and guess what's going to happen.

Universal is likely to announce park #4 before Disney gives us more details on this poly tower

 

[mkatsy]

I found it, and I agree with @Kailunkat. It's the scaffolding tube, but blurry. It looks like the two pieces I circled below.

View attachment 873962

Also, I think it says a lot about how little is being shared about this project, that we're now looking at incredibly blurry photos to try and guess what's going to happen.

Is “big foot” in there waving back at us?

 

[accm]

Is “big foot” in there waving back at us?

New theory - they're putting a working yeti in there, and don't want to announce it yet, because they know it'll break the internet and there will be waitlists to buy points!

 

[achinforsomebacon]

After seeing the construction in person, I have some additional thoughts/ comments.

1. I never noticed how big the space between the doors for the lowest rooms in the left section of the building and the outside wall is (around both sides). Will these have large patios vs the standard balcony size? If there's a standard balcony railing, what goes in the extra space?



2. No surprise but the pool looks just as small in person as in pictures. Maybe once everything is done it won't be so bad but when you factor in the zero entry part and ledge with steps on the left, there's not a lot left.

3. I still can't imagine the penthouses being one floor. Would they really give a second floor penthouse the same size balcony as a regular unit? I'm sticking with my original comment that they'll be two floors and awesome (and way out of my range for points).

4. I think the tower itself will be a really nice resort but it just doesn't seem to fit where it is. It's too close to the longhouses to be so different. I think it would've looked a lot better if it was centered more between PVB and VGF but that wouldn't work with the wedding pavilion. Hopefully the finished product will surprise me.

 

[cep101]

I watched the video of the 1 bedroom and studio and it is disappointing. We plan on staying there still, but I am tired of Disney not making their rooms feel like Disney ones.

That is why we stay at Disney's resorts because they feel like Disney. These rooms are very beige, and they do not give me the same vibes as the original Poly.

 

[hockeydad21]

I watched the video of the 1 bedroom and studio and it is disappointing. We plan on staying there still, but I am tired of Disney not making their rooms feel like Disney ones.

That is why we stay at Disney's resorts because they feel like Disney. These rooms are very beige, and they do not give me the same vibes as the original Poly.

Have you been in the Moana themed poly rooms on the hotel side? There’s really not much difference in the beige color scheme besides the headboard and 1-2 throw pillows. I don’t disagree that the rooms could have benefited from just a pinch more of color whether it was the couch, the headboard, the pillows, window curtains, or the kitchen tile, but I genuinely think it’s a bit overstated. It’s nothing that can’t be quickly fixed before opening with throw pillows or in 7 years with a soft goods refurbishment.

 

[hockeydad21]

I watched the video of the 1 bedroom and studio and it is disappointing. We plan on staying there still, but I am tired of Disney not making their rooms feel like Disney ones.

That is why we stay at Disney's resorts because they feel like Disney. These rooms are very beige, and they do not give me the same vibes as the original Poly.

Also, this was one of the earliest poly rooms …

Times and taste change.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Also, this was one of the earliest poly rooms …View attachment 874245

Times and taste change.

And if you look at original Contemporary rooms, they look almost identical (with maybe a different chair or lamp here and there.)

 

[AstroBlasters]

Also, this was one of the earliest poly rooms …View attachment 874245

Times and taste change.

That should be required viewing for anyone who makes a snarky “PolyDayInn” comment….

 

[CastAStone]

And if you look at original Contemporary rooms, they look almost identical (with maybe a different chair or lamp here and there.)

Yup. The Mouseketeers go to Disney World special on Disney+ (which is terrible and not recommended) has some great early shots of the contemporary rooms. They’re terrible and not at all contemporary, even by 1972 standards.

 

[GGGT]

Also, this was one of the earliest poly rooms …View attachment 874245

Times and taste change.

Dating myself, but I'm pretty sure I stayed in that exact room!

 

[MyDogTink]

Yup. The Mouseketeers go to Disney World special on Disney+ (which is terrible and not recommended) has some great early shots of the contemporary rooms. They’re terrible and not at all contemporary, even by 1972 standards.

You made me watch it. I enjoyed it for the “then” compared to “now”.