Let's speculate about Polynesian some more!

[BeachClub2014]

Actually, I’d love it!

Me too! My guide said that she didn't have any information about the tower, potential association, restrictions, etc., and wouldn't confirm what was attributed to Yvonne Chang. Maybe my guide is just out of the loop.

 

[kimberwee]

she referred to an email that they'd received.

 

[WeIcomeHome]

Curious if anyone has any recent pics of the tower, I’d love to see what they’ve gotten up to!

We were there this past week. I didn't take any good pictures. Exterior has some of the accent structures being added to the roof. Interior you can see they pretty much have all the rooms framed out with steel framing.

 

[mkatsy]

We were there this past week. I didn't take any good pictures. Exterior has some of the accent structures being added to the roof. Interior you can see they pretty much have all the rooms framed out with steel framing.

I was just there a few hours ago, looks like they are framing out the pool

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I was just there a few hours ago, looks like they are framing out the pool

A great shot, but possibly the least flattering angle possible for the current poly resort. Just want to reassure people we spent 2 days at PVB around NYE and only even noticed the tower a few times in the distance— like when we were on the boat from Poly to MK. I think you could see it from the beach by the lava pool but didn’t really notice at the pool.

I’m more optimistic that it won’t be a major eyesore from original Poly longhouses, but still worry that it may make the GCH and lava pool feel much more crowded when it opens.

 

[mkatsy]

A great shot, but possibly the least flattering angle possible for the current poly resort. Just want to reassure people we spent 2 days at PVB around NYE and only even noticed the tower a few times in the distance— like when we were on the boat from Poly to MK. I think you could see it from the beach by the lava pool but didn’t really notice at the pool.

I’m more optimistic that it won’t be a major eyesore from original Poly longhouses, but still worry that it may make the GCH and lava pool feel much more crowded when it opens.

oh yes, this picture is from the second floor of the longhouse stairwell. They have had the pathway to GF closed for quite some time, so I can't peek through the construction fence like I used to. Inquiring minds want to know

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

oh yes, this picture is from the second floor of the longhouse stairwell. They have had the pathway to GF closed for quite some time, so I can't peek through the construction fence like I used to. Inquiring minds want to know

It was an excellent shot—I just didn’t want anybody staying in one of the PVB longhouses soon to see it and panic.

 

[WeIcomeHome]

After hearing all the panic from people worried the tower would be an eye sore, I was pleasantly surprised seeing it in person. From the lake it wasn't noticeably taller than the nearby GF buildings nor the ceremonial house roof line. By "noticeably" I mean to the point it looks out of place as you can tell it's a couple stories taller than other nearby buildings. Once the exterior finishes are complete, I think the tower will fit in with the existing poly buildings.

 

[walt34]

After hearing all the panic from people worried the tower would be an eye sore, I was pleasantly surprised seeing it in person.

And it will only get better from here. The concrete structure is certainly the tower at its worst, you can see it in those areas, where they've added color (or wood).

 

[Jwaire]

After hearing all the panic from people worried the tower would be an eye sore, I was pleasantly surprised seeing it in person. From the lake it wasn't noticeably taller than the nearby GF buildings nor the ceremonial house roof line. By "noticeably" I mean to the point it looks out of place as you can tell it's a couple stories taller than other nearby buildings. Once the exterior finishes are complete, I think the tower will fit in with the existing poly buildings.

Just like Bay Lake Tower fits right in with The Contemporary.

 

[walt34]

Just like Bay Lake Tower fits right in with The Contemporary.

I think Bay Lake Tower has been rightfully criticised for being too bland next to the iconic Contemporary. I do hope that the theming of the Poly Tower makes it fit in a bit better.

 

[New Mouse]

Here's hoping they can mirror the holiday Inn look of the main lobby!

 

[RichVIII]

Here's hoping they can mirror the holiday Inn look of the main lobby!

I am hopeful for a great lobby. That is one of my dislikes of RR.

 

[intamin]

I am hopeful for a great lobby. That is one of my dislikes of RR.

I'm really not hopeful for one as much as I would wish for one. The DVC side has always had the less extravagant lobby. Boulder Ridge vs. Copper Creek, Bay Lake vs. Contemporary, Kidani vs. Jambo. I do wish RIV's had a little bit more character but ultimately what won us over was the rooms and the skyliner.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I'm really not hopeful for one as much as I would wish for one. The DVC side has always had the less extravagant lobby. Boulder Ridge vs. Copper Creek, Bay Lake vs. Contemporary, Kidani vs. Jambo. I do wish RIV's had a little bit more character but ultimately what won us over was the rooms and the skyliner.

That doesn’t really make much sense. Bay Lake wasn’t going to get a 10-story atrium with a Monorail running through it to match the contemporary 100 yards away (and it doesn’t even really need a lobby to be honest). As far as Wilderness Lodge, BRV came first and actually has its own lobby whereas CCV is just a bunch of converted hotel rooms that happen to be attached to the hotel lobby (so technically CCV doesn’t even have its own lobby).

I wouldn’t say that the DVC side is “less extravagant” when compared to the hotel side, which typically is the original iconic focus of the resort, and usually 2 or 3 times larger by room count, its just proportionally smaller, and not in need of the wasted space building another large lobby would create.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

That doesn’t really make much sense. Bay Lake wasn’t going to get a 10-story atrium with a Monorail running through it to match the contemporary 100 yards away (and it doesn’t even really need a lobby to be honest). As far as Wilderness Lodge, BRV came first and actually has its own lobby whereas CCV is just a bunch of converted hotel rooms that happen to be attached to the hotel lobby (so technically CCV doesn’t even have its own lobby).

I wouldn’t say that the DVC side is “less extravagant” when compared to the hotel side, which typically is the original iconic focus of the resort, and usually 2 or 3 times larger by room count, its just proportionally smaller, and not in need of the wasted space building another large lobby would create.

Wasted space and higher maintenance dues.

 

[intamin]

That doesn’t really make much sense. Bay Lake wasn’t going to get a 10-story atrium with a Monorail running through it to match the contemporary 100 yards away (and it doesn’t even really need a lobby to be honest). As far as Wilderness Lodge, BRV came first and actually has its own lobby whereas CCV is just a bunch of converted hotel rooms that happen to be attached to the hotel lobby (so technically CCV doesn’t even have its own lobby).

I wouldn’t say that the DVC side is “less extravagant” when compared to the hotel side, which typically is the original iconic focus of the resort, and usually 2 or 3 times larger by room count, its just proportionally smaller, and not in need of the wasted space building another large lobby would create.

I mean thats fair, but kind of goes to my point that Poly tower is unlikely to have “wasted space” and will not have a large grandiose lobby.

 

[grahf1234]

A smaller lobby like Riviera's also has some upside, where there's not much to see, which leads to less traffic from people not staying there, less strain on transportation, shops, restaurants, etc. Overall, less chaos at busy times.
Not saying it's ideal, but there are some benefits

 

[intamin]

A smaller lobby like Riviera's also has some upside, where there's not much to see, which leads to less traffic from people not staying there, less strain on transportation, shops, restaurants, etc. Overall, less chaos at busy times.
Not saying it's ideal, but there are some benefits

Agreed. I like VGF's lobby during the holidays as much as the next person but god the crowds were insane at times just because of where it's located and the decorations.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

A smaller lobby like Riviera's also has some upside, where there's not much to see, which leads to less traffic from people not staying there, less strain on transportation, shops, restaurants, etc. Overall, less chaos at busy times.
Not saying it's ideal, but there are some benefits

I wouldn’t change a thing about the Riv’s lobby. Gorgeous