The question of when the Lava pool is going to open has been the #1 question lately. The worst part is depending on where you get your info (Disney web site, calling Disney Reservations or from
Travel agent notices) you get a different date for when the pool will be done.
The Disney web site was updated from saying “March 2015” to “through Spring 2015”. People that have called the Polynesian phone number have been told different dates just in the last week. I have seen people say they were told mid-March, April 1, May 1 and some were even told late June. One person posted that a CM at the resort told them it was having problems and won’t be done until December. Keep in mind that the people you call when you call the Polynesian phone number are not at the resort and sometimes have never even been to the resort.
I have been keeping my mouth shut because the truth is no one will know when it will open until days before it does. If they tell you they know for sure, they are not telling you the truth. I say that because I get information from people at Disney involved in the project and construction crews. Even they don’t know for sure.
So what do I know? Well the end of last year I saw the construction schedule from the company doing the work. I have it up in front of me now. Looking at action items on the list it looks as if they planned to have the last few items completed on April 17. Now with that said the start date of that same action item that was to be done on April 17 was to begin this Wednesday. The Action item was the install of the fire pits, irrigation for the plants and install of showers, cabanas and signs. These items sound like things that would happen once the pools were done and all the cement work was completed. If you have seen the photos of the pool area from yesterday I think you would agree that they are nowhere near having the pools done and the cement poured for the pool deck area. So you decide how far behind they are on their own schedule. I would also expect at some point some delays due to weather unless it is perfect from now until the end of Spring. On the other hand I am sure they are pushing them to finish earlier. At best I would assume that push might bring them back to being done in mid-April or early May but that is a total guess on my part.
There was some information that sections of the pool area would open but I don’t see how that is possible. The pool area will have a wall and fence around it and opening access to that area but still having construction finishing things seems unrealistic to me.
Once the pool area is completed it will be a big part of making the resort a better place to visit but keep in mind, the construction is not over. The East pool area will be completely torn out and redone. This will be major construction in the middle of 5 longhouses. Other projects around the resort are likely to occur before the end of the year.
If there is anything we learned from all the construction over the last 2 years it is that no one has exact dates and sometimes we don’t know that things will close or reopen until days before or the day of. If you are trying to plan a trip you have to just ask yourself, will you be upset if you go to the Polynesian and there is construction going on or will you be more upset if you stay somewhere else and things open up at the Polynesian. No one can answer that question for you.
I have a standard view booked, so I do not expect to be looking at the castle, but I would prefer not to look at a giant mess either. For some people view doesn't matter, for me it does.
