Official Poly construction update thread **updated video page 103(2/17/15)**

[kiki02]

Heck, it only took them 4 years to build the whole magic kingdom plus resorts.

Sure, they probably could've done all of this in about 6 months if they had taken on more workers but that's sort of the point. Before they would've staffed up on contract labor to do the job in the time needed. But Disney has its own in-house construction crew now and I bet the union won't let them ramp up staff like that without permanently increasing the budget overall or Disney is just too tight with the budget. Either way, with a limited construction pool that has to service the entire resort, projects are just going to take longer.

Not saying I disagree with you. I think the way the resort is being run is appalling. Homogenizing dining, shopping and the resort experiences themselves just kills the whole experience. I've got a theme park out here that puts up a new ride or experience each YEAR. Disney should be doing that for EACH park. (and reskinning things for Frozen doesn't count)

Universal does much better interactive ride-tech now than Disney does. I'm not even talking about thrill rides but the Disney staple of interactive dioramas - The Spider-man ride's features just blow away the Little Mermaid ride and the Little Mermaid ride came AFTER it. Same with the Gringott's ride and the Seven Dwarves Mine Train.

Walt's gotta be rolling over in his grave.

While I would not have agreed with this in years past (diehard fan here) I have to say, I kind of see the posters point and it is sad that DW is going this way... really sad. ruining it.

 

[Skywise]

While I would not have agreed with this in years past (diehard fan here) I have to say, I kind of see the posters point and it is sad that DW is going this way... really sad. ruining it.

I hate saying it myself - I've only been going for 2 years and it's amazing the changes I've seen in just THAT time frame. Getting rid of benches in the parks, restricting pool access, rides that *I* can tell from even limited exposure that they're in need of repair, cheapened the chocolate you got when staying CL at the resorts, no more bed "cards". I stayed at the GF and got a really nice personalized folder embossed with the GF logo that contained my information, itinerary and resort schedule. It was still paper and cardboard and relatively cheap but it made me feel like "wow, I'm being treated like somebody important" Now they just cram all the information into a little standardized envelope with my name ink-jetted onto a sticker (along with my customer ID and some other numbers) and slapped on it as if I'm picking up my photos. (Welcome customer #775A3 - UserName:Skywise, have a magical day)

 

[johnvree]

Sure, they probably could've done all of this in about 6 months if they had taken on more workers but that's sort of the point. Before they would've staffed up on contract labor to do the job in the time needed. But Disney has its own in-house construction crew now and I bet the union won't let them ramp up staff like that without permanently increasing the budget overall or Disney is just too tight with the budget. Either way, with a limited construction pool that has to service the entire resort, projects are just going to take longer.

I don't think unions or a limited supply of labor can be blamed. Disney uses union labor on their projects and there is not a union hall in Florida that would not be thrilled to get guys out of their hall and working on a project at WDW.
There may be some parts of their projects that require specialized labor that may not be readily available through the union. For that work they may have to rely on in-house specialists. But that does not explain 18-month long construction project at the Poly.

Doing it in dribs and drabs allows them to do the project without having to shut down the resort or parts of the resort. They don't want to affect the resort's bottom line. But they do not care how it affects our vacation experience.

 

[johnvree]

Not saying I disagree with you. I think the way the resort is being run is appalling. Homogenizing dining, shopping and the resort experiences themselves just kills the whole experience. I've got a theme park out here that puts up a new ride or experience each YEAR. Disney should be doing that for EACH park. (and reskinning things for Frozen doesn't count)

Universal does much better interactive ride-tech now than Disney does. I'm not even talking about thrill rides but the Disney staple of interactive dioramas - The Spider-man ride's features just blow away the Little Mermaid ride and the Little Mermaid ride came AFTER it. Same with the Gringott's ride and the Seven Dwarves Mine Train.

Walt's gotta be rolling over in his grave.

I agree with this too. WDW has been getting its butt kicked the last five years. Not only does Universal offer more thrilling rides, their attractions are more technologically advanced and Disney is actually getting out-themed by USO.

By the way -- and I don't want to sound anti-Disney, because we love WDW -- but when I realized the Poly was still going to be under construction in May, I canceled my reservation and now we are spending the week onsite at USO.

 

[housetomouse]

I'm not quite sure myself but I believe they're fencing in all the pools on property so that might be part of it. I think there was also some effort to add "zero point" access to the pools (so you can walk into the pool without needing a ladder or having to lift yourself out) but that may have only been for the main pools.

Thank you! The quiet pool was under construction during one of our stays about 4-5 years ago, but maybe that time they were getting rid of a "deep end"?

 

[WDW1970]

I spoke with Disney Recreation today about trying to reserve a pool cabana at the Poly for June and while dates showed up for June and he could see the GF and CF he could not see the Poly cabanas available. He ended up calling the Poly and he said they told him they were removing the cabanas and not offering them any longer. I have been monitoring construction progress as well as Tikiman's web page and this is the first time hearing about no more cabanas. Has anyone else heard anything about removing the cabanas at the Poly with the new pool construction?

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

Most over used statement on the Dis Boards "Walt must be rolling over in his grave " Walt embraced change ! End of story !

 

[Ferrentinos]

I spoke with Disney Recreation today about trying to reserve a pool cabana at the Poly for June and while dates showed up for June and he could see the GF and CF he could not see the Poly cabanas available. He ended up calling the Poly and he said they told him they were removing the cabanas and not offering them any longer. I have been monitoring construction progress as well as Tikiman's web page and this is the first time hearing about no more cabanas. Has anyone else heard anything about removing the cabanas at the Poly with the new pool construction?

IPO put us on a list to book one when they are back. The picture of the pool appears to have cabanas in it. I'm hopeful that they will return but who knows? Only time will tell I guess.

 

[To the honeypots]

Universal does much better interactive ride-tech now than Disney does. I'm not even talking about thrill rides but the Disney staple of interactive dioramas - The Spider-man ride's features just blow away the Little Mermaid ride and the Little Mermaid ride came AFTER it. Same with the Gringott's ride and the Seven Dwarves Mine Train.

Walt's gotta be rolling over in his grave.

, but I have got to say, we HATED Gringott's and We are big HP fans. It was completely underwhelming and seriously one of the biggest let downs. We loved 7dmt on the other hand. I am also glad that they made the Little Mermaid as they did. My son was scared of everything at Universal....Spider-Man, minions, etc and he is a daredevil. So, yeah I guess I am glad that walt's park is too tame and boring for the masses.

With that said, we are looking forward to our stay at the Poly in September construction and all.

 

[Tonberry]

I spoke with Disney Recreation today about trying to reserve a pool cabana at the Poly for June and while dates showed up for June and he could see the GF and CF he could not see the Poly cabanas available. He ended up calling the Poly and he said they told him they were removing the cabanas and not offering them any longer. I have been monitoring construction progress as well as Tikiman's web page and this is the first time hearing about no more cabanas. Has anyone else heard anything about removing the cabanas at the Poly with the new pool construction?

Official construction plans call for re-installation of the cabanas and cast members have been known to be wrong and are often left in the dark on lots of things.

But then again, plans always change.

 

[Ferrentinos]

I spoke with Disney Recreation today about trying to reserve a pool cabana at the Poly for June and while dates showed up for June and he could see the GF and CF he could not see the Poly cabanas available. He ended up calling the Poly and he said they told him they were removing the cabanas and not offering them any longer. I have been monitoring construction progress as well as Tikiman's web page and this is the first time hearing about no more cabanas. Has anyone else heard anything about removing the cabanas at the Poly with the new pool construction?

IPO put us on a list to book one when they are back. The picture of the pool appears to have cabanas in it. I'm hopeful that they will return but who knows? Only time will tell I guess.

 

[klinlin]

, but I have got to say, we HATED Gringott's and We are big HP fans. It was completely underwhelming and seriously one of the biggest let downs. We loved 7dmt on the other hand. I am also glad that they made the Little Mermaid as they did. My son was scared of everything at Universal....Spider-Man, minions, etc and he is a daredevil. So, yeah I guess I am glad that walt's park is too tame and boring for the masses. With that said, we are looking forward to our stay at the Poly in September construction and all.

Sorry to continue off topic as well, but we spent three days at the Hard Rock last year. My boys were 11 & 12 1/2 so I thought they would be the perfect age for Universal. Honestly, it seemed to use that all of the rides were almost exactly the same. Sure the simulator was very cool the first few times, but after awhile I had motion sickness. The Simpsons was funny, and Spider-Man really cool, but they are basically the same ride with a different movie playing. We are happily headed back to WDW, and looking forward to our first stay at the Poly.

 

[yce22princess]

IPO put us on a list to book one when they are back. The picture of the pool appears to have cabanas in it. I'm hopeful that they will return but who knows? Only time will tell I guess.

Keep me posted on this one......we want one for August.

 

[Skywise]

Most over used statement on the Dis Boards "Walt must be rolling over in his grave " Walt embraced change ! End of story !

Walt loved IMPROVING THINGS.

He didn't just embrace "change" for the sake of shortchanging the customer.

 

[Ferrentinos]

Keep me posted on this one......we want one for August.

will do! I hope they come back!

 

[Tikiman]

IPO put us on a list to book one when they are back. The picture of the pool appears to have cabanas in it. I'm hopeful that they will return but who knows? Only time will tell I guess.

Replacing the cabanas is part of the construction schedule.

 

[WDW1970]

Replacing the cabanas is part of the construction schedule.

Thanks for the information/insight from everyone! I will just keep checking back with WDW Sports and Recreation.

 

[ckelly14]

Is the update still on page 111? I went to that page and I didn't see an update. Can anyone point me to an update with the basic construction timeline?

The poly was a yearly event for me when I was very young (70's-80's) and would love to take my family there, but will like to wait until a majority of the construction is over.

Thanks.

 

[Skywise]

Replacing the cabanas is part of the construction schedule.

Say, on your website you show Trader Sam's opening around April 1 (hah!). Any word on what may happen, if anything, to the Tambu Lounge after that?

 

[Tikiman]

Say, on your website you show Trader Sam's opening around April 1 (hah!). Any word on what may happen, if anything, to the Tambu Lounge after that?

Nothing is happening to Tambu