Poly Lobby rehab concept drawings

[mtfarlin]

The WDWMagic site has posted artist concept renditions of the new Poly lobby rehabs and for Trader Sams Lounge too...

http://www.wdwmagic.com/

 

[Skywise]

Yay for trader sams.

Boo for that really uninspiring lobby.

 

[foxtrotter]

Isn't the tropical plant/waterfall centerpiece in the lobby original to the resort? Isn't it the reason so many people love the Polynesian lobby? Why would they even consider removing it? Perhaps the maintenance is too time-consuming or expensive but you would think they'd have taken it out long ago instead of waiting 40+ years.

The lobby would lose quite a bit of its charm if they took out the waterfall.

 

[thisismyusername]

I'm going against the grain to say that I really like it. I am not a nostalgic Disney go-er, so maybe that has something to do with it, but the waterfall noise and smell, IMO, made the lobby feel like a dated shopping mall. It also was very dark. I like the bright concept and feel like it's a good change. JM2C

 

[huntconn]

Well, I too am really excited about Trader Sam's coming to the Poly. Have they announced where it will be yet? I have to agree with others who are not so blown away by the artist rendering of the new lobby. Hopefully it will look better in person. If that tiki statue standing on the tiny waterfall is the new water feature that tikiman had reported on, I'm not too impressed. Maybe the new open lobby will feature a nice view of the castle....if they would ever make the effort to cut back those darned trees on the island across the lagoon!

 

[Sunseadisney]

What a shame they took away the beautiful waterfall

 

[piccolopat]

Any idea when the lobby construction will start? We have Kona breakfast reservations for 5/15 and would really like to see the lobby one more time before it is destroyed. That said, I'll cancel breakfast if construction is underway by then. I've looked around various sites and can't seem to find a date.

 

[Skywise]

I'm going against the grain to say that I really like it. I am not a nostalgic Disney go-er, so maybe that has something to do with it, but the waterfall noise and smell, IMO, made the lobby feel like a dated shopping mall. It also was very dark. I like the bright concept and feel like it's a good change. JM2C

I'll agree that it came off like a dated shopping mall. But I think they could've kept a decent sized waterfall in the redone Library (Not a tiny tiki fountain) If anything the new drawings make it look like a modern shopping mall... (Actually a waterfall on the outside front entrance leading to a "river" that went through the lobby and out to the pool would've been spectacular but that would've required... I dunno... imagination...)
The darkness didn't bother me as I thought that went with the theme of being in a dark rainforest type setting.

 

[Skywise]

Any idea when the lobby construction will start? We have Kona breakfast reservations for 5/15 and would really like to see the lobby one more time before it is destroyed. That said, I'll cancel breakfast if construction is underway by then. I've looked around various sites and can't seem to find a date.

I'm in the same boat as I'll be out at DW the weekend of June 6th.

Last I heard was that it was already supposed to have started so it's all borrowed time...

 

[kmb584]

They sucked all of the magic out of that lobby.

 

[mariamouse]

It looks exactly the same as the current lobby minus the waterfall.

I definitely think the Poly lobby is due for a major overhaul and was hoping Disney would go all out while still keeping some sort of water feature in place. The lobby is definitely in need of more seating areas (similar to the WL/AKL) and would be stunning with an entirely glass wall facing the MK side of the resort so that guests can see the castle and grounds more easily. Love the PP's idea to have a waterfall in the valet area lead into the lobby on the monorail side-- maybe even behind the check-in desk?

On a separate note, I will never understand why they chose to have the bungalows extend out onto the beach as far as they currently do. IMO, those should have been over on the GF side of the resort west of Fiji or closer to the TTC where they would not have impacted Wishes viewing.

 

[Skywise]

On a separate note, I will never understand why they chose to have the bungalows extend out onto the beach as far as they currently do. IMO, those should have been over on the GF side of the resort west of Fiji or closer to the TTC where they would not have impacted Wishes viewing.

I agree but I think I know why - Too far on the left would put the bungalows out into "GF" territory and break the theming. They couldn't put the bungalows by the volcano pool because that would interfere with the marina and too far to the right or out into the lagoon would interfere with the TTC ferry boats.

 

[grimley1968]

As dated as the overall lobby was becoming, it is sad that even an artist's optimistic rendering can't match my own personal experience with the lobby with the waterfall intact.

 

[La2kw]

I also like the new lobby. Currently it's trapped in a stereotype of the 70's. Looking forward to the changes and of using my DVC points there.

 

[Scott MC]

I'll go on the record and say that I really, really hate the rendering of the new lobby. Call me old-fashioned, but with the new room refurbs, and this lobby, I really feel like a lot of the old Disney magic is fading. Add to that the uninspired room refurbs going on at the GF, and I'm finding the Swan and Dolphin looking better and better.

 

[POLY1985]

My heart is broken over the waterfall. I fell in love with that lobby when I was a kid and when I got married in 1985 I had to stay there. I loved the smell of it! When we visited last October and I knew it was going to be taken down, I took lots of pictures. I will say the pictures of the new lobby looks pretty and I am excited about Trader Sams but I wish they could have put in a larger water feature.

 

[jeffbear]

I for one understand why they are doing away with the waterfall. Interior waterfalls cause all sorts of moisture issues and they've had to rip out and replace the storefront glass in the lobby more times than I can count.

That said ... I'll miss it, but honestly if you discount that change the new lobby renderings look fine to me.

 

[CoolPool]

Boring!!!

 

[maxiesmom]

I for one understand why they are doing away with the waterfall. Interior waterfalls cause all sorts of moisture issues and they've had to rip out and replace the storefront glass in the lobby more times than I can count.

That said ... I'll miss it, but honestly if you discount that change the new lobby renderings look fine to me.

Thanks for explaining, that does make it a little easier to take. But I still will miss the waterfall.

 

[mickeynut1]

Add me to the list of not liking the new lobby. We've only stayed at the Poly once, but we visit every trip for dining, shopping, and just walking around taking in the beautiful resort atmosphere and I'm very sad about what's happening to this resort.