Polynesian Bungalows and Beach View

[joobilance]

I have a reservation at the Poly for 3 nights the week of April 20. Unfortunately, I'm getting nervous after seeing the completion of the bungalows that they obstruct the view of the water from the beach. I asked the rep I spoke to recently about it and her response was not clear - as though she didn't want to say anything to confirm it for fear that I would cancel. One of the reasons I booked deluxe is for the beach and water view, but if all I'm going to be looking at are the guests in the bungalows enjoying the view, I have no interest in staying. I have tried to find video or photos that clearly show the location of the beach in relation to the bungalows, but no luck. Do you think it's going to be an issue? I don't plan to be on the beach all that much during my stay, but having the option is one of the reasons I am willing to pay more than I would for a moderate.

 

[tsme]

'I took this picture in December from the walk way at the Hawaii building.


We've stayed in Hawaii before the bungalows were built. We wouldn't stay there now, the view we loved is gone, IMO. Maybe if you are on the 3rd floor, you may have a view. But on ground level, I doubt you'll see much but those bungalows.

 

[joobilance]

Yikes! Looks worse than I thought. I just don't see that guests not staying in the bungalows will be satisfied with this. I imagine the 2k+ per night room rate is worth it to Disney to effectively deprive those a view who are only paying in the $300-400 range.

Thanks a bunch for providing the pic.! I was already leaning towards changing resorts, but this pretty much seals it for me. I refuse to pay the same rate to get less. I guess they figure Trader Sam's will make up for it, but I'm not a drinker.

 

[aejammers]

The Poly has always been "our" resort, specifically the theme park view. We are heartbroken that due to these bungalows, we will never stay there again. Agree with OP, there is no way we can justify the price to have a view of those bungalows.

 

[joobilance]

Looks like JeniLynn provided some great info. today, as well:

http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2015/04/01/disneys-polynesian-villas-and-bungalows-are-now-open/

 

[HopperFan]

This was the biggest shock to me when they announced these. They virtually destroyed the view for a large number of rooms that pay dearly for their water views and make all the beaches behind them unattractive to all the resort guests. This now crushes the guests, wanting to enjoy a view day or night, together to a very small section of beach. Sand tucked between buildings is no longer a beach - just sand, and I wonder in summer if there will be any breeze at all. I don't think I would want to pay the not so small Poly rates only to be delegated to stare at the back of an exclusive bungalow. Those rooms should now be called "Bungalow View" instead of "Lagoon View" and the price reflect it.

Here are photos from the GF and Ferry. Not a whole lot of open beach left.

 

[Disneyfanatic108]

We stayed at the Poly once and loved it. Now not so much. We always visited the poly, had dinner and stayed for the fire works. With most of the beach gone this will probably come to an end to. Its amazing what corporate greed can do to a beautiful place. I kind of hope they fall on there face and have to lower the price.

 

[aejammers]

Thanks for the pictures tsme and HopperFan. Ugh! So sad.

 

[daisyx3]

I am there now in a 3rd floor studio. Have to admit there isn't much beach in front of us...there is a lovely landscaped path and then a little strip of beach. There is a much bigger beach still in front of the Hawaii building with chairs, swings, etc. But over the bungalows I have an awesome view of MK, the GF, the boats, and Wishes last night too. I only booked two nights on points and wish I'd booked more instead of switching tomorrow! We stayed here at the Poly in 2000 for our first ever trip before joining DVC and hope I can stay here again soon with the 7 month window. Maybe if enough folks object to it on the grounds mentioned here, I'll still be able to.

 

[huntconn]

I really think Disney dropped the ball on this one. Disney is so fixated on spreading their all mighty DVC, they basically ruined the view from much of the beach so that an "elite" few can now enjoy it. DVC is and always will be an afterthought to the original design of any resort where it resides. But this time they infringed too far on the non DVC side of things. They could have easily stopped the bungalows at the half way point of what used to be sunset point, only affecting the views of the now converted DVC longhouses. But no, they had to run them across the front of Hawaii, effectively ruining many of the views from the club level building. Ridiculous IMHO. TPV in the Hawaii building used to be one of the most magical spots in all of WDW. No longer. Now we get to look at the back of these bland old pizza hut looking bungalows while watching Wishes. These bungalows were designed and built for profit only with no concern for the negative impact it will have on the folks who can't afford to stay in them or those who remember how things used to be. Awful.

 

[Hopefully]

I really think Disney dropped the ball on this one. Disney is so fixated on spreading their all mighty DVC, they basically ruined the view from much of the beach so that an "elite" few can now enjoy it. DVC is and always will be an afterthought to the original design of any resort where it resides. But this time they infringed too far on the non DVC side of things. They could have easily stopped the bungalows at the half way point of what used to be sunset point, only affecting the views of the now converted DVC longhouses. But no, they had to run them across the front of Hawaii, effectively ruining many of the views from the club level building. Ridiculous IMHO. TPV in the Hawaii building used to be one of the most magical spots in all of WDW. No longer. Now we get to look at the back of these bland old pizza hut looking bungalows while watching Wishes. These bungalows were designed and built for profit only with no concern for the negative impact it will have on the folks who can't afford to stay in them or those who remember how things used to be. Awful.

I couldn't disagree more. You truly sound bitter for advancement. Sorry JMHO

 

[aejammers]

I couldn't disagree more. You truly sound bitter for advancement. Sorry JMHO

Did you ever stay TPV? If so, you would know why we are so upset. We can afford to stay in one of the bungalows, and I still wouldn't. I have fond memories of my DH and DS building sandcastles on the beach. Not anymore.

 

[JoeyEmmaMomma]

I am there now in a 3rd floor studio. Have to admit there isn't much beach in front of us...there is a lovely landscaped path and then a little strip of beach. There is a much bigger beach still in front of the Hawaii building with chairs, swings, etc. But over the bungalows I have an awesome view of MK, the GF, the boats, and Wishes last night too. I only booked two nights on points and wish I'd booked more instead of switching tomorrow! We stayed here at the Poly in 2000 for our first ever trip before joining DVC and hope I can stay here again soon with the 7 month window. Maybe if enough folks object to it on the grounds mentioned here, I'll still be able to.

I so agree!

 

[MillauFr]

If want some real views take an Alaskan cruise sometime. After seeing those views you'll never look at a swamp in Florida the same way.

 

[huntconn]

I couldn't disagree more. You truly sound bitter for advancement. Sorry JMHO

Well, you are more than welcome to disagree with me. I don't believe I'm "bitter for advancement". But considering I've never heard that phrase in my life, I can't be quite certain! lol

 

[typhoonlagooner]

Unfortunately, I'm getting nervous after seeing the completion of the bungalows that they obstruct the view of the water from the beach....

One of the reasons I booked deluxe is for the beach and water view, but if all I'm going to be looking at are the guests in the bungalows enjoying the view, I have no interest in staying...

Do you think it's going to be an issue?

No. I don't think it's going to be an issue. Here's a resort map that shows where the bungalows are located, in relation to the resort and beaches.

As you can see... a large part of the beach is indeed [partially] obstructed by the bungalows... but you'll also notice there are others beach areas to enjoy.

The beach area in front of Luau Cove, which stretches from the Polynesian to Grand Floridian is untouched and offers incredible views of the SSL, castle, and fireworks... without a Bungalow in sight.

The beach area in front of the main pool will also offer unobstructed views.

As a guest staying in a 'Standard View' room, the bungalows have zero impact on our stay. We've requested Fiji (ideally a King bed) in the hopes of being closer to the Luau Cove Beach and away from East Pool Construction.

Some pictures from Tikiman's FB page:

 

[typhoonlagooner]

Here's a great satellite shot to show some more perspective.

 

[Babsy]

it will be like winning a lottery to be lucky enough to get a clear view of the castle from the Poly. With the way WDW classifies its room views, I wouldn't consider paying extra for a "view" here anymore. Unless they actually start redefine room views so that you can count on a great view if you do pay extra. I have been burned too many times with ugly views when paying for the "best" view. (Such as TPV with a huge tree in the way, or water view at YC that looks at an ugly roof, then SB through trees).

Actually, a large part of the appeal of the Poly has been lost for me. I am very happy that I was able to stay here many times in the past and enjoy the way that it was with its spectacular views from the beach.

 

[BabyFu18]

I'm glad I got to stay at the Poly several times before the construction so I could experience the beautiful unobstructed views from the rooms and beaches, but now I probably will only stay at the poly in a standard view room because the views just aren't worth it anymore. It's sad, but if we do stay there again we will still enjoy the resort I'm positive about that, we just won't pay the extra charges for CL or MK view as the biggest benefit of that may now be gone.

 

[DisneyHardin]

The Poly is still our favorite resort, with or without bungalows. We usually stay standard view and request Rarotonga so we are close the main building, so the change of view doesn't bother me.