Polynesian Island tower review.

[noahsmom]

We decided to stay at the new tower for 2 nights prior to our Disney cruise. We were very excited, the poly is one of our favorite resorts. We booked this room in January, theme park view studio.
Upon arrival bell services took our bags and directed inside to check in. A cast member was in the lobby with a tablet to check us in. A 3rd floor room was ready but we asked if there would be a higher room available. She checked and quickly smiled and said yes. She then got our magic bands set up to open the room door.

We went over to the grand ceremonial house to get a drink. We were notified shortly after our drinks arrived that our room was ready. On the 4th floor. A little disappointing but it was higher than the original 3rd floor.

Upon arrival to our room neither one of our magic bands worked on the door and our phones didn’t either. Husband went down to lobby. Came back with a room card for me and his magic band worked. He said the CM told him the phone app never works.

The room is ok, the view straight out our door is the contemporary. Once out our balcony we could see the magic kingdom if we go all the way to the right. We both stood on the balcony to watch the fireworks and I was pressed against the wall to see the fireworks, my husband couldn’t see much because the go off to the left of the castle. If I had paid the cash price for this room I’d be very disappointed.

The room itself is comfortable. It wasn’t cleaned well before our arrival. There’s pieces of plastic under the bed and the frosted toilet room door was not cleaned well. The sliding door is really difficult to open. We also don’t care for the shower.

We also miss not having a store on this building for snacks and drinks. There are vending machines but only for snacks. The grand ceremonial house isn’t far but with temps in the upper 90’s I’d like a closer option.

Yesterday we ate at Wailulu and the food was excellent. Our drinks were good but very overpriced. I got the banana old fashioned, very good, served in a rocks glass but the glass was only half full, $17. Husband ordered an Appleton estate rum and Diet Coke. Served in rocks glass. They charged $12 for the rum and over $4 for the splash of Diet Coke. Never seen a drink charged that way.

As I said at the beginning we were excited to stay here. Would we again - no, not at the island tower. I’d stay in one of the poly longhouses though.

 

[Mouseforward]

We also miss not having a store on this building for snacks and drinks. There are vending machines but only for snacks. The grand ceremonial house isn’t far but with temps in the upper 90’s I’d like a closer option.

One of the benefits of RIV. I am surprised they did not put a general store in PIT.

Even at the longhouses , I had a refillable mug but ended up getting soda from the machine when it rained. I had the same feeling about VGF 1

 

[MicheyMouse]

Almost sounds more like our preferred view room. That sliding door is a monster for sure!

For drinks, Wailulu seems cheaper than Enchanted Rose but I’d still go for Trader Sam’s even if it’s only the Terrace.

 

[Patmcpsu]

We also miss not having a store on this building for snacks and drinks. There are vending machines but only for snacks. The grand ceremonial house isn’t far but with temps in the upper 90’s I’d like a closer option.

It's amazing how Disney routinely cheaps out on money-makers which improve the guest experience. Operating costs for a little convenience store would cost them, what? Fifty dollars an hour (labor and electricity)? It's pretty hard to imagine this hypothetical store operating at a loss.

 

[RichVIII]

Thanks for sharing.

The disappointing room views (especially TPV) for the amount of points is incredibly frustrating. We were offered a first floor TPV (at 89 points for the night) and did get to the 4th floor eventually.

 

[bbn1122]

I own at BLT and Island Tower reminds me of that. DVC, but no QS or a place to get coffee. At BLT you need to walk over to CR and Island Tower you need to walk over to GCH.

I have only visited the Lobby and ate at Wailulu, which was fantastic.

Now I usually pack my own coffee etc for the morning, but sometimes you just want to grab something quick.
I agree that Rivera is set up perfectly, but it is its own DVC, it not added on to a pre-existing Deluxe Resort.

Rivera is my favorite.

I am planning on adding a short stay at the Island Tower next year.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I own at BLT and Island Tower reminds me of that. DVC, but no QS or a place to get coffee. At BLT you need to walk over to CR and Island Tower you need to walk over to GCH.

I have only visited the Lobby and ate at Wailulu, which was fantastic.

Now I usually pack my own coffee etc for the morning, but sometimes you just want to grab something quick.
I agree that Rivera is set up perfectly, but it is its own DVC, it not added on to a pre-existing Deluxe Resort.

Rivera is my favorite.

I am planning on adding a short stay at the Island Tower next year.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

I did just want to note that Wailulu is open for grab and go breakfast and coffee. There's also a Freestyle mug refill station next to the fitness center (yes, does require a short outside walk).