Polynesian Resort: New Lobby vs Old Lobby?

[DISNEY1975]

From what I have read the old water feature was hard on the lobby--everything got damp and moldy, so that is why Disney got rid of it.

I like the look of the old, but as someone with allergies who cannot deal with a damp, musty room, I understand why they did.

Im not buying that (although I know that is what they are telling everyone.)

My first WDW stay was at the Polynesian....40 years ago! If it was damp and moldy, you would think they would not jeopardize peoples health for 40 YEARS before taking it down.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I love the new lobby. Don't get me wrong, I liked the old lobby, too. Loved the smell and the sound of the water. But the colors in the new lobby are so beautiful and it really is a comfortable, open place to sit and relax. I really think they had to add more seating in the lobby and I'm not sure if there was really any other way to do it.

 

[brocklesnar69]

Just wanted to mention that the picture of the new lobby shows the center "fountain" not yet complete. Since that picture was taken they have placed a, well I don't know what to call it, Polynesian figure? on the top of it.

The first picture shown is inaccurate showing the lava area before it was completed. It now has a Tiki statue on the top and looks better. I think an accurate picture should be posted before asking people to make a decision.

To answer the question, I preferred the lushness but like the new openness of the lobby. A little more lushness of the centre piece would make the new lobby work better.

Fixed. And I still dislike it.


Perhaps people should start complaining? Maybe when I stay there next time I'll complain a little to the front desk clerk. Just a simple "I just wanted give you my feedback on the updated lobby......It's awful. I miss the old fountain."

 

[brocklesnar69]

From what I have read the old water feature was hard on the lobby--everything got damp and moldy, so that is why Disney got rid of it.

I like the look of the old, but as someone with allergies who cannot deal with a damp, musty room, I understand why they did.

Why not just install an industrial de-humidifier?

 

[B-Ride]

I loved the old lobby but it was definitely a bit dark. I am willing to move forward and accept the change. It's not like they got rid of the Bread Pudding at 'Ohana.

 

[maxiesmom]

Why not just install an industrial de-humidifier?

From what I can remember when this all first started they have been fighting this issue for years. And taking the water fall feature out was the last resort.

We run a humidifier in our basement year round, and the damp never goes away. I can imagine how much worse it is in Florida, where it is warm year round. Not to mention trying to de-humidify a large space with lots of doors and windows is not very easy.

 

[brocklesnar69]

From what I can remember when this all first started they have been fighting this issue for years. And taking the water fall feature out was the last resort.

We run a humidifier in our basement year round, and the damp never goes away. I can imagine how much worse it is in Florida, where it is warm year round. Not to mention trying to de-humidify a large space with lots of doors and windows is not very easy.

Just do it like a lot of big southern stores do..... put giant downward blowers in front of all the doors (keeping the hot/muggy air out) and then have a giant industrail de-humidifier inside.

 

[gtpoohbear]

I think the new lobby looks very sterile. It might as well be a Marriott or something equally boring.

Even if they couldn't keep the waterfall because of mold issues, I don't understand why all the lush plants had to go. Heck I would have even been okay with a "fake jungle", lol! The tropical feel was what made it special. Now it just feels empty.

Ever since our stay there in 2008 I have longed to stay there again. But after seeing it last December, I am cured of that urge. Guess my bank account should be happy about the change.

 

[OKW Lover]

I think the mold issue is just a red herring. If it were true it wouldn't have taken them 45 years to do something about it.

 

[wdrl]

The new lobby is quite colorful, open, airy, and bright. Its like no other hotel lobby at WDW and fits the Polynesian theme.

As someone posted previously, the original photo of the new lobby posted earlier in this thread was out of date. That photo was taken right after the lobby opened but before all the work had finished on the lobby. Here are some photos I took a few months ago:

 

[soniam]

From what I have read the old water feature was hard on the lobby--everything got damp and moldy, so that is why Disney got rid of it.

I like the look of the old, but as someone with allergies who cannot deal with a damp, musty room, I understand why they did.

I visited and stayed at Poly with the old lobby, and I have mold allergies. It never bothered me. In fact, just being outside in Orlando bothers me more than the old lobby. So, if you have mold allergies, Orlando is not the place to be to begin with.

 

[johnvree]

The Poly is my favorite resort. Sadly, we have not stayed there the last two years because of the never ending construction.
We are going to stay there next May, unless the construction is still going on. So, I'll reserve judgment on the lobby until I get there.
I always loved walking into the lobby, loved the fountain, the smell, the humidity, everything, because it fit the theme.
Based on the picture, there appears to be more seating. But who cares about new seating if there's not much to look at?

 

[clapton]

I think that they should have scaled down the fountain rather then getting rid of it completely! That being said I do think the new lobby is brighter and more colorful then before.

 

[yooperfan]

The thing that bothered me is they took out a lot of trees outside the doors at the back of the lobby.

 

[ElizabethB]

The waterfall was fine for 45 years -- and then it had to go due to mold? Give me a break!! It took labor and maintenance. Since they were redoing the lobby anyway, they took that opportunity to eliminate the cost of maintaining the fountain. I am certain it's cheaper to dust the statue.

Cutting costs and reducing quality -- it's the Disney way these days.

We stayed club level and spent our time in the club lounge, so we weren't in the lobby much, but it really is a chain hotel lobby with a dumb statue.

 

[hmcater]

I have not been there yet to see the new lobby, but have been there when the waterfall was still there. Although it was beautiful, it smelled like my grandparents basement in the lobby and it was loud. From the pictures I have seen, I like the new lobby. It's open and I love all the colors! We will be checking in on the 29th, so I'll get a chance to see for myself.

 

[maxiesmom]

The waterfall was fine for 45 years -- and then it had to go due to mold? Give me a break!! It took labor and maintenance. Since they were redoing the lobby anyway, they took that opportunity to eliminate the cost of maintaining the fountain. I am certain it's cheaper to dust the statue.

Cutting costs and reducing quality -- it's the Disney way these days.

We stayed club level and spent our time in the club lounge, so we weren't in the lobby much, but it really is a chain hotel lobby with a dumb statue.

Yes, really. Air quality standards are different now. And things do break down and degrade over time. You do have a point about cutting costs--I'm sure if it was cheaper to leave it up and
keep it running than to get rid of it, that is what they would have done.

I'm sorry you seem to miss it so much. I hate that Norway is now going to be a stupid Frozen ride. But things change and some changes we won't like. Disney can't stay stuck in time.

 

[cjparker0110]

Having seen the new pics with the statue and such, it looks better than what was originally posted. It is a Polynesian feel and will please many people (especially those who have never been). It is not terrible in appearance. That said, I still prefer the old lobby. In the long run, it won't matter for me anyway as my next stay (with a family of 6) will be in AoA or ASMu suites. I don't know if we will even stop there as I don't see any purpose in making the kids get off the monorail to look at a hotel. If it were just my wife and I, we probably would visit hotels because they are all so beautiful and some of the best restaurants can be found in them.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

Im another one in the minority, I like the new lobby. It's bright, open, and still maintains the tropical feel.

 

[ElizabethB]

Information on air quality standards, please. I am not aware if any EPA or OSHA standard changes in the last three years. I would be interested to know what air quality standards were being breached by the waterfall. It's hard for me to believe Disney was ever out of compliance with air quality standards with the waterfall. Thanks.