PVB Tower Charts, Sales Date and more!!!

[mkatsy]

We haven’t had a chance to check that side. Some room issues and MB issues. Finally have one pair of MB able to get into room. I am up to 7 trips to GCH so far. MVMCP tonight, so we won’t be able to explore today.

Seen too many people bring a 18-21 year old to tears. Be nice to CMs. They are someone’s son/daughter, brother/sister, etc. Their jobs are often made difficult by people who never step on property.

Oh gosh … enjoy the party!! Tomorrow is a new day, hopefully people will come to their senses and treat people with some decency.

 

[jcolvin5]

Seen too many people bring a 18-21 year old to tears. Be nice to CMs. They are someone’s son/daughter, brother/sister, etc. Their jobs are often made difficult by people who never step on property.

I really can’t tolerate people taking their issues out on CMs. It’s intolerable and I’ve called people out on more than a few occasions for being a#$h%@!s.

CMs, feel free to use your authority and have them removed!

 

[AstroBlasters]

For those that stayed at all three GVs at each of those resorts, first, LUCKY! Second, you must agree that all three are amazing in the styles they were designed: Victorian, European modern, or Mid-century Modern. Third, isn't it like comparing apples to oranges in trying to rank them? Purely subjective and taste-based.

I've stayed at the mid-century modern grand villa amongst the three and OMG. Me and the 30 reunion guests and 12 sleeping guests were universally gob-smacked.

I hope to stay at the others some day and expect to be equally impressed!

I agree that the style preference is completely subjective, but I think 90% of people who looked at just the rooms would find that the size and quality of materials are higher in the VGF and RIV GV compared to the Poly PH.

Of course, this leads to the quote that “comparison is the thief of joy”.

Getting to stay in any one of them would likely be a fantastic experience.

 

[hockeydad21]

Seen too many people bring a 18-21 year old to tears. Be nice to CMs. They are someone’s son/daughter, brother/sister, etc. Their jobs are often made difficult by people who never step on property.

oh no! Over something as silly as magic bands not working? It’s a soft opening for a reason people!

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

I think they hit this out of the park. Beautiful building on a small footprint. After the initial opening months, I don’t foresee that many non-tower visitors coming over, especially if Wailulu remains non-ADR.

The impact on the lava pool is very much TBD…..

 

[tx911]

I think they hit this out of the park. Beautiful building on a small footprint. After the initial opening months, I don’t foresee that many non-tower visitors coming over, especially if Wailulu remains non-ADR.

The impact on the lava pool is very much TBD…..

I thought Wailulu was non-ADR only for Breakfast?

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

I thought Wailulu was non-ADR only for Breakfast?

Lunch and dinner is my understand, to start (and hopefully to stay)

The outdoor space is so much >>> indoor space, that I have a hard time seeing this ever be ADR TBH. A high % of patrons will be “willing to wait”, making it very tough to manage.

 

[mkatsy]

Lunch and dinner is my understand, to start (and hopefully to stay)

The outdoor space is so much >>> indoor space, that I have a hard time seeing this ever be ADR TBH. A high % of patrons will be “willing to wait”, making it very tough to manage.

Non-ADR would be a huge advantage to Tower guests, because assuming that once you put your name in, they text you when your table is ready, you could wait in your room. Who cares if it’s a 90 minute wait for the perfect table if you can relax upstairs.

 

[HairyChest]

I’m really liking what they did with the tower but I just saw a video that raises some interesting points I didn’t realize about the tower and first criticism’s I have heard that wasn’t “the tower doesn’t belong here!” Or “it’s ugly!”. It shows the standard views and a limited view from the duo studios, are all the standard views and duo studios like that?? Or is it too early to know?

 

[maui22]

Today is a calm before the storm day at Polynesian resort. Security is blocking the path. “Private event”sign is up. Filming is happening on the penthouse TPV 2BR.

Sounds like Tambu lounge staff is remaining in place. Wailulu will be less busy because it’s off the beaten path as opposed to Tambu being in the heart of the GCH. Monorail, Kona, and Ohana traffic all on the second floor. How many are going to walk 5-10 minutes from Moorea, Pago Pago, Tokelau to the Island Tower?

I am thinking the concerns over the pool and Wailulu will be overblown. Sure the 2-3 years people will try it (social media influencers all want their say) . When LSL opens, Riviera will be sold out and Island Tower well on its way. Tower will be far less talked about. Then, everyone will be talking about LSL and its features.

 

[Tatebeck]

No ADRs at Wailulu also prevents people that are not staying on site from booking and taking up parking spots just for the ADR and taking up space during the crazy opening months

 

[tjkraz]

Who cares if it’s a 90 minute wait for the perfect table if you can relax upstairs.

I mean, if you think ahead to walk down at 4:30-5:00 to get on the list, probably no big deal. Haven't eaten at 7pm and looking for a place to get something...2 hour wait is pretty significant. Especially those traveling with kids.

The draw of the fireworks will make this an interesting situation. If someone gets a prime window table at 6pm, there's apparently nothing to keep them from camping until a 9pm fireworks show. I can see people on both sides of the aisle (ADR vs non-ADR) being upset with how things play out.

 

[mkatsy]

I mean, if you think ahead to walk down at 4:30-5:00 to get on the list, probably no big deal. Haven't eaten at 7pm and looking for a place to get something...2 hour wait is pretty significant. Especially those traveling with kids.

The draw of the fireworks will make this an interesting situation. If someone gets a prime window table at 6pm, there's apparently nothing to keep them from camping until a 9pm fireworks show. I can see people on both sides of the aisle (ADR vs non-ADR) being upset with how things play out.

I could definitely make that work, but like everything else at Disney it requires planning. If I knew I was going to be rolling back to the property at 7 I would have brought cheese and crackers and wine for the adults and Mac & cheese with nuggets for the kids ahead of time to the villa. I would put our name in at the podium and then head up to the room, feed the kids and let them watch tv until we get our text. When the adults order entrees I would order fancy desserts for the kids but ask the waiter to bring them to the table with the adult’s food. They’ll be elbow deep in chocolate while we eat. But that’s the beauty of have DVC vs. playing endless rounds of “eye spy” in the lobby waiting what feels like an eternity for that text.

 

[tjkraz]

I could definitely make that work, but like everything else at Disney it requires planning.

Well, that's the thing. It begs the question of which sort of planning is worse: planning far enough out (60 days) to have a firm time to dine, or rearranging schedule to be at the resort to walk to podium 2 hours before you want to dine.

And what if the wait is only 30 minutes? Or 3 hours? Or they tell guests 60 minutes but it ends up being 2.5 hours because enough people choose not to leave?

This is Disney's business and I certainly don't know any better. But I'm skeptical about how well this will play out in such a visible, high traffic location. The walk-up system works pretty well at Geyser Point and Three Rivers in large part because of the resorts' relative isolation. It's a LOT easier to get to Island Tower than either of those locations (monorail, boat, bus, walk from GF or TTC).

You may be OK just returning to villa to wait an undetermined time for table to be ready. Not sure how many others will feel the same. And if demand proves to exceed capacity on a regular basis, it's never something guests will be able to count on doing. Unless we're OK with it turning into another Trader Sams with 200 people on a waiting list by mid-afternoon.

 

[hockeydad21]

If someone gets a prime window table at 6pm, there's apparently nothing to keep them from camping until a 9pm fireworks show. I can see people on both sides of the aisle (ADR vs non-ADR) being upset with how things play out.

this would drive me crazy, and I can confidently say I would absolutely never do this. Eat your meal and go. Stop lingering at the table thus preventing others from eating. If you want to stay for the fireworks then get your check and go grab yourself a cocktail at the bar so you can enjoy from either the bar, the beach, or the lawn.

 

[mkatsy]

Well, that's the thing. It begs the question of which sort of planning is worse: planning far enough out (60 days) to have a firm time to dine, or rearranging schedule to be at the resort to walk to podium 2 hours before you want to dine.

And what if the wait is only 30 minutes? Or 3 hours? Or they tell guests 60 minutes but it ends up being 2.5 hours because enough people choose not to leave?

This is Disney's business and I certainly don't know any better. But I'm skeptical about how well this will play out in such a visible, high traffic location. The walk-up system works pretty well at Geyser Point and Three Rivers in large part because of the resorts' relative isolation. It's a LOT easier to get to Island Tower than either of those locations (monorail, boat, bus, walk from GF or TTC).

You may be OK just returning to villa to wait an undetermined time for table to be ready. Not sure how many others will feel the same. And if demand proves to exceed capacity on a regular basis, it's never something guests will be able to count on doing. Unless we're OK with it turning into another Trader Sams with 200 people on a waiting list by mid-afternoon.

There are two other restaurants on property that offer ADR and we frequently, and consistently, see complaints from on property guests that they are unable to secure dining reservations. I think it’s fair for Disney to try it a new way. If the system needs to correct itself down the road, then so be it. It is impossible to meet everyone’s needs or expectations. Personally, I see an advantage to this system, and I appreciate Disney’s willingness to try something different instead of plugging along with more of the same thing that generates so many complaints.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Interesting non-standard email from Disney I just received. Pretty much just the normal parking policy anyway, but actually in writing.

Important information about your visit to Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

Happy Holidays! Thank you for staying with us at Walt Disney World Resort®.

To help make sure you and all resort guests staying with us have enough parking and amenities, we’ll only be allowing guests listed on a resort room, dining or recreation reservation to park at the resort. Those with dining or recreation reservations will only be permitted to arrive two hours before their reservation time.

All others, including those visiting registered resort guests, will be asked to park nearby at a different location and take transportation to the resort.

We appreciate your understanding and hope you have a wonderful stay!

 

[Hubalorian]

There are two other restaurants on property that offer ADR and we frequently, and consistently, see complaints from on property guests that they are unable to secure dining reservations. I think it’s fair for Disney to try it a new way. If the system needs to correct itself down the road, then so be it. It is impossible to meet everyone’s needs or expectations. Personally, I see an advantage to this system, and I appreciate Disney’s willingness to try something different instead of plugging along with more of the same thing that generates so many complaints.

Won’t it also block anyone else except tower guests to park to at the Tower? If there are no ADRs, you can’t park at the Tower? Right?

 

[tjkraz]

There are two other restaurants on property that offer ADR and we frequently, and consistently, see complaints from on property guests that they are unable to secure dining reservations. I think it’s fair for Disney to try it a new way. If the system needs to correct itself down the road, then so be it. It is impossible to meet everyone’s needs or expectations. Personally, I see an advantage to this system, and I appreciate Disney’s willingness to try something different instead of plugging along with more of the same thing that generates so many complaints.

That's fair. The one objection I have to this is the idea that Kona Cafe is consistently booked. It isn't. Right now there's a ton of availability over the next 10 days, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Personally, I wonder if it would make more sense to make Wailulu ADRs and turn Kona into a walk-up.

 

[mkatsy]

Won’t it also block anyone else except tower guests to park to at the Tower? If there are no ADRs, you can’t park at the Tower? Right?

Correct Wailulu Bar & Grill will bring no increase to vehicles parked on property that’s a win