As I have noted many times, the “original “ plans for the Poly tower are much worse than what we have now - and Walt was a part of that design.
While I don’t love the final design as much as the design that would have matched the longhouses, I actively dislike the original tower design
Parks Blog actually touted this specific artwork as inspiration for the tower, but that original tower design was killed off pretty quickly.
Walt died in 1966. He didn't help design the Polynesian Resort, but he did pick the general location of the two resorts.
WED and Welton Becket & Associates designed both properties (along with the Asian, Persian and Venetian Resorts that were never built and other notable buildings including the Capital Records Building in LA).
I think the ultimate win for Disney would be to continue the restrictions (which I would hate), make it a new association with reciprocal property sharing rights, and price it extremely aggressively.
I don't think they care about selling out the resort. This is going to be last Seven Seas Lagoon project for awhile. So why price it aggressively?
We're going to rehash this same topic for the next 6-8 months. We can always go back to talking about Murphy bed mattresses I guess?
There's lots more to come including concept artwork for the interior and all these new amenity announcements I keep getting told are coming—the five star restaurant, the amazing infinity pool, new quick service dining, etc.
I suspect we will have some more leaks soon enough.
I suspect Disney may opt to add MK buses from Polynesian.
That would be such a selling point.
Mr. Monorail Bob Gurr said the new monorails were designed and had been ordered from Bombardier, but it would be a few years. Maybe once they get rid of ABC they'll make the final payment and get them delivered?
