by Beth Keating
News/Commentary
DisneyBizJournal.com
May 12, 2024
Love it or hate it – the new DVC (Disney Vacation Club) building at Disney’s Polynesian finally has an official name. It’s Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, and it is projected to open in December 2024, though guests in various categories will be able to begin booking stays in June.
Disney says the new hotel “will take you on a storytelling journey that brings to life the spirit of Polynesia.”
This more modern looking 10-story tower is located on the shores of the Magic Kingdom’s Seven Seas Lagoon, and that is part of the controversy surrounding this facility with Disney fans. A quick ride across the lagoon on the Disney ferry boats to the Magic Kingdom, or a spin around the monorail tracks, will provide you with a glimpse of the nearly completed hotel, sandwiched between two existing Disney Deluxe resorts.
And therein lies the rub – the new building towers (no pun intended) over its mother resort, Polynesian Village Resort, with its low-slung longhouses, and looks even more out of place next to the grandeur of the stately old Victorian, Grand Floridian. The artist renderings provided by Disney leave those other resorts out of frame, but those who have seen, in person, the construction in progress are often taken aback at the incongruity.
Perhaps we will eventually get used to this change to the shoreline, but for now this blip to the horizon sticks out like a sore thumb. Hopefully, when Island Tower is complete, it will have some of the more themed imagery we’ve come to expect from the deluxe resorts, like the soaring majesty of the National Parks ambiance at Wilderness Lodge, or the safari-bound atmosphere of Animal Kingdom Lodge, rather than an upscale chain representative that is better suited to Hotel Plaza Boulevard. Disney has provided a few new renderings in the meantime.
While the outside of the new building feels more indicative of the contemporary vibe Disney has been reaching for lately (Hello, EPCOT World Celebration Plaza gardens?), the interior of the building promises to have some intriguing artwork, including preserved moss walls and sculptures made from recycled fishing nets, with creations from over a dozen artists from around the world. Disney shares that each piece “will be inspired by the spirit of conservation and embody the rich cultures of Polynesia.” In the lobby, a large art panel installation on the ceiling will showcase wildlife native to the Polynesian Islands. “Each animal holds a strong connection to the islands and symbolizes values important to Polynesians,” explains Disney. A Manta Ray symbolizing “freedom, protection and grace” will adorn the building’s exterior.
Details, amenities, dining opportunities, and prices are still to come, but Island Tower will feature a variety of room types that will sleep from two to nine guests. Included are duo studios, one- and two-bedroom villas, and brand-new two-bedroom penthouse villas.
Guests can begin booking rooms very soon, with the following release dates:
• June 4: Disney Vacation Club members can make early rental reservations by contacting Member Services at (800) 800-9800. Disney Vacation Club members will be able to make points-based reservations at a later date.
• June 5: Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can start booking rental reservations by contacting (407) 934-7639.
• June 6: All guests can make reservations online or by contacting (407) 934-7639.
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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.
Get The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution by Ray Keating. More information at
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