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Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Tiki Terrace Preview

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File under: They must really need a drink. A couple Tiki Bar die-hards have actually been spotted waiting outside the future home of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Tiki Terrace inside the Polynesian Village Resort. Disney World just announced they’ll be waiting a bit longer as the official opening date is still not set. However, it’s expected to be sometime late-April with soft openings coming a bit sooner  (tomorrow). Apparently, they’re waiting for the themed Tiki souvenir glassware to arrive.

According to Disney,

Founded by Adventureland’s famous “head” salesman, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto has some similarities to the Anaheim original. But at Walt Disney World Resort, the magical theming reflects its new resort location. This enchanted South Seas hideaway welcomes guests to explore a menu of “magical tropical drinks and food,” and while this new version shares a few cocktails and small plates, Beverage Manager Brad Ward, Chef Lenny DeGeorge, and the Concept Development team have created new menu items just for the Walt Disney World Resort Trader Sam’s

Sounds great. I can’t wait to get inside either. I guess I’ll have to line up with everyone else. The good news is Disney did release a photo from inside the tiki bar and some shots of very delicious looking drinks and small-bites.

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Polynesian Village Resort Lobby Emerges After Long Refurbishment

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The Polynesian Village Resort Lobby has just come out of a long refurbishment in the middle of a resort wide set of improvements and DVC addition. We take a look around in this new video (note, stick around to the end for a little bonus):

I get what Disney’s hotel designers were trying to do with the remodeled lobby of the Polynesian. It’s lighter, more open, and, best of all, has this amazing vista of Cinderella Castle from the moment you park in valet all the way out the rear doors of the lobby heading toward the pool. It’s a wonderful effect and was totally worth getting rid of the giant waterfall for.

But that doesn’t mean they needed to go as generic as they did with the new water feature. It’s pretty basic. In fact, the whole thing feels slightly generic. The stores give some excitement around the edges, but the central part of the lobby feels very similar to every other large hotel on the planet.Read More »Polynesian Village Resort Lobby Emerges After Long Refurbishment

More changes announced for Disney’s Polynesian Resort

New Excitement at Disney's Polynesian

Disney mentioned changes coming to the Polynesian Resort at the What’s New What’s Next presentation earlier this month, now they’ve updated us with some additional information on what we can expect as the resort transitions.

As announced it will be getting a few DVC Suites as bungalows out over the water. To accommodate this change the name will revert back to its original 1971 opening-day name: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

Disney also announced a brand new children’s activity center called Club Disney will be opening at the resort next month. Imagineers drew inspiration from classic Disney Little Golden Books, including “Alice In Wonderland,” “Pinocchio” and “Lady and The Tramp” to make the play areas. Club Disney replaces the Neverland Club. Read More »More changes announced for Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Polynesian Resort – DVC Coming Soon? Lobby Refurb too?

There is currently a big brouhaha in the subset of the Disney fan community that feels closely connected to the spirit of Aloha that the Polynesian Resort typifies at Walt Disney World. A long rumored Disney vacation club addition and lobby remodel at the Great… Read More »Polynesian Resort – DVC Coming Soon? Lobby Refurb too?