We recently stopped by Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to check in a major construction project that is remaking the hotel’s main entrance. The hotel is popular with guests due to the tropical feel guests get from the moment they arrive until departure. We arrived via… Read More »Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort building new entrance to Grand Ceremonial House, Monorail Station
We were lucky enough to have a brief introduction to the Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto by the food and beverage team at Polynesian Village. We even had an appearance by the Tiki Goddess Uh-Oa! Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is the latest addition to the newly… Read More »An Introduction to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village
The Polynesian Villas & Bungalows just opened as the 14th resort in the Disney Vacation Club. Join us as we tour one of the Bora Bora Bungalows. It sleeps 8 and features one of the most prime locations in all of Walt Disney World.
The villas are completely new, but they look and feel like they could have been there since 1971. Yes, there is new technology inside (flat screen TVs and a modern kitchen and bath), but you do feel transported back in time immediately upon entering.
As a fan of mid-century architecture and design, I love the look of the Villas. Add in the Tiki elements and I want to move in immediately. Disney recreated some great Mary Blair-esque graphics and brought in Jody Daily and Kevin Kidney to create a unique piece of art that includes the Orange Bird and other Walt Disney World icons. Plus there are other Tiki themed works from the Kidney’s in the kitchen.
I’ve also included a gallery featuring some of the details I wasn’t able to capture on the video tour.
Read More »Walk-Through Tour of Disney’s new Bora Bora Bungalows at the Polynesian Village DVC Resort
After a small opening ceremony last night, Disney’s latest resort is welcoming it’s first guests today. The Polynesian Villas & Bungalows are the 14th resort to join the Disney Vacation club portfolio.
Offering 360 Deluxe Studio accommodations (opening in phases through summer 2015) and 20 over-the-water Bungalows, the new resort delivers the spirit of the South Pacific along with fun Disney touches to create a vacation experience that only Disney can provide. Nestled along the shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon, the resort is a quick monorail ride from the enchanting Magic Kingdom Park and steps away from the world-class amenities of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, one of the original Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
“This is truly a stunning addition to the Disney Vacation Club portfolio,” said Ken Potrock, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Disney Vacation Club. “Research has told us that Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is one of our most beloved Walt Disney World Resort hotels. As a result, we integrated a new Disney Vacation Club resort that stays true to the original character of this spectacular and iconic property.”
The Deluxe Studios at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows are the largest at Walt Disney World Resort, sleeping five guests each. Each features tropical décor complete with striking prints, bamboo-style fixtures, a whimsical hidden pull-down bed and a split bathroom perfect for families. The Deluxe Studios also offer the flexibility of connecting to an adjacent room.Read More »Disney adds Polynesian Villas & Bungalows to its DVC lineup
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.
Read More »Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Tiki Terrace Preview
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
With both the Contemporary and Grand Floridian getting Disney Vacation Club exclusive extensions, it was only a matter of time before the “worst kept secret” made its way to the Polynesian too. Unlike the other two projects on the resort monorail loop, there is no new dedicated wing, instead there will be remodeled rooms and new bungalows that are perched out over the Seven Seas Lagoon.
We have watched as the Bungalows were constructed, but we finally have a better idea of what they’ll look like, what the floor plan will be, and what a stay will cost.
Each of the 20 Bungalows will sleep 8 in 1093 sq. ft pacific island design themed luxury. But it’s a tight floorplan with 4 of those beds either murphy or pullout beds. Read More »Walt Disney World is almost ready to add a new DVC Property
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