If you’re like me and think there’s nothing that screams “vacation” more than a stay at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World, then I have some great news.
The new Island Tower being built at Disney’s Polynesian on the side of the resort nearest Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is now projected to open to guests in December 2024. Along with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and the new cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort coming this summer, this is one of the biggest additions to Walt Disney World this year.
As part of Disney Vacation Club, reservations will be available first to DVC members beginning June 4, then to Disney annual passholders June 5 before they are opened for all June 6. As with all DVC resorts, you don’t have to book a stay with DVC points that you own (or rent); you can also book stays with cash just like you would for Disney’s other resort hotels. In fact, in a somewhat unusual order of events, at least at first, only cash stays will be bookable to DVC members and non-members alike.
This new 10-story tower won’t just open up more rooms for guests at the Polynesian. It will also introduce, for the first time, some additional room sizes and types. Similar to many of the other recent DVC developments, including The Villas at Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Riviera Resort, the new tower will offer small duo studios for just two guests, deluxe studios (most similar in size to the existing rooms), one-bedroom villas, two-bedroom villas and two-bedroom penthouse villas that sleep up to nine guests.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will continue to have the existing two-bedroom overwater bungalows that are also bookable with (a lot) of cash or DVC points.
Related: How to rent Disney Vacation Club points and save hundreds of dollars on your vacation
When it comes to styling, it appears that the new development will have a somewhat distinct look and feel from the existing Polynesian structures. For starters, it is one large hotel building rather than the multiple smaller longhouses that the Polynesian has traditionally used.
Beyond that, Disney shared that the architecture draws inspiration from the property’s early concept art and references the thrill of exploration and the beauty of the natural world in regard to the design and feel of the resort.
More specifically, in the tower’s lobby, you can expect a ceiling art installation inspired by South Pacific islands that highlights a variety of native wildlife, with each animal symbolizing a connection to the islands and values important to the people from that region.
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Additionally, Disney shared that it leaned into Polynesian wayfinding and the natural elements of water, earth, wind and fire in the styling of the new tower. It will feature artwork from contemporary Polynesian artists, along with some art that gives subtle nods to both “Moana” (which is also true of the existing Polynesian rooms) and Disney’s iconic artist, Mary Blair, whose work is prominent in the lobby mural of Disney’s Contemporary Resort as well.
Related: The best Disney World hotels for your stay
While Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort purists may have some feelings about the departure from the traditional architecture and styling at the resort, others are likely excited for more lodging size options and the ability to book modern, all-new rooms at one of the most popular monorail resorts at Walt Disney World.
We’ll update you on new amenities and pricing in both cash and DVC points as that information becomes available.
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