Disney Trip Membership unveiled particulars for the Island Tower coming to Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows at Walt Disney World Resort. The tower is underneath development and projected to open in December 2024, though no actual opening date has been introduced. This shares the reserving dates in addition to recent idea artwork and renderings of the upcoming addition to the Poly.
In line with the prevailing theme of the resort (based on Disney–positively to not me), the waterfront retreat will immerse friends within the allure of the South Pacific islands, the joys of exploration, and the great thing about the pure world. The Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows will characteristic quite a lot of room varieties that can sleep from two to 9 friends, equivalent to duo studios, spacious one and two-bedroom villas, and brand-new two-bedroom penthouse villas. The tower will even embody deluxe studio rooms, including to the deluxe studio rooms already accessible on the Poly Villas.
“With gorgeous views of Magic Kingdom Park and exquisite interiors that deliver you into the storytelling of the South Pacific Islands, the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows might be a spectacular addition to Walt Disney World Resort proper within the coronary heart of the magic,” mentioned Invoice Diercksen, senior vp and basic supervisor of Disney Trip Membership.
The brand new 10-story Island Tower’s structure will pull inspiration from early idea artwork of the long-lasting property by Walt Disney Imagineering, additionally based on Disney. This growth will unlock a brand new expertise on the resort, starting with an beautiful ceiling artwork set up within the tower’s foyer impressed by the South Pacific Islands and showcasing quite a lot of native wildlife. Every animal holds a robust connection to the islands and symbolizes values essential to the folks of the area.
The journey will proceed via the foyer as larger-than-life art work will deliver the spirit of the islands to life. From sculptures crafted from recycled fishing nets to chandeliers constructed of residing moss vegetation, Walt Disney Imagineering has partnered with numerous artists to create gorgeous artistic endeavors influenced by the heritage of Polynesia and the spirit of conservation, with sprinkles of Disney magic woven all through.
“Our most important story narrative focuses on celebrating Polynesian wayfinding and the pure components of water, earth, wind and hearth. Through the art work growth, we targeted on three guiding ideas: Polynesian tales, sustainability tales and Disney tales. This new tower options works created by up to date Polynesian artists in addition to art work that includes delicate nods to ‘Moana’ and Disney Legend Mary Blair,” mentioned Walt Disney Imagineer Madeline Day.
The Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows aligns with Disney’s 2030 environmental objectives whereas offering friends with the expertise and options they anticipate from Disney Trip Membership. The tower is projected to make use of roughly 30 % much less vitality than a typical resort of an analogous measurement via quite a lot of measures, together with optimized heating and cooling techniques, energy-efficient lighting, and the primary all-electric kitchen on Walt Disney World Resort property throughout the tower’s restaurant.
The vast majority of the Island Tower was constructed off-site utilizing pre-fabrication strategies that assist reduce development waste. Like Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, the tower might be part of the Florida Division of Environmental Safety’s Inexperienced Lodging program, which acknowledges lodging services that make a dedication to preserve and defend Florida’s pure assets.
Disney Trip Membership Members could have entry to resort reservations for Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows starting on June 4 by contacting Member Providers at (800) 800-9800.
Word that that is for bookings with money, which means that members can pay the common rack price for the Deluxe Villas, which can undoubtedly be astronomical. Disney Trip Membership members will be capable of make points-based reservations at a later date.
Likewise, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will be capable of ebook starting June 5, 2024 by contacting (407) 934-7639.
All friends can ebook on-line or by contacting (407) 934-7639 starting on June 6, 2024. Each APs and most of the people will even, clearly, be reserving money charges on the Island Tower.
Turning to commentary, I’m not a fan of the Island Tower. Nothing in regards to the new idea artwork or renderings modifications something for me, and I actually don’t wish to beat a lifeless horse since I’ve already yammered on about this at size within the commentary to our most important publish in regards to the Poly Tower.
The within does nothing for me. I suppose I respect the usage of textures and patterns, however that’s about the one optimistic I can muster. In any other case, it’s overly beige and boring, virtually the antithesis of the vibrancy of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. It jogs my memory lots of Gran Destino Tower–a resort I’ve admittedly come to understand from a sensible perspective–however one key distinction is the purported themes of the respective resorts.
What I’ll add is that it bugs me greater than just a little that Disney is evoking plans that by no means made it off the drafting board to argue that this completes the unique imaginative and prescient for the Polynesian Resort, as if every part from the previous is robotically good. (In the meantime, each change away from Disney’s previous that truly was realized is justified with a Walt quote about ahead momentum. Ironic.) For me, such a protection is counterproductive, revealing that the substance of the factor can not communicate for itself. If it might, why not simply let its deserves make the argument?
Past that, that is very completely different than that idea that had a tower on the coronary heart of the Polynesian. It will be one factor to have a quasi-tower with bungalows radiating out from it. That’s not what that is. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort was already constructed a method, with a purposeful design and structure–and no tower. Now it’s getting a tower on the periphery, and in a distinct fashion. Is it not apparent how that’s completely different?
If the Island Tower weren’t being wedged in between the Grand Floridian and Polynesian, ceaselessly altering the ‘skyline’ of the monorail loop, I wouldn’t have almost as a lot subject with it. If this very same design have been being constructed out on Western Approach close to Coronado or the All Stars, it could be wonderful. Nonetheless not my favourite fashion, however I’d be keen to present it the advantage of the doubt after being pleasantly shocked by Gran Destino Tower. From the surface, this seems to be higher than that! The difficulty right here is all about the place it’s going–what’s round and “linked” to it.
Alongside related strains, it needs to be apparent how this differs from Aulani, which can be a tower resort, however was master-planned and has visible cohesion because of this. That is extra just like the ex publish facto additions of Gran Destino and Riviera Resorts. Despite the fact that I don’t love the outside look of Gran Destino, at the least it has grow to be the point of interest of Coronado Springs. It’s not excellent, however Imagineering actually made lemonade out of lemons there. (The stakes have been additionally decrease–Coronado Springs was not beloved neither is it park-adjacent.) I don’t see how that’ll conceivably be potential right here.
It’s additionally amusing to me the variety of Walt Disney World followers who’re advocating for a “wait and see” strategy with the Island Tower on the Poly. As if it’s going to grow to be…much less tall? Extra centralized? By some means a longhouse? In line with the visible id of the Poly, regardless of all indicators on the contrary within the idea artwork?
Clearly, I don’t suppose the development we’re seeing proper now’s the completed product. This Island Tower isn’t going to be a plain concrete huge field. I assume it’ll resemble the idea artwork, and I’m making my critiques on that foundation, not that of unfinished development.
On the finish of the day, none of this issues. The Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows may very well be themed to a Residence Depot or jail and it’d nonetheless promote like hotcakes. Clearly, it’ll be higher than that, and I say that whilst a critic of the cash-grab mission. The rooms will undoubtedly be good, marrying type and performance identical to the entire different latest DVC rooms–that are wonderful. The situation close to Magic Kingdom, connection to the beloved Poly, and trendy rooms and facilities will all make the Island Tower a simple promote.
Heck, I’m wanting ahead to staying on the Island Tower. Perhaps that makes me a hypocrite, however me “protesting” by staying away isn’t going to get the tower unbuilt. Not solely that, however it being a compelling resort from a usability perspective doesn’t imply it’s well-themed or appropriately-placed, nor does that invalidate critique of the identical. Each might be true! Issues might be wildly profitable and even implausible in some regards, however nonetheless lower than Imagineering’s excessive requirements for themed design. To every their very own, although, so in case you’re excited for this and suppose it’s an ideal addition to the Magic Kingdom ‘skyline,’ then extra energy to you.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Will you be reserving the Island Tower by way of a money price as quickly as reservations open, or will you anticipate availability with factors? Are you optimistic or pessimistic in regards to the Island Tower being added to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!