Disney Trip Membership unveiled particulars for the Island Tower coming to Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows at Walt Disney World Resort. The tower is beneath building and projected to open in December 2024, though no actual opening date has been introduced. This shares the reserving dates in addition to contemporary idea artwork and renderings of the upcoming addition to the Poly.
Consistent with the prevailing theme of the resort (in line with Disney–undoubtedly to not me), the waterfront retreat will immerse visitors within the appeal of the South Pacific islands, the joys of exploration, and the fantastic thing about the pure world. The Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows will function a wide range of room sorts that can sleep from two to 9 visitors, similar to duo studios, spacious one and two-bedroom villas, and brand-new two-bedroom penthouse villas. The tower may also embody deluxe studio rooms, including to the deluxe studio rooms already obtainable on the Poly Villas.
“With beautiful 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 vice chairman 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 enduring property by Walt Disney Imagineering, additionally in line with 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 a wide range of native wildlife. Every animal holds a powerful connection to the islands and symbolizes values vital to the folks of the area.
The journey will proceed by way of 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 dwelling moss vegetation, Walt Disney Imagineering has partnered with numerous artists to create beautiful artistic endeavors influenced by the heritage of Polynesia and the spirit of conservation, with sprinkles of Disney magic woven all through.
“Our essential story narrative focuses on celebrating Polynesian wayfinding and the pure components of water, earth, wind and fireplace. In the course of the art work improvement, we targeted on three guiding ideas: Polynesian tales, sustainability tales and Disney tales. This new tower options works created by modern 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 targets whereas offering visitors with the expertise and options they count on from Disney Trip Membership. The tower is projected to make use of roughly 30 p.c much less vitality than a typical resort of an identical dimension by way of a wide range of measures, together with optimized heating and cooling programs, energy-efficient lighting, and the primary all-electric kitchen on Walt Disney World Resort property inside the tower’s restaurant.
Nearly all of the Island Tower was constructed off-site utilizing pre-fabrication strategies that assist reduce building 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 amenities that make a dedication to preserve and defend Florida’s pure sources.
Disney Trip Membership Members could have entry to lodge reservations for Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows starting on June 4 by contacting Member Providers at (800) 800-9800.
Be aware that that is for bookings with money, which means that members can pay the common rack charge for the Deluxe Villas, which can undoubtedly be astronomical. Disney Trip Membership members will be capable to make points-based reservations at a later date.
Likewise, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will be capable to e-book starting June 5, 2024 by contacting (407) 934-7639.
All visitors can e-book on-line or by contacting (407) 934-7639 starting on June 6, 2024. Each APs and most people may also, 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 adjustments something for me, and I actually don’t wish to beat a useless horse since I’ve already yammered on about this at size within the commentary to our essential put up in regards to the Poly Tower.
The within does nothing for me. I suppose I respect using 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 plenty of Gran Destino Tower–a lodge 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 a bit of 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 the whole lot 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 totally different than that idea that had a tower on the coronary heart of the Polynesian. It might 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 technique, with a purposeful design and structure–and no tower. Now it’s getting a tower on the periphery, and in a unique type. Is it not apparent how that’s totally different?
If the Island Tower weren’t being wedged in between the Grand Floridian and Polynesian, perpetually altering the ‘skyline’ of the monorail loop, I wouldn’t have practically as a lot situation with it. If this very same design had been being constructed out on Western Manner close to Coronado or the All Stars, it will be tremendous. Nonetheless not my favourite type, however I’d be keen to provide it the advantage of the doubt after being pleasantly shocked by Gran Destino Tower. From the skin, this seems to be higher than that! The problem right here is all about the place it’s going–what’s round and “related” to it.
Alongside related strains, it must be apparent how this differs from Aulani, which can also be a tower resort, however was master-planned and has visible cohesion consequently. That is extra just like the ex put up facto additions of Gran Destino and Riviera Resorts. Despite the fact that I don’t love the outside look of Gran Destino, not less than it has turn into the point of interest of Coronado Springs. It’s not excellent, however Imagineering actually made lemonade out of lemons there. (The stakes had been additionally decrease–Coronado Springs was not beloved neither is it park-adjacent.) I don’t see how that’ll conceivably be doable 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 turn into…much less tall? Extra centralized? Someway a longhouse? Consistent with the visible identification of the Poly, regardless of all indicators on the contrary within the idea artwork?
Clearly, I don’t assume the development we’re seeing proper now’s the completed product. This Island Tower is just not going to be a plain concrete massive field. I assume it’ll resemble the idea artwork, and I’m making my critiques on that foundation, not that of unfinished building.
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 House 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 undertaking. The rooms will undoubtedly be good, marrying kind and performance similar to all the different current DVC rooms–that are glorious. 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 trying ahead to staying on the Island Tower. Possibly that makes me a hypocrite, however me “protesting” by staying away isn’t going to get the tower unbuilt. Not solely that, nevertheless 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 unbelievable in some regards, however nonetheless less than Imagineering’s excessive requirements for themed design. To every their very own, although, so for those who’re excited for this and assume it’s an amazing 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 charge as quickly as reservations open, or will you await 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 will 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 under within the feedback!
