Now open, the next iteration of the Disney Vacation Club has been added onto Disney’s Polynesian Village Villas & Bungalows. Already one of the most popular Disney Resorts in the world, this new 10 story tower promises a continuation of the Polynesian Village Resort storytelling and fantastic views of Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom.
Everything You Need To Know about Disney’s Island Tower DVC hotel
In a quick synopsis, this hotel expansion offers:
- Wailulu Bar & Grill
- Moana’s Voyage, a kid’s water splash pad
- Cove Pool, with a sandy beach area and whirlpool spa
- Four Tropical Terrace Hideaways, lounge spaces with views over Walt Disney World
- Five accommodation types, including the all new Two Bedroom Penthouse Villas
- Monorail, boat and bus transportation to the Walt Disney World parks
Disney Island Tower construction update
With less than one month until opening, the Imagineers were on overdrive. Before the opening, Disney needed to add in landscaping and final details. While we cannot see inside of all the rooms, we can see lighting is installed. We can also see partially into some areas of the building and work is on the finalizing phase (from what we can see from across Seven Seas Lagoon).
“Welcome Home” lobby and details
Disney has openly expressed that the Island Tower DVC expansion will have Polynesian and Moana-inspired designs. Disney states, “Step inside to encounter a stunningly beautiful lobby that pays homage to the art of wayfinding and the natural elements that navigators relied on to make their way home…With an abundance of tropical-themed spaces that evoke the adventurous spirit of Polynesia, Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows is the perfect place to create unforgettable memories with your family, year after year.”
In the image above we can see some of those design elements have been installed. The hanging garden can be seen already prepped in the lobby area. The concept art suggests a lounge area with excess natural light and second floor glass walkways. A big selling feature of the Island Tower is its views of Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom.
Another view of the lobby shows us that the carved wooden pillars appear complete. For now they are being protected from other work projects in the area. Once again in the concept image, we can see that an abundance of natural light is a large part of this hotel’s design.
Expanding Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
This isn’t the first time that Disney has expanded Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Prior to this was another hotel expansion, but this one was over the water. The Bungalows are an extremely popular accommodation at Walt Disney World. The Polynesian Bungalows average a nightly rate of over $3,000.
This Island Tower expansion is yet another buildout of the resort. But this expansion did involve the destruction of the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show – a longstanding favorite of hotel visitors. For those looking for a dinner show, Disney does still offer the famous Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. And, over at the Universal Orlando Resort, there is The Wantilan Luau.
Some online have expressed disdain over the tower’s size compared to the nearby structures of the resort. But it is interesting to note that this isn’t a new idea. In fact, Walt Disney Imagineers had plans to build a large tower at the resort, with original concepts dating back to the 1970’s.
Tropical Hideaway Terrace, possibly the best new view at Walt Disney World
I don’t know about you reader, but I am a huge fan of Disney’s lounges. Starting with Walt Disney himself, Disney Parks have always been good about making places to just “exist.” From lounges to park benches, spots to sit on Disneyland’s Main Street USA or a good hotel escape, the Imagineers get it.
Of all the offerings for this new Island Tower, I am most excited about the Tropical Hideaway Terraces. Four individual areas to sit, relax, read a book, see a firework show, enjoy family time or enjoy alone time. The relaxing part is up to you – with the hardest decision being which terrace do you visit.
We can see some of these areas already, and they are calling my name. These Tropical Hideaway Terraces won’t be focused on food and drinks (at least, Disney has never expressed that food sales would happen here). Instead, these hideaways will be spots to sit and enjoy the Florida warmth, views and hopefully a nice tropical breeze.
Preserving nature and building sustainably
Disney also has a pretty unique story with some of the foliage guests can enjoy at the Island Tower. As stated by Symantha King of the Disney Parks Blog, “During construction of the tower addition, a tree dating back to Walt Disney World Resort’s opening day was preserved and relocated. A Ficus aurea, also known as a Florida Strangler Fig, and the unique Sabal palm growing within it, were identified as the most unique trees across the resort and have been part of many guests’ most-cherished moments at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Now relocated at the resort, guests can continue to enjoy the tree during future visits.”
In fact, even the carpet is a technological breakthrough for recycling. Plastics have been re-used to create a silk-like material for the room’s carpet. Work such as this has aligned Disney’s Island Tower to be part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Lodging program.
Earlier in the article we spoke about Disney’s Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. Did you know it is over 50 years old and still going strong? Checkout why guests have visited this all-you-care-to-enjoy dinner and show for half a century.
