Polynesian Island Tower | My Very Honest Thoughts

[@disneyworldvacationer]

I love the look of the lobby and having more Polynesian to explore, but it doesn’t take the place of staying at the classic Polynesian for me. I will be staying there in a few weeks to review and make my final decision of what I think. What do you think of the new Island Tower?

[@biancar481]

Honestly, the more you spoke of the drawbacks, the more I anticipate my upcoming stay. I like minimalist design, quiet lobbies, no gift shop, and a feeling of upscale exclusivity. But I agree that the pool is uninspiring.

[@disneyworldvacationer]

@@biancar481 😆 I’m glad you are excited to stay there! I am also excited too but am expecting to not be won over. Hope I am wrong. But alot of people will love it as I am sure you will. Especially the people who love Riviera and Grand Destino which aren’t my preferences either. The fact that you can use all the amenities of the Polynesian no matter if you stay in the tower or the longhouse makes the pool a non-issue too!

[@kediloaf]

Really thoughtful takes. Not everyone will share your POV but you’re credible and fair.

[@disneyworldvacationer]

@@kediloaf Thank you!

[@jtimko2196]

The lack of amenities is strange. Everything at the main poly will now be even more crowded. Pool, captain cooks, monorail, etc.

[@disneyworldvacationer]

@@jtimko2196 Yeah that main lava pool is already crazy crowded, they really should have done more with the new pool area. I always come back to thinking about the Grand Floridian DVC building which was made very similar to this and they didn’t even add a quiet pool like the Poly Tower has and seems fine however the Polynesian will be WAY more popular. It may get to a point where Disney is forced to add an expansion to not only the pool area but the transportation. I have heard they are taking a wait and see approach. Tomorrow’s opening will be exciting to watch!

[@brooksfire9580]

Very good review. No Tiki Torches is a bummer, but I LOVE the lobby and I'm glad they did not add a gift shop. I'm glad it will be quieter. I'm also looking forward to how the fireworks, pumped in music and the water parade look in this, because you don't get to see the entire water parade in Moorea, and you don't get to hear the fireworks music as it's not pumped in. And the boats are noisy - should be less noisy here. Love the garden terraces, love that the pool is so close.

[@disneyworldvacationer]

@@brooksfire9580 Great point about the water pageant and boat noise. This will be a peaceful and more exclusive feeling part of the Poly and that is exciting.

[@arlenemadden8707]

First, thank you for the video and your prospectus. The new tower reminds me of BLT, but at least it’s has a bar and restaurant. I think the tower is beautiful. As a DVC owner I prefer the stand alone Properties not associated with a deluxe hotel, like Rivera, SSR and Old Key West. I am not fond of my DVC villa sharing space with a busy hotel. I guess I am a DVC snob. I think I will like staying there. I like the the light colors with the splashes of color. I like that it has its own pool and a restaurant/bar. And of course the separation from the Poly’s public spaces. I stayed at Aulani in September, it’s beautiful but I don’t care for the dark wood and colors. I also stayed in a Poly Deluxe studio in 2022 and I found it nice, but far from everything. What great about DVC is there are properties for everyone’s tastes. Thanks again for sharing this video. I am looking forward to staying there soon. Aloha🌸🌺

[@disneyworldvacationer]

@@arlenemadden8707 Yeah it’s great that there are so many diverse options for DVC. You hit the nail on the head as far as those properties you listed, I don’t like staying at any of them except for SSR so it makes sense if you like those, you will definitely like this tower too. I’m happy they added on to the Polynesian and didn’t replace it. No matter if you want to stay at a dvc property, it’s awesome as an owner to explore them all. We are so lucky! Thanks for watching!

[@tomcaron9113]

Have a waitlist for March but chances of getting in are slim to none. I like what I’ve seen in the videos, especially the rooms and lower restaurant. Plenty of pool options at the main hotel.

[@disneyworldvacationer]

@@tomcaron9113 What resort do you currently have booked? I have had waitlists come through at the 30 day mark on really tough to get places since people have to cancel by then before getting their points placed into “holding”. March isn’t a very sought after month and DVC is still adding Island Tower room inventory (all the points haven’t been officially declared yet) so you still have a decent chance of getting in.

[@thomaswynne3589]

Thanks for the review, very honest and fair. My biggest dissapointment has to be the pool, was really expecting something special and unique, after coming back from Aulani I can't say that I'll stay in the tower. The cost just doesn't justify it.

[@disneyworldvacationer]

@@thomaswynne3589 yeah the pool is a missed opportunity but no matter whether you stay at the tower or the original, it’s reassuring to know you can use all the amenities. Aulani’s pool complex will never be beat. I’ll tell you what though, after staying at Aulani, I still prefer the original Polynesian. The ambiance since my first visit to the Polynesian in 2012 really connected with me. The pool area was the only thing I liked better at Aulani. Aulani reminded me more of Animal Kingdom Lodge with an ocean instead of a savannah.

[@theresawolski3255]

Look forward to your thoughts on the room and the differences and comparisons you talk about. Thank you for sharing. I just subscribed. If you can please, try out the restaurant and let us know your feelings on their offerings and the food itself.

[@disneyworldvacationer]

@@theresawolski3255 Will do, thank you so much! I remember visiting the Grand Floridian years ago and thinking “it’s nice but I don’t want to stay here”. Fast forward to today where it is a very close 2nd to my favorite place to stay 😆 . So I am very curious how I will feel when I actually stay at the Island Tower and try the food.

[@firstlast1732]

Most of the customers I deal with that check out at any Disney hotel these days always filled with complaints and tell me how they’re never coming back

[@firstlast1732]

I’m a cast member been working at Disney for 12 years I have not seen so much negative response internally nobody likes it the customers are all complaining upper management loves it but everybody else hates it

[@yoopergamer2121]

Exactly my thoughts as well. Just looks like another Marriott to me no theming at all. The other main issue is that the Main poly restaurants are already oversaturated. This will just add to the misery. Captain Cook’s is a nightmare to get food at at high volume times as it’s the only place on site for quick service.

[@disneyworldvacationer]

@@yoopergamer2121 Yeah I am so curious to see how Captain Cooks and the transportation are going to be affected. I’m thinking after about a couple months, Disney will announce changes/expansions whether its more busses and stops sharing it between the Grand and the Poly to adding a temporary food cart to the Island Tower while they build a Captain Cooks 2.

[@yoopergamer2121]

@@disneyworldvacationer yeah they will have to do something. It’s already overloaded from the years of expansions at the main poly itself. Now you just added this big tower it’s going to be insane.

[@CruisingWithElena]

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[@CruisingWithElena]

I’ll be staying soon. I’m like u it looks beautiful and hyped up but I don’t like towers they scare me anything about 4 levels. I don’t like heights due to toddler. I also don’t feel it’s classic Disney it’s new Disney. And I like Hawaiian feel not Aluani where big tower hotel feel. I like lower views the classic feel in the art of it. I agree about the store no store will make it very quiet I’m disappointed in splash pad it’s minimal after 2 mins my kid will be bored. I like the design but it feel neutral still . I love the poly rooms regular area color scheme is nice.

[@disneyworldvacationer]

@@CruisingWithElena Definitely agree. I’m glad its an addition to the original Polynesian and not replacing it. Excited to see it still.

[@camel1blue]

The tower is all electric no gas for the torches.

[@disneyworldvacationer]

@@camel1blue *update* the wailulu bar and grill has an all electric kitchen. Not the Tower itself.

[@neilengel3715]

My god how hideous!

[@brooksfire9580]

If you want hideous - look at the 2 new universal hotels - Stella Nova and Terra Luna. They look to be from the 1970s or 1980s. The Poly Tower is very classy and nice.