Island Tower at Polynesian Villas and Bungalows

[TheHolleys87]

More information posted this morning about the new tower at the Poly. I think the lobby looks beautiful, and I just hope the points chart and availability allow us to stay there once! I do think they could have done better with the name, though.

NEW Addition at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

Get a peek at the new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, projected to open in December 2024.

disneyparks.disney.go.com

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

Online, a lot of people said the PVB tower was ugly, but they were looking at the not-yet-finished exterior. I would not be surprised if people said the same thing about Aulani while it was being built. Others said DVC should stop building, but the truth is, there is a huge demand for more suites closer to the Magic Kingdom (MK). I think DVC saw success when they built/opened Bay Lake Towers (BLT) as it is a suite-based timeshare with a monorail stop, as well as a character breakfast/dinner (not cheap).

As a side note, other than your shoes (or ECV if you use one), the two most reliable forms of transportation at WDW are the monorail and buses. I've been driving buses (after training) since New Year's Day, and only once did the monorails shut down. The Skyliner shuts down in high winds and/or thunderstorms. and was shut down for several weeks for maintenance earlier this year. Boats are restricted either in heavy thunderstorms or drought. When the monorail shuts down, two bus lines are activated, one goes from MK to TTC (parking), the other goes to all the MK resorts (Contemporary, PVB, and Grand Floridian). If both of the ferries shut down, same thing, the MK - TTC bus route is put into service.

TS

 

[carlbarry]

What's a "duo studio"? Nobody knows. If it's like at Grand Floridian, and there is no microwave oven and no refrigerator (only a "beverage cooler") I would have a big problem staying there.

 

[TheHolleys87]

What's a "duo studio"? Nobody knows. If it's like at Grand Floridian, and there is no microwave oven and no refrigerator (only a "beverage cooler") I would have a big problem staying there.

It’s like the Tower Studios at RIV and the Duo Studios at VDH - capacity limited to two people plus one infant in a crib. They’re tiny, have a Murphy queen bed so if the bed’s down there’s no couch, no kitchenette, just a coffee pot and tiny beverage cooler. There are only 8 at RIV, and they’re very popular! I don’t think we’d like them, but then again we don’t like regular studios either, so….

BTW, the Resort Studios at VGF, the new ones in BPK, are not duo studios. They have 2 queen beds and a daybed, so they sleep 5, plus a microwave, toaster and beverage cooler.

 

[carlbarry]

It’s like the Tower Studios at RIV and the Duo Studios at VDH - capacity limited to two people plus one infant in a crib. They’re tiny, have a Murphy queen bed so if the bed’s down there’s no couch, no kitchenette, just a coffee pot and tiny beverage cooler. There are only 8 at RIV, and they’re very popular! I don’t think we’d like them, but then again we don’t like regular studios either, so….

BTW, the Resort Studios at VGF, the new ones in BPK, are not duo studios. They have 2 queen beds and a daybed, so they sleep 5, plus a microwave, toaster and beverage cooler.

I called DVC this morning to make a waitlist. I asked the CM about the "duo studios." She put me on hold, and came back and said there is no further information yet. BUT she did say all refurbished DVC studios now will have a "beverage cooler" instead of a mini-fridge, and "a mini-fridge can't be requested, and if there is a medical need contact bell services."
Which stinks as far as I'm concerned. I need to bring most of my own food due to religious dietary restrictions, and I need a place to safely keep them frozen during my stay. That's why I like a timeshare vs. a motel room.

 

[TheHolleys87]

I called DVC this morning to make a waitlist. I asked the CM about the "duo studios." She put me on hold, and came back and said there is no further information yet. BUT she did say all refurbished DVC studios now will have a "beverage cooler" instead of a mini-fridge, and "a mini-fridge can't be requested, and if there is a medical need contact bell services."
Which stinks as far as I'm concerned. I need to bring most of my own food due to religious dietary restrictions, and I need a place to safely keep them frozen during my stay. That's why I like a timeshare vs. a motel room.

I agree - I think having only beverage coolers in DVC studios is terrible, even though I understand the mini fridges with freezer compartments were a problem to maintain (costing us as owners higher member fees).

I do think you should email DVC via the member website, or maybe even directly to Member Satisfaction at dvcmembersatisfactionteam@disneyvacationclub.com and copy the DVC VP, Vill Diercksen, at william.c.diercksen@disney.com, tell them of your need for a real refrigerator for religious, not medical, reasons, and ask how to obtain one every time you stay in a DVC studio.

 

[noreenkate]

I think the new tower is gorgeous- but at the same time it’s dose not match Poly the theme. I used to refer to CBR ( Caribbean beach ) as poly- lite but the new tower is poly- lighter IMO

I don’t know but I dislike the non- poly feel

 

[chriskre]

Online, a lot of people said the PVB tower was ugly, but they were looking at the not-yet-finished exterior. I would not be surprised if people said the same thing about Aulani while it was being built. Others said DVC should stop building, but the truth is, there is a huge demand for more suites closer to the Magic Kingdom (MK). I think DVC saw success when they built/opened Bay Lake Towers (BLT) as it is a suite-based timeshare with a monorail stop, as well as a character breakfast/dinner (not cheap).

As a side note, other than your shoes (or ECV if you use one), the two most reliable forms of transportation at WDW are the monorail and buses. I've been driving buses (after training) since New Year's Day, and only once did the monorails shut down. The Skyliner shuts down in high winds and/or thunderstorms. and was shut down for several weeks for maintenance earlier this year. Boats are restricted either in heavy thunderstorms or drought. When the monorail shuts down, two bus lines are activated, one goes from MK to TTC (parking), the other goes to all the MK resorts (Contemporary, PVB, and Grand Floridian). If both of the ferries shut down, same thing, the MK - TTC bus route is put into service.

TS

Just stayed at BLT and they have a pedestrian path right under the monorail straight into MK.
Just cross a little street and into a small security checkpoint and you're in.
Very convenient if it isn't raining.
On the way home it was raining so I took the train. LOL.

 

[chriskre]

I think the new tower is gorgeous- but at the same time it’s dose not match Poly the theme. I used to refer to CBR ( Caribbean beach ) as poly- lite but the new tower is poly- lighter IMO

I don’t know but I dislike the non- poly feel

The finished pictures look beautiful but right now it looks like a Hampton Inn. LOL

 

[ljmiii]

Just stayed at BLT and they have a pedestrian path right under the monorail straight into MK....

One of the many reasons we love that BLT is one of our 'homes'.

 

[noreenkate]

The finished pictures look beautiful but right now it looks like a Hampton Inn. LOL

We had this conversation with a guide last September- about OKW and the changes to the lobby. The guide was gushing - and asked my son how it compared to his recent stay in Key West-

My son answered that we bought into Disney for Disney theming - if we wanted generic hotels we would go to generic hotels we liked the kooky in your face kinda Disney theming that made the bubble feel like the bubble

 

[chriskre]

One of the many reasons we love that BLT is one of our 'homes'.

I can definitely understand the BLT love although so many don't seem to like it.
I personally enjoyed it very much as did my family.
The pool was great too. Not crowded at all.
And the quick service was decent too.

My home resort is Poly for the MK and I do enjoy taking the boats.
I bought in for the nostalgia of it because that's where we used to stay
with my father when he was alive but I will definitely be doing more stays
at BLT with my SSR points. LOL

 

[Deb & Bill]

We had this conversation with a guide last September- about OKW and the changes to the lobby. The guide was gushing - and asked my son how it compared to his recent stay in Key West-

My son answered that we bought into Disney for Disney theming - if we wanted generic hotels we would go to generic hotels we liked the kooky in your face kinda Disney theming that made the bubble feel like the bubble

I agree about the renovations of the OKW lobby. Now it looks so sterile. It used to be easy to walk in and get what you needed. Now you need to find someone with a pad to help you. Papa's Den is about as non-themed as they could make it.

 

[carlbarry]

I agree about the renovations of the OKW lobby. Now it looks so sterile. It used to be easy to walk in and get what you needed. Now you need to find someone with a pad to help you. Papa's Den is about as non-themed as they could make it.

There used to be a Conch Flats tour, led by CM William. One of the points made about OKW was that the lobby was designed to look like a railroad station ticketing area, to keep with the theme of the resort and how the railroad brought people to Key West. Not any more.

 

[noreenkate]

There used to be a Conch Flats tour, led by CM William. One of the points made about OKW was that the lobby was designed to look like a railroad station ticketing area, to keep with the theme of the resort and how the railroad brought people to Key West. Not any more.

I loved those resort tours - not sure if there are any left. We only got to do OKW, Aulani, & WL.

 

[carlbarry]

I loved those resort tours - not sure if there are any left. We only got to do OKW, Aulani, & WL.

I did OKW, VWL, and "Boardwalk Ballyhoo," where I was the only one on the tour and got ice cream at the end. Oh, and a tour of the African art in the lobby of Jambo.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Which stinks as far as I'm concerned. I need to bring most of my own food due to religious dietary restrictions, and I need a place to safely keep them frozen during my stay. That's why I like a timeshare vs. a motel room.

The 1 bedroom units at Disney all still have full kitchens with full refrigerator/freezer combos.

 

[carlbarry]

The 1 bedroom units at Disney all still have full kitchens with full refrigerator/freezer combos.

Yes, but I travel solo to WDW. Getting a 1 BR costs around twice the points as a Deluxe Studio, and therefore doesn't really pay for me. And I can't use the oven, pots, pans, dishwasher, etc. So the only benefit I'd get by paying twice as much is a real refrigerator.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Yes, but I travel solo to WDW. Getting a 1 BR costs around twice the points as a Deluxe Studio, and therefore doesn't really pay for me. And I can't use the oven, pots, pans, dishwasher, etc. So the only benefit I'd get by paying twice as much is a real refrigerator.

Fair enough.

 

[rickandcindy23]

So the beverage coolers are really cooled only to wine temp, right? Not really soda-pop cool?

 

[rickandcindy23]

Yes, but I travel solo to WDW. Getting a 1 BR costs around twice the points as a Deluxe Studio, and therefore doesn't really pay for me. And I can't use the oven, pots, pans, dishwasher, etc. So the only benefit I'd get by paying twice as much is a real refrigerator.

You should buy a good trader, like a Marriott platinum week, which are cheap via resale, and exchange into those 1 bedrooms at Disney's Old Key West and Saratoga (and Animal Kingdom is a frequent sighting as well), then rent your points via David's rentals or rent yourself on go-koala.com or Redweek. You can absolutely get Disney full weeks in 1 bedrooms for about $1,200 all in. Reserve a studio for five nights and rent for $16-20 per point (David's is a guarantee at $16 PP), and pay for the fees for the Marriott that way.

Disney was with RCI for 12-13 years, I think.

 

[TheHolleys87]

So the beverage coolers are really cooled only to wine temp, right? Not really soda-pop cool?

They’re supposed to cool to 41°, which to me would be cool enough for drinks. There are reports of them cooling lower, but not enough to count on, and reports of using workarounds such as placing a bag of ice inside and placing fragile items next to or under or over the bag. But I wouldn’t trust it for storing perishable food for more than a couple of days.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

So the beverage coolers are really cooled only to wine temp, right? Not really soda-pop cool?

I wouldn’t keep milk in them, that’s for sure.

 

[carlbarry]

You should buy a good trader, like a Marriott platinum week, which are cheap via resale, and exchange into those 1 bedrooms at Disney's Old Key West and Saratoga (and Animal Kingdom is a frequent sighting as well), then rent your points via David's rentals or rent yourself on go-koala.com or Redweek. You can absolutely get Disney full weeks in 1 bedrooms for about $1,200 all in. Reserve a studio for five nights and rent for $16-20 per point (David's is a guarantee at $16 PP), and pay for the fees for the Marriott that way.

Disney was with RCI for 12-13 years, I think.

Well, that's certainly an idea. However, my cost to stay a week in a 1BR at OKW via my DVC points works out to about $1,000. Of course, if I rented out the points myself at $17 per point, I would make $2,660. But then again, if I stay at a Studio and rent out the points I'd save by staying there instead of a 1BR, I'd make $1,462.
And if I bought a Marriott for even $1, I'd still have to pay a MF. I already have 49,000 points with Wyndham, with about $500 MF.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

However, my cost to stay a week in a 1BR at OKW via my DVC points works out to about $1,000.

That sounds off…. A 1-bedroom at OKW ranges from 150 - 300 points for a week depending on the season. Even assuming you are staying during the lowest of low seasons (September 1 - 30), you’d be looking at 150 points. OKW maintenance fees are $9.87 per point so you’re at just shy of $1,500 for low season ranging all the way to just shy of $3,000 for a week in high season.