More additions to Disney's Polynesian Resort confirmed, including a hot tub and new Pineapple Lenai food and beverage kiosk

ford91exploderMay 24, 2016

Ah yes TikiShrug standing atop the pile of petrified horse manure is such an improvement over the original waterfall, NOT!

LuvtheGoofMay 23, 2016

I totally disagree. I like the new lobby much better. JMHO.

chiefs11May 23, 2016

Next they should revert the lobby water feature to what it was when it opened

LuvtheGoofMay 23, 2016

So they're actually reverting it to what it was when it first opened. Of course, some have to complain about everything. The Poly purists should be happy.

ABQMay 23, 2016

Actually, I think @Bocabear may be correct. Stolen from @tikiman 's web site: Gathering Place So what is the Gathering Place? From 1971 until 2001 it was nothing but plants and some paths. When the Nanea pool was redesigned into the Volcano pool in 2001 the paths changed and a stream and bridge were added to the area. This stream was removed when work on the Lava pool started at the end of July 2014. The area where the stream was located would become what they called the Gathering Place. The original intent was to have it be a grass area for activities like hula lessons and entertainment. It would also be the location for the Torch Lighting Ceremony and the night time movies which are currently happening in this area now. In the original plans they also had a new fire pit right outside the back of the Great Ceremonial House but in the end they did not move it to that area. [URL='http://www.tikimanpages.com/poly/images/stories/news/2016-05-15_13-10-55.jpg']You can still see it in the concept art.[/URL] The original grass put in did not survive very well and had been replaced a couple of times. Some people seem to have the feeling it was not meant to walk across but it was always meant to see foot traffic. Unfortunately it did not hold up well. In April 2016 they have removed the grass and put in the same type of artificial grass they have in the new hubs inside the Magic Kingdom that will be able to handle the traffic. Reports from guests say they have started to set up the movies on the grass area even before they replaced the grass with the artificial turf. To me the stream was something that had not really been around long and while it was nice visually, it was not a functional area. Now people can enjoy the area without worry of damaging the lawn or getting muddy from the saturated grass.

LuvtheGoofMay 23, 2016

You're thinking of the WL lobby. I don't remember the Poly having a stream to the pool. Could be wrong, though, as memory is a funny thing. :D

BocabearMay 23, 2016

Didn't this area used to have beautiful landscaping and a stream that led to the pool? It was lush and beautiful before, and now it is ugly and charmless....and no doubt lower maintenance as well...Bravo TDO for value engineering another lovely detail out of existance.

prberkMay 23, 2016

Groovy. Well, at least the Astro Turf would match the Brady's staircase that used to be near that section of the building! Just need a nice wine-colored 1970 Chevy Station Wagon to pull up next to Peter and Bobby playing football on the Astro Turf to complete the scene. :D (Not sure if that staircase is still there, but I liked it. Some people complained that the staircase dated the building as a '70s structure, but I loved it -- and always wanted my family to pose along the steps as the Brady Bunch.)

Jon81ukMay 23, 2016

This is an old thread. The construction is all done. WDWTraveller was just adding more photos of the finished construction.

ThemeParkJunkeeMay 23, 2016

I am very confused. I thought all deluxe resorts already had hot tubs. The Beach Club had a bunch (all of which were needing a new heating element during our stay so they gave us permission to use the one at the Villas. Am I missing something or is this an announcement of an additional hot tub area?

ford91exploderMay 22, 2016

Gee I can pay a grand per night to walk on AstroTurf where do I sign up...

ford91exploderMay 22, 2016

Asphalt or Concrete is even cheaper and can be cleaned with a pressure washer...

bethymouseMay 22, 2016

The Grand Floridian has quite a few of those "grassy areas". Last year, when we stayed at GF, they were replacing some of the "sod". I always think of the sign "Keep off the grass".;)

WDWtravelerMay 21, 2016

Photo update as of Saturday, May 21. The grass area behind the Polynesian Resort Village lobby was always difficult to keep green and growing, so it has been replaced by the same synthetic grass as in the Magic Kingdom hub fireworks viewing area.