More construction walls up behind Disney's Polynesian Resort Great Ceremonial House

Apr 21, 2021 in "Disney's Polynesian Resort"

Posted: Wednesday April 21, 2021 3:30pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

A new set of construction walls are being up at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort today behind the Great Ceremonial House.

The new walls are next to Pineapple Lanai, adjacent to the outdoor seating area for Captain Cook's.

Both Pineapple Lanai and Captain Cook's remain open as normal.

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort is currently in the middle of an an extensive makeover, with new looks rooms, a new monorail station and all-new arrival area.

According to Disney, the new look rooms feature a new color palette inspired by the Pacific Ocean and its many islands, including details, patterns and textures from the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film “Moana.”

Along with the work on the rooms, a new porte cochere will enhance the arrival experience as guests pull up to its Great Ceremonial House. The design features a high-pitched, open-truss roof covered in a thatch style with pops of color. The area’s new open and airy vibe will be complemented by four chandeliers inspired by glass floats, fishing nets and oversized bamboo elements mirroring the chandelier inside the lobby. In addition, the resort’s Monorail station located above the porte cochere is receiving new wooden screens with geometric patterns in tropical colors, adding to the overall ambience of the entrance.

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort is set to reopen in late July 2021.

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

View all comments →

AylaDec 19, 2025

I'd hate to have to try and navigate that in the dark.

monothingieDec 18, 2025

Important to note: The road signage for the Poly on World Drive is wrong. It directs guests down Floridian Way and then east along 7 Seas Drive. The new entrance is only accessible from 7 Seas Drive WEST, meaning people would have to make an illegal U-Turn in the old entrance which is blocked off. Once the final construction of Floridian Way and 7 Seas Drive is complete, there will be a roundabout and new intersection to directly connect the new entrance.

DCBakerDec 18, 2025

The new entrance is now in use:

BocabearOct 19, 2025

Looks like a huge project, but necessary....that entrance into the resort being shared by busses and all other transportaion was always a cluster... This will simplify it and make it a lot nicer... I am hoping the arrivel experience will be better.

James AlucobondOct 19, 2025

If I recall correctly, the old main entrance becomes the bus-only entrance with an isolated loop near the stop. The new entrance, shown partially complete above, will be for other traffic, with parking and porte-cochere access.

SirwalterraleighOct 19, 2025

So what’s going on over there? 🤔

DCBakerOct 19, 2025

Here's a look at paving and landscaping in progress - aerial photo from today via bioreconstruct:

DCBakerAug 30, 2025

Photos from today: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54754545301_b139063394_k.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54753695887_545f5b942e_k.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54754788879_13dd93f001_k.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54754879085_0827ddaf9f_k.jpg

Epcot82GuyAug 18, 2025

Nah. There are water features right next door at the Grand Floridian and the main entry. There is no need for a fountain here. (Seriously, though - I do hope they add some water and foliage to make some separation, to the extent possible.)

Smiley/OCDAug 18, 2025

Nope, just large puddles from the uneven paving…

JoeCamelAug 18, 2025

I hope there will be water..... Maybe a fountain to welcome you home?

Epcot82GuyAug 18, 2025

It's a concrete-based activation inspired by Moana's bravery journeying from the hum drum of her existing life and entering the personal adventure that only an authentically Disney Polynesian experience could create. So, yes.

JoeCamelAug 18, 2025

So years to create a road into a monorail resort?

jmuboyAug 18, 2025

Yikes Hope I nice lush berm returns to hide the hotel from the road!

Park Hours & Calendar

Updated frequently

Find operating hours, early entry times, and park hopping info across all four Walt Disney World parks.

Lightning Lane Prices

Updated daily

See current Lightning Lane prices for Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane attractions at all parks.

Dining at Walt Disney World

Dining Guide

Explore restaurants, menus, and reviews for quick service and table service dining across Walt Disney World.

Latest Disney News

Updated multiple times per day

Catch up on the latest park updates, construction news, entertainment, and official announcements.