Construction goes vertical at the new Disney Vacation Club Tower at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Feb 21, 2023 in "Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows"

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Polynesian Resort Disney Vacation Club tower construction - February 21 2023

Posted: Tuesday February 21, 2023 10:24am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Construction crews have reached a major milestone this week at the new Disney Vacation Club Tower in Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.

Polynesian Resort Disney Vacation Club tower construction - February 21 2023

A large vertical wall has been erected on a portion of the foundation.

Polynesian Resort Disney Vacation Club tower construction - February 21 2023

The new DVC tower at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort has a planned opening in 2024.

New Disney Vacation Club Villas tower 2024

Polynesian Village Resort Disney Vacation Club Villas tower plans

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freediverdude35 minutes ago

Right, if they had just made 3 more longhouses with differing villa types instead of the tower, everybody would be excited. Or even if they made the tower look similar to Aulani or something. But it's looking like a generic hotel plopped next to the Poly and calling it part of the Poly. I don't understand....

yensidtlaw19695 hours ago

Am I misremembering? I thought something was announced to be up there, with fireworks viewing of some sort - I haven't been following this closely so it's very possible I'm wrong, but if so that would be a HUGE miss.

BrianLo5 hours ago

Oh? The consensus was there was no top level dining.

Tuvalu19 hours ago

“Circa” means around, not exactly. I stayed in those longhouses many times prior to the DVC conversion. And I was present during the refurbishment to DVC. I don’t feel the need to check with Tikiman about the presence of second floor balconies. I used them. I wouldn’t have commented on your post at all if not for your “to support those extra balconies” statement. And I am in complete agreement with you about the hideous, poorly placed and designed DVC tower.

John park hopper20 hours ago

The only sight line Bob is interested in is the sight of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

freediverdude21 hours ago

Well, if we are going to get picky, Tokelau was built in 1978, not 1985, and I do distinctly remember Tikiman's page describing how the exterior wood supports needed replacing, but as to the balconies, we would have to check with him, as I couldn't find any info about that anymore.

Tuvalu21 hours ago

When three new longhouses were added to the Poly circa 1985, all three floors had balconies. These longhouses (Tokelau, Moorea, Pago Pago) were the ones converted to DVC. No extra exterior support was required.

freediverdude22 hours ago

This building looks like it will absolutely tower over the existing Poly. And if I'm counting the stories correctly, 8? 9? It looks like it will even tower over the existing 6 story GF DVC building as well. What were they thinking? The original Poly as built followed traditional Polynesian building styles, hence no balconies on the second floor for example. Yes, I know, the DVC buildings got them, but had to be extensively rehabbed to support those extra balconies. This just doesn't go with the original resort, or the GF next door. Like they built a tower just for the sake of building a tower to get a lot of units. At least BLT sort of mirrors the original tower aesthetic only curved, and similar height to the original tower. But this....

lazyboy97o1 day ago

That doesn’t mean it has to be done poorly.

Disney Analyst1 day ago

I get it but also… meh? It’s the prime area surrounding the world’s premiere theme park. It’s going to become built up, that’s life. That’s capitalism babeh!

Animaniac93-981 day ago

Buildings at WDW don't exist in a vacuum. Their visual and spatial relation to each other is critical in establishing each's setting and purpose and upholding the overall harmony of their surroundings. It doesn't matter what the building is used for, or who uses it, visitors can see them from many angles and having wildly different architecture and mass so close to each other goes against the meticulous look of the resort. Sightlines are important outside of the park too. That's why Walt bought all that land to begin with, to control the total environment, not just own the buildings on it.

Disney Analyst1 day ago

Should I care about a pavilion a tiny percent of people get to utilize? Regardless of your thoughts on this new tower, it has for more reach, appeal, and accessibility than that wedding pavilion.

donaldtoo1 day ago

Yep, I don’t see anything good about this…

Animaniac93-981 day ago

Bay Lake Tower is clearly what set the standard for WDW hotels going forward. A big high-rise with views, that's what people want. Never mind what it looks like on the outside or next to something.