Ground cleared for the new Disney Vacation Club tower at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Jul 26, 2022 in "Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows"

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Ground cleared for Disney Vacation Club tower - July 26 2022

Posted: Tuesday July 26, 2022 10:00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Today we have a quick update from the site of the future Disney Vacation Club tower addition to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.

Ground cleared for Disney Vacation Club tower - July 26 2022

The former Luau Cove has been totally demolished, along with the vegetation and landscaping.

Ground cleared for Disney Vacation Club tower - July 26 2022

The walkway to Disney's Grand Floridan Resort remains open at this time.

Ground cleared for Disney Vacation Club tower - July 26 2022

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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James Alucobond20 hours ago

I mean, they could dress the gravity building ever so slightly in deference to the fact that it’s frequently on stage and most people would stop complaining. I suspect the same is true here where the Polynesian character of the building for some reason terminates two floors from the top on every wing (switches to glass balcony railings, diminishes the faux wood details, and flares out into a generic roofline). Fix that and you’d probably have 60% fewer people complaining.

Incomudro20 hours ago

Great creative minds don't give the people what they ask for. Instead, they create great art - which a portion of the people inevitably like.

pdude8120 hours ago

Clearly I disagree with you on some of the basics, so I won't litigate each piece. But keep in mind that the hive mind or "mob" as I might say is really aggressively mad about this resort and many others. I do understand the concerns and even agree with them in some cases, but what "some" are missing is that this is what people have asked for. Convenient transportation, 1 and 2 bedroom units, no more bungalows or high priced cabins, views of nighttime entertainment. Guardians gravity building is a great example of this. It's an eyesore and I would prefer it not be there if there were other options... but if given the choice I'd do exactly the same thing. Epcot can't have any more e-tickets that shut down every summer afternoon. They could have used 3x the space and made it much shorter, but for what?

Incomudro23 hours ago

For sure. When you entered Disney property, you were transported someplace away from the mainstream world. Now, generic hotels are all too common on Disney grounds.

Bocabear23 hours ago

According to many commenters on the boards, "people" don't want theme anymore, they just want a $575 night hotel that looks like a Marriott.... sadly..... I don't know who those "people" are, but they don't include anyone I ever met or knew...People I know loved that about Disney...the Disney Difference.....

John park hopper1 day ago

Theme used to be Disney's forte--the current management has lost that completely with their generic construction-- such a shame --that is what I used to love about WDW

Bocabear1 day ago

I completely missed them... The way the hotel is laid out, there didn't seem to be any connection between the lobby and other guest areas... nothing obvious anyway. Felt like a lobby, then an elevator to the top or I guess elevator down to the pool... Again, unless we all missed something completely....which is entirely possible...

JD801 day ago

As someone who loves CBR, I think the Riviera looks wonderful on the lake.

James Alucobond1 day ago

Primo Piatto and Bar Riva at the bottom, Topolino's Terrace at the top.

Bocabear1 day ago

Aside from the main restaurant at the top, are there other dining choices at the Riviera? We stayed there in one of their 3 bedroom units. I will say, the room was beautiful, HUGE and very well appointed. We had a great view of the lake and other resorts. Having the Skyliner was a plus that we also really enjoyed except for the many times on that trip that it was down due to thunderstorms. I recall no theme whatsoever at the hotel beyond a photo here and there, and some wrought iron details around the entrance. If not for that this could have been any nice modern hotel... Having no discernable theme beyond it's name makes it feel like we stayed at a non-Disney resort... It didn't feel like we were in the bubble other than the sporadic Skyliner availability. RE hotel amenities, there is a pool and a restaurant on the top and I don't recall anything else...it did not feel like a resort you would want to hang out in and explore...Like the Poly or the other Disney resorts.... We would not go out of our way to book it again... it was not bad...the room was lovely... the experience as a whole was just ok.

plutofan151 day ago

Riviera being a high rise resort is not my cup of tea but I certainly am not going to let it have any affect whatsoever on my vacation. What I do like about the resort is escaping Epcot for a counter service meal at Primo Piatto. The Skyliner makes the trip quick and easy. The food there is rather good and it is a break from the crowds. Anyone I know who has stayed there enjoyed their stay and have nothing negative to report. I will wait until the new Polynesian building is open and complete before passing judgement.

Disstevefan11 day ago

In my opinion - Riviera was not a DVC add on to an opening day resort. Bay Lake tower MATCHES the Contemporary and I think the bridge is really cool. I wish they made an attempt on this Poly DVC to somewhat match the original Polynesian Village Resort.

UNCgolf1 day ago

Bay Lake Tower isn't great, but the Contemporary was never really a themed resort to begin with so it's not especially out of place there IMO. Regardless, I think you're being a bit disingenuous. There are a lot of people who have problems with this that do not hate everything Disney does. Both it and Riviera are a departure from what Disney did so well in the past, and what separated it from other places for many guests. It's the same reason so many people have issues with the Guardians and TRON gravity buildings even when they like the attractions themselves. You're also being pretty dismissive of anybody who might disagree with you -- you're framing it as though if you personally care about something then it's actually important but if it's something that doesn't matter to you (or doesn't matter as much) then it's silly and nobody should care.

pdude811 day ago

Ok. How about this. I like the Riviera. I think many of the criticisms are ridiculous and overblown. While the exterior theming is less intense than many other resorts, it's no less boring than say Bay Lake Tower or any other really successful location. What they get right, with centralized location and dining without having to walk in the rain to get places, is better than what they get wrong. I expect this will be similarly popular and successful, while people invoke countless crocodile tears about something that makes almost no difference in their lives. Good is subjective. And hating on everything Disney chooses is popular, so that's where the easy path lies.