Disney’s Polynesian Resort — a relaxing tropical paradise with lush landscaping, waterfalls and more — has undergone a major re-imagination including a return to its original, 1971 opening day name: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
But that’s not the only news awaiting guests to this legacy resort. Changes include an expansive redesign of the Great Ceremonial House, new food and beverage experiences, waterside villas and more.
When fully completed, the Polynesian-themed deluxe property will include some 360 deluxe studio villas and 20 two-bedroom, over-the-water Bungalows as part of the Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, the newest Disney Vacation Club Resort.
There also are 484 traditional hotel rooms in a village of two-and three-story longhouses. Guestrooms feature a tropical motif complete with exotic prints and bamboo-style fixtures. Standard rooms offer two queen-size beds and a day bed, sleeping five.
Guests are welcomed to this family-favorite resort with a new entrance marquee featuring lava rock, tiki torches and flowing water surrounded by tropical hibiscus.
Also new for guests is Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto – based on the popular themed lounge at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. Trader Sam’s welcomes explorers to a mystical and tropical oasis featuring a lounge area with exotic cocktails served in souvenir mugs, paired with Polynesia-inspired small plates. Other changes greeting Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort guests: the recently opened Pineapple Lanai kiosk, serving the world-famous Dole Whip soft serve and floats, and a new location for Capt. Cook’s quick-service restaurant.
There’s pint-size fun at Lilo’s Playhouse, a supervised childcare offering. Stories unfold in this new whimsical children’s activity center where Lilo’s favorite classic Disney Little Golden Books tales such as Pinocchio, Lady and the Tramp and Alice in Wonderland come to life. While parents enjoy a night out, youngsters can delve into dress-up, crafts, storytelling and other fun faves in themed areas.
A completely renovated feature pool area, a new children’s water play area and an enlarged deck for poolside seating with views of a scenic vista will open for guests in mid-April.
Overlooking Seven Seas Lagoon, the 20 Disney Vacation Club Bungalows will be the first of this type of accommodation at Walt Disney World Resort. Each sleep up to eight guests, and feature a full kitchen, two bedrooms and even a plunge pool where Disney Vacation Club Members and guests can enjoy views of fireworks over Magic Kingdom and Seven Seas Lagoon. This resort also will be the first to have connecting Deluxe Studios (located in longhouses) that will sleep up to five guests each, as well as kitchenettes and enhanced storage space for convenience and comfort. The first phase of Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows is scheduled to open April 1, 2015.
Existing dining options include ‘Ohana, located on the second floor of the re-imagined Great Ceremonial House, featuring a Disney Character breakfast and a family-style Polynesian feast where meats and seafood are grilled over an open fire pit. Kona Café, a unique family restaurant, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sandwiches, ice cream and pizza are available 24 hours a day at Capt. Cook’s. In an outdoors luau setting, Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show features traditional Polynesian fare, music, dancing and costumes.
Shopping options include island fashions, bathing suits and casual sportswear.
Featuring one of the highest return visitation rates for lodging at Disney, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort connects to Magic Kingdom and Epcot via monorail, with bus transportation to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and other attractions throughout Walt Disney World Resort.
For reservations, call 407/W-Disney or visit Disneyworld.com. To learn more about Disney Vacation Club, visit disneyvacationclub.com
Bringing guests as close to the Force as they can get, Star Wars Weekends features more than 60 Star Wars characters roaming the theme park for meet-and-greet opportunities, a Star Wars motorcade, the “Symphony in the Stars” nighttime fireworks spectacular saluting iconic sounds of the films, event-exclusive merchandise at Darth’s Mall, Star Wars-inspired dining offerings and specialty food and beverages, interactive activities, and more.
