There are lately a large number of development tasks on the Poly. We’ve been updating our record of 2026-2027 Resort Development & Refurbishments at Walt Disney International with a rundown of what’s going down presently, however with two new closures simply added to the calendar, we felt it used to be price providing a handy guide a rough standalone replace.
Let’s get started with the excellent news, which is that the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows between the present Polynesian longhouses and Wedding ceremony Pavilion, close to the Grand Floridian, is now open. With that development finished, the entire enjoy on the Poly is best and paintings is much less intrusive.
Island Tower is just a little of a combined bag in the case of what it provides to the hotel. The unequivocal certain is Wailulu Bar & Grill, which is a huge asset. Nevertheless it additionally provides crowds, additional straining the overburdened infrastructure. Whilst we nonetheless love the Poly, we’ve discovered that we experience visiting greater than staying right here. After we do keep on the Poly, we now choose staying on the Island Tower, although we hate the hideous external (amongst different issues).
Even with Island Tower now having been open for over a yr, development on the Polynesian isn’t completed. Right here’s the development alert at the Walt Disney International web site:
Thru 2026, some spaces of Disney’s Polynesian Village Hotel and Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows are being refurbished. This paintings comprises the reconfiguration of the entrance front roadway and bus house. All Hotel eating, swimming pools and maximum facilities will stay to be had. Moreover, some perspectives of the theme parks and different surrounding spaces is also impacted.
There’s primary paintings being accomplished to re-route and enlarge Floridian Manner, in order that’s what’s referenced for the development and refurbishments thru 2026. It is a long undertaking that has an affect to each the Poly and Grand Floridian.
Walt Disney International is growing new entrances to the Polynesian, which additionally affects the parking zone and bus loop. Lately, the buses had been relocated to the porte cochere whilst the everlasting bus forestall is rebuilt and a bus-only front is finished.
It kind of feels like perhaps this portion of the undertaking is in the house stretch, as the brand new bus stops glance with reference to opening, and the brand new front for visitors and guests is now open. The largest results of that is that parking has been just a little extra restricted on the Poly and the transient bus forestall is nearer to the foyer. Rarely anything else make or destroy from our viewpoint.
Talking of transportation, there’s a brand new development understand that used to be simply added:
From Might 11 thru overdue June, the boat dock at Disney’s Polynesian Village Hotel will go through regimen upkeep. The dock shall be closed and boat transportation to suspended from Might 11-June 5, 2026. Please permit for additonal shuttle time when arriving at or leaving the Poly.
We’d counsel heeding this ‘permit further shuttle time’ caution, particularly when leaving the Poly all through height sessions, like round park opening or just about any time within the night.
I’ve encountered lengthy strains for the monorail now and then (together with in April 2026), and that used to be earlier than the boat dock refurbishment began. With out that to lend a hand take in one of the vital crowd, the monorail station shall be even busier. This is likely one of the giant explanation why we now want visiting the Poly (or staying on the Island Tower and strolling to Magic Kingdom) versus staying right here. It’s arguably now not price the fee given the crowds.
Moreover, some perspectives of the theme parks and different surrounding spaces is also impacted. That is now noticeable across the Nice Ceremonial Area, to the purpose that Walt Disney International is caution visitors who guide ‘Ohana about impaired perspectives of Magic Kingdom. Right here’s the development bulletin for that:
Starting January 15, 2026, parts of Disney’s Polynesian Village Hotel will go through external upkeep. All the way through this time, perspectives of the Seven Seas Lagoon from ‘Ohana is also partly or utterly obstructed. We say sorry for any inconvenience.
I latterly headed over to the Poly to file simply how unhealthy that is having a look, however a veritable monsoon started proper as I arrived. I attempted to attend out the rain via calling an audible and consuming on the adjoining Tambu Front room, the place I loved unblemished perspectives (see above facet view out of the GCH) and means an excessive amount of meals.
Sadly, the heavy rain supposed no pictures of Nice Ceremonial Area out of doors, however from what I may see, there used to be a large number of scaffolding all over the Seven Seas Lagoon dealing with facet, from Capt. Prepare dinner’s to ‘Ohana. Despite the fact that I couldn’t file that, I did take pictures of the ‘Ohana Bread Pudding (for analysis). Please experience:
This scaffolding more than likely explains the newest development bulletin, this time that Dealer Sam’s Tiki Terrace is lately closed for refurbishment. A bulletin simply seemed at the authentic web site, however no reopening date has been introduced–only a message to test again for updates.
The outside bar & front room has no running hours indexed at the authentic Walt Disney International web site as a ways out because the calendar lately displays, which is thru June 11, 2026. I wouldn’t learn an excessive amount of into that–it more than likely simply method they don’t know when the distance shall be to be had once more.
No rationalization used to be given for the closure, however I’d wager anything else that it’s for the reason that section of the outside refurbishment has complex to that time, and it’s now not conceivable to have the outside seating house open all through development.
The excellent news is that Dealer Sam’s Grog Grotto, the vastly standard indoor counterpart to Dealer Sam’s Tiki Terrace, stays open as standard. Following a metamorphosis made final vacation season, Grog Grotto is now open day by day from 11 am till nighttime.
Dealer Sam’s Grog Grotto is a fan favourite. The “secret spot” (air quotes) is tucked away at the back of a nondescript door at the decrease degree of the Nice Ceremonial Area. Secret as it doesn’t draw consideration to itself with a distinguished marquee and isn’t simple to seek out for those who’re unfamiliar with the foyer structure, however air quotes for the reason that location is however insanely standard and has a devoted following amongst lovers.
Dealer Sam’s Grog Grotto is standard for just right reason why. It’s close to the highest of our Checklist of the 25 Best possible Bars & Lounges at Walt Disney International, and we view Dealer Sam’s as a must-visit for first-timers or lovers of themed design. It’s in reality well-themed and a amusing enjoy, however truthfully, we want the laid-back atmosphere of the outside house. (No less than, when there isn’t development throughout.)
Visitors of every age are welcome at Dealer Sam’s Grog Grotto from 11 am till 8 pm, at which level access is proscribed to visitors 21 years of age and older are allowed into the tiki bar from 8 pm till nighttime. (Closing seating for visitors underneath 21 is round 7:30 pm.) Most often, the open-air Dealer Sam’s Tiki Terrace stays all-ages at all-hours.
Moreover, vehicular get right of entry to to Disney’s Polynesian Village Hotel is mechanically limited to simply visitors of the resort, or the ones with ADRs. Which means that for those who’re now not staying on the Poly, you wish to have to take Walt Disney International transportation to the hotel as a way to drink at Grog Grotto.
You may have luck with safety that guards the parking zone, however don’t financial institution on it. We’ve heard from numerous visitors who’ve stated they’re going to Grog Grotto and feature been rejected. We don’t suppose it’s even definitely worth the gamble. (On a comparable observe, see Walt Disney International Provides Rule Limiting Hotel Sure Buses for why we are hoping Disney does extra like this.)
Even though everybody on your birthday celebration is over 21 years of age, we extremely counsel doing Dealer Sam’s Grog Grotto earlier than ~3 pm. The bar is busy maximum afternoons and evenings even earlier than the Tiki Terrace closure, and the hotel is bursting on the seams many evenings.
One way to this downside, as mentioned in Deserted Spaces at Walt Disney International, is restoring a shuttered eating place at Disney’s Polynesian Village Hotel. The resort was once house to Tangaroa Terrace, which is a stout construction over via the monorail tracks and near-ish the bus stops. Despite the fact that Tangaroa Terrace closed in 1996, the construction used to be nonetheless used after that for crew occasions and, extra significantly, the Neverland Membership and Lilo’s Playhouse till 2018. It now serves as an area for Solid Individuals, together with garage and places of work.
Even earlier than the outlet of Island Tower, the Poly wanted extra eating capability. Now the resort badly wishes every other eating place, as Wailulu just isn’t sufficient for the rooms added. Reopening Tangaroa Terrace as every other eating place, front room, dinner display, or Moana personality eating enjoy can be an enormous win. Island Tower must’ve been constructed with a rooftop eating place, however since that send has sailed, that is the most productive comfort prize. However I digress.
As for the entire development affect and whether or not you must keep away from the Polynesian, that’s difficult. As hinted at above, we have now just a little of a love-hate dating with the Poly. All the way through quieter occasions, it’s the quintessential ‘Holiday Kingdom of the International’ hotel at Walt Disney International.
At its absolute best, not anything can beat the Poly. But if it’s busy, all bets are off. On account of that, we discover ourselves reserving strategically all through slower seasons or staying at Island Tower, which higher avoids the chaos utterly.
The present development doesn’t in reality transfer the needle on that somehow for us. After all, now not everyone seems to be us and for those who’re extra borderline in regards to the Poly or are averse to any development, you may well be much less tolerant of the continuing paintings.
The issue with this is, each and every monorail loop hotel has a minimum of this a lot paintings lately going down. Ditto Crescent Lake, and either one of the inns. When you’re having a look to keep away from any and all development and desire a Deluxe Hotel, I’m now not in reality positive the place you cross. There’s so much going down presently, and the Poly is most likely probably the most least-bad choices.
Truthfully, my viewpoint is that it’s now not that unhealthy, particularly the paintings dealing with the street. You notice it upon arrival, however that’s about it. The outside paintings at the Nice Ceremonial Area and different longhouses is a larger factor, and one we’d counsel creating a room request to keep away from (preferably all through on-line check-in, after which confirming once more with the entrance table upon arrival however earlier than coming into your room).
Dealer Sam’s Tiki Terrace being closed additionally isn’t a large deal. The primary draw for first-timers is Grog Grotto at the inside of; other people like us preferring the laid again setting of the terrace have Wailulu Front room as a fair more sensible choice. Perspectives are impacted from ‘Ohana, however Tambu Front room is every other arguably higher choice to that.
The only doable dealbreaker for me may well be the suspension of boat carrier from Might 11 to June 5, 2026. Since we already (most commonly) keep away from the monorail on the Poly, and that’s a time of yr when it’s just a little too sizzling to make the stroll to Magic Kingdom within the morning, that would possibly persuade me to change motels. Then again, that time-frame must be slower within the first position, so most likely even the added burden at the monorail gained’t be too unhealthy.
Making plans a Walt Disney International commute? Know about inns on our Walt Disney International Inns Critiques web page. For the place to devour, learn our Walt Disney International Eating place Critiques. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to shop for, learn our Guidelines for Saving Cash on Walt Disney International Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel take a look at artful pieces to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney International Journey Guides will lend a hand. For complete recommendation, the most productive position to start out is our Walt Disney International Shuttle Making plans Information for the entirety you wish to have to grasp!
Your Ideas
Have you ever skilled the present development, closures, and so on. on the Poly? Did you in finding the paintings impacted your enjoy, or used to be it most commonly avoidable? Would you keep at Disney’s Polynesian Village Hotel this summer time whilst those tasks are ongoing? Do you settle or disagree with our evaluate? Any questions we will permit you to solution? Listening to your comments–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please proportion your ideas underneath within the feedback!
