The brand new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Lodge is now open to visitors as of nowadays, December 17, 2025. This stocks pictures & movies of the resort growth, plus a couple of first impressions of the high-rise that’s been plopped in the midst of the monorail loop at Walt Disney International and purports to rejoice the South Pacific, Moana, and herbal parts.
Positioned at the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon and providing perspectives of that and Magic Kingdom, the Island Tower replaces Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Display. The brand new Island Tower is basically between the present Nice Ceremonial Space on the Poly and the Grand Floridian, and proper subsequent door to Disney’s Marriage ceremony Pavilion.
It’s a towering addition to a monorail loop ‘skyline’ that already appears dramatically other than it did 15 years in the past, with many extra visitor rooms added to the combo. For its section, the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows provides 260 visitor rooms in quite a few sorts that may sleep from two to 9 visitors. This contains duo studios, spacious one and two-bedroom villas, and brand-new two-bedroom penthouse villas. The tower can even come with deluxe studio rooms, including to the deluxe studio rooms already to be had on the Poly Villas.
In step with Walt Disney International, the brand new 10-story Island Tower’s structure pulls inspiration from early thought artwork of the enduring belongings through Walt Disney Imagineering. When pitching the venture to enthusiasts, the corporate has invoked mythical Imagineer Marty Sklar’s quote: “A good suggestion by no means is going away!”
Of their protection, early ideas for Disney’s Polynesian Village Lodge incorporated a multi-story terraced construction surrounded through three-story structures alongside the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon. The unique design for the tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Lodge would had been fashionable for the Nineteen Seventies and paying homage to the luxurious resorts discovered on Waikiki Seashore.
Right here’s a take a look at the unique thought artwork from the past due Nineteen Sixties:
Disney helps to keep touting this, so I’m going to as soon as once more thrust back on it–particularly since we additionally frequently use the road {that a} ‘excellent concept by no means dies at Imagineering.’ Most likely the observation is, in truth, extra appropriately that concepts by no means die–each excellent and unhealthy–at Imagineering.
It insects me that Disney is taking plans that by no means made it off the planning stage to argue that this completes the unique imaginative and prescient for the Polynesian Lodge, as though the whole lot from the previous is robotically excellent. Most likely there’s a reason why the tower thought didn’t come to fruition within the first position a long time in the past. That it was once and is a foul concept, now not a excellent one.
Mockingly, each and every exchange away from Walt Disney International’s previous that in truth was once learned is justified with a Walt Disney quote about development. Bet they made up our minds to modify up the playbook right here.
To each and every their very own, however this argument falls flat for me. Most commonly as a result of I’ve eyes. I will be able to take a look at the item in query, review it, and decide whether or not or now not it’s a excellent or unhealthy concept. If others simply need to blindly imagine that the Island Tower completes the imaginative and prescient for the Poly in line with what Disney is pronouncing, I assume that’s their prerogative.
Frankly, I’d favor that different Disney enthusiasts disagree with me at the deserves, and suppose the Island Tower in truth appears great and the proceedings about its look are overblown. I will be able to settle for that–other strokes for various people and all that.
Now not simplest that, however the Island Tower could be very other than the decades-old thought artwork Disney is appearing to justify its life. (The act of them doing this by myself suggests to me that they felt it important, as the item can not discuss for itself on substance.)
Whilst I don’t love the glance of the unbuilt tower and suppose the Poly is/was once higher with out it, the construction is no less than visually attention-grabbing, evoking a mountain–possibly Diamond Head. It rings a bell in my memory a little of the Hyatt Grand Cypress however with a extra bold design. We’ve in truth stayed in tower resorts designed like this–they are able to be crowd pleasing. In contrast, the Island Tower is extra boxy, reminding me of Gran Destino Tower greater than the rest.
Past that, the Island Tower as completed could be very other than that idea that had a tower on the middle of the Poly. It could be something to have a quasi-tower with bungalows radiating out from it. That’s now not what that is. Disney’s Polynesian Village Lodge was once already constructed a method, with a useful design and format–and no tower. Now it has a tower plopped on the outer edge of the hotel, and in a unique taste.
There is not any thematic concord or shared design language between the legacy Polynesian Village Lodge and the Island Tower. It’s glaring simply from shopping at them that they’re two other visions from two other eras.
I’m now not even suggesting that the Island Tower is inherently unhealthy–simply that doesn’t whole some grand imaginative and prescient for the hotel as a complete. There’s no harmony or team spirit between the 2. From a design point of view, they’re principally two standalone motels subsequent to each other that percentage some visible motifs and not unusual inspiration.
Truthfully, if the Island Tower weren’t being wedged in between the Grand Floridian and Polynesian, ceaselessly changing the ‘skyline’ of the monorail loop, I wouldn’t have just about as a lot factor with it. If this very same design have been being constructed out on Western Approach close to Coronado or the All Stars, it might be fantastic. Just right sufficient, even!
It nonetheless would now not my non-public favourite taste, however I’d acknowledge that fashionable visitors in truth need towers like this. Now not the whole lot must be adapted to my tastes. The problem this is all about the place Island Tower has been plopped–what’s round and “attached” to it.
Whilst leaving Magic Kingdom and heading to Wasteland Resort the opposite evening, we noticed the Island Tower illuminated from the boat dock. Sarah stopped in her tracks and stated, “wow.” It wasn’t a excellent wow. Sarah has normally been extra forgiving of the Island Tower than me, opting for to concentrate on the sensible upside (it’ll be a great spot to stick!) than how it appears.
She’s additionally partial to each Gran Destino Tower and Riviera Lodge, and has been constructive in regards to the addition in line with its similarities with the ones homes. However even she was once stunned through simply how the Island Tower dominates the view from all alongside Seven Seas Lagoon.
Once more, the Island Tower is extra just like the ex submit facto additions of Gran Destino and Riviera Accommodations than it’s one thing like the unique Polynesian tower thought and even Aulani, which might had been (or was once) master-planned and has visible concord consequently.
Even supposing I don’t love the outside look of Gran Destino, no less than it has develop into the focus of Coronado Springs. That hotel has been re-centered round Gran Destino Tower. It’s now not easiest, however Imagineering truly made lemonade out of lemons there. (The stakes have been additionally decrease–Coronado Springs was once now not loved neither is it park-adjacent.)
That has now not came about with the Poly. Nice Ceremonial Space stays the nucleus of Disney’s Polynesian Village Lodge, however now there’s this gigantic tower on the fringe of the hotel that serves as the focus of the valuables. It’s incongruous and jarring.
However sufficient on my rants about the best way the Island Tower appears from the outside and the way it irrevocably alters the skyline of the monorail loop. At this level, you both trust Disney or with me, and even if I may just most definitely ramble on for some other thousand phrases, there’s no additional persuasive price in doing so.
Let’s as an alternative communicate in regards to the Island Tower’s have an effect on on infrastructure. As famous above, the Island Tower provides 260 visitor rooms, however with the next visitor rely than that quantity would counsel if this have been an ordinary hotel, as lots of the ones are multi-bedroom devices. Some of the issues we’ve wired many times all the way through the tower’s building (or even sooner than it) is that the Poly is already bursting on the seams on busy dates.
Throughout our contemporary Walt Disney International vacation travel, we made it over to the Nice Ceremonial Space as a part of a Christmas-time excursion of the monorail loop motels. That is rarely stop-the-presses information, however the Nice Ceremonial Space was once completely bonkers. Visitors overflowing from the ‘Ohana ready house, a stunning choice of other people status round ready to be seated at Kona, a protracted line for the monorail–simply crowds, far and wide.
To be honest, that is the worst time of 12 months for congestion and chaos on the monorail loop motels. Households need to do great foods on the motels or come to look the decorations, which may make each the Polynesian and Grand Floridian lobbies really feel like madhouses. I’ve encountered kind of the similar factor each and every of the previous few years at each GF and the Poly. It’s not anything new, and for sure can’t be attributed to the Island Tower.
However a lessened model of that is already the norm on the Poly. The second one-level of the Nice Ceremonial Space has been loud and chaotic each and every night I’ve been there within the remaining a number of years (save for 2020-2021). My worry is that the Island Tower will exacerbate this. Identical is going for pressure at the hotel monorail, which is already overburdened because of Bay Lake Tower and Grand Floridian Villas.
The Island Tower simply opened, so the jury continues to be out on all of this. I am hoping that my fears aren’t well-founded, and that extra visitors will use the beautiful walkway to Magic Kingdom, boat provider, or in a different way steer clear of the monorail.
I additionally hope that the excellent-looking Wailulu Bar & Grill has more-than-sufficient capability to provider the Island Tower, or even pulls other people clear of the Nice Ceremonial Space. That moves me as not likely, however I’m however hopeful.
The opposite is ‘locking down’ the Polynesian (and possibly additionally the Grand Floridian). Walt Disney International already restricts parking at those motels (and on occasion fireworks viewing), however possibly they’ll wish to take {that a} step additional and limit get entry to, length. I’m now not precisely how they achieve this from a sensible point of view given how porous arrival issues are, but it surely’s now not unparalleled–Tokyo Disney Lodge does precisely this with Toy Tale Lodge and Delusion Springs Lodge.
I have already got my alarm set for the 7-month mark so we will (optimistically!) e book a keep on the Island Tower subsequent Christmas. For analysis, in fact. To peer how the hotel ‘plays’ all the way through essentially the most crowded time of 12 months after some other 12 months of DVC gross sales and (possibly) upper occupancy within the tower than the rest of this vacation season.
Let’s finish on a good word, with the rooms! Disney has launched room excursion movies that provide a greater take a look at the interior of the more than a few room sorts on the Poly’s Island Tower:
Duo Studios
Easiest for two Visitors, those Studios be offering an outside patio and kitchenette, plus colourful paintings encouraged through each Moana and the sky part.
Deluxe Studios
Those earth-themed rooms that sleep as much as 4 majestically show off the natural world of the islands, and be offering an outside patio and kitchenette with a dishwasher.
1-Bed room Villas
Uncover gorgeous water-inspired paintings in Villas that sleep as much as 5 and have an outside patio, complete kitchen, spacious residing house, 2 bogs and a washing machine and dryer.
2-Bed room Villas
Along with the whole lot the 1-Bed room Villas be offering, those Villas—themed to each water and earth—have a 3rd sumptuous toilet and sleep as much as 9.
It could be a arguable opinion with diehard enthusiasts (and our commenters), however my general impact of those rooms is sure. And I don’t doubt for a 2nd that the rooms can be well-received through common DVC individuals.
Disney has been doing a perfect process with the brand new and reimagined rooms on the villas for the remaining 5 years. We additionally simply stayed on the new Fortress Wasteland Cabins and completely beloved them, which additionally turns out like an unpopular point of view amongst enthusiasts.
I’m now not partial to the Island Tower and need it didn’t exist in any respect, however the visitor rooms aren’t a part of that complaint. My simplest worry sooner than was once that the rooms have been overly beige, ‘earthy,’ and one-note.
Given its mid-century and Polynesian roots, I used to be hoping for lots extra colour. However in in truth staring at the video and seeing the completed product, what they lack in colour they make up for in texture and different main points.
The jury continues to be out till we in truth keep there, however my first impact is that those aren’t bland, however moderately, delicate. A large number of enthusiasts will most likely admire the ‘calming’ design and the best way they act as counterprogramming to the present Poly Villas.
In the end, there’s so much to criticize in regards to the Island Tower and how it appears from the out of doors and what it does to Walt Disney International as a complete. Past the above, I additionally suppose it leeches off goodwill and excellent design from over 5 a long time in the past, and that if the whole lot have been constructed this fashion from the start, maximum folks wouldn’t be Walt Disney International enthusiasts within the first position. It’s a model withdrawal moderately than a deposit, to make use of Disney’s personal language.
However what’s carried out is finished. I simply sought after to get this out of my device one remaining time sooner than in truth reviewing the Island Tower and repeating the errors made in our Disney’s Riviera Lodge Evaluation, which focuses inordinate consideration on themed design and traits that aren’t related to reasonable visitors or from a sensible making plans point of view.
The secret is that there’s additionally so much to like in regards to the Poly’s Island Tower. Wailulu Bar & Grill, the Moana pool house, and (particularly) Terrace Gardens appear to be improbable property that visitors will love. I can’t wait to spend past due nights or early mornings with a cup of espresso in the ones gardens, overlooking Magic Kingdom because it wakes up or is going to sleep for the day.
Finally, I hate how the Island Tower appears from the out of doors, however identical to Riviera and Gran Destino sooner than it, the unsightly and undercooked tower will have to be nice when you’re inside of and playing perspectives from it moderately than of it. The Island Tower is the only position that provides sweeping perspectives of Magic Kingdom and Seven Seas Lagoon, with out having to have a look at the Island Tower! (Kinda appears like DVC has evolved its personal type of ethical danger, however no matter.)
I’m additionally assured that precise visitors who aren’t armchair Imagineers or on-line critics (ahem) are going to like the Island Tower. I haven’t any doubt about that. It combines two issues that ranking truly effectively with present visitors–towers and the brand new types of rooms. (Those two issues won’t charge extremely with you in my view, however they do carry out exceptionally with visitors as a complete.)
There’s no undoing the wear already led to through including this tower to the monorail loop…so we would possibly as effectively benefit from the excellent if we need to submit with the unhealthy. We can not wait to stick on the Island Tower as a circle of relatives; as a reviewer, I can’t watch for a cut-off date when Walt Disney International additions don’t wish to be evaluated from a “lemonade out of lemons” point of view.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you recall to mind the Island Tower? Is that this a internet sure or destructive for Walt Disney International as a complete? What about for the Polynesian or DVC individuals? Have you ever already booked a keep on the Island Tower? Are you constructive or pessimistic in regards to the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Lodge? Do you settle or disagree with our first impressions? Any questions we will mean you can solution? Listening to your comments–even whilst you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas under within the feedback!
