Disney speeds ahead on Polynesian Disney Vacation Club tower
Construction on the Disney Vacation Club tower expansion is moving along swiftly at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and thanks to photos by Bioreconstruct on Twitter, we can get a look at the ongoing progress for the 2024 opening.
The upcoming tower expansion can be seen from the ground or onboard the Magic Kingdom loop monorail. Towering above the current Disney’s Polynesian Resort offerings, this upcoming Disney Vacation Club (DVC) tower has already become a part of the Magic Kingdom resorts’ skyline.
Construction Efforts
Expected to open late 2024, this expansion will become the new tallest section of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, taking over the space previously used by The Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show. The popular show closed along with the rest of Walt Disney World in March 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic, but never returned. Instead the show’s location is now the space used for this large DVC expansion.
Compared to construction efforts we saw on Tron Lightcycle / Run and the ongoing work at Epcot, this Polynesian Disney Vacation Club tower construction is speeding ahead. And unlike the announced (and then quietly canceled) Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, this project has actually gone vertical.
In fact, vertical is a bit of an understatement in this case. When completed, the new DVC tower is going to be quite tall, akin to Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the DVC Bay Lake Tower across the lake (video tour from 2009 opening). Seen in the foreground of this image is the Wedding Pavilion at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and while this existing building is located on a separate parcel of land, this image illustrates the size of the two structures in comparison.
Concept Art Breakdown
Breaking down the concept art released by Disney, there’s a lot to speculate about. Everyone should note that this is concept art, and as we have seen many times in the past, it can change.
As we look at this concept, I want to point out a few options:
The yellow circled area seems to showcase an infinity pool that would be located between the upcoming Polynesian Disney Vacation Club tower and the existing Fiji, Tuvalu, and Aotearoa resort buildings at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. In the foreground, we can see the fencing from the water to the beach area is spaced out with foliage.
The blue circled area features lookouts with a hanging garden. It is assumed these will be sitting areas, perhaps with rocking chairs. This may also be balconies located on each floor for anyone at the resort to enjoy. There’s no doubt these would be grabbed quickly before fireworks shows each night.
The pink circled area shows entertainment offerings. We have been really happy to see Disney’s recent influx of entertainment options. Because this new DVC tower takes over an existing show, it’s nice to see entertainment will still be offered on this upcoming beach space.
Last, but perhaps the most exciting, is the green circled area near the rooftop. While we certainly hope for a rooftop bar or restaurant, this space could be similar to The Villas at Disneyland Hotel. The concept art doesn’t look like a restaurant or dining space, and instead leans towards a large suite. That being said, we would love another rooftop dining offering, like the fan-favorite California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Disney Vacation Club Benefits
This expansion to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort should open late 2024, and we expect this resort will be almost fully booked by DVC members for the next year after (DVC resort locations can be booked on occasion by non-members). This resort expansion should offer new dining and pool offerings, and similar to most of Disney’s resort hotel offerings in recent years, it should also have some theming to a Disney intellectual property.
The Disney Vacation Club has continued to gain popularity as the timeshare-style membership offers perks in the Disney Parks and beyond. Being part of DVC has initial upfront fees, as well as yearly dues, but this offering is meant to cut costs in the long run for die-hard Disney fans who visit yearly. In fact, Disney states that a DVC membership is equivalent to staying for 50% off (in some cases) when comparing costs in the long run.
DVC Members will be the first to enjoy this new expansion to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, as well as other benefits like Moonlight Magic Events. Just announced, DVC Members can get early access to returning annual passes at Walt Disney World, even if those members aren’t Florida residents. Along with the Polynesian Disney Vacation Club tower expansion, DVC Members can also choose to use their points to explore different resort locations. (The author’s favorite DVC resort offering is Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge)
You can learn more about the Disney Vacation Club on their website. Stay tuned to Attractions Magazine for continuing updates about the Polynesian Disney Vacation Club expansion, as well as future theme park construction updates.
Are they going to put a lounge on the top floor and tell new owners that it is only for them? Then open it to everyone else? Then close it? Then reopen it and charge original owners money to get in?
It is so ugly. No matter how much they talk about it, there is no theming to this ugly, ugly Marriott clone.
Oh cool, another super obstructive option available to only the super wealthy or those willing to shell out $$$$$ for subpar amenities.