Disney's Polynesian Village Resort - Revision history

Mmouse: /* Return of Disney's Polynesian "Village" Resort (2014-Present) */

2022-07-23T16:36:07Z

‎Return of Disney's Polynesian "Village" Resort (2014-Present)

Mmouse: /* Pre-opening (1966-1971) */

2021-11-17T22:46:46Z

‎Pre-opening (1966-1971)

Mmouse: /* Pre-opening (1966-1971) */

2021-11-17T22:46:24Z

‎Pre-opening (1966-1971)

Mmouse: /* Former Shopping */

2021-08-31T22:49:31Z

‎Former Shopping

Mmouse: /* Former Shopping */

2021-08-31T22:49:21Z

‎Former Shopping

Mmouse: /* Former Shopping */

2021-08-31T22:49:06Z

‎Former Shopping

Mmouse: /* Return of Disney's Polynesian "Village" Resort (2014-Present) */

2021-08-31T22:07:07Z

‎Return of Disney's Polynesian "Village" Resort (2014-Present)

Mmouse: /* Return of Disney's Polynesian "Village" Resort (2014-Present) */

2021-08-31T22:06:39Z

‎Return of Disney's Polynesian "Village" Resort (2014-Present)

Mmouse: /* Shopping */

2021-08-31T22:04:47Z

‎Shopping

Mmouse: /* Former Dining */

2021-08-30T22:34:22Z

‎Former Dining

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:36, 23 July 2022
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	During the 2020-21 renovations, the resort is expected to get a new entrance, an expanded monorail station, a new roof, and new Moana themed guest rooms. All work is expected to be completed by Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary on October 1, 2021.		During the 2020-21 renovations, the resort is expected to get a new entrance, an expanded monorail station, a new roof, and new Moana themed guest rooms. All work is expected to be completed by Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary on October 1, 2021.
		+
		+	On March 15, 2022, Disney announced that a new Disney's Vacation Club Tower would be constructed on the former Spirit of Aloha show at Luau Cove <ref> https://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/the-villas-at-disneys-polynesian-resort/news/15mar2022-disney-vacation-club-announces-plans-for-a-new-tower-at-disneys-polynesian-village-resort.htm </ref>. The Luau show been a staple of the resort since its opening in 1971, but had ceased performances during the COVID-19 pandemic. By June 29, the cove was completely demolished <ref> https://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/the-villas-at-disneys-polynesian-resort/news/15mar2022-disney-vacation-club-announces-plans-for-a-new-tower-at-disneys-polynesian-village-resort.htm </ref>.

	==Layout==		==Layout==

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 ===Pre-opening (1966-1971)===
 The genesis of what would eventually become Disney's Polynesian Resort began in 1966, as Disney was working on their master plan for the Florida Project. As part of the initial plans for their expansion into Florida, Disney envisioned a series of "destination" that guests would stay at while vising Disney property. In these early concepts, Disney planned on creating a "South Seas" themed resort, which was to be located east of the [[Magic Kingdom]], unconnected to Bay Lake. This early version of the "South Seas Island" hotel would have featured three main lagoons, each of which served as a hub for a series of canals. The resort's restaurants would have been located on the shore's of these lagoons, with the main restaurant sitting atop a large pier.
+[[Image:Polyconcept1.jpg|thumb|400px| Concept Art from Walt Disney's EPCOT film. Here the "Seven Seas Theme Resort" is featured with its three lagoons]]
 The next glimpse of the South Seas hotel came on October 27, 1966 when Walt Disney filmed his EPCOT film. Even though the resort itself had not changed, it was now shown as being located on the shores of an extended Bay Lake. Although now a waterside resort, this incarnation of the South Seas retained the lagoons seen in the 1966 plan.
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 In 1968, Welton Beckett and Associates was hired by Disney to design and create the hotels for the Florida Project. When the next Florida Project Master Plan in was released in 1969, the South Seas resort was referred to as a "Polynesian style resort" which featured a 12 story main building, with elongated wings and smaller buildings to the east and west. In this incarnation of the Polynesian, the resort would form a semi-circle around a lagoon that would have been located approximately where the Ticket and Transportation Center is found today. This version of the Polynesian resort may have been influenced by the modern hotels being constructed in the actual Polynesia, specifically in Hawaii.
-[[Image:Polyconcept1.jpg|thumb|400px| Concept Art from Walt Disney's EPCOT film. Here the "Seven Seas Theme Resort" is featured with its three lagoons]]
 On April 20, 1969, Disney held a press conference to announce the creation of what would eventually be titled Walt Disney World. Once again the Polynesian Resort was featured. At this time, Disney announced that the Polynesian would be one of the "Phase I" resorts along with the Contemporary, Venetian, Asian, and Persian hotels. Although the Polynesian's design was similar to the previously released 1968 version, the location of the hotel's lagoon's was now flipped. At this time, Disney also announced that US Steel would be partnering with Disney and Beckett and Associates to build Walt Disney World's hotels using unitized modular construction. The idea behind this new style of construction was that the Polynesian's rooms would be pre-built and then stacked atop one another. The partnership also meant that US Steel would lease the land from Disney, own the hotels, but then license the operation of the hotels back to Disney. This would have allowed Disney to run the hotels, with US Steel financing the construction of the resorts.

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 ==History==
 ===Pre-opening (1966-1971)===
-The genesis of what would eventually become Disney's Polynesian Resort began in 1966, as Disney was working on their master plan for the Florida Project. As part of the plans for their expansion into Florida, Disney envisioned a series of "destination" that guests would stay at while vising Disney property. In these early concepts, Disney planned on creating a "South Seas" themed resort, which was to be located east of the Magic Kingdom, unconnected to Bay Lake. This early version of the "South Seas Island" hotel would have featured three main lagoons, each of which served as a hub for a series of canals. The resorts restaurants would have been located on the shore's of these lagoons, with the main restaurant sitting atop a large pier.
+The genesis of what would eventually become Disney's Polynesian Resort began in 1966, as Disney was working on their master plan for the Florida Project. As part of the initial plans for their expansion into Florida, Disney envisioned a series of "destination" that guests would stay at while vising Disney property. In these early concepts, Disney planned on creating a "South Seas" themed resort, which was to be located east of the [[Magic Kingdom]], unconnected to Bay Lake. This early version of the "South Seas Island" hotel would have featured three main lagoons, each of which served as a hub for a series of canals. The resort's restaurants would have been located on the shore's of these lagoons, with the main restaurant sitting atop a large pier.
-The next glimpse of the South Seas hotel came on October 27, 1966 when Walt Disney filmed his EPCOT film. Although the resort itself had not changed, it was now shown as being located on the shores of an extended Bay Lake. Although now a waterside resort, this incarnation of the South Seas retained the lagoons seen in the 1966 plan.
+The next glimpse of the South Seas hotel came on October 27, 1966 when Walt Disney filmed his EPCOT film. Even though the resort itself had not changed, it was now shown as being located on the shores of an extended Bay Lake. Although now a waterside resort, this incarnation of the South Seas retained the lagoons seen in the 1966 plan.
-The first major written description of the South Seas resort came in the 1967 Florida Project book. Here the hotel is described as  "designed for enthusiasts of aquatic sports". True to this description the hotel's lagoons were earmarked for a specific purpose. One lagoon was to be used for swimming, one for boating, and one for "shark diving". The history of the Polynesian Village Resort, and Walt Disney World in general, changed in 1967 when Disney learned that the planned location for their theme park and resorts was largely unbuildable. To rectify this, Disney moved the facilities, and created the Seven Seas Lagoon on the unbuildable land. At this time, the area planned resorts, including the South Seas resort, were moved to the shores of the newly created lagoon.
+The first major written description of the South Seas resort came in the 1967 Florida Project book. Here the hotel is described as  "designed for enthusiasts of aquatic sports". True to this description the hotel's lagoons were each earmarked for a specific purpose. One lagoon was to be used for swimming, one for boating, and one for "shark diving". The history of the Polynesian Village Resort, and Walt Disney World in general, changed however, in 1967, when Disney learned that the planned location for their theme park and resorts was largely unbuildable. To rectify this, Disney moved the facilities, and created the Seven Seas Lagoon on the unbuildable land. At this time, the area planned resorts, including the South Seas resort, were moved to the shores of the newly created lagoon.
-In 1968, Welton Beckett and Associates was hired by Disney to design and create the hotels for the Florida Project. When the next Florida Project Master Plan in was released in 1969, the resort was referred to as a "Polynesian style resort" which featured a 12 story main building, with elongated wings and smaller buildings to the east and west. In this incarnation of the Polynesian, the resort would form a semi-circle around a lagoon that would have been located approximately where the Ticket and Transportation Center is found today. This version of the Polynesian resort may have been influenced the modern hotels being constructed in the actually Polynesia, specifically in Hawaii.
+In 1968, Welton Beckett and Associates was hired by Disney to design and create the hotels for the Florida Project. When the next Florida Project Master Plan in was released in 1969, the South Seas resort was referred to as a "Polynesian style resort" which featured a 12 story main building, with elongated wings and smaller buildings to the east and west. In this incarnation of the Polynesian, the resort would form a semi-circle around a lagoon that would have been located approximately where the Ticket and Transportation Center is found today. This version of the Polynesian resort may have been influenced by the modern hotels being constructed in the actual Polynesia, specifically in Hawaii.
 [[Image:Polyconcept1.jpg|thumb|400px| Concept Art from Walt Disney's EPCOT film. Here the "Seven Seas Theme Resort" is featured with its three lagoons]]
-On April 20, 1969, Disney held a press conference to announce the creation of what would eventually be titled Walt Disney World. Once again the Polynesian Resort was featured. At this time Disney announced that the Polynesian would be one of the resorts "Phase I" resorts along with the Contemporary, Venetian, Asian, and Persian resorts. Although the Polynesian's design was similar to the previously released 1968 version, however the location of the hotel's lagoon's location was now flipped. At this time, Disney also announced that US Steel would be partnering with Disney and Beckett and Associates to build Walt Disney World's hotels using unitized modular construction. The idea behind this new style of construction was that the Polynesian's rooms would be pre-built and then stacked atop one another. The partnership also meant that US Steel would lease the land from Disney, own the hotels, but then license the operation of the hotels back to Disney. This would have allowed Disney to run the hotels, with US Steel financing the construction of the resorts.
+On April 20, 1969, Disney held a press conference to announce the creation of what would eventually be titled Walt Disney World. Once again the Polynesian Resort was featured. At this time, Disney announced that the Polynesian would be one of the "Phase I" resorts along with the Contemporary, Venetian, Asian, and Persian hotels. Although the Polynesian's design was similar to the previously released 1968 version, the location of the hotel's lagoon's was now flipped. At this time, Disney also announced that US Steel would be partnering with Disney and Beckett and Associates to build Walt Disney World's hotels using unitized modular construction. The idea behind this new style of construction was that the Polynesian's rooms would be pre-built and then stacked atop one another. The partnership also meant that US Steel would lease the land from Disney, own the hotels, but then license the operation of the hotels back to Disney. This would have allowed Disney to run the hotels, with US Steel financing the construction of the resorts.
-According to US Steel's initial plans, the Polynesian was to have 1090 rooms, 250 of which would have their own "private garden patio". The rest of the hotel's rooms would be identical, with every room guaranteed to have a water view. This version of the Polynesian also would have had a South Seas dining room located at the top of the hotel, a diving pool, a fitness center and private bungalows located on the Seven Seas Lagoon.
+According to US Steel's initial plans, the Polynesian was to have 1090 rooms, 250 of which would have their own "private garden patio". The rest of the hotel's rooms would be identical, with every room guaranteed to have a water view. This version of the Polynesian would have featured a South Seas dining room located at the top of the hotel, a diving pool, a fitness center and private bungalows located on the Seven Seas Lagoon.
-In the 1969 pamphlet The Polynesian was now described the place to stay for "sports enthusiasts. The resort was now planned to hold 700 rooms (all with a water view)  with 230 placed in the resort's main tower.  Released later in the year, the 1969 Disney annual report stated that the resort would be a "low rise vacation village design" with 503 rooms. This version of the resort shows the beginning of what would eventually be the Great Ceremonial House and nearby longhouses.
+In the 1969, the Polynesian was described as the place to stay for "sports enthusiasts. The resort was now designed to hold 700 rooms (all with a water view)  with 230 placed in the resort's main tower.  Released later in the year, the 1969 Disney annual report stated that the resort would be a "low rise vacation village design" with 503 rooms. This version of the resort shows the beginning of what would eventually be the Great Ceremonial House and nearby longhouses.
 By 1970, the Disney World pictorial souvenir shows the Great Ceremonial house at the resort's center, with the marina on the east, and longhouses flanking the east and west of the resort's lobby. In this booklet the resort is described as:
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 Like the other hotels, the Polynesian will provide a variety of recreation activities,. Boating will be almost at the doorstep of many rooms, and the Vacation Kingdom golf courses will be located close-by. A special highlight for many visitors will be the scuba-diving pool, where guests will be able to participate or watch through specials underwater viewing ports for spectators.}}
-As plans for the resort continued to develop throughout the rest of 1970, Disney released more details about what the Polynesian Resort would encompass.  In addition to the previously released recreational activities Disney revealed that the resort would feature unique nighttime activities including:
+As plans for the resort continued to develop throughout the rest of 1970, Disney released more details about what the Polynesian Resort would encompass.  In addition to the previously released recreational activities, Disney revealed that the resort would feature unique nighttime activities including:
 {{Quotation |An exotic restaurant and cocktail lounge will offer dining, dancing and entertainment from the South Seas. Under the stars, guests will enjoy a luau with other "islanders" or board a sidewheel steamer for a moonlight excursion cruise on the lake and lagoon."}}
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 Also of note is the fact that later 1970 descriptions of the Polynesian dropped all references to scuba-diving pool and made no mention of every room having "water view".
-As the development of both the Polynesian Resort and Disney's Contemporary Resort continued, Disney's relationship with US Steel began to sour. As deadlines continued to be missed and the construction costs skyrocketed, Disney decided to take over construction of the hotels themselves, and ended their partnership with US Steel. In order to train their employees how to run a hotel and experiment with new guest service methods, Disney leased out the Hilton Inn South in Orlando. In 1971, the former Seven Seas Resort was officially christened Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. In February of that year, construction on the resort officially began. Four months later, in August 1971, the resort was completed.
+As the development of both the Polynesian Resort and Disney's Contemporary Resort continued, Disney's relationship with US Steel began to sour. As deadlines continued to be missed, and the construction costs skyrocketed, Disney decided to take over construction of the hotels themselves, ending their partnership with US Steel. In order to train their employees how to run a hotel and experiment with new guest service methods, Disney leased out the Hilton Inn South in Orlando. In 1971, the former Seven Seas resort was officially christened Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. In February of that year, construction on the resort officially began. Four months later, in August 1971, the resort was completed.
 ===Opening===

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:49, 31 August 2021
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	'''Trader Jack's'''- This small gift shop replaced Village Drugs and Sundries. Located next to Samoa Snacks, Trader Jack's sold Disney merchandise. The shop closed in 2014, as part of the larger Polynesian Village Resort renovations. Trader Jack's and the next door Samoa Snacks were both replaced by Moana Mercantile.		'''Trader Jack's'''- This small gift shop replaced Village Drugs and Sundries. Located next to Samoa Snacks, Trader Jack's sold Disney merchandise. The shop closed in 2014, as part of the larger Polynesian Village Resort renovations. Trader Jack's and the next door Samoa Snacks were both replaced by Moana Mercantile.
		+
	'''Trader Jack's Grog Hut'''- This shop opened with the rest of the resort on October 1, 1971 inside the Great Ceremonial House. Trader Jack's Grog Hut sold alcoholic beverages and snacks. Trader Jack's Grog Hut was replaced by Samoa Snacks.		'''Trader Jack's Grog Hut'''- This shop opened with the rest of the resort on October 1, 1971 inside the Great Ceremonial House. Trader Jack's Grog Hut sold alcoholic beverages and snacks. Trader Jack's Grog Hut was replaced by Samoa Snacks.

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 '''Village Drugs and Sundries'''- Located in the Great Ceremonial House, this shop offered flora arrangements and camera supplies. Village Drugs and Sundries was later renamed "Trader Jack's".
-''Trader Jack's'''- This small gift shop replaced Village Drugs and Sundries. Located next to Samoa Snacks, Trader Jack's sold Disney merchandise. The shop closed in 2014, as part of the larger Polynesian Village Resort renovations. Trader Jack's and the next door Samoa Snacks were both replaced by Moana Mercantile.
+'''Trader Jack's'''- This small gift shop replaced Village Drugs and Sundries. Located next to Samoa Snacks, Trader Jack's sold Disney merchandise. The shop closed in 2014, as part of the larger Polynesian Village Resort renovations. Trader Jack's and the next door Samoa Snacks were both replaced by Moana Mercantile.
 '''Trader Jack's Grog Hut'''- This shop opened with the rest of the resort on October 1, 1971 inside the Great Ceremonial House. Trader Jack's Grog Hut sold alcoholic beverages and snacks. Trader Jack's Grog Hut was replaced by Samoa Snacks.

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 '''Moana Mercantile'''- Located in the Great Ceremonial House, Moana Mercantile sells toys, sundries and snacks. Opening in 2014, this shop opened in the former Trader Jacks and Samoa Snack location.
 ====Former Shopping====
 ==Fun Facts and Trivia==
 *In 1974, the Polynesian's rooms were redesigned. Gone were the standard and sterile looking furniture that the resort opened with. Instead, the rooms now featured a darker, more "tropical", color palate.

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 In 2021, the Polynesian Village Resort once again underwent a series of major renovations. According to Imagineer Zach Ridley:
-{{Quoation| One of the biggest changes will greet you right up front – a new porte cochere will showcase the iconic mid-20th century architecture the Polynesian is famous for. Our team from Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney World have crafted a design inspired by colors, patterns and textures found throughout the resort. This new entry features a high-pitched, open-truss roof covered in a thatch style. There’s also a bold façade that features pops of color complementing the Longhouses found throughout the resort. Along the Monorail station, bold new wooden screens will be covered with geometric patterns in bright, tropical colors that complete an exciting new composition that will greet you when you arrive."}}
+{{Quotation| One of the biggest changes will greet you right up front – a new porte cochere will showcase the iconic mid-20th century architecture the Polynesian is famous for. Our team from Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney World have crafted a design inspired by colors, patterns and textures found throughout the resort. This new entry features a high-pitched, open-truss roof covered in a thatch style. There’s also a bold façade that features pops of color complementing the Longhouses found throughout the resort. Along the Monorail station, bold new wooden screens will be covered with geometric patterns in bright, tropical colors that complete an exciting new composition that will greet you when you arrive."}}
 During the 2020-21 renovations, the resort is expected to get a new entrance, an expanded monorail station, a new roof, and new Moana themed guest rooms. All work is expected to be completed by Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary on October 1, 2021.

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 '''Kona Island-''' Formally known as Coral Isle Cafe, Kona Island opened on November 23, 1998 on the Great Ceremonial House's second floor. Kona Island currently sells coffee and pastries in the morning, and grab and go sushi throughout the day.
 ====Former Dining====
-'''Barefoot Snack Bar'''
+'''Barefoot Snack Bar'''- This quick-service dining location sold hamburgers, hotdogs, and soft drinks. Originally opening with the rest of the resort on October 1, 1971, and closed in 1993.
 '''Coral Island Cafe'''- This coffee and pastry stand opened on the Grand Ceremonial House's second floor on October 1, 1971. Coral Island Cafe closed on July 25, 1998, and was replaced with Kona Island.
-'''Eastern Winds'''
+'''Eastern Winds'''- The Eastern Winds was a cocktail lounge aboard an authentic 65-foot Chinese Junk, which was moored on the shores of Disney's Polynesian resort.  Opening with the rest of the resort on October 1, 1971, The Eastern Winds would depart from the Polynesian Village three times a night, for an hour and a half cruise around the Seven Seas Lagoon. In 1978, the Eastern Winds ceased operation, and the vessel was sold.
-'''Papeete Bay Verandah'''
+'''Papeete Bay Verandah'''-Located within the Great Ceremonial House, the Papeete Bay Verandah opened with the rest of the resort on October 1, 1971. This table service restaurant featured a buffet style breakfast and lunch, including Minnie’s Menehune Breakfast (a character dining experience). At dinner, the Polynesian Revue (not to be confused with the similarly titled Lauau show) was performed nightly. The Papeete Bay Verandah closed in September 1994, and was replaced with Ohana.
-'''Tangaroa Terrace'''
+'''Tangaroa Terrace'''- Located on the resort's east side,  the Tangaroa Terrace was a table service restaurant that opened in 1978. The restaurant was a part of the resort's first major expansion and closed in 1996
-'''Tangaroa Snack Isle'''
+'''Tangaroa Snack Isle'''- This snack stand was located near the Polynesian Village Resort's east pool. Tangaroa Snack Isle opened in 1978 and closed in 1996.
-'''South Seas Dining Room'''
+'''South Seas Dining Room'''- This table service dining location featured a nighttime buffet, and for a time was the location of Minnie's Menehune Breakfast. The South Seas Room closed in 1984 was converted into the resort's concierge lounge.
 ===Shopping===