Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Bungalow, Pool & Signage Update – January 2015

Hi everyone!

We have been asked for another update on Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort as it is now shaping up into a very different resort than the one I grew up with. We have shown photos and video of the resort as it opens new sections, the biggest change so far being the lobby. But the feature pool is also coming along, as are the Bora Bora Bungalows – which are getting much closer to opening to guests. The Disney Vacation Club is going to be a big part of Disney’s Polynesian Resort this year. Keep reading for photos and information!

Just before Christmas, these signs appeared at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. The first says “Aloha” and shows guests where to enter.

The sign closer to the guard shack says “Welcome Home” and has the Disney Vacation Club logo.

There doesn’t seem to be a waterfall here anymore, it is the first we’ve noticed.

For those wondering where the Tiki is that will be in the lobby, we were told that it would come around the time that Disney Vacation Club units open in a couple of months.

Concept art is up on walls outside the entrance.

I always enjoy seeing flower trees around the parks and resorts (usually they are more for holidays and Epcot Flower & Garden Festival).

The new lobby was fairly busy later in the evening, but afternoon was quiet.

One familiarity here from the previous lobby is Mickey’s head in the floor.

Valentine’s Day Duffy was already beeing sold.

The water feature seems smaller now without the Christmas tree. But as much as I miss the waterfall, the lobby does have a specious feel to it with plenty of seating.

Here is our lobby tour video from last month.

Outside, the former Nanea Volcano Pool is now known as the Lava Pool, and will open sometime this year.

Here is the concept art, which shows a similar look to the pool. It will have a smaller volcano and a water play area for kids. There will also be a hot tub. Disney’s Polynesian Resort is the only deluxe resort with no hot tub, and it has been a surprise that it has taken this long. But the pool area looks like it will be a nice upgrade from the previous incarnation.

What we really have noticed when walking around the resort is much more wide open space.

This walkway feels noticeably wider.

It was pretty chilly out, and the quiet pool was very quiet.

The Bora Bora Bungalows are of major interest, and will be very popular with just 20 units. They will include plunge pools with a view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks, and guests will be able to hear the music piped in on individual speakers. Polynesian Village Resort DVC sales for DVC members begin on January 12th, 2015 and for other guests on February 9th, 2015. The first phase of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort & Bungalows will open on April 1st, 2015.

The bungalows will sleep 8 guests with 2 bedrooms, and will include 2 full bathrooms and a kitchen, with washer and dryer and a living space.

The front door to a bungalow.

A roof.

The Tikiman Facebook page has the points listed for the bungalows and the Deluxe Studios here.

This is concept art from Disney showing what the inside living space and kitchen will look like. Floor plans can be seen here at DVCNews.com.

Here are some more views of the Lava Pool being worked on, plus the pool bar.

 

Here is our video from a couple of weeks ago, and we will be talking about Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort on Mousesteps Weekly #132. It also includes the Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto entrance.

From the boat, this is a look at the side and back of the first (and most advanced) bungalow. These chairs were added a month or so back.

There is also now seating on the back patio.

To the left is where the plunge pool is.

At the end of the night, we stopped back at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. There were more guests than in the afternoon, though it will be a number of months until it is back at capacity. With the 20 Bora Bora Bungalows and 360 Deluxe Studio Villas still to open, the lobby will be teeming with guests soon enough.

We could see Cinderella Castle in ice from the upstairs windows.

And from this angle, Cinderella Castle can easily be seen as well. While there will be less beach area for fireworks viewing, there is more indoor area to watch from.

What do you think of the changes to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort?