Disney News

Refurbishments Coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for 2021 Including New Entryway

Denise ,  , 
Hi everyone!
 
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will be undergoing a refurbishment as the resort officially remains closed while the villas are open (as is the Great Ceremonial House). Imagineer Zach Riddley details some of those changes today on the Disney Parks Blog. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort was the first Disney resort I stayed at in 1977 and then many times after that. It is still one of my favorite Walt Disney World resorts and I look forward to when it is fully open again.
 
Concept art from Disney
 
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort opened with Walt Disney World on October 1st, 1971 and there have been changes through the years, quite a few in the past 5 or so. And more changes are coming, including an enhanced entryway that will debut “just in time” for the hotel’s 50th anniversary. That is almost exactly a year from now.
Photo copyright Disney
 

Riddley says one of the biggest changes will be a new porte cochere that “will showcase the iconic mid-20th century architecture the Polynesian is famous for.” He continues:

“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.”

Enhancements will extend to the gardens and fountains.

“The open and airy design of the entryway will feature dramatic lighting elements, including beautiful chandeliers inspired by glass floats, fishing nets and oversized bamboo elements. The new chandeliers will match the existing grand chandelier in the resort lobby, artfully bridging interior and exterior spaces.” 

The Great Ceremonial House will remain open for the retail and dining locations that are available to guests (for example, Trader Sam’s and ‘Ohana are not yet reopened, but many other locations are). And the resort’s rooms are being redone, which was announced previously.

Read more on the Disney Parks Blog from today!