Amy, Jeff, and I had the chance to take an exclusive tour of the new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows after the DVC Member Gathering at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. While we couldn’t take photos or video, we’re excited to share our first impressions of this highly anticipated addition to the Polynesian!
Lobby & Check-In
The first thing we noticed about the lobby is how focused it is on mobile-based interactions. There’s no physical front desk, but Cast Members with iPads are there to assist guests. Disney is really encouraging mobile check-in and mobile key access, which seems to be the direction for new resorts. You’ll also need a key card or MagicBand to access the guest rooms and the Terrace Gardens, which are exclusive to Island Tower guests.
The pillars in the lobby are beautifully themed, each representing one of the elements: earth, water, fire, and wind. It gives the space a grounded, almost spiritual feel. That said, we were a little disappointed that the large centerpiece in the lobby wasn’t a functioning water feature—at least not yet. It looked like it could be, and the concept art suggested it might be, so we’re curious to see if that changes.
Rooms & Design
The rooms feel like the best of what Disney has learned from previous refurbishments and new resort designs. They’ve taken what worked and improved upon it. The colors are light and tropical, and there are plenty of charging options, including USB and USB-C ports, which is a huge plus.
A big standout for us was the size of the balconies. Even the balconies in the Duo Studios were large, which isn’t always the case in smaller room categories.
Walking through the hallways, we couldn’t help but notice how much it reminded us of the Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs Resort. We love Gran Destino, so this similarity was a win for us. Everything feels modern and polished, but still warm and inviting.
Amenities
The Island Tower includes both a laundry room and a fitness center, which is always a nice convenience for guests.
The Wailulu Bar & Grill really stole the show for us. It feels very much like Geyser Point at Wilderness Lodge, with walk-up service, mobile ordering, and plenty of seating with beautiful views. No reservations will be required, at least for now, which makes it feel even more approachable. The menu looks fantastic, and we can’t wait to go back and try it for ourselves.
As for the pool, it’s very much a leisure pool—nothing overly grand or exciting—but the views of Cinderella Castle from the pool area are absolutely stunning. While it’s not a feature pool, it serves its purpose as a quiet, relaxing space.
Art & Atmosphere
One of the most surprising details is that the art throughout the resort is available for purchase. There’s going to be an art kiosk where guests can buy prints of what they see around the tower. There were several pieces we’re already eyeing for our own collection.
As for the overall atmosphere, the resort looks so much better in person than it does in the concept art or renderings. A lot of people online have said it looked “too brown,” but that’s not the case at all. There’s color everywhere, and it all ties beautifully into the tropical, Polynesian theme.
Final Thoughts
We were all incredibly impressed by the Island Tower. While some things, like the pool and the lobby water feature, may not have blown us away, the overall design, amenities, and atmosphere are stunning. It’s clear that Disney took their time to create something special here, and we can’t wait for you all to see it in person.
Stay tuned to DVCFan.com for more updates as we continue to explore and share all things Island Tower when it opens next Tuesday!
