Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort New DVC Addition, Luau Farewell & Ohana Review
I announced in a post/podcast in December six missing Disney resort hotel options. One of them was announced this week. Disney Vacation Club will build additional villas at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. We look at the announcement and then discuss the pros and cons of this addition, as well as the general response. This addition means that we’re saying goodbye to the luau, which has practically been here since opening day. We’ll look at its history and heritage. We also had the opportunity to dine at Ohana yesterday. Ohana currently means Family dining, and we’ll look at that experience as well. Join us at this tropical hideaway as we explore Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
Announced DVC Addition: Press Release
Orlando, FL (March 15, 2022) – Today, Disney Vacation Club announced proposed plans to develop new Disney Vacation Club villas at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
“It’s no secret that our Members and Guests love the monorail resorts at Walt Disney World,” said Bill Diercksen, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Vacation Club. “Expanding our Disney Vacation Club offerings at the Polynesian would give our Members and Guests yet another incredible option for staying close to the magic while making vacation memories that last a lifetime.”
Inspired by the early concepts for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the Imagineers of today are honoring the past while furthering the resort story with this innovative addition. Projected to open in late 2024, the proposed vacation ownership property would complement the existing resort and evoke the spirit of the Pacific Islands.
Situated on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon, the proposed property would join the rest of the resort in offering stunning views of the Magic Kingdom. Proposed plans would offer additional rooms, new recreation offerings and dining options. More information and project details will be shared at a later date.
Since 2015, Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows has been a favorite resort destination, offering an island paradise in the middle of the magic. Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows currently has 380 Disney Vacation Club villas, including the largest Deluxe Studios at any Disney Vacation Club resort at Walt Disney World and unique two-bedroom Bora Bora Bungalows, located over the waters of the Seven Seas Lagoon – the first of their kind at Disney.
Our podcast goes into further detail, but here is an outline of the pluses and minuses of this new resort addition:
Pluses
- This will add needed capacity
- This probably will add some rooming options not offered before
- They will probably have a premium dining experience at the hotel
- There will probably be an additional pool
- There will probably be other add ons before this is over–Spa anyone at Tangaroa Terrace.
Minuses
- Some don’t like the fact that it looks different than the traditional longhouses
- A DVC room is not as readily available as a standard Disney hotel room for non-DVC guests
- The resort monorail is already full of guests
- They should have a pool on top of the resort
- Not sure how they will address parking–Floridian Way being remodeled as well as Magnolia Golf Course
- I’d hate to see them get rid of the strangler fig tree
- We say goodbye to the luau we’ve known so many years
Luau Aloha
From the 1988 Birnbaum Guide we read about this dinner show in its heyday.
“The Polynesian Revue at the Polynesian Village (aka the Luau), presented nightly at 6:45 pm and 9:30 pm also has its moments. The performers’ dancing is some of the most authentic this side of Hawaii’s well-respected Polynesian Cultural center–where many of the WDW dancers have studied. A full Polynesian-style meal, including frozen Pina Coladas and a wonderful new chocolate ice cream and raspberry dessert concoction is served. Cost is about $23.50 for adults, $14 for children.
Below is an outline of what we’ll cover as we bid aloha to the luau:
- Disneyland’s Original Tahitian Terrace–Now the Tropical Hideaway
- Opening on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon
- Name Changes Over the Years
- Polynesian Revue
- Mickey’s Tropical Revue/Luau
- Spirit of Aloha
- The fire is free at Festival of the Lion King
- Better Food, Show, Pricing Elsewhere
- Authenticity/Inclusion an Issue–can’t be fake as a plastic lei
Ohana Means Family Dining
We talk in the podcast about the roots of this popular restaurant and who made it possible. We look at how tables are currently spaced, at the family style menu, and in claims that guests are being rushed through their meals.
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