FIRST LOOK: Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

The new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows opened to guests and Disney Vacation Club members this week, and we got a first look at the rooms, waterfront bar and grill, pool area, and more. With the opening of this new luxury tower, Walt Disney World Resort has its first new resort addition to the Seven Seas Lagoon loop in recent history, and we suspect it’s going to become a modern-day favorite for its unbeatable waterfront views and location. 

Island Tower Decor and Theming

From the moment you enter the lobby, you’ll notice thoughtful design elements that give nods to stories of Polynesian culture, Disney characters, and themes of sustainability and conservation. While the ocean-inspired color palette blends each element together seamlessly, we were impressed by the intricacy of the distinctive patterns and rich textured surfaces throughout the lobby and the rest of the property – especially this three-story mural that’s a total stunner.

Interestingly, artwork on the second-floor atrium highlights sketches from the 1970s construction of the Polynesian Resort, showing a tower amidst the longhouses in the original renderings so Disney can prove to naysayers that it wasn’t a departure from the early Imagineers’ intentions.

Island Tower Accommodations

From deluxe studio rooms with kitchenettes to expansive one-and two-bedroom villas with full kitchens, washers and dryers, the new 10-story tower has added 260 alternative accommodations to the Polynesian’s existing longhouses and over-the-water bungalows.

There’s even a small “pod”-style duo studio meant for pairs that comes with only a convertible sofa bed, kitchenette and bathroom. It feels notably snug compared to the rest of the room types – but hey, it gets you access to this gorgeous luxury tower with its prime location near the theme park and fireworks views.

Notably, the Island Tower has four private tropical terrace gardens with views of the Seven Seas Lagoon and surrounding area (it all appeared to be faux foliage, but that didn’t take away from how lush and serene the spaces feel). This dedicated space gives guests an exclusive area to watch the fireworks show at Magic Kingdom with the music piped in – which is especially nice for those whose hotel rooms don’t come with a park-facing view. It’s only accessible to tower guests with a room key, which should keep it from getting as crowded as the main resort’s beachfront. 

Island Tower Dining

Wailulu Bar & Grill (a name that translates to “calm water”) is the tower’s new waterside bar and restaurant with a menu influenced by Polynesian cuisines and ingredients. A soon-to-be Disney-goer favorite, the Short Rib Loco Moco is an elevated version of a Hawaiian comfort dish of rice with a hamburger patty and a sunny-side up egg. Wailulu’s gourmet take features braised beef short rib atop a brick of crispy rice as a trendier dish.

As much as we want to keep this spot a secret for ourselves, we have a feeling it won’t take long for Disney World guests to discover this open-air waterfront gem and fit in a Monorail stop at the Polynesian for a visit to Wailulu. For now, the restaurant is debuting with a walk-up wait list and mobile ordering, but depending on the popularity, the resort team has said they’ll evaluate whether to open it up to advance dining reservations.

Island Tower Pool and Splash Pad

The zero-entry Cove Pool appears quite standard compared to most Disney resort pools (it’s more of a secondary option to the main Lava Pool with its volcano and water slides at the Great Ceremonial House), but young children will appreciate the Moana-themed splash pad featuring a statue of Moana sailing on her iconic canoe, surrounded by interactive water fountains. 

Sustainability and conservation were at the forefront of Disney architect and designers’ minds as they were envisioning the property. In fact, Wailulu is Disney World’s first all-electric restaurant, and a central art installation of hanging fish sculptures in the dining room is made entirely from repurposed fishing nets.

Most of the building was actually constructed off-site to help minimize construction waste, and the tower is projected to use 30 percent less energy than a typical resort of a similar size, thanks to optimized heating and cooling systems and energy-efficient lighting.

Who Will Love the New Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows?

Like many Disney Vacation Club properties, Island Tower’s spacious studios and suites with amenities like kitchen appliances make them ideal for extended family stays, especially larger families and parties of multi-generational travelers who want to share a one- or two-bedroom villa. What the new Island Tower offers that many other Disney properties cannot is the convenience of Monorail access and stunning views of Seven Seas Lagoon.

With nightly rates at a premium (a mere Duo Studio starts in the $800s in January), Island Tower might not be a fit for the casual value-driven traveler, but it’s an impressive option for guests seeking modern amenities and a luxurious, relaxing stay in what will be a less-trafficked part of the resort than the Polynesian’s bustling Great Ceremonial House.

Comments

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