Okay. So we’ll have to take the monorail over to TTC, and then walk to Poly, I guess!
Why is Disney shutting down one of it’s top resorts for an entire year?
Want to take a guess?
What is the number one goal of top Disney management for new things in the parks?
The reason for this
Introducing IP into the Polynesian Resort, a Moana Theme is coming in 2021.
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The agent I just spoke to said the proposed date for reopening is 7/19. Of course she also said annual passes are available for purchase and DVC starts booking at 6 months out, so…
I like it! Moana is my favorite, and Polynesian needs some more magic.
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In some ways, this makes sense. It’s currently closed and empty, so it will be much easier for construction crews to do their work without having to inconvenience guests.
FWIW, the Poly has never been a favorite of mine; I have never felt the desire to stay there. I always joked about the original decor as looking like a 1960s “Polynesian” restaurant with its fake bamboo and tiki masks, but the waterfall that greeted you as you entered was beautiful and kind of said “you’re not in FL anymore” - and the rest of the lobby, although a bit cheesy, felt like a themed “land”. In it’s current iteration it has all the charm of an airport concourse (and less than some I’ve been in). I know that there are loyal fans who absolutely love the Poly, but it’s pretty close to the bottom of my list of resorts that I would choose. Perhaps if I had nostalgic memories of going there as a kid with my parents it would mean more to me.
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This is the email I just received:
We hope you’re looking forward to your upcoming vacation as much as we’re looking forward to having you here. Unfortunately, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is no longer planned to be open on the dates of your visit. We understand the inconvenience this may cause––especially if your plans had already been changed before.
Please accept our sincerest apologies and know how much we appreciate you choosing to stay with us. We’re happy to reaccommodate you at one of the Disney Resort hotels that will be open during your stay. We’ll reach out within four weeks of your arrival date to discuss the Resort and room type options available to you and to assist with modifying your Disney Resort hotel. Of course, this will happen at no additional charge and no action on your part is required at this time. In addition, this modification will have no impact on other vacation experiences you may have booked, such as Theme Park reservations or dining.
Thanks for your patience as we all learn to navigate these times together.
To view the latest list of Disney Resort hotels currently open and all experience updates, click here.
Off topic … but is that photo of the castle doctored to look more like the artist’s rendering? 
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It does look that is the case.
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Ugh that’s terrible about no monorail service for villa guests! I wonder if they are going to update the whole monorail platform. I remember it being a pain to go up and down with a stroller and two tiny elevators at the back of the GCH.
Can you walk from the Poly to the GF? I forget. But if you can, then I guess Poly guests will be able to walk straight to MK soon enough.
Yes, you can. In fact, once the walkway opens, you can technically walk from the Contemporary all the way around past GF and Poly to the TTC! It would be a long trip, though. 
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Look like a pre-refurb picture.
I have a reservation for a studio villa for the end of April. First stay at the Poly. What would you do? Try to move or wait it out to see how much disruption the construction is?
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I wholeheartedly agree! This is super exciting to me. I think it will be fine because it’s very seamless. It truly fits right in. It’s nothing like some of the other shoehorned IP they’ve done.
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The suddenness of this announcement of a major spending project is in stark contrast to the previous announcements of cut backs in capital improvement and expansion projects.
WDW management must feel that they will get a good ROI to inspire this decision. Poly is one of the highest price and highest demand rooms on property. How much higher can they go? Looks like they’re anticipating lower overall demand in the future but greater demand for the high end product.
That’s a good point, but I think in this case they are focusing on maintaining the existing premium for the long term. They have time right now with the resorts at low capacity, so if they’re going to put some TLC into this old resort, now is the best time. With the Moana theming and a fresh new feel, it could keep demanding existing level of pricing for another 10-15 years.
So this is unrelated to the OP, but I had a leading reservation at ASMusic for this October that I only just canceled. I was shocked that Disney never outright told me that the resort wasn’t open! I never got an email like this. I got a couple emails telling me to “read this” before returning to the magic but it took 3 pretty savvy clicks to even get to where it said which hotels were open, plus I was expected to realize that mine wasn’t on the list. If I was a novice planner I don’t think I would know that it was going to be closed. I’m surprised at the different approach here!
WDW completed a major renovation of the resort in 2015 when they introduced the DVC villas. Not that long ago.
When was the last time regular resort rooms at Poly were renovated?
I wonder what does this say about the future long term plans of WDW management? They postponed and cancelled several major projects that have been previously announced. Where will they spend a limited capital budget? Are there any other new, unannounced projects on the horizon?
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I do not like it.
I love Moana.
But I love the Poly as it is.
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I will give them credit.
Moana at the Poly is a 100% appropriate use of IP and a perfect fit for this location.
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Not everything needs to be IP
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