Disney needs to remember why people want to stay at a Disney hotel. It isn’t because it’s close to the parks, or because it’s a high end hotel, it’s because it’s a themed experience. Animal Kingdom Lodge is the perfect example of this. It’s themed well and it’s a super unique experience to stay at.
Ya know, I thought so too, and maybe with a percentage of us it still is...but they are tripping over themselves on the DVC websites and fan pages to get points to stay here. I can only assume that the closeness to MK is the reason b/c it certainly is lackluster. But that's my opinion, and as the Marriott loving groups descend on the parks (as evidenced by their choices with FW cabins), AND keep buying the points or paying cash for these stays, they will keep building them as such...
They understand it, they just don't care. Short-term gains and then jump to another C-suite in another company. Bet me this doesn't use the same budget elements and contractors from alllllll the other resort 're-imaginings'.
I worked as a VIP Tour Guide and Guest Relations host from 95 to 2003. Back then the Disney I represented protected the Magic and went all out to create resorts where you felt you were immersed in another world. When you looked out across the sight lines from the monorail, the launches etc….you saw fantasy and not some bland, boring, typical concrete blocks for hotels. I remember my second trip to WDW in 1994 and staying at the then brand new Disneys Wilderness Lodge! Part of the magic was coming into the resort and noticing how the roof of the resort blended into the forest surroundings. It wasn’t an eyesore! What’s going on with the executives at Disney? It feels like it’s full of people who do not care nor respect the magic! They are too busy trying to get promoted, make names for themselves than protecting the magic! Ugggh it upsets me so much.
TOM - Love your honest and well-deserved rant. I grew up staying at the Poly for our WDW vacations (80s and early 90s). Disney tore the heart out of the resort in 2014 with gutting the GCH garden and is now tearing out its soul by plowing over the Luau and building this Courtyard Marriott! They destroyed the Poly. Breaks my heart. How can the Poly still be the Poly without a Luau?
So they have now destroyed the Contemporary and The Polynesian. Can the Grand be far behind? Never staying at Disney again. The hotels are no fun and the parks are simply overcrowded. Why go?
@@MichaelBrown-fn2mmI remember the clean and beautiful lines of the Contemporary from the monorail when it was new. Now they have expanded it so much all you see are dirty roofs and air conditioners with no expansive natural views.
Well said, Tom. That Polynesian DVC tower is basically a Marriott, or a Hilton with wooden accents. It doesn’t even match with the aesthetic, and theme of the existing Polynesian Resort.
You are 10,000 % right about the new tower, about the fugly cabins ....all of it....They have ruined the theming and the sight lines......it breaks my little old lady heart when I remember how beautiful Bay Lake was...how beautifully themed the hotel lobbies and rooms were once upon a time....
Agree, but for what it’s worth, I don’t think any DVC lobby is as nice as the regular resort hotels. Grand Floridian Villas for example is much less grand than the GF main lobby area, or bay lake tower compared to Contemporary is pretty small (even if it has a nice scent). The Riviera is probably the nicest one I can think of, but it’s still not as big and nice as at Boardwalk or Yacht and Beach. It seems like Disney should be trying to fix that though. I haven’t been to WDW since last summer when it was still under construction, and haven’t been to the Polynesian in the past to know what it was like, but I think the biggest eyesore is probably still Bay Lake Tower. (Though, I stayed there once and liked the room layout a lot, but exterior is just bleh compared to the contemporary, plus you can see it from the Magic Kingdom).
That tower is terrible. Whoever approved that should be fired. The luau was amazing and really showed the culture. They will never get that back. DVC needs to go.
I agree! Now even the cabins at fort wilderness are being replaced and are now DVC… come on dude. Some people just want to go to Disney with no club member and limited options if not. They are making it so DVC gets all the good stuff or us regulars can get it for a zillion dollars a night if it’s not already booked until 2050!! I love Disney world but I am slowly losing the magic and it is their own fault. Time to check out universal studios for next year…
Yep. Nothing says theming like a Extended stay hotel building. What a bunch of crap, the new Fort Wilderness so called "cabins" belong in the same category.
Sorry to hear that they messed up another one of WDW's hotels. I once again agree with Tom. First the cabins at Fort Wilderness, now this. Why is the DVC so intent on ruining the theming of the current hotels?
Couldn't agree more. I actually had tears in my eyes when seeing the art. Will we EVER get back the Disney we know and love? Will they ever build something like Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge again, just to name a few examples of wonderfully themed resorts? Or are we doomed to beige and gray boxes forever? Like you say, I see those every day in the real world. I go to Disney for the over the top. They've truly lost their way.
@@MrStGeorgeIllawarra Doesn't have to be one or the other. You can generate profit as a viable and dynamic business without being tasteless and completely trashing your corporate history.
I completely agree with Tom about the "Island Tower" (eyeroll) - it looks exactly like any of a thousand mixed-use developments that are meant to feel high-end and modern, but usually just feel bland and depressingly corporate. It's like, what if you took elevator music and made it architecture?
Its ironic that you mention that DVC is the cause of these monstrosities. I remember when the North Garden Wing was demolished at the Contemporary and I heard about this new Tower coming up. I was infuriated that Disney would take the beautiful Contemporary Resort and dwarf it by a modern monstrosity. It appears they are continuing that trend with all their legacy properties.
💯- Condos from Gulf Shores, AL to Fort Myers, FL have the name “Island Tower.” Disney spends money to properly research cultures to make movies (like Moana) and to create new rides and exhibits. This resort name should have had the same level of effort!
Yes you are right... I figured it would at least look like one of the building at aulani but when they were building it it look like white concrete like a jail nor coral.. I mean disney owners and built a resort in Hawaii they could of use the same building design and imagineers.. the area and lobby at aulani looks like it belongs in hawaii.Hawaii.. a white sterile hall with no nature yea that's pacific island..
You are sooooooo spot on with your critique of this Polynesian Resort DVC tower. The Disney folks removed the relaxing Spirit of Aloha area, with all of its memories, for their new wallet emptying quest. Should have located this at its original location, at Fort Wilderness, and leave the relaxing atmosphere of the Polynesian Resort alone. ‘They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot’ (Joni Mitchell).
I hadn't even thought of that but you're SO RIGHT!!! How could they make Aulani and then poop out this steaming turd?!? Just like...copy what you already did, guys!
@@FLgurl100 Or even just make it match the Poly even more. There is no reason why they couldn't tie it all together better. It feels like Disney has just given up.
OMG, Tom!!! 100% agree and it's been my rant for a long time too. The decline of immersive theming in the resorts. Thank you for echoing, on a public forum, the WDW "burr" that has been between my toes for too long!!!!
23:00 I read an article recently about how Bob Iger was the guy responsible for basically ruining Twin Peaks by forcing the mystery to get solved, and that just put so many more things into perspective for me. He just doesn't not understand creativity, he's anti-creativity. He and his people want things to be monotone and generic as much as possible, and until he's completely gone from Disney, I have no hope for this company. And that's my little rant of the day lol
I have gone on a full rant to multiple members of my family about it. The tower at the Polynesian Resort is just a giant RECTANGLE ruining the theme of the Magic Kingdom monorail track. It’s uninspired and boring and not as “behind the scene” as the bay lake tower or anything like that. I’m just glad I’m not the only person who cares that they just built a “cool” hotel. I love staying in nice hotels, but I stay in Disney for THEMED hotels!
Remember when we were complaining about Saratoga Springs being very weakly themed and setting a trend? This (poly and cabins) is the result if you don't push back with your wallet
As always Tom absolutely spot on with your observations and comments. We are in the UK and began our WDW holidays in the late 90s ,we definitely had the best of Disney then.
It's not just Disney. A lot of modern construction has been bland. Just look at what they've been doing to McDonald's the past few years. A lot of them were colorful and themed but then they went and made a lot of them bland and gray like these DVC resorts.
I blame HGTV and the horrible trend of beige-ifying everything. My brother is looking to buy a house from 1918, but the inside has just been gutted and all the nice old hardwood and wallpaper has been replaced with that cheap tacky wood and blank white walls, it's really sad.
I don't understand all this love for gray. The gray cars out on the road blend in with the roads and look like they are primed waiting for the final paint job. I had my bathroom remodeled and the contractor came in with gray tile for wall and floors - I sent him back to get me color. I axed the gray.
thank you tom for being a true disney lover unlike that other youtube channel, wdw pro. ive been on a few weeks rant about them. everything is negative over there. keep up the good work.
As a landscape architect. I'll be taking a close look at Island Tower to see if the landscape is well themed like it is at other resort. If this ends up with the same plants and fixtures as any other resort off property, I'll be so disappointed. The older Disney resort hotels are so inspiring with how they can make Florida feel like somewhere else.
My bet is hot and harsh: fake turf, straight lines and much less trees/foliage (looking at the concept art). I love Disney's look of flowing, curved lines of mass plantings, manicured turf and abundant trees (exotic ones at the poly). Sadly, tron and new future world don't have it nor were they given the space for it.
Tom, I agree with you 100% about your DVC rant. I've been a DVC member since 2005. I have been very unhappy with the direction that DVC has gone with for the past 3 to 4 yrs. I don't understand why they have made some of the “design” changes to their properties. Thanks for saying out loud what we all wish we could say to DVC.
Can you imagine trying to get on the resort monorail loop at the Floridian when this tower is done to get to MK? By the time it gets to the Floridian it will be stuffed with guests from the Contemporary, the regular Polynesian, and now the island tower. Glad they finished that walking trail from Floridian to MK.
Disney is becoming one huge food park with a few rides and lots of merchandise to buy I remember when the rides were the attraction now it’s always the food and merch. Sad sad sad turn of events
Amen to everything you said about the Tower and Fort Wilderness. The story telling is a part of the fun of staying in a Disney property. If you want an ordinary hotel there are less expensive places in this style nearby . I am so disappointed with the loss of the beach and luau. It does ruin the skyline and immersive experience. This and what’s happening to Fort Wilderness is why i dislike the Disney Vacation Club
It needs lush greenery...tropical colors and especially put a waterfall in the lobby the way the original poly lobby had...you would walk in and hear that sound and smell the flowers. It was tropical...disney needs to fix this
I’d love to hear from the “over a dozen artists from around the world” who worked with Disney on Island Tower. How restrictive was the creative brief? I mean, I kinda sorta get that the lobby’s maybe supposed to resemble sand, and I can almost appreciate all the different carvings I see in Disney’s photo. But I can’t help comparing it to the Poly, Hawaii, and Polynesia at large. The art panel on the ceiling might be beautiful (can’t see enough of it to say), but it alone can’t Polyfy that lobby. Plus, I haven’t visited WDW in a few years so I wasn’t aware how massive this Island Tower actually is until I saw a couple WDW guests’ videos tonight. 🤦♀”Eyesore” is an understatement. I’ll say the same thing about Island Tower I said about World Celebration Gardens: looks like something I’d find at any of the big newer outlet malls in Florida, and really most big modern shopping malls in the US. Dropping in a statue of Walt or hanging manta ray artwork from the ceiling doesn’t change that overall aesthetic.
I love your honesty Tom, and I 100% agree with your evaluation of the tower and the ranting about Fort Wilderness... it's all very sad that Walt's dream is not honored!
I've had the same opinion about Riviera Resort. I think it's a big ugly eyesore, I believe they ruined the sightlines from inside Caribbean Beach resort, and they destroyed property to put up giant concrete boxes all for DVC money. And they are doing the same with Fort Wilderness. Sickening.
Come on Tom don't hold back ... tell us how you really feel! 🤣🤣 But honestly, as a DVC member I can agree you are not wrong about the de-theming happening ...
My dad in his 60’s, my mom in her 50’s, and my brothers and I in our 20’s all agree that the hotel part is crap. Disney needs to preserve this history!!!
This is happening across the country. Cheap to build, bland apartment buildings (or time shares), which they can rent out at extreme prices and get away with it because of the affordable housing shortage.
it’s utter trash. as are the new cabins. the pool is too small. the transportation at the poly is already strained and that lobby could be a fairfield inn.
I agree with you about the new tower, it looks so boring and bland and lifeless, it’s basically a Marriott hotel with some kind of odd island theme that just looks terrible, It doesn’t match the theme of the Polynesian, even the building itself just looks awful, it’s just a big ugly box of a hotel with what they think is a Polynesian theme , for them to get rid of the aloha dinner show to build this monstrosity is insane. They should have kept the aloha dinner show, I love Disney and everything, but I don’t like how they’re making all their resorts very modern and boring and bland, like no themeing whatsoever, just bland colors and barely any decorations to make the place special. It’s just all blah. I think they need to go back and redesign these resorts and get people who can actually design a Disney resort the right way and make it colorful and inviting And a resort that people want to come back to
Tom - thank you for your review of the Poly DVC, this is as heartbreaking as what they are doing to FW i agree, I was devastated when they took away the buffet at Trails End, this was my favourite resort, the escapism made tou feel like you literally were in the wilderness, not any more, moving back to the Poly, the charm and the character has been wiped away from a resort that I hold so dear, it's really maddening, compare this to the new FS hotel in Japan and the stunning beauty of its aesthetic, tou would think WDW would have this level of immersion...not any more...
we both agree 100% with your rants. the lack of theming in these future projects is incredibly frustrating- and DEFINITELY not the kind of places we expect from our vacations. we've been going almost exclusively to WDW since our first trip in 1987. we've been DVC members since 1997. So many of our favorite things are slowly being taken away and it doesn't even feel like the same place. Not directly related, but as the dues continue to get more expensive and we are currently only on 1 income, it's becoming increasingly harder for us to even afford that (we rented out 1/3 of our points just to help offset the dues). this is the one place we go on vacation and to see things changing where we're not sure how much longer we can continue to go is heartbreaking. (that's my little rant - thanks, love your channel)
Couldn't agree more. The "Island" tower is terrible and the lobby looks like vegas chic - not at all polynesian. What happened to the earth tones? Why could they not have taken inspiration from Aulani, possibly one of the best-themed disney resorts. The resorts continue to look the same. Why is WDW the outlier in terms of regarding its history?
Tom I am right there with you on the poly dvc disaster. It just does not fit in at all and ruins the landscape. It should have gone where reflections was to go.
The walkway walking path between the Poly and Grand with the monorail was one of the best paths and walks of Walt Disney World history. They should of built this near transportation ticket center instead.
I’m a Poly DVC owner, but the tower sticks out like a sore thumb. So much for the “Polynesian Village” feel with a 100ft tower looming over the longhouses 😂. But I have Poly points so I probably will make the best of it and book a stay there at least once. But I’m betting that nothing will beat the classic longhouse rooms, they’re huge and have two bathrooms!
@@People_of_the_Mouse I stayed in the Moorea building in January, which is probably the same distance to the Great Ceremonial House that the Island Tower is 😂
Can’t agree more with Tom’s take on both the Polynesian and the clearcut area of Fort Wilderness. What a disaster. The soul of both areas have been destroyed.
Also love how the tower overlooks the wedding pavilion, how long before some drunken fool starts yelling out at someone getting married and ruins their multi thousand dollar day.
I remember being at WDW for my 5th Birthday, July 1975. Desecration is the correct world. The Poly was OUT OF THIS WORLD for a Midwestern kid. We ate at the luau. And you're correct. It looks like a villain evil lair.
I remember the adventure of riding the train to River Country. I'm so grateful to have experienced a premium WDW before they became incompetent grifters
From a soulless, heartless, thoughtless, grey, unthemed excuse for a “Disney Resort,” to a WILDLY wrapped, THEMED, monorail in Tokyo!! What a stark contrast 🤦♂️
Disney understands exactly what they are doing by making all these changes. They want to dissuade their established sentimental returning guests & replace them with a new type of guests.
The Polynesian tower is so hideous! I’m shocked! Don’t they test their ideas on their audience? How can they create something so weird, and not know how ugly it is?
I wholly agree with you about the new Polynesian Tower! We are current DVC Polynesian owners and are totally disappointed with what they are doing. Also, thanks so much for mentioning that you can watch the Stage 89 replay! I had purchased our streaming ticket, missed it and and was so disappointed so I deleted my confirmation email. When you said streaming is still available I hurried and looked for it and moved it out of my trash! lol
I also heard that this new tower blocks the view of the castle in the window of the grand floridians wedding pavilion. And if so, I'm pissed because I want to get married there and that would ruin the magic for me
I agree with Tom! Polynesian Tower/ DVC looks bad. The problem I have is the Polynesian already has problems with getting people on the monorail in morning and afternoon it’s difficult to use the monorail . How much worse is it going to get when DVC Tower is open. I know the backup is the Contemporary is first for pickup then Polynesian, and The Grand Floridian. I do know you can walk on the walking path. Thank you Tom
Tom: Splash Mountain and Country Bear Jamboree are gone, people just need to get used to it. Also Tom: These updated DVC properties and nighttime shows are an affront to the history of Walt! Why can't Disney leave things the way they've always been?
WDW News. Tom, the day is fast approaching when Walts Epcot "Community of Tomorrow" will be 27,000 acres of DVC accomodation. We're now starting to hear the first rumblings of DVC members wanting Disney to build exclusive areas and attractions just for their own members. It's hard to belive that Disney won design awards for some of their hotels in the 80's and 90's. I don't think this new tower will be winning one. Cheers, Chris Perry.
As a current DVC member, I would not waste 1 point on staying there. If I wanted to say at a vanilla hotel that is NOT themed, I would just go and stay at an off property Holiday Inn. This is an obvious mistake and now they are trying to throw some paint and propaganda at it.
In the same way that taking out the People Mover has left a scar in Tomorrowland that will never heal, this Island Tower will be a blemish on the Poly that will never go away.
Sir…I forgot to give you my bonvoy number when I checked in….which way to the free continental breakfast and the Marriott van to the airport? Do I get double points since it is the weekend?
100% agree‼ the new Poly tower is an abomination! Disney and DVC don't seem to understand nor respect their history and what has made their themed resorts so beloved over the decades! It's very sad how generic and ugly all the new DVC projects have been, especially when they're replacing elements of opening-year resorts!
You rant, guy! Go for it. Oh, and I agree. Ugly. I'm glad I'l never go to a DVC thing anyway, but it does harm the looks of the lake. Sigh. And they were very targeted and specific rants. Keep up the good work.
I am commenting as a watch a little more of your video...LOL! We won a Motorhome, a couple years ago and immediately bout annual passes, we may eat a couple meals at the campsites, but add on more reservations of the places we love!! June trip...Sci-Fi, Oga's, Akershus, and Jiko's (this was the last minute trip that I wasn't gonna make reservations, but 20 percent discount got me!!) We have 2 more trips planned behind this one! Point being...just because we are staying in the campground, doesn't mean we won't be making reservations! Next trip 2 Halloween party reservations, and planning tons of dining!
Disney needs to remember why people want to stay at a Disney hotel. It isn’t because it’s close to the parks, or because it’s a high end hotel, it’s because it’s a themed experience. Animal Kingdom Lodge is the perfect example of this. It’s themed well and it’s a super unique experience to stay at.
Ya know, I thought so too, and maybe with a percentage of us it still is...but they are tripping over themselves on the DVC websites and fan pages to get points to stay here. I can only assume that the closeness to MK is the reason b/c it certainly is lackluster. But that's my opinion, and as the Marriott loving groups descend on the parks (as evidenced by their choices with FW cabins), AND keep buying the points or paying cash for these stays, they will keep building them as such...
“A company that doesn’t understand its own history.” So much this. It’s so sad.
They understand it, they just don't care. Short-term gains and then jump to another C-suite in another company.
Bet me this doesn't use the same budget elements and contractors from alllllll the other resort 're-imaginings'.
I worked as a VIP Tour Guide and Guest Relations host from 95 to 2003. Back then the Disney I represented protected the Magic and went all out to create resorts where you felt you were immersed in another world. When you looked out across the sight lines from the monorail, the launches etc….you saw fantasy and not some bland, boring, typical concrete blocks for hotels. I remember my second trip to WDW in 1994 and staying at the then brand new Disneys Wilderness Lodge! Part of the magic was coming into the resort and noticing how the roof of the resort blended into the forest surroundings. It wasn’t an eyesore! What’s going on with the executives at Disney? It feels like it’s full of people who do not care nor respect the magic! They are too busy trying to get promoted, make names for themselves than protecting the magic! Ugggh it upsets me so much.
This is for Tom - I call it the Polly day Inn
Oh that's good. I'm stealing that but will give you credit every time I use it, kind Internet stranger
TOM - Love your honest and well-deserved rant. I grew up staying at the Poly for our WDW vacations (80s and early 90s). Disney tore the heart out of the resort in 2014 with gutting the GCH garden and is now tearing out its soul by plowing over the Luau and building this Courtyard Marriott! They destroyed the Poly. Breaks my heart. How can the Poly still be the Poly without a Luau?
P.S. - I will finally sign up for WIGS. Been meaning to for a long time. Proud to support you and the team!
Universal must be laughing as they now are the (only) ones with a Luau experience at their Poly Pacific resort!
So they have now destroyed the Contemporary and The Polynesian. Can the Grand be far behind? Never staying at Disney again. The hotels are no fun and the parks are simply overcrowded. Why go?
@MichaelBrown-fn2mm The Grand Floridian is safe as it comes to DVC. As for the lobby let's hope it doesn't happen or is crazy.
@@MichaelBrown-fn2mmI remember the clean and beautiful lines of the Contemporary from the monorail when it was new. Now they have expanded it so much all you see are dirty roofs and air conditioners with no expansive natural views.
Well said, Tom. That Polynesian DVC tower is basically a Marriott, or a Hilton with wooden accents. It doesn’t even match with the aesthetic, and theme of the existing Polynesian Resort.
Tom rant you say? ::grabs popcorn::
You are 10,000 % right about the new tower, about the fugly cabins ....all of it....They have ruined the theming and the sight lines......it breaks my little old lady heart when I remember how beautiful Bay Lake was...how beautifully themed the hotel lobbies and rooms were once upon a time....
Agree, but for what it’s worth, I don’t think any DVC lobby is as nice as the regular resort hotels. Grand Floridian Villas for example is much less grand than the GF main lobby area, or bay lake tower compared to Contemporary is pretty small (even if it has a nice scent). The Riviera is probably the nicest one I can think of, but it’s still not as big and nice as at Boardwalk or Yacht and Beach. It seems like Disney should be trying to fix that though.
I haven’t been to WDW since last summer when it was still under construction, and haven’t been to the Polynesian in the past to know what it was like, but I think the biggest eyesore is probably still Bay Lake Tower. (Though, I stayed there once and liked the room layout a lot, but exterior is just bleh compared to the contemporary, plus you can see it from the Magic Kingdom).
When we joined DVC in 2001 we were told any new resort would always be highly themed and have plenty of space to explore. The towers do not do this
That tower is terrible. Whoever approved that should be fired. The luau was amazing and really showed the culture. They will never get that back. DVC needs to go.
I agree! Now even the cabins at fort wilderness are being replaced and are now DVC… come on dude. Some people just want to go to Disney with no club member and limited options if not. They are making it so DVC gets all the good stuff or us regulars can get it for a zillion dollars a night if it’s not already booked until 2050!! I love Disney world but I am slowly losing the magic and it is their own fault. Time to check out universal studios for next year…
Yep. Nothing says theming like a Extended stay hotel building. What a bunch of crap, the new Fort Wilderness so called "cabins" belong in the same category.
Sorry to hear that they messed up another one of WDW's hotels. I once again agree with Tom. First the cabins at Fort Wilderness, now this. Why is the DVC so intent on ruining the theming of the current hotels?
Couldn't agree more. I actually had tears in my eyes when seeing the art. Will we EVER get back the Disney we know and love? Will they ever build something like Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge again, just to name a few examples of wonderfully themed resorts? Or are we doomed to beige and gray boxes forever? Like you say, I see those every day in the real world. I go to Disney for the over the top. They've truly lost their way.
They got rid of an authentic Polynesian Luau…got rid of all the authentic Polynesian actors/dancers…for this modern monstrosity….
Money is all that matters these days with modern Disney.
@@MrStGeorgeIllawarra Doesn't have to be one or the other. You can generate profit as a viable and dynamic business without being tasteless and completely trashing your corporate history.
I actually think it’s cool
I completely agree with Tom about the "Island Tower" (eyeroll) - it looks exactly like any of a thousand mixed-use developments that are meant to feel high-end and modern, but usually just feel bland and depressingly corporate. It's like, what if you took elevator music and made it architecture?
Its ironic that you mention that DVC is the cause of these monstrosities. I remember when the North Garden Wing was demolished at the Contemporary and I heard about this new Tower coming up. I was infuriated that Disney would take the beautiful Contemporary Resort and dwarf it by a modern monstrosity. It appears they are continuing that trend with all their legacy properties.
They are dwarfing everything with an “UP” theme.
Thank you Tom and wdwnt staff.. great report.. what we been missing the rant is back.. again thank you. . WIGS❤..
"Island Tower"
These people are paid the big bucks, folks. What a name.
💯- Condos from Gulf Shores, AL to Fort Myers, FL have the name “Island Tower.” Disney spends money to properly research cultures to make movies (like Moana) and to create new rides and exhibits. This resort name should have had the same level of effort!
It's not even on an island! 😂
ISland Tower looks like Four Seasons Maui
Yes you are right... I figured it would at least look like one of the building at aulani but when they were building it it look like white concrete like a jail nor coral.. I mean disney owners and built a resort in Hawaii they could of use the same building design and imagineers.. the area and lobby at aulani looks like it belongs in hawaii.Hawaii.. a white sterile hall with no nature yea that's pacific island..
@@leroyhopkins2229 The Four Seasons is a very nice hotel. I doubt the Island Tower comes close to it.
You are sooooooo spot on with your critique of this Polynesian Resort DVC tower. The Disney folks removed the relaxing Spirit of Aloha area, with all of its memories, for their new wallet emptying quest. Should have located this at its original location, at Fort Wilderness, and leave the relaxing atmosphere of the Polynesian Resort alone. ‘They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot’ (Joni Mitchell).
Also not happy to hear about Reflections Hotel construction resuming. Haven't they done enough damage to Fort Wilderness? Smh. 🙄😞😠
They did such a great job with Aulani, It is surprising how bland the Tower is.
I hadn't even thought of that but you're SO RIGHT!!! How could they make Aulani and then poop out this steaming turd?!? Just like...copy what you already did, guys!
Exactly. I won’t make it to Aulani maybe, so why not bring some influence if that here? I can stay at a similar hotel like that tower around here.
I thought the same. Why not copy the Aulani vibe and just bring that here. All they had to do is copy that. So simple
@@FLgurl100 Or even just make it match the Poly even more. There is no reason why they couldn't tie it all together better. It feels like Disney has just given up.
This is one of Tom’s best rants
"The Island Tower" really? Did they run out of Polynesian island names?
OMG, Tom!!! 100% agree and it's been my rant for a long time too. The decline of immersive theming in the resorts. Thank you for echoing, on a public forum, the WDW "burr" that has been between my toes for too long!!!!
What the photos of the new tower don't show is how huge it is. A big rectangle of blah to dominate the Polynesian's theming. Tom is right about this.
23:00 I read an article recently about how Bob Iger was the guy responsible for basically ruining Twin Peaks by forcing the mystery to get solved, and that just put so many more things into perspective for me. He just doesn't not understand creativity, he's anti-creativity. He and his people want things to be monotone and generic as much as possible, and until he's completely gone from Disney, I have no hope for this company. And that's my little rant of the day lol
100% Tom. ❤ I loved the luau dinner show. So they got rid of that and gave us this mess? Nah. 😢
Tom's rant is spot on. Island Tower looks like new Hotel Inn or Best Western to me lol Like look at Aulani...
It looks like a community college 💀
Love your rants Tom. I agree completely about "Island Tower". They are losing theming in every resort.
Tom Thank You for all the updates.
I have gone on a full rant to multiple members of my family about it. The tower at the Polynesian Resort is just a giant RECTANGLE ruining the theme of the Magic Kingdom monorail track. It’s uninspired and boring and not as “behind the scene” as the bay lake tower or anything like that. I’m just glad I’m not the only person who cares that they just built a “cool” hotel. I love staying in nice hotels, but I stay in Disney for THEMED hotels!
You said about the Polynesian what we were all thinking. Thank you!
Tom rant = a happy night for me!
Remember when we were complaining about Saratoga Springs being very weakly themed and setting a trend? This (poly and cabins) is the result if you don't push back with your wallet
As always Tom absolutely spot on with your observations and comments. We are in the UK and began our WDW holidays in the late 90s ,we definitely had the best of Disney then.
It's not just Disney. A lot of modern construction has been bland. Just look at what they've been doing to McDonald's the past few years. A lot of them were colorful and themed but then they went and made a lot of them bland and gray like these DVC resorts.
I blame HGTV and the horrible trend of beige-ifying everything. My brother is looking to buy a house from 1918, but the inside has just been gutted and all the nice old hardwood and wallpaper has been replaced with that cheap tacky wood and blank white walls, it's really sad.
I don't understand all this love for gray. The gray cars out on the road blend in with the roads and look like they are primed waiting for the final paint job. I had my bathroom remodeled and the contractor came in with gray tile for wall and floors - I sent him back to get me color. I axed the gray.
This tower makes Riviera look themed.
I wouldn’t go that far lol
thank you tom for being a true disney lover unlike that other youtube channel, wdw pro. ive been on a few weeks rant about them. everything is negative over there. keep up the good work.
As a landscape architect. I'll be taking a close look at Island Tower to see if the landscape is well themed like it is at other resort. If this ends up with the same plants and fixtures as any other resort off property, I'll be so disappointed. The older Disney resort hotels are so inspiring with how they can make Florida feel like somewhere else.
My bet is hot and harsh: fake turf, straight lines and much less trees/foliage (looking at the concept art). I love Disney's look of flowing, curved lines of mass plantings, manicured turf and abundant trees (exotic ones at the poly). Sadly, tron and new future world don't have it nor were they given the space for it.
Rip Disney Dreams
Tom, I agree with you 100% about your DVC rant. I've been a DVC member since 2005. I have been very unhappy with the direction that DVC has gone with for the past 3 to 4 yrs. I don't understand why they have made some of the “design” changes to their properties. Thanks for saying out loud what we all wish we could say to DVC.
They might as well lower the Marriott sign onto the roof at this point, god.
Can you imagine trying to get on the resort monorail loop at the Floridian when this tower is done to get to MK? By the time it gets to the Floridian it will be stuffed with guests from the Contemporary, the regular Polynesian, and now the island tower. Glad they finished that walking trail from Floridian to MK.
The ambiance of the theme is super important!!! Thank you for saying it Tom. I hope someone in Disney is listening.
Disney is becoming one huge food park with a few rides and lots of merchandise to buy
I remember when the rides were the attraction now it’s always the food and merch.
Sad sad sad turn of events
Amen to everything you said about the Tower and Fort Wilderness. The story telling is a part of the fun of staying in a Disney property. If you want an ordinary hotel there are less expensive places in this style nearby . I am so disappointed with the loss of the beach and luau. It does ruin the skyline and immersive experience. This and what’s happening to Fort Wilderness is why i dislike the Disney Vacation Club
It needs lush greenery...tropical colors and especially put a waterfall in the lobby the way the original poly lobby had...you would walk in and hear that sound and smell the flowers. It was tropical...disney needs to fix this
I’d love to hear from the “over a dozen artists from around the world” who worked with Disney on Island Tower. How restrictive was the creative brief? I mean, I kinda sorta get that the lobby’s maybe supposed to resemble sand, and I can almost appreciate all the different carvings I see in Disney’s photo. But I can’t help comparing it to the Poly, Hawaii, and Polynesia at large. The art panel on the ceiling might be beautiful (can’t see enough of it to say), but it alone can’t Polyfy that lobby. Plus, I haven’t visited WDW in a few years so I wasn’t aware how massive this Island Tower actually is until I saw a couple WDW guests’ videos tonight. 🤦♀”Eyesore” is an understatement.
I’ll say the same thing about Island Tower I said about World Celebration Gardens: looks like something I’d find at any of the big newer outlet malls in Florida, and really most big modern shopping malls in the US. Dropping in a statue of Walt or hanging manta ray artwork from the ceiling doesn’t change that overall aesthetic.
When they took out the beautiful garden in the lobby and put in a stupid tiki, then got rid of the luau that was when the poly was ruined.
I love your honesty Tom, and I 100% agree with your evaluation of the tower and the ranting about Fort Wilderness... it's all very sad that Walt's dream is not honored!
I've had the same opinion about Riviera Resort. I think it's a big ugly eyesore, I believe they ruined the sightlines from inside Caribbean Beach resort, and they destroyed property to put up giant concrete boxes all for DVC money. And they are doing the same with Fort Wilderness. Sickening.
The colorless interior at the new “Island Tower” looks even more boring than the projects name.
I didn’t see anything like that in Hawaii
Come on Tom don't hold back ... tell us how you really feel! 🤣🤣 But honestly, as a DVC member I can agree you are not wrong about the de-theming happening ...
My dad in his 60’s, my mom in her 50’s, and my brothers and I in our 20’s all agree that the hotel part is crap. Disney needs to preserve this history!!!
That lobby would look fine for a resort in Punta Cana
Not for WDW
This is happening across the country. Cheap to build, bland apartment buildings (or time shares), which they can rent out at extreme prices and get away with it because of the affordable housing shortage.
it’s utter trash. as are the new cabins. the pool
is too small. the transportation at the poly is already strained and that lobby could be a fairfield inn.
Fort wilderness was a big part of my childhood. It is a shame what's happening.
I agree with you about the new tower, it looks so boring and bland and lifeless, it’s basically a Marriott hotel with some kind of odd island theme that just looks terrible, It doesn’t match the theme of the Polynesian, even the building itself just looks awful, it’s just a big ugly box of a hotel with what they think is a Polynesian theme , for them to get rid of the aloha dinner show to build this monstrosity is insane. They should have kept the aloha dinner show, I love Disney and everything, but I don’t like how they’re making all their resorts very modern and boring and bland, like no themeing whatsoever, just bland colors and barely any decorations to make the place special. It’s just all blah. I think they need to go back and redesign these resorts and get people who can actually design a Disney resort the right way and make it colorful and inviting And a resort that people want to come back to
Did Disney hire XS Tech to create that alien looking lobby? 💀😅
That's an insult to XS Tech
Tom - thank you for your review of the Poly DVC, this is as heartbreaking as what they are doing to FW i agree, I was devastated when they took away the buffet at Trails End, this was my favourite resort, the escapism made tou feel like you literally were in the wilderness, not any more, moving back to the Poly, the charm and the character has been wiped away from a resort that I hold so dear, it's really maddening, compare this to the new FS hotel in Japan and the stunning beauty of its aesthetic, tou would think WDW would have this level of immersion...not any more...
we both agree 100% with your rants. the lack of theming in these future projects is incredibly frustrating- and DEFINITELY not the kind of places we expect from our vacations. we've been going almost exclusively to WDW since our first trip in 1987. we've been DVC members since 1997. So many of our favorite things are slowly being taken away and it doesn't even feel like the same place. Not directly related, but as the dues continue to get more expensive and we are currently only on 1 income, it's becoming increasingly harder for us to even afford that (we rented out 1/3 of our points just to help offset the dues). this is the one place we go on vacation and to see things changing where we're not sure how much longer we can continue to go is heartbreaking. (that's my little rant - thanks, love your channel)
Couldn't agree more. The "Island" tower is terrible and the lobby looks like vegas chic - not at all polynesian. What happened to the earth tones? Why could they not have taken inspiration from Aulani, possibly one of the best-themed disney resorts. The resorts continue to look the same.
Why is WDW the outlier in terms of regarding its history?
Tom I am right there with you on the poly dvc disaster. It just does not fit in at all and ruins the landscape. It should have gone where reflections was to go.
The walkway walking path between the Poly and Grand with the monorail was one of the best paths and walks of Walt Disney World history. They should of built this near transportation ticket center instead.
I’m a Poly DVC owner, but the tower sticks out like a sore thumb. So much for the “Polynesian Village” feel with a 100ft tower looming over the longhouses 😂. But I have Poly points so I probably will make the best of it and book a stay there at least once. But I’m betting that nothing will beat the classic longhouse rooms, they’re huge and have two bathrooms!
enjoy your walk to the monorail.
@@People_of_the_Mouse I stayed in the Moorea building in January, which is probably the same distance to the Great Ceremonial House that the Island Tower is 😂
West Coaster (DLR local)'s Opinion: I only went to DisneyWorld once, my best memory of that trip, was that Luau... And they crushed it... Thanks...
Can’t agree more with Tom’s take on both the Polynesian and the clearcut area of Fort Wilderness. What a disaster. The soul of both areas have been destroyed.
Also love how the tower overlooks the wedding pavilion, how long before some drunken fool starts yelling out at someone getting married and ruins their multi thousand dollar day.
Thanks Tom, with the weekend News!
It even looks worse in person. So sad. Can not believe they built that thing.
I honestly think that Polynesian tower was only greenlit to address DVC capacity issues at Poly as fast as possible
Thanks, Tom and his WDWNT stuff. You're welcome back.
As to the poly DVC tower - your rant is spot on. Amen.
I remember being at WDW for my 5th Birthday, July 1975. Desecration is the correct world. The Poly was OUT OF THIS WORLD for a Midwestern kid. We ate at the luau. And you're correct. It looks like a villain evil lair.
Ha. What will they build at reflections? They built that Marriott at Poly. What's Reflections? A gray residence inn
I remember the adventure of riding the train to River Country. I'm so grateful to have experienced a premium WDW before they became incompetent grifters
Please play Disney trap music with a few lights when you “rave!” This would be stellar!!
Perfectly said.
From a soulless, heartless, thoughtless, grey, unthemed excuse for a “Disney Resort,” to a WILDLY wrapped, THEMED, monorail in Tokyo!! What a stark contrast 🤦♂️
Disney understands exactly what they are doing by making all these changes.
They want to dissuade their established sentimental returning guests & replace them with a new type of guests.
I agree with everything you ranted about....well said Tom!
The Polynesian tower is so hideous! I’m shocked! Don’t they test their ideas on their audience? How can they create something so weird, and not know how ugly it is?
The Polynesian dvc tower would pair nice with Epcots college campus
TELL’EM TOM!!!❤
I wholly agree with you about the new Polynesian Tower! We are current DVC Polynesian owners and are totally disappointed with what they are doing. Also, thanks so much for mentioning that you can watch the Stage 89 replay! I had purchased our streaming ticket, missed it and and was so disappointed so I deleted my confirmation email. When you said streaming is still available I hurried and looked for it and moved it out of my trash! lol
Whoever is in charge of DVC is CRAZY! That is all 100% CRAZY! Things look ugly!
I also heard that this new tower blocks the view of the castle in the window of the grand floridians wedding pavilion. And if so, I'm pissed because I want to get married there and that would ruin the magic for me
It doesn’t
@@WDWNT oh thank goodness
I agree with Tom! Polynesian Tower/ DVC looks bad. The problem I have is the Polynesian already has problems with getting people on the monorail in morning and afternoon it’s difficult to use the monorail . How much worse is it going to get when DVC Tower is open. I know the backup is the Contemporary is first for pickup then Polynesian, and The Grand Floridian. I do know you can walk on the walking path. Thank you Tom
I am getting Peter griffin “you know what grinds my gears” vibes from Tom’s rants
Tom: Splash Mountain and Country Bear Jamboree are gone, people just need to get used to it.
Also Tom: These updated DVC properties and nighttime shows are an affront to the history of Walt! Why can't Disney leave things the way they've always been?
WDW News. Tom, the day is fast approaching when Walts Epcot "Community of Tomorrow" will be 27,000 acres of DVC accomodation. We're now starting to hear the first rumblings of DVC members wanting Disney to build exclusive areas and attractions just for their own members. It's hard to belive that Disney won design awards for some of their hotels in the 80's and 90's. I don't think this new tower will be winning one. Cheers, Chris Perry.
As a current DVC member, I would not waste 1 point on staying there. If I wanted to say at a vanilla hotel that is NOT themed, I would just go and stay at an off property Holiday Inn. This is an obvious mistake and now they are trying to throw some paint and propaganda at it.
In the same way that taking out the People Mover has left a scar in Tomorrowland that will never heal, this Island Tower will be a blemish on the Poly that will never go away.
Opportunity missed Tom. You had the chance to suggest that lobby was designed by a “sad beige mom they found on TikTok”.
That is EXACTLY what I said when the lobby concept art came on the screen!! It's so freaking beige!!!
Sir…I forgot to give you my bonvoy number when I checked in….which way to the free continental breakfast and the Marriott van to the airport? Do I get double points since it is the weekend?
100% agree‼ the new Poly tower is an abomination!
Disney and DVC don't seem to understand nor respect their history and what has made their themed resorts so beloved over the decades! It's very sad how generic and ugly all the new DVC projects have been, especially when they're replacing elements of opening-year resorts!
Tom Rants are always worth the price of admission and totally on the money.
The outside of TBA is SO PRETTY. I can't wait to see video of the inside.
You rant, guy! Go for it.
Oh, and I agree. Ugly. I'm glad I'l never go to a DVC thing anyway, but it does harm the looks of the lake. Sigh.
And they were very targeted and specific rants. Keep up the good work.
Preach sir!
I am commenting as a watch a little more of your video...LOL! We won a Motorhome, a couple years ago and immediately bout annual passes, we may eat a couple meals at the campsites, but add on more reservations of the places we love!! June trip...Sci-Fi, Oga's, Akershus, and Jiko's (this was the last minute trip that I wasn't gonna make reservations, but 20 percent discount got me!!) We have 2 more trips planned behind this one! Point being...just because we are staying in the campground, doesn't mean we won't be making reservations! Next trip 2 Halloween party reservations, and planning tons of dining!