Aloha! 🌺 The newest addition to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is ready to say “E komo mai” (welcome) to guests! Officially opening December 17th, the Disney Vacation Club Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows brings deluxe new accommodations to Walt Disney World’s tropical oasis. Disney invited your MiceChat crew to preview the tower—and even spend the night!
From stunning island-inspired details to modern luxuries, we’ve got plenty of thoughts and photos to share from this long-awaited expansion.
But even if you aren’t a DVC member, we’ll tell you how you can still book this new luxury offering!
Welcome to the Polynesian Tower Villas & Bungalows
The 10-story Island Tower is the newest addition to Disney’s Polynesian Village at Walt Disney World. The Disney Vacation Club property is located between the Polynesian and the Grand Floridian resorts on Bay Lake. This expansion is a luxurious take on the classic Polynesian theme and allows guests to take advantage of existing resort facilities.
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The DVC Island Tower weaves artwork and themes of Polynesian wayfinding inspired by the Disney animated film “Moana” and the natural elements of earth, water, wind, and sky.
We were initially concerned that adding a 10-story tower to the classic Polynesian Village Resort might overshadow the charm of the existing three-story longhouses. However, the new tower impresses with its gorgeous spaces, artistic and well-appointed rooms, thoughtful cultural touches, and a delightful new bar and restaurant. While the Island Tower is a noticeable addition to the Seven Seas Lagoon skyline, it’s far less intrusive within the resort itself. Thanks to its location at the far end of the property beyond the new pool complex, the tower is barely visible from most of the Polynesian Resort, with the exception of the closest longhouses.
Interestingly, Imagineers have been exploring the concept of an island-themed tower since the earliest days of Walt Disney World. (We wish they had gone with that stepped pyramid design below—how cool would that have been?)
With easy access to everything we already love about Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, these Hawaiian-chic Island Tower rooms might just be the nicest at Walt Disney World.
Island Tower Features and Amenities
The Polynesian Village Resort has long been a guest favorite at Walt Disney World, offering everything needed for a perfect tropical getaway. The new Island Tower adds a bit more to the mix with a Moana-themed pool complex and a fantastic new bar and restaurant featuring stunning views of the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Wailulu Bar & Grill
The Wailulu Bar & Grill provides a serene setting with stunning views of the Seven Seas Lagoon, featuring both indoor and outdoor seating and a bar with a direct sight line to Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle.
Guests can start their day with a casual walk-up continental breakfast at the pool bar or enjoy a Polynesian-inspired all-day menu for lunch and dinner. Unique decor elements include floating tropical fish sculptures leading to a vibrant textile piece in the bar and an infinity fountain surrounding the outdoor dining patio, drawing the eye to the lagoon.
The menu may be small, but the food is fantastic. You can’t go wrong with the loco loco or the pork chop, both bursting with flavor. We also loved the burger, especially when paired with the traditional mac salad, and the sustainable fish with curry sauce was another highlight. Honestly, we enjoyed everything we tried—including the drinks. The standout? A banana old-fashioned that left us saying, “Wow!”
Moana’s Voyage and Cove Pool
Speaking of Moana, the wayfinding Disney Princess is front and center at the Island Tower’s new splash pad, Moana’s Voyage, which features life-size sculptures of the princess and her canoe, as seen in the beloved movie.
A life-size sculpture of Moana and her voyaging canoe are the creative heart of the tower’s new water play area called “Moana’s Voyage.”
The family-friendly splash zone featuring sprayers and fountains is just one of the water features at the new tower. Guests and DVC members will also be able cool off at the zero-depth-entry Cove Pool.
Terrace Gardens
Four tropical terrace gardens (exclusively for Island Tower guests), enhanced with colorful art, foliage, and themed seating areas, are a charming enhancement. Designed as a tranquil place for families to congregate, the gardens offer picturesque views of Disney’s Oak Trail and Magnolia Golf Courses or Seven Seas Lagoon. This will be a popular place to view the fireworks at Magic Kingdom!
Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Room Types
Like all DVC properties, the Island Tower offers a variety of room types, starting with some tight but functional accommodations and building to a spacious new 2-bedroom penthouse suite.
Island Tower Duo Studio
The duo studios are the smallest accommodations but offer a “bright and breezy ambiance.” Travelers should note that the space is smaller than a traditional hotel room and doesn’t include a fixed bed. Instead, the setup features a couch with a pull-down bed that converts the space from a living room to a bedroom (look for the handles next to the painting above the bed to make the switch).
Island Tower Deluxe Studio
Deluxe studios can accommodate four, two in the bed and two on the couch that folds out into a bed. This updated room type boasts a new amenity for Disney Vacation Club deluxe studios—a dishwasher! Enjoy a dedicated relaxation area positioned opposite a well-appointed kitchenette, ideal for prepping a quick breakfast and coffee before heading out to the parks or simply unwinding after a day of adventure.
The studio feels open and has a nice-sized seating bench, but a rather small table. It’s hard to imagine two kids, much less a family of four attempting to eat a meal together here.
The studio has a stationary bed and a pull-down sofa.
When you pull the wall down over the couch, the artwork changes from a daytime image to this nighttime image of Tafiti sleeping. A charming detail:
The bathroom is spacious with a large countertop and side-by-side toilet and shower areas.
One & Two-Bedroom Villas for the Whole Family
If you’re accustomed to the typical one-bedroom layout seen throughout Walt Disney World, you might be in for a surprise. The new 1-Bedroom villa sleeps 5, and you’ll notice the kitchen is linear instead of a U-shape, making space for these rooms to add an extra full bath! That’s a BIG upgrade and makes getting ready in the morning much quicker.
There’s also a large table which will comfortably fit a family of five with room to spare – and if you look closely, you can see hidden Mickey’s in the bench seating.
There’s another hidden Mickey in the Manta above the breakfast nook…
In the living area, the pull-down couch sleeps two and a pull-down twin sleeps an additional guest. Beautiful artwork is revealed when the bed is folded down.
The main bedroom has a king-size bed and features a full-wall wayfaring mural.
The 1-Bedroom Villa has two bathrooms, with the main bathroom featuring a pair of identical sinks, a soaking tub, and a shower.
The second bathroom is more traditional with a larger shower.
The two-bedroom villa is essentially the same as the one-bedroom but with the addition of an extra bedroom and accommodates up to nine guests.
Each villa features unique artwork depicting the journeys of Polynesian voyagers across land and sea. One-bedroom suites celebrate water themes, and studios are earth-themed. One and two-bedroom suites also have a fully equipped kitchen, a dedicated dining area, an in-suite washer and dryer, and a private outdoor patio.
We love how the extra beds are hidden. One pulls down over the couch and one pulls down from under the TV!
The artwork everywhere is inspired by Moana, but in a somewhat subtle way. The colors and textures are comforting.
Two-Bedroom Penthouse Villas
Disney Vacation Club introduces a brand-new type of accommodation in the Island Tower: two-bedroom penthouse villas (instead of a 3-bedroom Grand Villa). Themed around the calming balance between water and the islands, the stunning villas will sleep up to eight and boast a spacious living room, and spectacular views of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom Park from an expansive patio balcony. In other words, a room with the perfect fireworks views! Take a look at these gorgeous rooms:
At the end of each night, enjoy a little kiss good night via the view from many of the rooms. But even if your room doesn’t have a magic Kingdom view, there are beautiful garden terraces in which to sit and watch the spectacle.
Island Tower News and Views
A ceiling art installation inspired by the wildlife and landscapes of the South Pacific welcomes visitors with the spirit of Aloha. Four carved columns in the lobby represent wind, fire, air, and earth. Subtle nods to “Moana” are incorporated into the room design, offering a combination of Polynesian influence and beloved characters (similar to what guests can experience at Aulani in Hawaii).
For a closer look at the interiors, this video room tour provides a good idea of what to expect:
Booking The Polynesian Village Island Tower
The Island Tower is available for booking now for both DVC and regular guests.
Disney Vacation Club members can make rental reservations by contacting Member Services. Points reservations will be available at a later date.
Villas in the Island Tower are also available for rental by anyone while sales on the new tower continue. This is your golden opportunity to stay in a DVC unit without being a DVC member. Once this tower sells out, it will be much harder to secure a reservation without being a member.
Make note of the numbers for booking:
- Disney Vacation Club members can make rental reservations by contacting Member Services at (800) 800-9800
- Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can start booking rental reservations by calling (407) 934-7639
- All guests can make reservations online or by calling (407) 934-7639
OR… Let our vacation planners book it for you…
Discount Disney Tickets and Travel
Our vacation planners can book the new Polynesian Island Tower for you and assist you with discounted tickets to the park, help with reservation details, and much more.
Check out the latest offers for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Disney Cruise Line, including new low hotel rates, extra days and nights for free, special perks, and limited-time opportunities… including special limited-time Disneyland ticket offers!
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Our Thoughts and Takeaways
While the new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort does stand out a bit on the Seven Seas Lagoon skyline, it’s undeniably a beautiful addition to the property. The rooms are stunning, thoughtfully designed, and incredibly comfortable, with touches of Polynesian charm throughout. The new Wailulu Bar & Grill is a fantastic spot to dine, offering delicious food, unique cocktails, and unforgettable views of the lagoon and Cinderella Castle.
We believe these might just be the nicest rooms on Walt Disney World property. The one-bedroom suites, in particular, are the sweet spot, offering two full bathrooms, a kitchen with full-size appliances, and a washer and dryer.
Pro Tip: Don’t overpack! With laundry available in your room, it’s easy to freshen up your wardrobe whenever needed.
What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Are you a Disney Vacation Club member? If not, this is your chance to experience these incredible rooms before DVC members snap them all up. Book your stay today and discover all the magic the Island Tower has to offer!
Bookmark this page and stay tuned for future updates! We’ll keep this guide updated and have additional photos and videos we are still working on.