Aloha and welcome back to Dateline Disney World. We’ll be taking a look at all the new changes at the Polynesian Resort today as well as a quick update from the Magic Kingdom. We have almost 70 photos for you this week, so let’s dive right in!

Welcome to the Poly!
Welcome to the Poly!

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Signage is up now for Trader Sam's Grog Grotto.
Signage is up now for Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto.
This little fella is now up and means that the lobby overhaul is now complete.
This little fella stands atop the small fountain in the lobby and signals that the overhaul is now complete.

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Lots of Sam's merchandise available.
Lots of Trader Sam’s merchandise is now available.
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Great shirt!

 

Sam's was not yet open when I visited, but there have been 4 hour waits to get in thus far.
Sam’s was not yet open when I visited, but there have been 4 hour waits to get in thus far.
There is also an outdoor patio that serves many of the same drinks as inside the Grotto.
There is also an outdoor patio that serves many of the same drinks as inside the Grotto.
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Tiki Gods adorn the patio.

 

And there are tiki's everywhere.
Tiki’s everywhere.

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This will be a waterfall when it's done.
This will be a waterfall when it’s done.

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The bungalows should be opening this week!
The DVC bungalows at the Poly should be opening this week!
Big changes are coming to the pool here as well.
Big changes are coming to the pool here as well.
Welcome to the Magic Kingdom.
Welcome to the Magic Kingdom.
The story this week is big crowds from Spring Break. Late hours!
The story this week is big crowds from Spring Break. Late hours!
The Easter Bunny is here.
The Easter Bunny is here.

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Barber Shop is reopened after refurbishment.
Barber Shop has reopened after refurbishment.

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The tarp is finally down on Main Street revealing a much less saturated color palette.
The tarp is finally down on Main Street, revealing a much less saturated color palette.

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Over at the Hub, I'm glad this guy made it through the renovation.
Over at the Hub, I’m glad this guy made it through the renovation.
The Rose Garden did not.
The Rose Garden did not.

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The Rose Garden is just a pile of dirt that will more than like be built up to the same level as the rest of the Hub.
The Rose Garden is just a pile of dirt that will more than like be built up to the same level as the rest of the Hub.

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Here's the view of the Rose Garden from the Peoplemover.
Here’s the view of the Rose Garden from the Peoplemover.

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Looks like Space Mountain got a power washing.
Looks like Space Mountain got a power washing.
Lines just to get inside Cosmic Ray's for lunch!
Lines just to get inside Cosmic Ray’s for lunch!
CMs out to help guide the traffic flow.
CMs out to help guide the traffic flow.
The new castle turrets are behind these tarps by Cinderella Castle.
The new castle turrets are behind tarps near Cinderella Castle.

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Walt and Mickey are finally no longer in a box.
Walt and Mickey watch over the new hub.
New lighting fixtures in the center of the Hub.
New lighting fixtures in the center of the Hub.
Aunt Polly's was open on Tom Sawyer Island this week! More than likely due to the high crowds.
You know it’s busy when Aunt Polly’s is open on Tom Sawyer Island.
Aloha Isle has switched spots with Sunshine Tree Terrace and dole whips are now sold here, next to the Tiki Room.
Aloha Isle has switched spots with Sunshine Tree Terrace and dole whips are now sold here, next to the Tiki Room.

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70 minutes for Jungle Cruise!
70 minutes for Jungle Cruise!

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Even long lines for Magic Carpets
Even long lines for Magic Carpets
Refurbishment is finally done here in Adventureland.
Refurbishment is finally done here in Adventureland.

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The new home of the Sunshine Tree Terrace and the Citrus Swirl.
The new home of the Sunshine Tree Terrace and the Citrus Swirl.
Orange Bird is not there, currently.
Orange Bird is not there, currently.
Rumors keep swirling about the Adventureland Verandah reopening. Fingers crossed!
Rumors keep swirling about the Adventureland Verandah reopening. Fingers crossed!
Some work is happening on this far end of the Hub between Adventureland and Liberty Square.
Some work is happening on this far end of the Hub between Adventureland and Liberty Square.

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This is the line to get into Casey's Corner. Seriously.
This is the line to get into Casey’s Corner. Seriously.

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Roy and Minnie seem to have gone missing.
The Roy and Minnie bench sculpture seem to have gone missing.

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That's it for this week!
That’s it for this week!

That’s all we’ve got for you this week. Hopefully we’ll get into Trader Sam’s before next week’s column. Any thoughts about the Poly or MK changes? Let us know in the comments below!

If you appreciate what we do here and would like to support Dateline Disney World, you can shop at Amazon.com, Dateline Disney World – Polynesian Enhancements Almost Complete and Magic Kingdom Updates, using my link (please CLICK HERE, Dateline Disney World – Polynesian Enhancements Almost Complete and Magic Kingdom Updates before you do). It won’t cost you any extra, and it’ll help out the column!!

For more photos and tutorials on Disney photography, please check out my photo site, Disney Photography Blog. And if you like listening more than reading, you can hear us talk about Disney and photography on my podcast, ISO5571

Cory Disbrow
Cory likes Walt Disney World so much, he recently packed his bags and moved to Orlando. Cory is a photographer and writes MiceChat's Dateline Disney World columns every Friday.