Disney Vacation Club Treats Owners to Island Tower Preview

Following the annual member meeting on Thursday, December 12, Disney Vacation Club allowed owners to take a guided tour of the new Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. Unforunately attendees were not able to take photographs during the tour, but here are a few new items we learned during our visit. 

Facilities

• The Island Tower lobby does not have a formal front desk, however there will be cast members present with tablets to assist guests when needed.
• Luggage assistance will be offered at Island Tower.
• The four large pillars in the lobby are themed to represent the four elements: earth, wave, fire and wind.
• The lobby is located on the first floor of the building.
• The large turquoise wall in the Island Tower lobby is not a water feature.
• An active room key or MagicBand will be required to access upper floors of the building. A tap pad is located inside each elevator.
• Room numbers begin with the number eight (8). The second digit represents the floor.
• There are four Terrace Gardens on the building: two on the Seven Seas Lagoon side and two facing the golf course. The gardens are available only to Island Tower guests, with a key card required to enter. Access hours may vary, but according to our tour guide, they will be open before sunrise daily.
• The walking path between Polynesian and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort leads around the gated pool area and between the building and Seven Seas Lagoon.

Dining

• Wailulu Bar & Grill will serve three meals per day. According to our tour guide, breakfast will be grab-and-go continental breakfast-type items like muffins and coffee. (Subject to change.) Lunch and dinner will offer both sit-down dining and carry-out via mobile order. Dining reservations will not be accepted.
• Wailulu is an open-air venue with some covered outdoor seating.
• Several of the outdoor booths are surrounded by a water feature which offer a sort of infinity pool-type look.
• Two Coca-Cola Freestyle machines are stationed just outside the pool area, adjacent to the bar.
• There is no quick service dining at Island Tower.

Recreation

• The pool area offers the main swimming pool, Moana-themed kids water play area and a hot tub.
• The pool features a “sun shelf” where guests can relax in shallow water. This is a unique feature, not found in any other Walt Disney World pool.
• The pool is gated, and will require an active room key to access .
• The pool complex will be open to all guests of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
• Island Tower includes a fitness center which will be available to all Polynesian guests.

Rooms

• The layout of most guest rooms mirrors The Villas at Disneyland Hotel.
• All rooms have a private balcony.
• Rooms have both USB-A and USB-C charging ports, though there are more USB A than C.
• One Bedroom Villas have two full bathrooms while Two Bedroom Villas have three full bathrooms.
• In order to reduce paper waste, Deluxe Studio rooms will have a dishwasher along with dishes and silverware.

Perhaps most importantly, all guest rooms and resort amenities are expected to be available on opening day. Island Tower opens to guests on December 17, 2024.