Around the resort
So the reports from the resort about the music is that it is new and is going to be staying. I know many miss the old music but the reports are good from those who have heard the new music. I think it is about time they updated the music (just like they have done with the rest of the resort) but I will miss the old music. It brings back good memories.
East Pool closure
Well as of right now the info from the resort is that the original closure in August will be later on and they are going to make the East pool have a zero entry area. I don’t know if this will result in the deep end being gone or not. Also the rumor of a hot tub being added is false as of now. They say there is no plans to add a hot tub to the pool area. No word on exact dates for it to be closed yet but it will not be this summer.
Other changes
The signs at the Resort are getting an updated look. The lettering is changing to the new font. Instead of the original font of the resort from the beginning (Bauhaus) it is going to look like the sign shown here that is 
outside the Great Ceremonial House. I think the look is good but I miss the hand crafted carved signs that were originally made here in California by Oceanic Arts who still has some old reject signs from the Polynesian hanging around the store.
Tonga has gotten some new furniture such as couches and other soft furnishings.
Roofs have been refurbished at Aotearoa, Fiji, Tuvalu and Tonga.
The boardwalk work at the marina is completed. They replaced all the wood along the marina.
For those of you who use the airline check-in at the resort, Southwast is now part of the list of airlines who you can check in with from the resort.
4th of July
Well the 4th of July is coming up and the Polynesian can be a special place to be for this celebration unfortunately because it is such a great spot for the fireworks it has a negative side to it during the holiday. We started out going to the Polynesian for the 4th of July back in 2000. I had been to Disneyland a few times for the 4th of July and it was really a fun place to be to celebrate the birthday of the country.
Many of the guests would hang out on the balconies and patios or sit out on the beach and grass to watch the fireworks from what I consider the best spot in WDW to see them. The rumor is that Walt picked the spot for the Polynesian to be a little isolated from the park (back then when the Grand Floridian was not there) and for its location looking at the park. He figured it was 
a direct shot at where the castle would be and the water would enhance the fireworks when they reflected off the lagoon. Sort of how a sunset looks better when reflected off the ocean. Well many do consider the Polynesian beach a prime location for the fireworks so where else would you go to see the best fireworks of the year? Well unfortunately over the years other guests from outside the resort and caught on to this from word of mouth, Disney forums online and crazy web sites dedicated to Disney resorts. This has made the beach even more crowded. Even locals rent out rooms just for that night.
It use to be that the 4th was the beginning of value season but now they changed the season so that it has an increased cost for that holiday. We had gone a few years in a row and would check in on the 4th and spend the day at the resort with all its fun 4th of July activities and stay out of the crowds at the park. It got to the point where there were so many guests from outside the resort that we had people that would literally stand in front of us sitting on our patio so that we could not see the fireworks. Also people would take chairs off the patio, all the towels from the pool to sit on and leave them all over the beach along with trash. Even though going that time of year is perfect for us with our anniversary on June 30th and my birthday on July 8th we decided it was getting too out of control. Some years they started to do some things to limit access to the resort on this holiday by closing the pool to DVC members, asking for ID getting onto the resort monorail and randomly checking ID around the resort. The resort and its parking lot are closed on the 4th to non-resort guests or those who do not have a reservation and they do state that the beach is off limits that night to non-resort guests and guests who are dinning.
This is not meant to scare people away from going on the 4th of July, in fact I still feel it is a great time to be in WDW. I just want people to be prepared. Be ready for the crowds and with the crowds, people who are going to be rude, but try and enjoy all that goes on during this holiday and look at it as a big party for the country.
Remember that there will be special activities around the resort and the fireworks will be at 9:00. You will see even more from the resort since they launch fireworks from the islands out in the lagoon that seem to stretch from the Grand Floridian to the Contemporary and all in between. Also the Polynesian guests get a special appearance of the Electric Water Pageant at the Polynesian beach only during the fireworks.
