New maps
On November 12, 2013 the Polynesian started to issue new resort maps. These new maps for the parks and resorts are what they call “App to Map” meaning they look like the new maps that are on the “My Disney Experience” app. This keeps everything looking the same. The parks got them first and resorts then started rolling them out. Now they even match the maps I have on my “Which Longhouse” page under my Planning section. I also have 
New floor plan maps that can be found on the longhouse pages that will show you every detail of each room including which are connecting. I held off on doing Tahiti and Rapa Nui (now located in my DVC section) because they will change soon and it took me a long time to do each longhouse
I notice that the new Polynesian map will have to be updated in the next couple of years once DVC is done and the pool area is changed. If you want to keep up with the construction news or see photos sent in showing the construction you can go to my DVC page and see the timeline and photo album. It will be updated from time to time.
Holidays at the resort
Many say that the Polynesian does not get the kind of decorations that resorts like the Grand Floridian or the Boardwalk get but I think they do a nice job. The theme does not really lend itself to over the top holiday decorations to begin with so the nice accents around with the Poinsettia replacing some of the tropical plants I think works well. Being at the Polynesian makes for a nice location when you want to go enjoy Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party because of its many transportation options in and out of the Magic Kingdom. They also have some other nice treats at the resort with adding in some Hawaiian Christmas Music and special menu items around the holidays. On November 28th you can enjoy Thanksgiving day at ‘Ohana and Kona Café with a special Menu. Menu items include things like carved roasted turkey with sausage stuffing, mashed sweet potatoes, oven roasted baby carrots, green beans, traditional mashed potatoes, giblet gravy and house-made cranberry sauce. DUring December there are some fun holiday activities planned so take a look at the Holiday activity schedule.
I will be adding a new album to my “Christmas at the Polynesian” page so if you send in your holiday photos, that is where they will go.
Construction update
It looks like the plans to redesign the pool area will get pushed off. As we have seen over the last 2 years, plans to upgrade parts of the pool are area around it, including the addition of a long awaited hot tub, have been pushed off. Originally some of this activity was to start in 2011. This activity was pushed off into February of 2012 but later changed again to be February 2013 and then March of 2013. Shortly after that Disney sent notice out that the pool would close in September of 2013 and this was posted on forums and web sites all over. Just about the time everyone was posting the closure of the pool in September I was told it was pushed off until January of 2014. Most people still believed it was going to close in September even though sources at the resort were saying it would not. As of a few weeks ago those working in departments that support pool activities were told they would need to be relocated for up to a year starting January 8. This was the date that they were planning on starting some of the work with the bulk of the demolition being in March. As of this morning I am told that they are planning on a May closure and it is still estimated to be 8 months to a year. Hopefully they can complete it faster than that.
When the construction starts around the pool area I would expect some disruption around Rarotonga, Niue and Samoa. To get equipment into the area from the Great Ceremonial House to the beach I would think they would access the path between Rarotonga and the Great Ceremonial House as they did when the Volcano pool was built in 2000-2001. Expect everything from Captain Cook’s to the beach to be turn up and inaccessible. I would guess they would leave access to the motor launch (small boat to Magic Kingdom) and maybe relocate boat rentals but the area all around the pool and the outside patio of the Great Ceremonial House will be closed off to build what they are proposing. This move will push completing into 2015 so I would think they are not going to keep pushing it out more if they are going to have this complete in time for a late 2015 DVC opening. There is still no word on when the work in the Great Ceremonial House will start but I don’t get the feeling it will be any time this year.
We see construction continuing on the docks for the bungalows. What you are seeing now is not actually the docks people will walk on. Those I am told will be constructed over what you see now. The docks you see out on the water now are what will support the utilities to get out to the bungalows. We also have seen the transformation of Sunset Pointe into a pile of dirt. If it ends up looking like the concept it will have some paths, stairways and some sitting areas where Sunset Point once was. If you are there, keep sending your photos to tikimanpages@gmail so I can add them to the album on the new DVC page http://www.tikimanpages.com/poly/the-resort/dvc/item/191-disney-vacation-club
