Myths, Masks and Icons of the Polynesian Village
For many people their only real exposure to Polynesian culture might be from a trip to Hawaii, Adventureland, a local tiki bar or a back yard party. Many people don’t realize all of that came from actual things from Polynesia and the cultures that lived there. They also don’t realize the culture behind many of the things at the Polynesian Village Resort. I study a lot of the different Polynesian cultures but I am in no way an expert but there are a few things I learned that I would like to share with all of you.
You often hear from guests or tiki bar aficionados describe the Polynesian as retro, 70’s or kitchy. While I believe everyone’s opinion is important because it is how they see things, I personally don’t agree with those descriptions. There are definitely some cartoonish representations of Polynesian items or Disney interpretations of things found in the Polynesian cultures but there are all based on authentic items found in the South Pacific.
Recently I visited Oceanic Arts in Southern California and got to talk to the guys who started it all. They did many of the items for the Polynesian and Adventureland. While their carvings may have a slightly different look and feel than things found in Polynesia, they learned many of their styles and techniques by spending a lot of time with the different cultures. I recently got one of their pieces, thanks to a tip from a friend. The piece is one of their New Guinea Savi masks. The same carving can be found on the wall of Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar. Also there are two similar representations found on the side of the building where the Club Disney kids club and the Tangaroa Terrace is at the Polynesian Village Resort. These masks are known for their tongue out and often display the toothy smile. The tongue out is a sign of aggression. These masks were not used to dance with but hung outside the ceremonial Haus Tambarans (Men’s House) and were only used by the most powerful men in the clan. These masks would protect them from black magic.
I find that often the stories behind the things at the Polynesian were never shared with the staff or some of the truths behind the items got lost over time. Often when I have been told stories from Polynesian staff about the resort it is something that was made up years ago and keeps getting told to guests. One of those stories I heard for years was how the original longhouses were built like traditional Hawaiian Longhouses and that second floor rooms did not have balconies because it was to keep the mischievous Menehune out of your room. Well it was a fun story but none of it is true. First of all the longhouses at the Polynesian don’t look like a traditional Hawaiian longhouse. A traditional Hawaiian Longhouse was open on the sides and did not have multiple floors. It was usually one big thatched roof. The roof design of the Polynesian Longhouses looks more Tahitian than anything else. Also there are many misconceptions about the Menehune. That misconception about them being mythical or trouble makers is far from the truth about a civilization that actually lived in the Hawaiian islands before the Tahitians found the Hawaiian Island chain in the third century AD. These people were dwarf size but extremely skilled. They hid from the new occupiers of the island mostly because they were often abused or mistreated by 
them. The name menehune means lowley people. For a while the new settlers of the Hawaiian islands lived amongst the Menehune but soon after had begun to enslave them and force them into hard labor. This caused them to scatter into the deep jungles of the island and into the mountains. Some proof of this was found when small burial chambers were found with undersized graves in remote caves throughout the islands. The Menehune were small but strong and extremely skilled and efficient builders. The Alekoko fishpond was something many people credit the Menehune with constructing overnight.
One other famous icon of the Polynesian Resort that seems to be more mystery than anything is the famous little Tiki icon found all over the resort and on the signs. Many people refer to the little Tiki icon as the “Tiki Shrug”. Some have clamed that as his official name but after some searching, I have discovered this to be his unofficial nickname. I asked some people who worked for Disney at the time of his creation and even had a discussion with the original carver at Oceanic Arts who created his image on many things. LeRoy Schmaltz told me that Disney created the tiki image and gave it to 
them to recreate on the items for the resort but no name was ever told to them. Even some of the original guys don’t remember if he ever had an official name but more recently Imagineers call him the “Poly Tiki”. I get the feeling that was just a name that has been used for a while because no one knows or remembers if he ever had an official name. I’m guessing that at one point the designer of the little guy had a name for him but maybe we will never find out what it was.
One other myth is the large cement figure next to Fiji longhouse, on the way to the luau is a mystery as to what it represents. I have never seen anything like it from any of the cultures of Polynesian. Cast Members tell guests that it is good luck to touch its nose and many people take photos with it. I personally thought it was a little odd. When trying to find out what it was I was told it was moved over from Adventureland years ago. I remember it showing up at the resort in the early 2000s. When I asked about it from some of the Cast Members of Polynesian descent, I was told that it does not represent the culture and is disrespectful. I posted this on my Facebook page and got a lot of people upset but I am just sharing my findings and giving my opinion of it. Sorry if you love it but I personally will not be rubbing its nose. I’m not very superstitious but personally I don’t mess with things that are disrespectful to a culture or maybe tabo. Remember what happened to the Brady Bunch?
If you do want to learn more about the culture behind things at the Polynesian, take some time to talk to the Cast Members from the islands and hear what they have to say. They can teach you alot and make your visit to the Polynesian enjoyable and educational.
To read more about my visit to Oceanic Arts you can click here.
Construction update
I have been posting many of my day to day updates and photos on my Facebook page just because I can do it quick and easy. It would be difficult for me to update my web site every day but I try and keep most of the information on here so people don’t have to search through pages of postings on Facebook. I also know it is hard because of the new likes I get every day, those people might have missed what was posted earlier. I don’t want to post the same responses every day so I group the relevant information into my news articles. Often I will refer people to the site because I try and update the schedules there.
My new DVC page has a timeline to show the evolution of the construction at the resort. I know not all the construction has to do with DVC but I just tried to group it all as one big project. I added some of the estimated completion dates to the schedule based on the actual construction schedule. Now keep in mind that due to projects starting late, materials, weather, resources, etc. the completion dates often go beyond the posted schedule. So far nothing has been completed on the scheduled date. I say this because if the schedule says the Nanea pool will be done by mid April but I would not make plans based on that happening. If you show up late April or early May and the pool is not done, don’t be surprised.
A good example of how late some things are is the main entrance to the Great Ceremonial House. I saw a schedule that said it would be complete by August 2014 and they still have not even finished demolition of the area. We are 3 months past the estimated completion date.
Recently the staff at the Polynesian has been told the Great Ceremonial House would be done by Thanksgiving. As of a week or so ago I was told that nothing behind the walls in the lobby has made much or any progress since the photos I showed you from this summer showing nothing but new concrete. Some of the items needed for the Great Ceremonial House are not even being sent to the resort until this month and the initial construction schedule said some walls would come down in December but as I mentioned before, so far things have been completed much later than the schedule. I will be very surprised if the Great Ceremonial House is done before the beginning of 2015.
Trader Sam’s construction is on the schedule through December and speaking to people on the project I was told it might be more like next summer before it opens. I wonder if this has anything to do with it opening around the time of the pool since Trader Sam’s patio is right up against the new pool deck. For some more details on the Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto you can click here.
I try and take all the info I get directly from sources who are involved and break it down into something we can all understand. Cast Members and many of the DVC reps are not being given much info and in some cases it seems they are being given wrong information. I only know this because I have seen the schedule they are working to and it does not match what people are reporting they are being told by staff. I know a lot of people want to know what is happening when so they can book their trips. There will be uncertainty as to what will be going on at the resort until Fall 2015. If you book before then there is no way to know for sure what will be done or not. That is why I have a hard time answering questions about what will be done when. I can only tell you what I have seen on the schedules and even those might not tell you what things will be like when you arrive.
I will keep updating the schedule when I get more info. It can be found by clicking here.
New site sponsor
With the introduction of Disney Vacation Club to the Polynesian I added some DVC pages to my site. I also brought in my DVC expert Duane Lingle to support that part of the site and use his expertise to fill in where I have very little knowledge. I am learning a lot from him and he is here to help all of you with any questions about DVC.
Along with Duane supporting that part of my site, as of November I am working with DVC Magic Resales who not only have knowledge about the DVC system but are a good place to go if you want to buy or sell a DVC contract. Some people may be interested in getting into DVC but find the Polynesian DVC to be too expensive so they could buy other points and use them for the Polynesian.
One of my favorite forums to go and learn about DVC is Mouseowners.com and DVC Magic Resales also sponsors that site.
DVC Magic Resales is a full service DVC resale company. Rachel Thompson is the broker and has 10 years of DVC resale experience. Rachel worked for a large brokerage previously where she was hand-picked and trained by Disney directly on how to handle the resale procedure. She has a love of the product itself and is a Disney fanatic! If you have a question she will know the answer or will know how to get the information you need to make an informed decision.
If you are looking to sell you will receive among the best commission rates anywhere. There are no up-front or hidden fees involved. You will also receive an open listing with no restrictions or penalties if you choose not to sell prior to a sale agreement. Your listing will be valued and given the exposure you need to find a buyer that matches your property. If you sign up for the email list on the home page of the website and see listings three days before they are posted on the website!
Good bye Tiki
Another picture spot lost. The tiki that was at the corner of the Boutiki was removed the night of November 10 and a week later a DVC kiosk went in its place. I hate to see this sort of thing because it is the exact wrong move that many critics of the changes would joke about happening. Many people joked about the waterfall being removed to put in a DVC kiosk and while we know that it is not true, this is almost as bad of a move. I think many of the changes coming are going to be great. Some of the changes we have seen have been a little underwhelming and not an improvement to what was originally there, but this is a big mistake.
I understand that DVC is a big money maker for Disney and they want to have their people visible to people walking through the lobby but it seems to me that they could have put this somewhere else or kept it where it was. To remove something that many people enjoyed seeing and taking photos with and put in something like this was a bad decision. It was something people enjoyed that did not cost them anything really to maintain. I know it was kind of a goofy looking tiki and not very authentic but people liked it and it was a fun spot for people to take a family photo. Many people have sent me photos from around the tiki.
In addition to the kiosk, I was told there would be a DVC office in place across from the bathrooms, down the hall towards Captain Cook’s.
Update 20NOV14 To see photos that I get of construction around the resort you can go to my Flickr albums. You can see them by going to the album at the bottom of my Gone but not forgotten page and click “view this photo set on Flickr” to see the whole album. There are other albums in my Flickr account with photos that I upload as I get them. There is also an album at the bottom of my DVC news page that shows the progress of the DVC construction.
News update 20NOV14
They have been working on redoing the paths around the Polynesian. They started over near Fiji and Aotearoa and then moved over to the paths next to Rarotonga, then Niue and Samoa East side. I was sent photos showing that they are now working between Tuvalu and Fiji and on the west side of Fiji. Just be aware of the disruption if you will be there anytime soon.
Some walls did come down in the Great Ceremonial House the other day. They opened back up the new front desk area. The windows are still blocked off because they are doing work to the front entrance to the Great Ceremonial House. I will be placing more photos as they come into my Flickr albums to watch the progress.
It was posted that the Club Disney kids club was going to change names to Lilo’s Playhouse. Other than the sign out front changing, there has been no information about anything inside changing but it is possible.
Starting next year, guests staying from January 4 to March 14 will be getting a new letter notifying them of construction. In this notification they will also see that the offer to use Blizzard Beach will be switched to Typhoon Lagoon. Here is what the letter they will get will say.
“Aloha!
We are thrilled you have chosen to be our Guest at Disney’s Polynesian VillageResort. Walt Disney once spoke of how his creations would never be complete as long as there is imagination left in the world. It is in this spirit that we have embarked on one of the largest and most exciting updates in our history! In preparation for your upcoming stay, we wanted to make you aware of renovations that will be taking place during your visit. • Upon your arrival, you will notice that construction work is currently taking place in various areas as we enhance our Resort. Please be aware that pathways, buildings and other amenities may be unavailable while this work is being completed.
• The Nanea Volcano Pool and waterslide are closed for enhancement through early 2015. During this time, the Polynesian East Pool, the leisure pool at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, will remain open for your use. During your stay with us, complimentary admission to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, our oasis of water-filled adventure featuring waterslides, a wave pool, water play areas for the kids and more, will be given to each member of your party. To ensure you have a seamless visit to the Water Park, Walt Disney World® Resort Bus Transportation will be provided to a dedicated check-in at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park where you will receive your complimentary tickets and towel rentals. Rest assured, while we work our magic, many of our exceptional amenities, including shops and dining experiences, will continue to be open for your enjoyment. In addition, boat transportation to Magic Kingdom® Park is still available for your convenience.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during these exciting times. While you may see or hear our “work in progress,” please know that we are making every effort to ensure your visit is comfortable and magical.
If you need assistance with your reservation, please contact your original booking agent listed on your confirmation letter. If you booked your stay through Walt Disney WorldResort or have general questions, please call 888-939-7376 and one of our Cast Members will be happy to assist you.
We eagerly await your arrival and wish you a truly magical stay!
Mahalo,
Norman A. Noble
General Manager, Disney’s Polynesian VillageResort”
