(May 2, 2014) Today Disney finally announced some of the changes that we have been talking about since 2011 that are coming to the Polynesian. Hopefully people will now see that the information was not a rumor. George Kalogridis shared some details during his “Around the World” presentation. He did not share all the changes that are coming but it focused on two major things. The removal of the water feature and the addition of Trader Sam’s. 
They also show proof of the name change I mentioned a year or so ago. The new entry way sign showing the Village name is back since 1985. A rendering of the new lobby was shown and you can see the new water feature with a different traffic pattern and new seating areas. As I mentioned the new water feature would be more subtle and you can see it is nothing like the grand waterfall it is replacing but they wanted to open up the lobby. They do achieve that and I think it will be a nice place to sit and relax but I will still feel a loss for the atrium waterfall that use to greet us every time we entered the Great Ceremonial House.
The other thing many thought was a rumor but was announced is the addition of Trader Sam’s. It will be similar to now famous bar that is out on the west coast. It will be called Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. Like its west coast version it will serve food and tropical drinks but will be a little more open than the one at Disneyland. There will be a lot of interactive features in the grotto to entertain you and surprise you as you enjoy your food and drink. I have heard things like it will seat 50 inside and have seating for 80 outside but this is unconfirmed numbers. I was told they are trying to have it open by February 2015 although construction across the entire resort is not expected to be completed until late 2015 with the pool area not expected to be done before March 2015.
The change to the lobby and things that will change around the grounds of the Polynesian will not be similar to Aulani in very many ways. If anything they say they are trying to add things to the Polynesian to make it feel more like Adventureland (as it was originally intended). You can see some of the lobby changes do exactly that. I am told other things that will be added around the resort will continue with this theme.
I am surprised only some of the changes were announced. I was not in attendance but I did not hear any mention of the Disney Vacation Club construction (like no one has noticed that going on) or the reimagining of the pool area that will include an Aulani inspired infinity hot tub. Other things that are changing are the theme of the kids club to go from Neverland theme to a Hawaiian theme. There has been some discussion about some other additions to the resort but I have not heard there are firm plans for them. These discussions include adding an additional pool (as was planned in the original Disney Vacation Club project), as well as some other new things that will go into the old Tangaroa Terrace building. I can’t share what those things are right now but I can say the discussion did not include an additional restaurant. I think making that a restaurant would be a great idea but they have other things in mind.
Construction continues on the east side of the resort and in the last few days they put up walls around Tokelau after deciding to take the newly refurbished rooms and turn them into Disney Vacation Club rooms. No word as to if they will also be studios or if they will make some one bedroom units. Work to the lobby has been delayed and was to begin a month ago so with this delay I would expect the finish of the lobby that was projected to be the middle of December 2014 will be pushed out into 2015. It is possible that the Trade Sam’s Grotto will also get pushed out. There will be some disruption in the Great Ceremonial House, not only for the redesign of the first floor but on the second floor. With some new shops and updating of the current shops along with a rumor of changes to Kona Cafe. “Ohana may have some work done but they will not be removing or changing ‘Ohana in any major way.
There were not any surprises in todays announcement for me. I was hoping to learn more about Disney Vacation Club and the interiors of the rooms outside of the few test rooms they have had, or more details about the changes to the pool area than what I have heard. I will continue to do my best to keep you informed on what is going on. I also want to say Happy Birthday to Kaleo. Many of you know him from ‘Ohana. Tambu Lounge or even the Tourch lighting ceremony. Now he can be found playing at the Spirit of Aloha Show Tuesday – Saturday.
