Disney Parks Blog unveiled a first look at the new Moana-themed design for guest rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort today, the first time we’ve recieved a follow-up on the resort’s redesign since it was first announced in Summer 2020.
The new look of the rooms has a more open & airy feel with brighter colors and more light to complement the darker wood & thatch design elements common around the resort.
Disney Parks Blog says the new color palette is “inspired by the Pacific Ocean and its many islands, including details, patterns and textures from the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film ‘Moana.’”
Also inspired by Moana are the wall murals and hanging art, such as the Hei Hei sighting in the coffee area, the tattoo-style Maui and Moana against the back wall, and the Pua and Moana framed print alongside the bed. These elements add a nice touch of Disney to a resort that, while not as character-free as the Contemporary, needed more thematic touches than simply a Lilo & Stitch surfboard in the Great Ceremonial House.
The new beds have been elevated above the ground to offer more storage space and the floor has been converted to a hardwood or vinyl top in favor of carpeting, both common measures taken in other recent Disney resort room renovations as well as with newly opened hotels and villas.
An uncommon measure, at least for Deluxe Resorts, can be spied in the bathroom photo. In the shower, bulk H20 shampoo, conditioner, and body wash can be seen secured to the wall. In the past, Disney has tried to limit waste and reduce their carbon footprint by converting their Value and Moderate resorts from individual H20 hygiene products, which many guests loved to take home following their stay, to bulk, refillable bottles in the bathroom.
As far as I know, this is the first instance of Disney using the bulk H20 bottles in a Deluxe Resort, and, if they’re making this change in the Polynesian, I would be surprised if this change isn’t planned for all of the Deluxe Resorts. However, in DVC villas, it may be harder to make this change, at least in the multi-roomed villas which have multiple and/or varying bathroom layouts.
Another bit of info dropped in the Disney Parks Blog post may give an insight into when some fan-favorite restaurants and lounges at the Polynesian may re-open.
Per DPR, the Polynesian is accepting bookings for late July 2021, meaning that guests can expect to see signature dining location, Ohana, and iconic bars, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto along with sister location Tiki Terrace, open when they arrive.
However, given that the DVC side of the Polynesian has been welcoming back guests since last Summer, Disney may re-open Ohana and the Trader Sam’s locations a month or two early to allow for a softer, slower ramp-up before more guests arrive with the reopening of the hotel side.
Austin Vaughn is a columnist for The BoardWalk Times.
