There is a new place to stay at Walt Disney World Resort and once you step inside you’ll instantly be whisked away to a tropical oasis. On March 31, Disney and Disney Vacation Club held a grand-opening celebration for the newest resort in the Disney Vacation Club family – Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.
The ceremony included a Samoan fire-knife dancer, Polynesian drummers and torch-bearers representing the three points of the Polynesian Triangle. The three torches lit a fourth torch in officially opening the resort.
Designed to make you feel like you are in the South Pacific, the new Villas & Bungalows offer accommodations and amenities you’ve never seen before at Disney. Guests can stay in one of 20 Bora Bora Bungalows located on Seven Seas Lagoon and 360 Deluxe Studios, the largest at the Walt Disney World Resort. The Bungalows, which will be a first for the Disney Resort, dangle out over the lagoon just like they do in Bora Bora. Each Bungalow sleeps up to eight guests in a two-bedroom setting and features two full bathrooms, a kitchen, washer and dryer, and dining and living spaces.
In addition, guests will be able to lounge in their own private plunge pool while taking in the fireworks from Magic Kingdom.
"They have a great viewing, of not just the electrical water pageant which goes by every night, but also the Magic Kingdom fireworks with audio systems that pipe in the sound to your porch," said Ken Potrock with Disney Vacation Club in an interview.
The hotel rooms at the Polynesian have been converted into 360 “deluxe studios villas,” which sleep five and are part of the Disney Vacation Club lineup.
Adding to the tropical feel of the Villas & Bungalows is a new restaurant called Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. The Grotto features exotic drinks and appetizers in a dark, tiki-themed environment. Special effects like black lighting, animatronics, scenes of volcanoes and heavy rain through fake windows are all a part of the Grotto experience. Childcare will also be available on property.
The expansion is part of an overall re-imagining of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, which also included a dramatic rehab to the Polynesian’s lobby. The large, longstanding fountain from the center of the room was removed and replaced by a tiki god. There is also construction at the main pool area just outside the Great Ceremonial House.
Orlando, FL – 4/2/15
By: Jena Pugh
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