As the Walt Disney World Resort continues its phased reopening due to the coronavirus pandemic, most of the resort’s hotels have been included in that plan. Most of the DVC properties opened up first and then resort hotels slowly started opening up. Some of the original dates were pushed back including Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
Initially, the resort was schedule to reopen on 12 August, then last month Disney had said the Polynesian will now reopen on 4 October 2020. Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows were reopened on 22 June 2020. Today, Disney has announced that the resort will now reopen in the Summer of 2021 after an extensive refurbishment.
In a statement sent out to travel agents Disney said in part, “As we continue to reopen additional Disney Resort hotels to Guests, we are modifying the reopening date for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort which will reopen next summer. This schedule adjustment also allows us to complete some refurbishment work at the Resort hotel, including enhancements to the Great Ceremonial House and Guest rooms. We expect work to begin in early October and look forward to sharing more about these changes in the future. The Villas and Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will remain open during this refurbishment.”
Shortly after this announcement, according to WDWNT.com, Disney informed Cast Members that monorail service at the resort will also be temporarily be closing early that month.
According to the Walt Disney World website, “Monorail transportation is available between the Great Ceremonial House and Magic Kingdom park until early October 2020—see details below; the walkway to the Transportation and Ticket Center will remain open, where Guests may access the monorail and ferry boats to Magic Kingdom park.” Beginning in early October, only bus transportation will be available from the Polynesian Village Resort to any Walt Disney World Resort location.
‘Ohana’s restaurant, Oasis Bar & Grill, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Tiki Terrace, Kona Island, and Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show are still not open to guests and it is unclear if any of the other Polynesian Village’s dining outlets will remain open. As of today, Kona Cafe is only accepting reservations through 30 October 2020, Captain Cooks, Barefoot Pool & Bar, Pineapple Lanai, and Tambu Lounge – which recently reopened, are only showing hours through 10 November 2020.
Also on Monday, Dewayne Bevil of The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that according to a Disney World spokeswoman “changes to the [guest] rooms will include a move to a Pacific Ocean-inspired color palette as well as details, patterns and textures from Disney’s ‘Moana,’ an animated film that takes place partly on the Polynesian island of Motunui.”
It should come as no surprise that Disney planned to incorporate themed elements from the 2016 animated feature starring Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson. Early this year, a “Moana” themed carpet was added in ‘Ohana’s restaurant. Mike from BlogMickey.com reported in March, “According to Cast Members that we spoke with at the location, the change happened in the past few months, but it seems to have happened quietly.”
Additionally, on Monday WDWNT.com posted images of possible test design elements for the upcoming refurbishment. Hallway photos show light wood-grained doors, wall sconces with a tattoo design inspired by Johnson’s character, Maui, and a brown/rust/beige toned rug with large, colorful Hawaiian flowers and leaves running down the middle of the carpet.
Feature Image: WDWMAGIC.com
