The first reviews are rolling in for Disney’s newest, and most controversial, hotel, and they’re decidedly… mixed.

Disney fans have been divided since the first concept art images of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) expansion Polynesian Island Tower were released ages ago. While some fans found the look of the new tower to be luxurious — and a tribute to the original Polynesian Resort concept art from the 1960s — others found the resort somewhat bland and non-Disney-like, comparing it to a “typical” Marriott. Recently, we received our first reader review of the new sort.
Reader aWaltFan1 expressed a largely positive, but not glowing review of the new resort. They set the tenor with their first few lines, which read “BEAUTIFUL accommodations, but being a GEN Xer, I still prefer the nostalgia of the old Polynesian rooms and theming. My husband coined the comparison as old tropical vs new tropical.”

From there, they specifically break down the room, seemingly pointing out both pros and cons. On the positive side, aWaltFan1 as a big fan of the shower, the comfort level of the bed, and the view of Happily Ever After from the balcony. However, they were less of a fan of the “bright white lighting” and the height of the bed frame
From there, the review expands to the rest of the hotel, with some similarly mixed results. Of the pool, a WaltFan1 writes “The pool needs foliage! It does not fit the vibe and actually feels like a park district pool.”

On the other hand, the review praised the Wailulu restaurant (“amazing with delicious food and such a great vibe if you’re lucky enough to snag a seat on the outside”), and the lobby (“beautiful and nice to spend time in”).
If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!
Overall, aWaltFan1 wrapped their review by writing, “I rated an 8 while I would rate the regular Poly a solid 10”, essentially saying the Tower has many good qualities, but somewhat paled in comparison to the original Polynesian.

Their listing of PROS (“Bougie, beautiful and a great upgrade for those that were tired of the old Poly. Yay for the 1 and 2 bedroom option! Wailulu is amazing”) and CONS (“Quite a walk to the TTC, lots of people traffic, hopefully this dies down, Ultra modern (which could also be a Pro)”) further exemplifies the somewhat mixed nature of the review, acknowledging the complaints about the resort, while at the same time noting all of the reasons someone may want to stay at the hotel.
Wailulu Bar and Grill Restaurant
Services: Table Service , Quick Service
Opinions are still divided on the Polynesian Island Tower, and judging by the reader review we just received, they’re liable to stay that way for a while. Stay tuned to AllEars for more on Walt Disney World.
WAIT! Before you go, we know you have opinions and we want to hear them! Leave a review on Disney rides, restaurants, and more right here on AllEars. Good or bad, let your voice be heard.
ROOM TOUR: Go INSIDE Disney World’s NEWEST Hotel Rooms at the Polynesian Village Resort Island Tower
Join the AllEars.net Newsletter to stay on top of ALL the breaking Disney News! You'll also get access to AllEars tips, reviews, trivia, and MORE! Click here to Subscribe!
What do you think of the Polynesian Island Tower? Let us know in the comments below!


Trending Now
From ultra-cushioned walking shoes to trail-ready runners, these are the HOKA styles worth checking out...
We're sharing four great options for shoes to wear to your fancy dinner in Disney...
Amazon has 35 brand new Disney Loungefly Mini Backpacks!
Grab these Disney Parks essentials on Amazon Haul for super affordable costs!
We've compiled a list of some of the best items you should pack for your...
Don't make these mistakes on a Disney World bus.
There is a way to book certain Disney World restaurants EARLIER than 60 days.
Here's a FIRST LOOK at all the new Muppets souvenirs you can now get in...
This Disney World hotel trap is one to watch out for and this might be...
A popular Disney hotel perk just got even better!
We'd love to see these tweaks come to Disney's refillable mugs!
New Loungeflys just dropped on Amazon!
Here is EVERYTHING we learned during our first look at the updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers...
Let's talk about the souvenirs you'll want to check out on your next trip to...
New snacks are coming to Disney World and Disneyland.
You NEED to read this before booking your 2027 Disney trip!
We've compiled a list of five AMAZING Muppets Loungeflys you could wear to the opening...
We got to ride Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets a little early! Here...
Disney just released a hint to tell us when the first Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party...
Don’t want to spend your whole Disney World trip waiting in line? While sometimes it’s...