The New $794 Hotel Room Disney Fans Are Calling "Bougie, Beautiful, and a Great Upgrade"

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has always been one of the most iconic places to stay at Disney World.

Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Since the brand-new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows has been open for some time now, guests have gotten the chance to test out these ultra-modern rooms. We’ve already seen some pretty strong reactions, and one of our readers gave us the inside scoop on what it’s really like to stay there. If you’ve been wondering whether the price tag is worth it, their review on AllEars has a lot to say about the highs and lows of this major resort upgrade. Let’s check it out.

First Impressions

aWaltFan1 rated the Island Tower 8 stars out of 10, calling the new accommodations:

“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. I did not like the bright white lighting in the rooms, but that’s just me. The rooms are definitely not dark, so if you didn’t like that about the original villas, you will love this upgrade!”

The big difference here is the vibe. Fans of the old Polynesian theming may miss that retro-tropical feel, but if you’re someone who loves sleek, bright, and open design, this new tower might feel like a dream come true.

Inside the Rooms

The review points out a mix of wins and misses when it comes to the design.

On the pro side, they noted that the beds are extremely comfortable and come with plenty of under-bed storage (though the higher frame might be tricky for older guests). The bathrooms feature a large, upgraded shower that got a lot of love from aWaltFan1:

“LOVE the shower! Beds were so comfortable. I know the high bed is popular, plus plenty of room underneath for storage, but some might find it a bit hard getting into, especially if you’re older.”

Shower

The bathroom layout, though, wasn’t perfect for everyone. Instead of a completely separate water closet, the design includes a partitioned area with a glass-obscured door.

“I prefer a separate water closet and this one, although partitioned with a glass view-obscured door, it’s still in the same room that girls are getting ready in – wink wink.”

So, while the modern style works for some, others might find the layout less than convenient.

Location, Location, Location

One of their biggest concerns with the Island Tower is how it fits into the overall resort footprint.

“It felt like you were very far from the main building, Lava pool, etc. but I google mapped it and the footage is actually almost the same as if your were staying in the Pagu Pagu building.”

Now you can walk all you want!

The walk to the Transportation and Ticket Center was another drawback. Unlike other parts of the resort, this tower doesn’t provide the most convenient TTC access.

“Unfortunately, the walk to the TTC isn’t great in this new tower, but we had family staying in the Villas at Grand Floridian and it was super quick to pop in on them/use their quick service and shop!”

That said, having direct sightlines to Magic Kingdom fireworks from certain patios is a major perk. aWaltFan1 shared:

“I watched Happily Ever After from my patio – it was lovely and the music is piped in.”

Fireworks from Island Tower

Dining and Amenities

If you’re staying in the Island Tower, the new on-site restaurant Wailulu is quickly becoming a standout.

“The restaurant, Wailulu on property was amazing with delicious food and such a great vibe if you’re lucky enough to snag a seat on the outside.”

The lobby and common areas also impressed:

“The lobby is beautiful and nice to spend time in – staff extremely helpful and friendly.”

But not everything hit the mark. The pool, for example, felt more generic than tropical:

“The pool needs foliage! It does not fit the vibe and actually feels like a park district pool.”

Cove Pool

Navigating the Tower

Guests staying in Island Tower will also want to be prepared for the elevators. While designed for safety and security, they may not be the most user-friendly.

“The elevators, well, all I have to say is good luck if you’re not tech savvy. I get it though, everything is safe and secure.”

Island Tower Lobby

That’s a small but important thing to keep in mind if you’re planning to stay here with older family members or anyone less comfortable with tech.

The Final Verdict

At the end of the day, aWaltFan1 still gave the new tower a solid 8/10 rating, though they admitted they’d rate the “regular Poly” a perfect 10.

So, what’s the takeaway? If you’re looking for that classic, nostalgic Polynesian atmosphere, you may find the new tower a bit too modern. But if you’ve been itching for brighter, fresher, and more upscale accommodations, the Island Tower delivers exactly that.

The Island Tower isn’t a perfect 10 for every Disney fan, but for those who love clean lines, brighter interiors, and a more modern hotel vibe, the $794 price tag might just feel worth it.