There are at present loads of building initiatives on the Poly. We’ve been updating our listing of 2026-2027 Lodge Development & Refurbishments at Walt Disney World with a rundown of what’s taking place proper now, however with two new closures simply added to the calendar, we felt it was price providing a fast standalone replace.
Let’s begin with the excellent news, which is that the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows between the present Polynesian longhouses and Marriage ceremony Pavilion, close to the Grand Floridian, is now open. With that building accomplished, the general expertise on the Poly is healthier and work is much less intrusive.
Island Tower is a little bit of a combined bag by way of what it provides to the resort. The unequivocal constructive is Wailulu Bar & Grill, which is a giant asset. But it surely additionally provides crowds, additional straining the overburdened infrastructure. Whereas we nonetheless love the Poly, we’ve discovered that we take pleasure in visiting greater than staying right here. Once we do keep on the Poly, we now favor staying on the Island Tower, although we hate the hideous exterior (amongst different issues).
Even with Island Tower now having been open for over a yr, building on the Polynesian isn’t completed. Right here’s the development alert on the Walt Disney World web site:
Via 2026, some areas of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows are being refurbished. This work consists of the reconfiguration of the entrance entrance roadway and bus space. All Resort eating, swimming pools and most facilities will stay out there. Moreover, some views of the theme parks and different surrounding areas could also be impacted.
There’s main work being carried out to re-route and broaden Floridian Method, in order that’s what’s referenced for the development and refurbishments via 2026. It is a prolonged mission that has an impression to each the Poly and Grand Floridian.
Walt Disney World is creating new entrances to the Polynesian, which additionally impacts the parking zone and bus loop. At the moment, the buses have been relocated to the porte cochere whereas the everlasting bus cease is rebuilt and a bus-only entrance is accomplished.
It looks as if perhaps this portion of the mission is within the dwelling stretch, as the brand new bus stops look near opening, and the brand new entrance for friends and guests is now open. The most important results of that is that parking has been a bit extra restricted on the Poly and the momentary bus cease is nearer to the foyer. Hardly something make or break from our perspective.
Talking of transportation, there’s a brand new building discover that was simply added:
From Could 11 via late June, the boat dock at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will bear routine upkeep. The dock can be closed and boat transportation to suspended from Could 11-June 5, 2026. Please enable for additional journey time when arriving at or leaving the Poly.
We’d suggest heeding this ‘enable additional journey time’ warning, particularly when leaving the Poly throughout peak intervals, like round park opening or just about any time within the night.
I’ve encountered lengthy strains for the monorail at instances (together with in April 2026), and that was earlier than the boat dock refurbishment began. With out that to assist take up a few of the crowd, the monorail station can be even busier. This is without doubt one of the massive the explanation why we now want visiting the Poly (or staying on the Island Tower and strolling to Magic Kingdom) versus staying right here. It’s arguably not price the associated fee given the crowds.
Moreover, some views of the theme parks and different surrounding areas could also be impacted. That is now noticeable across the Nice Ceremonial Home, to the purpose that Walt Disney World is warning friends who guide ‘Ohana about impaired views of Magic Kingdom. Right here’s the development bulletin for that:
Starting January 15, 2026, parts of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will bear exterior upkeep. Throughout this time, views of the Seven Seas Lagoon from ‘Ohana could also be partially or utterly obstructed. We apologize for any inconvenience.
I not too long ago headed over to the Poly to doc simply how dangerous that is trying, however a veritable monsoon started proper as I arrived. I attempted to attend out the rain by calling an audible and consuming on the adjoining Tambu Lounge, the place I loved unblemished views (see above facet view out of the GCH) and means an excessive amount of meals.
Sadly, the heavy rain meant no pictures of Nice Ceremonial Home outdoors, however from what I might see, there was loads of scaffolding throughout the Seven Seas Lagoon going through facet, from Capt. Cook dinner’s to ‘Ohana. Though I couldn’t doc that, I did take pictures of the ‘Ohana Bread Pudding (for analysis). Please take pleasure in:
This scaffolding in all probability explains the most recent building bulletin, this time that Dealer Sam’s Tiki Terrace is at present closed for refurbishment. A bulletin simply appeared on the official web site, however no reopening date has been introduced–only a message to verify again for updates.
The out of doors bar & lounge has no working hours listed on the official Walt Disney World web site as far out because the calendar at present reveals, which is thru June 11, 2026. I wouldn’t learn an excessive amount of into that–it in all probability simply means they don’t know when the area can be out there once more.
No clarification was given for the closure, however I’d guess something that it’s as a result of the section of the outside refurbishment has superior to that time, and it’s not doable to have the out of doors seating space open throughout building.
The excellent news is that Dealer Sam’s Grog Grotto, the vastly well-liked indoor counterpart to Dealer Sam’s Tiki Terrace, stays open as regular. Following a change made final vacation season, Grog Grotto is now open every day from 11 am till midnight.
Dealer Sam’s Grog Grotto is a fan favourite. The “secret spot” (air quotes) is tucked away behind a nondescript door on the decrease stage of the Nice Ceremonial Home. Secret as a result of it doesn’t draw consideration to itself with a outstanding marquee and isn’t simple to seek out if you happen to’re unfamiliar with the foyer structure, however air quotes as a result of the placement is however insanely well-liked and has a devoted following amongst followers.
Dealer Sam’s Grog Grotto is well-liked for good cause. It’s close to the highest of our Listing of the 25 Finest Bars & Lounges at Walt Disney World, and we view Dealer Sam’s as a must-visit for first-timers or followers of themed design. It’s actually well-themed and a enjoyable expertise, however truthfully, we want the laid-back ambiance of the out of doors space. (A minimum of, when there isn’t building throughout.)
Company of all ages are welcome at Dealer Sam’s Grog Grotto from 11 am till 8 pm, at which level entry is restricted to friends 21 years of age and older are allowed into the tiki bar from 8 pm till midnight. (Final seating for friends beneath 21 is round 7:30 pm.) Usually, the open-air Dealer Sam’s Tiki Terrace stays all-ages at all-hours.
Moreover, vehicular entry to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is routinely restricted to solely friends of the resort, or these with ADRs. Which means if you happen to’re not staying on the Poly, you should take Walt Disney World transportation to the resort with the intention to drink at Grog Grotto.
You may need success with safety that guards the parking zone, however don’t financial institution on it. We’ve heard from numerous friends who’ve stated they’re going to Grog Grotto and have been rejected. We don’t suppose it’s even well worth the gamble. (On a associated notice, see Walt Disney World Provides Rule Proscribing Resort Certain Buses for why we hope Disney does extra like this.)
Even when everybody in your get together is over 21 years of age, we extremely suggest doing Dealer Sam’s Grog Grotto earlier than ~3 pm. The bar is busy most afternoons and evenings even earlier than the Tiki Terrace closure, and the resort is bursting on the seams many evenings.
One answer to this downside, as mentioned in Deserted Areas at Walt Disney World, is restoring a shuttered restaurant at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The resort was once dwelling to Tangaroa Terrace, which is a stout constructing over by the monorail tracks and near-ish the bus stops. Though Tangaroa Terrace closed in 1996, the constructing was nonetheless used after that for group occasions and, extra notably, the Neverland Membership and Lilo’s Playhouse till 2018. It now serves as an area for Solid Members, together with storage and workplaces.
Even earlier than the opening of Island Tower, the Poly wanted extra eating capability. Now the resort badly wants one other restaurant, as Wailulu is simply not sufficient for the rooms added. Reopening Tangaroa Terrace as one other restaurant, lounge, dinner present, or Moana character eating expertise can be an enormous win. Island Tower ought to’ve been constructed with a rooftop restaurant, however since that ship has sailed, that is the very best comfort prize. However I digress.
As for the general building impression and whether or not it is best to keep away from the Polynesian, that’s powerful. As hinted at above, we have now a little bit of a love-hate relationship with the Poly. Throughout quieter instances, it’s the quintessential ‘Trip Kingdom of the World’ resort at Walt Disney World.
At its finest, nothing can beat the Poly. However when it’s busy, all bets are off. Due to that, we discover ourselves reserving strategically throughout slower seasons or staying at Island Tower, which higher avoids the chaos utterly.
The present building doesn’t actually transfer the needle on that by hook or by crook for us. After all, not everyone seems to be us and if you happen to’re extra borderline concerning the Poly or are averse to any building, you is perhaps much less tolerant of the continuing work.
The issue with that’s, each monorail loop resort has a minimum of this a lot work at present taking place. Ditto Crescent Lake, and each of the lodges. For those who’re seeking to keep away from any and all building and need a Deluxe Resort, I’m probably not positive the place you go. There’s rather a lot taking place proper now, and the Poly is probably one of many least-bad choices.
Actually, my perspective is that it’s not that dangerous, particularly the work going through the highway. You see it upon arrival, however that’s about it. The outside work on the Nice Ceremonial Home and different longhouses is a much bigger challenge, and one we’d suggest making a room request to keep away from (ideally throughout on-line check-in, after which confirming once more with the entrance desk upon arrival however earlier than getting into your room).
Dealer Sam’s Tiki Terrace being closed additionally isn’t a giant deal. The principle draw for first-timers is Grog Grotto on the within; folks like us preferring the laid again environment of the terrace have Wailulu Lounge as a good higher possibility. Views are impacted from ‘Ohana, however Tambu Lounge is one other arguably higher different to that.
The one potential dealbreaker for me is perhaps the suspension of boat service from Could 11 to June 5, 2026. Since we already (largely) keep away from the monorail on the Poly, and that’s a time of yr when it’s a bit too scorching to make the stroll to Magic Kingdom within the morning, which may persuade me to change resorts. Then again, that timeframe needs to be slower within the first place, so even perhaps the added burden on the monorail gained’t be too dangerous.
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Your Ideas
Have you ever skilled the present building, closures, and many others. on the Poly? Did you discover the work impacted your expertise, or was it largely avoidable? Would you keep at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort this summer season whereas these initiatives are ongoing? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
