The Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

Disney’s Polynesian Resort was among the first themed hotels built at Walt Disney World Resort, bringing Walt's Hawaiian vacations to life in Orlando more than 50 years ago.

And now, the new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows adds a dose of tropical modernism to the resort.

Inspired by the centuries-old tradition of Polynesian wayfinding — introduced to many through the animated film “Moana”— the newest Disney Vacation Club (DVC) property opened Dec. 17, 2024, combining a spirit of adventure, traditional cultural elements and an elegant hotel experience, all wrapped up in Disney’s signature service and storytelling.

“The Polynesian Resort is a Disney classic, and fan favorite, with a quick jump over to Magic Kingdom, and of course, great fireworks views,” said Bill Diercksen, senior vice president of Disney Vacation Club. “The Island Tower is a very worthy addition to this historic property. It builds on the stories of Polynesian wayfinding and conservation but also Disney stories, and in particular, our own Polynesian princess, Moana.”

The Island Tower is a very worthy addition to this historic property.

Adding something new to something beloved is always a challenge, but just as Imagineers successfully added the new DVC Discover Tower to the iconic mid-century modern Disneyland Hotel in California, I was impressed by how seamlessly the new Island Tower is integrated into the traditional Polynesian architecture of the existing resort.

Modern Meets Tradition

As soon as guests enter the tower, they’ll see references to Polynesian culture woven throughout public spaces and guestrooms through architecture, furnishings and artwork.

“Because of ‘Moana,’ a lot of people are interested in wayfinding,” said Kama Hopkins, a Hawaiian cultural advisor from Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Oahu, Hawaii, who was in Orlando for the tower’s grand opening. “For us who live on the islands in the sea, it’s something that’s been going on for as long as we’ve been alive, but now we’re able to share the elements that are important to us in island life.”

These elements are presented in the lobby through carved pillars representing Earth, fire, air, and water, along with an installation depicting native land and sea creatures in a style inspired by Polynesian tattoos.

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Madeleine Day, an interior designer for Walt Disney Imagineering, says the tower is not only inspired by history of wayfinders, but also by the heritage of the Polynesian Resort, which opened on Walt Disney World’s opening day in 1971.

“With over 50 years of history, it was important to us to be respectful of the past,” she said. “But original concept renderings for the resort showed a tower, so we’re completing Walt’s vision of building ‘a mountain within the village.’”

Original concept renderings for the resort showed a tower, so we’re completing Walt’s vision of building ‘a mountain within the village.’

Sustainable Storytelling

Brian Haulter, senior architect for Walt Disney Imagineering, explained that the Island Tower was also designed with sustainability and conservation in mind. Thanks to optimized heating and cooling, energy-efficient lighting and the first all-electric kitchen at Walt Disney World Resort at Wailulu Bar & Grill, Disney was able to achieve a 30% reduction in energy usage from a typical resort of the same size, something that’s important to many travelers.

But this is Disney, after all, so Haulter notes the building’s sustainability goes hand-in-hand with its storytelling, which is communicated through design elements such as preserved moss column chandeliers, carpet made from recycled plastic material and colorful fish sculptures created from discarded fishing nets (known as “ghost nets”) in the restaurant.

Island Tower Villas

The 10-story, 268-room tower includes accommodation options that range from two-guest Duo Studios to two-bedroom Penthouse Villas with panoramic views of Seven Seas Lagoon that sleep eight (the latter is a room category making its DVC debut at the Island Tower).

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In addition, one- and two-bedroom villas include two full bathrooms, a full-size kitchen, a dining area and a living area with a queen-size, pull-down bed. These rooms also include a washer and dryer. Deluxe studios with two queen beds include a kitchenette featuring a dishwasher, a first for Disney Vacation Club deluxe studios.

My favorite aspects of the villas are subtle nods to “Moana” that offer a sense of place, simultaneously telling Polynesian and Disney stories, along with the hidden artwork in the pull-down beds.

Island Tower Amenities

While clients can take advantage of any of the pools and restaurants at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, the Island Tower boasts the all-new Cove Pool with Moana’s Splash Pad and new table-service Wailulu Bar & Grill, with outdoor seating surrounded by an infinity fountain.

According to Chef Brian Piasecki, director of culinary and concept development, Disney chefs collaborated with cultural representatives and Aulani chefs for the restaurant’s Polynesian-inspired menu, which features twists on island favorites including spiced ham musubi and beef short rib loco moco; other dishes showcase important Polynesian ingredients like sweet potato hummus with breadfruit tostones.

The Wayfinder burger served with sweet potato fries or Hawaiian mac salad (my personal favorite side) is topped with Volcano Sauce, an aioli with sriracha, togarashi (a Japanese spice), and sweet chopped pickles, which Chef Piasecki describes as being similar to a "spicy Thousand Island" [dressing].

The bar menu also leans on Polynesian ingredients, offering libations such as a Passionfruit and Pineapple Daquiri, a Banana Old Fashioned and the Pandan Gin Gin Mule, along with a non-alcoholic Hibiscus flower-infused tea.

A Front Row to Magic Kingdom’s Fireworks

A top reason guests choose the Polynesian is its position directly across Seven Seas Lagoon from Magic Kingdom, providing prime viewing for the park’s nightly fireworks; however, the Island Tower literally offers the best seats in the house.

Clients staying at the tower have exclusive access to four terrace gardens on floors three through six. The two facing the lagoon are perfect spots for unobstructed fireworks views, but they’re not the only ones. Te Fiti’s Event Lawn, the Cove Pool and Wailulu Bar & Grill’s patio also offer "front-row" viewing — and all are accompanied by the show’s soundtrack, of course.

“This resort truly honors the legacy of our past,” said Alison Armor, vice president of resort operations. “It’s bringing to life ideas first dreamt by our Imagineers decades ago, and it’s giving us so much inspiration for the future.”

The Island Tower joins the 380 DVC rooms at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, and clients do not need to be DVC members to book.