Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Just saw this was announced by Disney today. Thought I'd post it since it's a fan favorite.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros It sounds like this version will be different from the DLH one. I'm not sure what all it entails, but I've heard that it will be more kid friendly. From the concept art, you can see a kid sitting at the bar with his (presumably) dad. On first glance it looks like they're sharing an exotic cocktail, but if you look closer it might be an ice cream sundae. The serving dish is shaped like the Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, which would be a fun touch if it makes it into the final design They also released concept art showing the new lobby design, which removes the huge central planter/water feature. I think it still captures the tropical feel well (while opening it up for the bigger crowds coming with DVC), but I know there's been some online 'outrage' over it The other big news is that it will revert to the Polynesian Village name that it originally had (well technically it will now be Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, but close enough) <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/05/plans-for-a-re-imagined-disneys-polynesian-resort-include-a-nostalgic-name-change/">http://disneyparks.disney.go.c...-change/</a>
Originally Posted By Captain Neo Strongly disagree Dr.Hans, the new lobby looks very generic and uniform with all the other modern Disney hotels (Wilderness, Grand Cal, Alonoa, AK Lodge, etc.) The original lobby captured the essence of the South seas and Polynesia with the distinct waterfalls, lush greenery and live parrots. I will never forget the first time I entered the lobby back in the 90s all the sights, smells, sounds it really felt exotic and unique. Its a shame what Disney has done. It just looks cheap and was obviously done to save a couple of bucks.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Strongly disagree Dr.Hans, the new lobby looks very generic and uniform with all the other modern Disney hotels (Wilderness, Grand Cal, Alonoa, AK Lodge, etc.)" Maybe that's why I like it. "The original lobby captured the essence of the South seas and Polynesia with the distinct waterfalls, lush greenery and live parrots. I will never forget the first time I entered the lobby back in the 90s all the sights, smells, sounds it really felt exotic and unique." To me the lobby was underwhelming, dated and similar to a themed Hawaiian shopping mall... the type you find in Waikiki from the 60s. It was also a bit disorienting. From what I remember you walked in and were confronted by a wall of vegetation with the registration desk somewhat hidden. I assume that Disney is taking this step to compete in the market. The Contemporary and Polynesian are two of the oldest grand hotels (if not the oldest) in region.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt This is what I remember: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/4992/polynesianresort11.jpg">http://img718.imageshack.us/im...rt11.jpg</a>
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Does anyone know when and why Disney dropped "Village" from the name of the hotel?
Originally Posted By ExpDave What a shame, I also remember with great fondness the wonderful waterfalls at the Disneyland Hotel in CA at the base of what used to be the Bonita Tower, actually they where spectacular. There is now a big lawn there, now that's an improvement. NOT! What is the deal with Disney and ripping out waterfalls? Here's a page with photos and video, of you never saw them. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://storiesfromadventureland.com/?p=117">http://storiesfromadventurelan...m/?p=117</a>
Originally Posted By ExpDave The lobby was very inner directed, perhaps if they opened it up to the lake and did some new dramatic waterfalls outside at the headwaters of the creek, that could be nice. But it's not what the rendering indicates, it still indicates a low ceiling on the lake side of the lobby.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I agree that the old/current Poly lobby layout is somewhat disorienting, with the large planter in the middle completely blocking views to the other side. I'm okay with them changing it, and think the new design will work well, but I'm a little disappointed that the planters/fountains aren't as big as they could be The old design attempted to make you feel like you're in the tropics; the new one looks like a hotel lobby that you might find in the tropics. I'm not sure which one I like better, but the old concept is more distinctly 'Disney' to me >>The lobby was very inner directed, perhaps if they opened it up to the lake and did some new dramatic waterfalls outside at the headwaters of the creek, that could be nice.<< Even if they opened up the lobby building more, I think there are other buildings between it and the lake, so I'm not sure there would be any noteworthy view
Originally Posted By ExpDave >>Even if they opened up the lobby building more, I think there are other buildings between it and the lake, so I'm not sure there would be any noteworthy view<< True, the lake is a ways away, but there is a wonderful large banyan tree just outside (hopefully it is staying!), plus the bridge over the creek and a lot of other very lush vegetation, I think that would be worth it in itself, if they enhanced the headwaters of the creek somehow, it could be even better. Personally I think the ruined the Poly pool years ago when they put in that large volcano and took out a lot of vegetation that was there, it largely just this gray cone that's supposed to look like a volcano, yuck. It looks like there will be a much larger pool area close to the DVC expansion, hopefully they will do some good theming there.
Originally Posted By TMICHAEL Would be nice if they created a smaller version of the Aulani pool area for the Poly. That is such a beautiful space and enjoyable to both adults and kids that DOESN'T look like a tacky water park slide from the 70's ;-) Glad East Coast is getting their own Trader Sam's. The original is one of my favorite places in the Disneydom. Here's hoping its bigger with more gags and some new drinks to try out.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt To be honest one of the things that makes Trader Sam's so appealing and awesome is its small size and somewhat hidden entrance. I'm hoping that the WDW version will be similar.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros From what's being said on other sites, the WDW one may be smaller than the DL one. Instead of being the hotel's feature bar, it will be a smaller one right off the lobby. I agree that the coziness of the bar leads to the atmosphere (especially with the drinks that trigger effects, since you can see the ones on the other side of the room and there's a few moments between them) and would be hard to duplicate with a larger space
Originally Posted By dagobert Do we already know when this bar is going to open? I will be at WDW in January 2015 and I would love to go there. I have just looked at some Trader Sam's pictures and the bar in Anaheim looks awesome. Are Tiki-bars very popular in the US?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros They haven't given a specific date yet, just that the project should be done some time in 2015. They haven't really begun any of the lobby work, so it seems unlikely that it will be done by January, since everything will need to be done in phases. I would expect that the existing Tambu Lounge will remain open throughout construction (or at least until Trader Sam's is ready) if you want to get a drink there Tiki bars aren't especially common in the US any more. They were really big in the 50's and 60's, but have slowly died off. There are still a handful in California, but they're pretty rare. I've been to a couple local bars with outdoor areas that are vaguely themed to a beach or the Caribbean, but haven't seen anything to indicate the south Pacific. Seems like tiki bars may be one of the places that Disney controls a decent portion of the market
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt We have two very popular tiki bars here in San Francisco - The Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar and Smuggler's Cove.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>We have two very popular tiki bars here in San Francisco - The Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar and Smuggler's Cove.<<< I've just googled Smuggler's Cove and it looks great. I would love to have such a bar around.
Originally Posted By Mort2 Trader Sam's - We're why God gave you two kidneys PS. When in LA don't forget to visit Tiki-Ti (Tiki-ti.com)
