While there is some very tough competition, when all is said and done, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort holds the ranking of my favorite resort hotel on Earth. It looks, feels, smells and is — in all ways — vacation.
"The Poly," as it's known by some, first opened at the same time as the Magic Kingdom in October of 1971 and has been entrancing families with its South-Pacific-meets-Disney vibe and unbeatable location ever since.
Over the years, the resort has grown to include 11 long row buildings consisting of rooms, Disney Vacation Club studio villas and even 20 overwater bungalows.
But now, there's a new way to stay at this classic favorite, thanks to the addition of 268 new rooms in an all-new Island Tower that opened in December 2024. With the Island Tower addition, the resort has now crossed over that 1,000-room threshold, giving guests an even wider variety of room options. Some buildings still capture that 1970s classic nostalgia, while others are as modern and fresh as it gets.
Here's everything you need to know about the new Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort — including how to book its rooms for up to 50% off — so that you can decide if it's the right Disney hotel for your next trip.
Related: The best Disney World hotels for your next stay
The Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort has 268 rooms spread across 10 stories, ranging in size from duo studios built for just two guests to two-bedroom villas and penthouses that can sleep up to nine guests. The tower is located on the side of the Poly that is closest to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, which is a very short walk away.
As this is a Disney Vacation Club resort, to cover your stay, you can own DVC points, rent DVC points from other owners (more on that shortly) or pay Disney the going nightly rate, as you would at Disney's other hotels and resorts. The Island Tower is not technically a separate hotel from the rest of the Polynesian Village, but you do need to book the Island Tower rooms, specifically, if you want to stay in this part of the resort.
The Island Tower has access to all the amenities at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort — such as the Lava Pool and its iconic waterslide — but it also has some amenities that were added when the tower was built, such as a new pool with a "Moana"-themed splash area, a new fitness center and a new restaurant.
In most parts of the Island Tower, you won't see the bold orange, red and brown colors you see throughout other parts of the Poly. Instead, this section of the resort took inspiration from Polynesian wayfinding and the natural world. This includes the elements of earth, water, wind and sky.
It continues with the more subtle and elevated theming that
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