Latest look at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort DVC tower construction site

Sir_Cliff4 hours ago

Yes, I really don't see this as a dedication to authenticity so much as reflecting their increasing move away from theming the hotels. You could design an office building and decorate the interiors with art from First Nations people from Australia and it wouldn't make that building authentic to their culture, for example. Aulani provides an example of where they have created a themed environment working with local artists. This seems more like a standard hotel featuring decor by Polynesian artists as part of the interior design scheme. It's better than just putting up artwork from Lilo & Stitch or Moana, but they have to decorate the place with art from somewhere and this was a logical option more than a drive for authenticity by the people who designed the hotel as far as I can tell.

The Hatbox Ghost4 hours ago

I appreciate your response, thank you! That's what I had assumed as well, but what peeked my curiosity is that this is the only section of the tower that they have painted white. And it's been left in this "boxed" pattern for months while they paint around the white areas. Anyhow, that's why the white areas stood out to me as 'finished'. 🤷‍♂️

mattpeto9 hours ago

The leaked blueprints that went around these forums revealed a restaurant I believe, along with a 2 bathroom 1 bedroom room layout (Like Kidani and BLT-IIRC).

donaldtoo10 hours ago

Nobody should knock the tiki aesthetic, as tons of businesses have made bank on it over the decades, including Disney…!!!!! :hilarious:;)

BrianLo11 hours ago

It’s nicer than 99% of actual infrastructure/hotels in Polynesia though. 😂

splah16 hours ago

of course! it comes down to thoughtful consideration in design. the parks aren't recreating real-life they are amplifying the best parts, the most intriguing parts, the parts that people (and especially people unfamiliar with the source) happily want to explore. my view is they want to be so "authentic" they end up creating things that exist already and are afraid to explore what makes those things unique in the first place. they risk creating a museum of fakes vs. an invitation to explore a place deeper. and a bigger philosophical question, why does something in a theme park need to be "authentic" in the first place? respectful & appropriate, yes. Authentic what does it mean to be in authentic in a purely manufactured environment. the polynesian is not a real place, it shouldn't be, and it shouldn't be held to "real" standards because it's not real. this hotel tower doesn't capture the feeling of escaping to a tropical island, there's no charm. i've never been to hawaii, but which hotel inspires me to go. the unique fun one, or the generic modern one? (as an aside i think that's why SWGE feels flat, they made a fantastical world real. i agree that's what a real outpost probably would look like on the galaxy's edge, but is that somewhere where i want to be? where's the life, where's the charm?)

_caleb17 hours ago

Fair point, if that is indeed what’s happening here. I’m no expert in Polynesian hotel architecture. But it’s an interesting question: can some degree of authenticity be achieved using non-indigenous typologies?

lazyboy97o18 hours ago

Reducing the authenticity to mere decoration doesn’t really change that dynamic. If anything it makes it worse, it’s a thin layer on top of a completely different typology.

lazyboy97o19 hours ago

They’ve been using light colored bonding agents on the building.

Earlie the Pearlie19 hours ago

I agree with most said above. I don’t want to be like “oh authenticity is the worst thing ever!” because I don’t think that’s true. There’s definitely a middle ground between actual offensive stereotyping and 100% commitment to being absolutely authentic, and I think that Disney is overcorrecting towards the latter. Some authenticity is great! Part of what makes Animal Kingdom and World Showcase’s theming so fantastic is their use of real artifacts, work by local artists, and commitment to realism. But, despite being a huge EPCOT enthusiast and a big appreciator of AK, if you asked me whether I would rather spend time in an authentic Harambe or Morocco, or a highly stylized and not “grounded” Adventureland a la Paris… I think I would pick the Adventureland. It’s more fun for me!

MisterPenguin20 hours ago

I pink, therefore I hem.

splah20 hours ago

I think disneys lost the plot on the word authentic (it seems their definition now is made by). I would suggest a better word would be inspired for a themed setting. The point of a theme park is being and doing things that are extra-ordinary (beyond the everyday). As much as we’re asked to suspend disbelief. Everyone knows we’re not in the Pacific Ocean. Except for Epcot we’re not going to actual places, we’re going to imagined places that don’t have to be what exists in the real world. Many designs are now muted where certain aspects need to be turned up to 11. I reject the thought everything from outside the North American continent has to have gravitas and serious. It’s as though “fun” was left out of the briefing. I also reject the notion that a thoughtful designer must come from the background of the work that is inspiring the new art. I’d say design something fun, bring it to your cultural partners, and adjust if necessary. WDI is the expert in the art of guest experience. Local artists are experts in their art which doesn’t necessarily translate into a theme park setting

nickys22 hours ago

Yep. Plus the resale price for the Poly is rising fast right now. There was a contract for sale earlier this week for $196 per point. Incentives for buying direct will bring the cost below that.

CastAStone1 day ago

That I will agree with you on. Calling the name “bland and generic” is being generous. Also it’s not on an island. The island is a few hundred yards away, in, ya know, the middle of the water.