2023 Construction at Disney’s Polynesian Resort (DVC Tower Updates)

This timeline shares construction updates on the new Disney Vacation Club Tower being built at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.

Disney’s Polynesian Resort recently underwent an extensive refurbishment that included many updates. With those updates, we saw new rooms debut featuring design elements from the popular Disney film Moana.

Additionally, the Polynesian Resort’s entrance saw significant changes, with a new facade installed over the monorail station. Furthermore, the resort’s lower-level entrance received freshly-stamped concrete and new landscaping.

However, in March of 2022, when it seemed that the construction dust had settled, a new Disney Vacation Club tower hotel was announced for the resort. Within weeks, we began to see physical signs that preparations were being made to go through with the construction immediately.

This timeline was last updated on September 5, 2023.

Here is one of Disney’s renderings for the new hotel.

As with most new builds, something must be lost to accommodate the gains. Unfortunately, the scenic walkway between the Grand Floridian and Polynesian closed.

In addition, Luau Cove, the location of the former Spirit of Aloha dinner show, was leveled to make way for the new Disney Vacation Club Tower. The former beach that sat on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon is now a construction site.

So, if you’re staying at either resort, a construction walkway between the Polynesian and Grand Floridian is your only method for walking between the hotels. We’ve taken the walkway a few times now.

When the walkway first opened, it was pretty rough because you had to cross the main road twice and deal with traffic. However, since then, Disney moved the walkway back to the same side of the road. So, while it’s not a scenic walk, guests can now get back and forth between the resorts more safely than before.

Of course, you can take the monorail from the Polynesian to the Grand Floridian. For the quickest return route, you can take the boat from the Grand Floridian to the Polynesian.

Here are a few photos showing different perspectives of the construction from the shorelines of Disney’s Polynesian Resort. Guests staying in the bungalows closest to the beach will have a side view of the construction work.

Next, we’ll look at a construction timeline of photos showing the progression of the new build. We’ll start with when the cranes first arrived.

Below is the view of construction from the beach in mid-February.

We saw significant changes toward the end of March as the first portion of the tower was erected.

We see an even more substantial difference between late March and the first of May.

By mid-May, it appears the towers facing the lagoon are connected.

Framework appears to be near completion by mid-June. Going on the rendering, we should see an additional section of the building added to the far left side of the photo below that sits at an angle looking back to the Polynesian.

An entirely new wing has been added since June. This photo below was taken around the first of September.

Metal studs have been added, and windows are going in on the opposite side. Our next update will likely look quite different.

It’s important to note that when you’re inside the Polynesian Villages around the marina, Great Ceremonial House, and Lava Pool, you’re almost oblivious to the construction.

The photo below was taken on the walkway between the marina and the lobby. It appears you’ll only be able to see a small sightline from this vantage point.

Here is a view from outside the Lava Pool.

What villages are closest to the new construction at Disney’s Polynesian?

Below, we see Tuvalu, the lagoon-facing building that’s near the construction.

Fuji, which sits directly behind Tuvalu (perpendicular), has rooms facing the marina. However, rooms on the opposite side of this building directly face the new construction.

Lastly, the end of Aotearoa juts up against the tarp that sits along the construction walkway. So, this end of the building is closest to the new tower’s construction.

Here are a few more angles taken in late February 2023.

Then, back to this latest update toward the end of March.

Here is another view from April.

Lastly, I hopped on the monorail to take a video to provide perhaps the best perspective we can see now.

This video has been updated and was taken on April 30, 2023.

Moving forward, we’ll update the timeline when we see significant changes. As far as the main resort goes, most of the construction has been completed.

We recently saw new rugs installed in the Polynesian’s lobby.

Here’s a closer look.

Since the photo above was taken, the resort’s furniture coverings have been refreshed.

Additionally, Kona Cafe reopened last Fall with a refreshed look.

As to what might impact your upcoming stay at the Polynesian, here are the items we noted:

• Staying in any building facing the construction will result in construction views and possible construction noise during the day. From the Polynesian Resort’s beach and boat dock, I heard noise from the construction work over the speakers that provide tropical background music.
• If you enjoy walking between the Polynesian and Grand Floridian, the construction walkway is unpleasant. However, it is a suitable means for getting back and forth since Disney repaved a new path.

We’ll check back in at the Polynesian in the next month or so to compare a few before and during construction photos. I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to see progress for the new tower hotel. Hopefully, it will bring much-needed recreation and fresh dining options to the popular resort.

For more information about the resort, we have a guide that lists all of our articles:

• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

For other construction and refurbishments at the Walt Disney World Resorts, you might enjoy the following:

• Disney World Resort Refurbishment Schedule
• Disney’s Boardwalk Construction Updates
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Renovation and Refurbishment

In the Comments

What do you think about the new hotel construction at Disney’s Polynesian? Are you looking forward to more availability at the resort? Share your thoughts below.