New details have surfaced regarding the extended closure and refurbishment of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World, including a resort-wide retheme to the popular animated film, Moana.
In a statement to the Orlando Sentinel, Disney has confirmed the changes taking place inside guest rooms, including a new color palette and more:
A Disney World spokeswoman on Monday said changes to the rooms will include a move to a Pacific Ocean-inspired color palette as well as details, patterns and textures from Disney’s “Moana,” an animated film that takes place on the Polynesian island of Motunui.
Just earlier this year, the resort’s popular ‘Ohana restaurant debuted new carpeting featuring characters from Moana alongside Polynesian-inspired design.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is scheduled to remain closed through Summer 2021, with its Monorail station temporarily closing in October of this year.
We have exciting news to share! Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort are to host an all-new fall food and drink event series: “Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays”. This event will replace this year’s Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic and offer guests a new way to enjoy some favorite food and drink experiences.
Every Saturday evening 5:30pm – 7:30pm through Oct. 24, a different culinary experience will take place exclusively for guests staying on the new Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays overnight package. These limited-capacity, themed events created by the resort’s award-winning food and beverage team are inspired by elements of the popular Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic and will include a Champagne lounge, barbecue and Oktoberfest.
Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays offer guests a new way to enjoy and celebrate different food and drink experiences each weekend and replaces the traditional Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic. Each event will feature an intimate atmosphere and implement the latest in responsible food delivery safety measures and social distancing procedures to create an entertaining, unforgettable, mouthwatering experience.
A one-night Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays package offers guests a chance to celebrate the culinary arts all weekend long. In addition to exclusive access to the Saturday evening event, guests can enjoy a different specialty themed pop-up food truck each Saturday by the resort pool (available to all resort guests and not included in package), as well as convenient, walkable access to the Taste of Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, just 1,000-steps away. (please note: This is a separate event and advanced theme park reservations and tickets are required)
The Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays event lineup is as follows:
Sept. 19: Bubbles Lounge: A lounge experience showcasing the finest in sparkling beverages with perfectly paired small bites to complete the experience. Taste the base varietals of traditional Champagne along with various sparkling wine styles from around the world.
Sept. 26: Beer Garden: A celebration of hops with a variety of ales, lagers, and pilsners served alongside pub favorites.
Oct. 3: Italian Wines & Bites: A delicious trip for guests’ taste buds across the Atlantic showcasing top Italian wines varietals from across the country’s famed regions from Sicily to Tuscany to Piedmont.
Oct. 10: Smokin’ D’s Bourbon, Beer, & BBQ: A selection of BBQ favorites handcrafted by the resort’s executive chef Dan Herman along with the best in bourbon and beer samplings. Smokin’ D’s menu items are annual favorites at Food & Wine Classic and only offered at the resort select times each year.
Oct. 17: Food & Wine Classic: Limited Edition (5:30-8:00pm): A new Food & Wine Classic experience, this event features fan favorites from the well-known Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic in a more intimate setting.
Oct. 24: Oktoberfest Biergarten: An Oktoberfest party with German-themed music and tastings alongside a full selection of brews.
All events will be indoors and limited to 100 participants, except for the Food & Wine Classic: Limited Edition experience which will be limited to 200 participants in a larger space. Tickets are available exclusively as a resort package. Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays one-night packages start at $295 and include access for two adults. The Oct. 17 Food & Wine Classic: Limited Edition experience, which will feature extended hours and expanded offerings, will start at $395 for a one-night package. To book call 1-888-828-8850. Events are limited to those 21 and older.
Among the protocols that will be implemented for each event are: Temperature check at entrance for all attendees, plexiglass walls for all food service, all cast members wearing PPE, each group will receive their own socially distanced reserved table, touchless menus and clearly marked social distancing signage.
With Labor Day almost upon us, many guests will be heading to Walt Disney World Resort to take a well-needed vacation. To accommodate the influx of guests, Walt Disney World has decided to extend the hours of multiple restaurants and merchandise locations across the property.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort:
Chef Mickey’s: 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Friday, September 4 – Monday, September 7)\
The world has changed quite a bit this year, and with the evolution of the theme park experience to match the needs of people, the Disney Vacation Club is completely revamping the way it does business as well.
Prior to the shutdown, DVC cast members could be found at dozens of sales kiosks in the theme parks, resorts, Disney Springs, and seemingly in the most unexpected of places at times. With their staffing reduced and occupancy in the many Disney Vacation Club resort hotels at an all-time low, DVC has found a pretty creative way to sell you on “Disney’s Best Kept Secret”.
Now, guests are welcome to come visit a DVC Open House at select resorts, allowing them unprecedented access to not models, but the actual rooms themselves at each resort. This was not often possible in the past due to high demand to stay in these lodgings.
While staying at the Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge this week, we received a phone call in our hotel room that a Cascade Cabin was open for us to visit. Having always wanted to see one of these, we leapt at the opportunity. While touring the DVC hostess also informed us of opportunities to tour other 2-bedroom rooms and grand villas across all of Walt Disney World property.
If you’re staying at one of the Resorts listed below, you can stop by an Open House at your Resort from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Friday—with no need to call in advance. However, if you’re not staying at one of the Resorts below, please call (407) 827-4744 to check availability and schedule your visit.
Here are the rooms available to tour (they may have more rooms available, so if there’s something in particular you want to see, just ask):
Disney’s Riviera Resort
2-Bedroom Villa: Rooms 8244 and 8246
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
2-Bedroom Villa – Lake View: Room 7405
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Cabin: Room 8013
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
3-Bedroom Grand Villa: Room 7804 (just off the Lobby)
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
2-Bedroom Villa: Room 134
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
2-Bedroom Villa: Rooms 1007 and 1009 (located on Disney’s BoardWalk near Jellyrolls)
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Bungalow: Room 7020
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (Registered Guests of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Only)
3-Bedroom Grand Villa: Room 1101
2-Bedroom Villa: Room 1106
Note: Physical distancing measures will be in place at each Open House location to promote the health and well-being of our Guests and Cast Members. Each location will be limited to one family at a time.
You can read more about the offering at DiscoverDVC.com and even chant with a Vacation Club representative there. Guests who tour will also receive a free lithograph gift.
Whether you’re looking to join the Disney Vacation Club or not, this is a tremendous opportunity to see some of the most in-demand and just plain coolest hotel rooms at Walt Disney World.
As previously shared, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is scheduled to reopen to guests on August 24! While Disney’s Beach Club Resort has been open for some time, the Yacht Club remained closed as part of the “NBA Bubble”. Now, we know reopening dining details for these two “sister” resorts.
The Walt Disney World website now shows the following:
