Polynesian Resort Refurbishment Details Announced

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

A new sense of aloha is coming! Exciting news from Disney today regarding the beloved Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Refurbishment is underway for the resort and Disney is giving us a little insight on what’s to come. Check out all the details below as shared by DisneyParksBlog.

Today we’re thrilled to share news of exciting changes coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. A favorite destination of guests and cast members since its opening on Oct. 1, 1971, this beloved resort hotel immerses you in an oasis straight out of the South Seas with a sense of aloha that embraces you from the moment you arrive. 

That arrival experience is about to take on a whole new look with an enhanced entryway that will debut just in time for the resort hotel’s 50th anniversary. 

One of the biggest changes will greet you right up front – a new porte cochere will showcase the iconic mid-20th century architecture the Polynesian is famous for. Our team from Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney World have crafted a design inspired by colors, patterns and textures found throughout the resort.  This new entry features a high-pitched, open-truss roof covered in a thatch style. There’s also a bold façade that features pops of color complementing the Longhouses found throughout the resort. Along the Monorail station, bold new wooden screens will be covered with geometric patterns in bright, tropical colors that complete an exciting new composition that will greet you when you arrive.

Sign outside of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Enhancements will also be made to the lush gardens and fountains that have welcomed guests to the resort since opening day. 

The open and airy design of the entryway will feature dramatic lighting elements, including beautiful chandeliers inspired by glass floats, fishing nets and oversized bamboo elements. The new chandeliers will match the existing grand chandelier in the resort lobby, artfully bridging interior and exterior spaces.  

While work is underway over the coming months, guests can still enjoy access to the Great Ceremonial House and its operating dining and retail outlets. 

The new arrival experience is just the beginning of what guests will discover when the resort reopens in summer 2021. All of the resort’s guest rooms are being beautifully redone too. We look forward to sharing more details about Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort as they become available.

EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth Attraction Will REOPEN! Refurbishment on Hold

Posted on by Mathew Corn Epcot

Alright time travelers! We have exciting news to share. After much speculation and rumors, Walt Disney World has officially announced that yes, the iconic Spaceship Earth attraction will reopen to park guests. They are placing the planned refurbishment on hold!

As announced by Disney:

“Time travelers, take note that the iconic Spaceship Earth attraction at EPCOT will also continue to be available in its current state while we pause on its planned refurbishment”

The attraction was scheduled to close for refurbishment on May 26th. Many park guests were bummed that due to the park closures from the virus, they wouldn’t have that one last chance to ride the attraction as is.

New Work Done To Walt Disney World Railroad Track

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

As the Walt Disney World Railroad’s closure at the Magic Kingdom now stretches past a year, we are finally getting some of our first opportunities to see long stretches of new track in place along the 1.5-mile loop.

While the construction of TRON Lightcycle Run has been billed as the reason for the railroad needing to cease operation, the time has also been used as an opportunity to refresh the track and the trains themselves.

In Tomorrowland, the berm which is expected to separate the railway and the land (and the attractions within such as Tomorrowland Speedway) has grown quite a bit over the last few weeks, though it certainly won’t remain in its current state for long. The dirt pictured will most likely be redistributed for TRON Lightcycle Run’s construction, and the final product should be much more presentable.

TRON Railroad Berm

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Miss Piggy Fountain Back in Place After Refurbishment

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

The show must go on, and now, Miss Piggy is finally ready for her close-up outside of Muppet*Vision 3D, where the beloved Muppets Courtyard fountain has been restored after refurbishment.

Refurbishment on the adjacent attraction led to having the famous fountain dismantled, but Miss Piggy has returned dressed as the Statue of Liberty once again.

We did notice that the boat with the two fishing rats is gone, potentially furthering the trend that they are simplifying the fountain by removing as many characters as possible.

Starting in late 2016, the fountain became a planter to accommodate Galaxy’s Edge construction, and when it did return as a fountain, the moving elements and a number of character statues had been removed from it as part of the Grand Avenue makeover of the former Muppets Courtyard.

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Refurbishments Taking Place @ Wilderness Lodge Over The Next 6 Months

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is set to undergo refurbishments at multiple areas at the hotel over the next five to six months. While these areas are being refurbished they will be temporarily closed to guests, including the Old Faithful Club concierge lounge which will close immediately.

Old Faithful Club is the concierge lounge at the resort and it is set to reopen on February 24th. Guests staying at the hotel with lounge access will be contacted by the hotel to let them know of the temporary closure.

Other areas of the resort will be under refurbishment for the next five to six months with work taking place from 9 AM to dusk. Noise from the work should be minimal but audible noise from the work will only be heard during these working hours.

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