First look: Inside the new Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort — and how to book for less
Editor's Note
- Disney's iconic Polynesian Village Resort on the monorail has an all-new tower with over 200 new rooms.
- This new Island Tower has a different look and feel then the rest of the classic Polynesian resort, along with different room sizes.
- Those who will enjoy the new tower the most are guests who want modern rooms and conveniences while maintaining easy access to all the property's pools and amenities.
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
What is the Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort?
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 several Disney resorts have taken in recent years, so take the time to look for animal etchings worked into the exterior and "Moana" characters in the multistory mural in the lobby. Also keep your eyes peeled for the original Polynesian Village art located on the second level of the lobby.
Classic Poly design fans shouldn't shy away too quickly, as the terraces, which are open-air spaces located on various floors throughout the Island Tower, will very much remind you of that characteristic design you find throughout the property. Simply put, the Island Tower has the best of both worlds: It's new, fresh, modern and distinct with its Polynesian influences and look, but it also has some strong ties and roots to the rest of the original Disney World resort.
The rooms at the Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
The room I stayed in at the Island Tower was a deluxe studio with a theme park view that could sleep up to four guests between the freestanding queen bed and a pull-down queen Murphy bed.
The look of this room, which I mostly enjoyed (though I can't say the green couch was my favorite), is inspired by the flora and fauna of the Hawaiian Islands. Overall, the room was gorgeous and very functional, with built-in seating, ample outlets and a kitchenette with a minifridge, a microwave, utensils, a sink and — a first for a DVC studio — a dishwasher.
Disney has said that the addition of a dishwasher in this room type is actually an environmental move to encourage guests to use cups, plates and silverware provided in the studio instead of single-use options.
The bathroom featured a traditional layout (think: a double vanity sink, a toilet and a shower all in one room), which worked well for me but could potentially slow things down a bit for an entire family getting ready.
The couch in the Island Tower rooms pulls down very easily to convert into a queen-size Murphy bed with its own hidden "Moana"-inspired art that displays only when the bed is pulled down.
It's quite possible that this theme park view room now has the very best view in all of Disney World, thanks to its location on the lagoon. You can see the Magic Kingdom fireworks and the evening "Electrical Water Pageant" event.
Things to do and what to eat at the Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
When staying at the Island Tower, you can use all the facilities at the rest of the Polynesian Village. At the tower, you'll find some new facilities, including a fitness center, a pool, a splash pad and a restaurant.
New fitness center
If you want to get a workout in, you can do that in the Island Tower's bright and airy gym. It's equipped with ample cardio and weight-lifting machines.
New pool and splash pad
The new pool located next to the Island Tower has a bit of an L-shape with a zero-entry side. There aren't any waterslides here, but there are a hot tub and a "Moana"-themed splash area, making it a convenient spot for a dip.
Wailulu Bar & Grill
The new Island Tower is home to the Wailulu Bar & Grill, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, albeit with different types of offerings at different times of the day.
You can eat indoors or outdoors in the expansive (and gorgeous) covered area.
Breakfast is served as a grab-and-go offering from 7 to 10 a.m.; the very limited menu of options from the bar includes pineapple-coconut bread ($4.79), a yogurt parfait ($5.99) and coffee ($4.49). There is no table service in the morning.
For lunch or dinner, Wailulu offers a full sit-down experience with options such as burgers ($23), poke bowls (from $22) and grilled fish ($32). However, as it is technically a lounge, no reservations are accepted. This means it is potentially easier to pop in there for an unplanned meal than somewhere that does take reservations and is harder to get into at the last minute.
Related: The best restaurants at Disney World
Things to know before you book the Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
- The deluxe studio in the new Island Tower only sleeps four people, whereas some of the existing studios in the other Polynesian buildings can sleep up to five via a single pull-down bed in addition to two queen beds. Additionally, the studio villas in the new building have all the bathroom amenities in one room, whereas they are split across two bathrooms in the older Polynesian studio villas. For those reasons, families of four or more will do better in the older studios.
- It is an outdoor walk from the Island Tower to the main Poly amenities, such as the Captain Cook's quick-service venue, the main Lava Pool and the monorail. However, it didn't feel like a longer walk from the Island Tower than when I stayed in the Pago Pago building or even the overwater bungalows.
- From the Island Tower, you are almost as close to the Grand Floridian lobby and its monorail as the one in the Polynesian's main lobby, so keep that in mind for planning purposes.
- The Island Tower is inspired by Polynesian cultures (and the "Moana" movies) but in a more subtle way than the older Polynesian rooms and buildings, so choose the aesthetic your family prefers.
The best (and often cheapest) way to book the Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
I've told you lots of good news about Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and its new Island Tower, but here's the bad news: It's very common for prices to start at $700 (if not closer to $1,000) per night for standard rooms.
However, you can also book with owned or rented DVC points starting at the following points prices:
- Duo studios: starting at 12 points per night
- Deluxe studios: starting at 14 points per night
- One-bedroom villas: starting at 28 points per night
- Two-bedroom lock-off villas: starting at 44 points per night
- Two-bedroom penthouse: starting at 86 points per night
David's Vacation Club is a bona fide reputable business that rents out Disney Vacation Club points at $20 to $25 per point, depending on the resort you want and how far in advance you are booking. If you rent your DVC points at those rates, duo studios and deluxe studios start at $276 to $322 per night. That is a very significant savings over what the going cash rate will usually be when booking directly with Disney.
You are best served booking a stay well in advance if you rent DVC points, and I recommend familiarizing yourself with the process and taking a peek at the DVC points charts to get a sense of the cost at different times of the year.
Even if you don't want to stay in the new Island Tower, you can use rented DVC points for the overwater bungalows or the older Polynesian studios.
I own DVC points, but sometimes I don't have enough points when I need them or don't own points at the resort I want to book in advance, so I've used David's Vacation Club multiple times very successfully. It's a great way to stay at Disney's best properties, like this new Polynesian building, while often paying only around half of what it otherwise would have cost.
Related: Why I bought a timeshare — and am really happy about it
Bottom line
If you want to enjoy the location, theming and amenities of Disney's Polynesian Village Resort while in the newest rooms available, then the Island Tower may be the best option for you.
It does have a different look and feel than the other rooms at the Poly, but that's one of the things that makes it great since it gives you the gift of even more choices.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.