This New Disney World Resort Caters to Bigger Households

There’s no scarcity of choices when deciding the place your loved ones ought to keep on a trip to Walt Disney World. And with over two dozen resorts to select from, there’s one thing for each price range and desire. I can attest to that as I’ve been visiting Disney World with my household for over three many years and have stayed at each single one.

Now vacationers heading to the “most magical place on Earth” have a brand new property to select from with the December 17, 2024 opening of The Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. 

The Disney Trip Membership resort sits idyllically on the waterfront and is an attractive possibility with an upscale really feel, spacious rooms, distinctive theming, and shut proximity to Magic Kingdom. Oh, and loads of Disney magic and island vibes. 

Right here’s what you might want to find out about staying, what to see, and facilities your loved ones gained’t wish to miss.

The Island Tower Is The Latest Disney Trip Membership Resort

The Island Tower is an addition to the historic Disney’s Polynesian Resort, which opened with Disney World in 1971. It’s located subsequent to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, on the Seven Seas Lagoon throughout from Magic Kingdom. The brand new 10-story resort tower honors the resort’s legacy with its design impressed by unique idea artwork from many years in the past. 

Like every Disney resort, storytelling is on the forefront. Right here, it’s all about immersing company into the tradition of the islands by celebrating the adventurous spirit and exploring conservation efforts. Walt Disney Imagineering labored with a dozen artists from around the globe to create distinctive artwork items, together with sculptures crafted from fishing nets and preserved moss partitions. 

Polynesian heritage is delivered to life however, after all, that is the mouse’s home. There are additionally Disney touches with nods to Moana subtly built-in in designs used all through the resort, equivalent to with colour schemes and paintings.

A novel first for Disney World, sustainability was on the undertaking’s core with the tower incorporating methods, together with optimized cooling, to make use of round 30% much less power than a comparably-sized resort. And recycled supplies have been used to create lots of its furnishings and paintings.

Why It’s A Nice Alternative For Huge Households

Unquestionably, its shut proximity to the Magic Kingdom could also be a promoting level. Afternoon tantrum? You may return to the comforts of your room inside minutes flat.

Its vary of room sorts additionally units it aside from lots of Disney’s different choices. The tower gives distinctive lodging sorts—a staple of Disney Trip Membership—with rooms sleeping between two to 9 company. Some even have in-unit washers and dryers, which may show invaluable for any household.

With sizable rooms, it’s an important possibility for giant households and multi-gen journeys (carry the grandparents!). The tower’s largest possibility are its two-bedroom penthouses that may sleep as much as eight. These additional spacious lodging pack ample frequent area, together with a front room, three full bogs, full kitchen, and eating room. There’s even an expansive non-public patio with Magic Kingdom views. 

Its one- and two-bedroom villas sleep 5 and 9 company, respectively, and have full dimension kitchens, eating and dwelling areas, two bogs, and washer and dryer items. 

For smaller events, there are deluxe and duo studios which are much like customary resort rooms. 

Considerate design was taken under consideration with every room type, from loads of charging ports to seating that’s simply transformed to a pull down, queen-sized mattress. The villas really feel particularly spacious, with room to unwind comfortably in your non-public area (and home your baggage). Including heat and that Disney contact, every room options customized paintings Moana-impressed and sustainable design parts, like space rugs crafted from recycled plastic bottles.

What To Do on the Resort

Company will discover a new pool facility, restaurant, and communal locales to unwind.

Splash time 

The resort tower introduces a brand-new aquatic space, the Cove Pool, which options lounge seating and a zero-entry swimming pool. Youngsters will love Moana’s Voyage, an interactive water splash space designed for the littlest ones in thoughts.

Communal areas

A novel providing is the 4 terrace gardens discovered throughout the tower. With Polynesian island aptitude and luxurious landscaping, it’s a retreat to chill out and easily benefit from the sights, together with prime viewing of Magic Kingdom fireworks.

There’s additionally a state-of-the-art fitness center facility on-site.

Eating

Wailulu Bar & Grill is the tower’s waterfront restaurant providing informal eating with indoor and outside seating—and it boasts Disney World’s first all-electric kitchen. The all-day menu has a give attention to dishes that use substances frequent within the islands and staples of the Polynesian weight loss program, like breadfruit tostones and spam. It’s a possibility to attempt conventional meals, like Poke bowls, spam musubi, sticky pork ribs, and beef quick rib loco moco.

Non-adventurous eaters needn’t be nervous—there is a creamy white cheddar macaroni and cheese and a traditional cheeseburger. And to totally embrace the laidback island life, there’s signature cocktails topped with edible orchids and zero-proof choices.

It’s additionally open for breakfast when company can seize Kona espresso and pastries on the go. The vibes are immaculate with sunken in outside cubicles overlooking Magic Kingdom and comfortable warmth lamps. It is a area in contrast to some other Disney World restaurant. Night visits supply a shocking view of the fireworks. The restaurant even pipes within the accompanying music.

The Island Tower’s shut proximity to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort’s important constructing and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa opens the probabilities as much as much more eating simply minutes away, together with fan favourite Ohana.

What It’s Like Staying on the Island Tower​

With 268 rooms, the tower has a extra intimate really feel than different Disney World resorts. Areas are inviting, and I particularly loved the enjoyable communal gathering locations, equivalent to the plush terrace gardens. If Cinderella Fortress wasn’t looming within the distance, I’d overlook that I’m not truly on a distant island. 

The ambiance is a extra luxe-feeling interpretation on the Polynesian theme in comparison with the remainder of the resort. The serene area is achieved via impartial tones accented by pops of daring colour and quite a lot of textures and supplies.

I used to be captivated by the artwork items all through, like a three-story artwork wall within the foyer. Designed by Maria Apelo Cruz, it was created utilizing actual supplies from Polynesian islands, together with coconuts shells and shark tooth. As a fan of the movie Moana, it was enjoyable discovering considerate nods all through, like Gramma Tala’s manta ray.

The Island Tower felt like an absolute escape from the theme parks but mere minutes from all of the motion. Whereas the Monorail is obtainable, I appreciated the flexibility to stroll inside minutes to Disney’s Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom. And with its waterfront location providing prime viewing of fireworks, I could by no means watch them once more from inside a packed park. 

Ebook the Disney Polynesian Island Tower​

The Island Tower is a Disney Trip Membership property, however most people can e-book this new providing, with members having first entry. Disney Trip Membership is a trip points-based system with members getting access to 17 properties, together with Disneyland.