Polynesian Garden

         The loss of the garden waterfall in the Great Ceremonial House at the newly renamed Polynesian Village Resort was lamented by many individuals including me, of course.  Now that it is gone for good, I wanted to take a look back at the last time I was able to experience the lobby before I would return to find a walled off, crazy , Epic Mickey version of the Great Ceremonial House during my next visit.
        I have not experienced the new lobby in person yet, and look forward to the eventual completion of the re-imagineered area to be able to pass complete judgement.  The only way I will be able to form an honest opinion is to visit in person and see if I feel what I felt all the times I stayed at that resort, as well as the many times I made the trek over because I love it so much. 
       Many of the additions are a big plus to this resort, including Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, the new pool area (even though it will be gated off to the non resort guest) including a hot tub, and hopefully the reopening of the Tangaroa Terrace in some way.  I just hope all the good will out way the things I feel detract from what the resort used to represent.  
      Today was the day I actually came to the realization that I will never have the opportunity to stay at the resort that I grew up loving so much again.  I have been completely priced out of the resort I gerw up staying at most of my childhood.  The Polynesian was synonymous with Walt Disney World for me.  Even when I was was older and had to make my own way to Walt Disney World, I made it a point to spend the extra money and stay where I loved, when I could.  Now with discounts few and far in between, only the families with a significant disposable income will be able to afford even the lowest priced rooms, which is a real shame.
     Anyhow, enjoy my last trip around the Great Ceremonial House with me and store it in your memory banks because that, and youtube, are the only places to see it anymore.  Thanks for watching!

Polynesin Village Resort construction photos

October 4th, 2014

   
       I just recently returned fro the Happiest Place on Earth a week ago with some construction photos I took at the Polynesian Village Resort.  I haven't delved much into recent news, but I figured that I have been very interested in the progression of the Polynesian from what it was, to what it is destined to become.

Entrance pond on the right, used to be koi in there

Looking back toward the parking lot

This seating area by the marina looks awesome.

This is looking at what was the staircase on the opposite side of O'hana

This would be looking over the waterfall to the monorail station on the 2nd level, walls are up both stories

Kona is around that corner

     

Looking from dock over beach towards the pool

This is the longhouse that the concierge lounge is located in, and to the left is the volcano pool area

Looking west over Nanea pool area

A small walkway next to Hawaii to get to the beach

The Bungalows

I do like the how the gable wood patterns mirror the original longhouses,

The asphalt shingles look way off, does not flow with the red steel roofing of the other longhouses

Fence running along the Tokelau building

Renovations of the Tokelau rooms

I hope that this space gets used again, what a great atmosphere inside and out.

Looking across from the Grand Floridian

Volcano demolition

This is a lot of concrete and re-bar to come down

Door under the volcano

Looking straight back at the Great Ceremonial House

I am a big fan of these signs

      I am very curious as to what the resort will be like when all is said and done.  I was extremely skeptical when I first heard about the changes coming, and figured that the Polynesian would not retain the charm that I had known and loved since I first stayed there in the mid eighties.  Now after seeing everything that is going on with my own two eyes, me level of skepticism has waned considerably.
    There are good things that are happening as well as the changes I am not so pleased about.  I do lament the removal of the water feature in the Great Ceremonial House, but I believe that it will become a beautiful area once again.
     The bungalows are an absolute eyesore and barely resemble the longhouses that I would have assumed that they would try to emulate.  One of the main draws to staying at the Poly was the gorgeous straight on views of the Magic Kingdom, which do not exist anymore for your average guests.  The views from the bungalows are going to be spectacular for the extreme minority that will be able to stay in one of those buildings.
    I think the pool area will be much better than what it was.  With new seating areas, a hot tub, hopefully a better poolside bar, and just and aesthetic change overall; I think I will welcome it with open arms.  The changes to that area that took place 15 years ago, I was never a fan of.  So to see something happen here to hopefully make it a more enjoyable space, I am all for.
 
    Thanks for stopping by and checking out these photos. I hope when we look back on this moment in the history of this resort, we will say they did it right.  I have a lot more Polynesian related content to share with you in the very near future, and anyone who is a fan of the resort will love to see.  Stay tuned because I plan to start posting far more regularly soon.  Have a great day!

Drinks of the Past

             Here is round two of my WDW recipes of the past posts.  I am working through beverages to start off.  I have also included a brief history on the places these drinks were served for your reading enjoyment.

   

        The Disney Inn, formerly known as the Golf Resort.  These cocktails could be found at the Garden Gallery which was the American fare dining establishment there.  Which if I am not mistaken replaced the Trophy Room at the Golf Resort.  Now the resort is called The Shades of Green, and is exclusive to military personnel.

         The Polynesian Village was home to many original cocktails back then.  Even now you can find multiple different concoctions that are not found anywhere else on property.  There were many different areas to enjoy a libation at the Polynesian Village before the many renovations that occurred in the Great Ceremonial House and around the property. Now you've got the Tambu Lounge.

         The Top of The World lounge at the Contemporary Resort Hotel was a great place to enjoy an adult beverage and watch the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom.  I am not exactly sure where in relation to the stage at the Top of The World Supper club the lounge was located.  So I am not sure if you could watch the live entertainment or not.  I am sure you could have a listen though.  Here is a fabulous post on the Contemporary as it used to be.

       The Rose and Crown Pub at EPCOT Center is a great place to enjoy a pint of ale or an interesting cocktail.  It seems that back then lemon bar mix was used in many a cocktail around WDW property.  EPCOT Center was the only Disney theme park to allow alcohol consumption at the time it opened, and for a while after.  So World Showcase was the place to be to enjoy enhanced beverages while taking in the culture around you.  As far as I know when the park opened management was trying to keep the alcoholic beverages off of the promenade, to keep the drinking to specific areas in the park.  Unlike nowadays, where you can buy your beverage from a cart and saunter around without a care in the world.  Which I have been known to do from time to time. 

    

     I hope you enjoy these posts, and I really hope that someone has the ingedients to make these cocktails of Walt Disney World's past.  Post a comment and let me know how they turn out. As I say hold a glass up high and drink to the past!

Children's Activity Centers

     Children's Activity Centers at select Walt Disney World Resorts allow parents to enjoy a night out and leave the kids at a Disney resort where they will be cared for and entertained. The clubs provide video games, toys, Disney movies, dinner and snacks. Parents are provided with pagers so they can be contacted if necessary. I am not sure how much it cost to house you child at one of these clubs then, but now it will run you $11.50/hr.  Which I do not think is ridiculous by today's standards.  Camp Dolphin at the Dolphin Resort runs $10.00/hr.  The other clubs around property include The Mousketeer Clubhouse at The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Simba's Clubhouse at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, The Neverland Club at the Polynesian Resort, Sandcastle Club at the Beach Club, and Cub's Den at the Wilderness Lodge,  Each club has a different theme based on the resort within which the club is located.
 

climbing out of the nursery window

Cloud pillows

         The best facility I visited was the Neverland Club at the Polynesian Resort. It was a blast as a child here.  As a child of the 80's, arcades were the most fun you could have.  The Neverland club featured arcade games that you could play continually without pumping in quarters, which was unheard of to me at that time. Constant classic Disney shorts or feature animated films shown on a screen that only rivaled that of Universe of Energy, or so it seemed.  Amazing themeing throughout including climbing out of the nursery window to "fly" to Neverland, cloud pillows from being in the sky "flying", even Hooks pirate ship.

       There was a buffet which served only kids favorites like mac and cheese, pizza, chicken fingers, and pb&j.  With dessert I might add.  Unlike today, where you are limited to so much per child, I served myself up an "unhealthy" portion of ice cream for my hot fudge sundae. I loved these times as a child, and made some fond memories at the club.  I am sure my parents had a blast without us three kids.  They ate at nice restaurants like California Grill and Narcoossee's,  while we as children had a ton of Disney fun. I would not hesitate to send my child to one of these places, especially the Neverland Club.  Even though times have changed in 20 years, the Disney difference hasn't.

   The above certificate was handed out to the children after your stay at the Mouseketeer Clubhouse at the Grand Floridian, at least back in 1986.  I do not have one for the Neverland Club, so I am not sure if you received something like this.  If anyone knows what was given out, if anything, from the Neverland Club I would love to hear about it.