PHOTO REPORT:2001 Polynesian pool refurbishment

    The Polynesian Resort Volcano pool has been a staple of Walt Disney World since the opening of the resort.  With a volcanic rock mountain formation, a waterfall cascading down the face, as well as encompassing a water slide that was carved out of the rock work, this pool was different than most pools available to guests staying at hotels around this time. This pool featured a deep end (9' 10") with a diving board.  The diving board was eventually removed by the early 1980's, but the deep end remained.

Removal of old volcano pool

     The public consensus towards pools changed around the mid 90's when deep pools were deemed too dangerous, as well as the fact that a lifeguard would have to be on duty at all times. In the beginning of  2001, a refurbishment of the original volcano pool was in order, to rid itself of a deep end and make a zero entry element, to better conform to government regulations as well as a money saver in the long run. With the zero entry element eliminating the requirement of permanent structures that lower physically disabled guests into the pool, this is the direction that WDW pools will be heading in the future. (Grand Floridian pool being
converted as of this post)

   These photos were taken over the course of the month of January of 2001.  I have many pictures from this portion of the refurbishment, and I am posting them all here, so I apologize for the amount of pictures in this article.  As a fan of the history of the resort, I believe every picture that documents a period of time in the evolution of Walt Disney World is important, and worth sharing.

 







      What is very interesting is how much area was torn up.  As a guest at this time, having this entire area behind construction walls had to put a damper on your resort experience.  In the grand scheme of things, this was a plus for many reasons.  The addition of cabana areas and an updated dry play area for children, even though I do lament the loss of the deep end of the pool; especially since the remodel of the "quiet" pool that took place semi recently, which used to be 8' deep.  The ability to actually "swim" in a pool has been lost these days.  Even though I do know that my kids will enjoy the new pool as much as I enjoyed the former, as the theming is still top notch; I will still hold fond memories of the original even though it is history.
     I do hope you enjoy these many photographs and many thanks for taking time to read this. Please visit again, as I will continue to post pictures from WDW's past.

Polynesian Pools of The Past

      Granted the refurbished volcano pool at the Polynesian Resort is still relatively new,  these pictures of the old pool were taken in the late 80's.  The volcano pool was remodeled in 2001, which at that time got rid of the deep end of the pool.  I was a big fan of being able to actually swim in pool on Disney property.  Now all the pools that I know of have a max depth of less than six feet.  This pool used to have a max depth of 9' 6", and the other pool at the Poly had a max depth of 8'.  Now the other "adult pool" has a max depth of less than 5'.  There are a couple reasons that I can think of to remove said deep ends of pools. Either because of insurance liabilities, or not having to pay lifeguards to be on duty. 

      The other round pool used to be a quiet place for adults to relax and sunbathe with all the children at the volcano pool or swimming in the lagoon.  Now that pool is pretty much a kiddie pool as well there is not that area for the adults.  Even when we used to swim there as children we had to keep it mellow for the sake of the other people enjoying their time as well.  If we wanted to roughhouse and be crazy, our parents would send us to the volcano pool.   The last time I was staying at the Poly, which was over the 40th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom, the round pool was as much of a madhouse as the volcano pool.  I do miss the days when Disney actually catered to adults as well as children.  Either it is cost cutting or the fact that Disney knows us adults will come back because of our memories of how awesome it used to be.  One more thing, why does the Poly not have a hot tub?  My rant is over, thanks for reading!

Old volcano pool from the deep end of the pool

Overview of the pool area in its former glory

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The "adult" pool in it's former glory

   Gra