The Walt Disney World Resort I Grew to Love

 No, it wasn't Disney's Polynesian Village Resort that I had to grow to love. Anyone who knows me is aware that was an instant hit. The truth is the other original Walt Disney World Resort hotel was the one that took decades to win me over- the Contemporary Resort. (And here's a piece of rare concept art: an early plan for the exterior.)

Yes, riding the monorail through the lobby still surprises with the reveal of the Grand Canyon Concourse, but that wasn't enough. Decades after my first visit to the World in 1975, it was the sum of many smaller pieces that won me over. The energy, the bright colors, the large panes of glass that provided terrific views, the lakeside setting. 

What tipped the scales? Dinner at the California Grill back in 2009! That memorable and expensive evening became one of my favorite resort experiences. What could be more spectacular than a great meal with my beloved wife high atop it all? Only a view of the Magic Kingdom while the evening fireworks were aglow. Truly magical!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Miniature Golf for Walt Disney World's Polynesian Village

Aloha! Like any good Californian, I really like my tiki culture! So, you can imagine how excited I was when this piece of concept art for a miniature golf course ended up on my desk. Is this possibly for Typhoon Lagoon or maybe it was part of a plan once upon a time for an expansion of the Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World. Looks like it would fit for something next to Trader Sam's Grog Grotto even. Does anyone know more?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Forgotten Walt Disney World Resort

There's a Walt Disney World resort that guests totally forget about. And it's quite a beautiful place as these photographs prove. I know I have not thought about this place until recently. Have you been there? Or do you even know about it? Let's take a look at this place. I can assure you that it may make you look more than once to trying to get a reservation.

The Golf Resort- a premium destination.

The Shades of Green resort was once known as the Golf Resort. Back in 1973 when it added rooms and was no longer just a clubhouse for the courses, it was the premier location to play a few rounds, stay in a peaceful environment and enjoy all the associated amenities of a resort that was not geared toward children. The resort may have been off the monorail route and a bit of a distance from Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, but that was part of its secluded charm. Think of a resort that had the original Disney Village vibe (the predecessor to Disney Springs), and you'll get an idea of how it all felt.

In the mid 1980's, the number of resort rooms doubled in size and the name was changed to the Disney Inn as an attempt to get more non-golfers to stay at the intimate resort. Later in 1994, the U.S. Military was pleased to lease and later purchase the resort as a new Armed Forces Recreation Center. The name was changed to Shades of Green to reference the color of uniforms all soldiers wore from different branches of the military.

The lobby waterfall at Shades of Green.

The rustic waterfall area of the lobby reminds me a bit of the original waterfall in the center of the Polynesian Village. Instead of a tropical theme, there's a Rocky Mountain look reminiscent of the Gaylord Rockies Resort in Denver. It's a peaceful place, a very relaxed environment giving the resort and elegant and restful flavor.

The photos above and the video below come from the excellent WDW Explore and Chill video site. Be sure to check it out for other great tours after you've finished touring Shades of Green. Enjoy!

World Class Look at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Ah, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, the original hotel that Walt Disney World dreams are made of! You're looking at what it looks like now as of mid-March 2023 in a great photo by Bioreconstruct. The new Honolulu high rise tower is being built in the upper right hand corner. It will not only change the sight line, but it will remove the sense of separation from Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

Photo from My Favorite Disney Postcards

Back in the opening year, the Polynesian was much smaller, giving it a remote, exotic feel. The slightly color corrected version of this vintage postcard is seen below.

As any die hard Poly fan will tell you, the lobby waterfalls were much better looking and more inviting than the glass floats hanging from its ceiling guests see today. The hard to get into Trader Sam's Grog Grotto may be loads of fun, but the new vibe at the Poly is less relaxing than ever before. Still, it's a good place to hang out on a non-park day. But let's not talk about those outrageous room rates! 

(Images copyright The Walt Disney Company and Bioreconstruct.)

This is Disney World's Polynesian Resort?

Yes, there's a mega story Downtown Honolulu-esque building going up next to Walt Disney World's original Polynesian Village Resort. It may look nice when it's completed, but there's no question it will change the feel of the beloved original property. Here's a piece of concept art that some Imagineer dreamed up awhile back. With elements that feel old school, it harkens back to a simpler time. But, of course, this is modern Disney, so it's all about the money and withdrawing every last bit of cash from every guest. Hence the multi-story Downtown Honolulu vibe of the new building. My love for classic Disney Imagineering and business sense will never fail, but this new brazen one that looks to constantly slaughter the cash cow? Well, I'm losing patience. 

My next trip should include more time at Universal Orlando Resort. Once Epic Universe opens, Disney will lose yet another day to their main competitor. And I will not be the only one.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Sunsets at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort

The beautiful skies of Florida become even more vibrant and breathtaking at dusk- and for someone who loves Walt Disney World, viewing those skies with a magical backdrop make for some very special memories. How I wish these were mine! This wonderful photograph of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort from Disney's Polynesian Village Resort was taken by someone named Sharon on the Tikiman's Unofficial Polynesian Resort Pages on face book. Can you picture the shot of the Magic Kingdom? Yep, me too!

Disney World's Luau Cove Lives On

Here it is: The best piece of Disney Imagineering concept art you'll find with regards to Walt Disney World's wonderful Polynesian Village Resort. There are many often seen pieces out there. But they are usually of the resort building's exterior and how it looks next to the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Imagineer Sam McKim, well known for creating stunning pieces for Frontierland in Disneyland shows he can get his Tiki inspired vibe on with his look the Florida resort's at Luau Cove (may it Rest in Peace).

One of the original pieces showing the Magic Kingdom in the distance.

Disney, Tiki culture, and concept art- one of my favorite theming combinations. It's probably some of yours too! Think about it: Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, Disney's Aulani Resort on Ko Olina cove in Hawaii, the Polynesian Village Resort, Trader Sam's and Trader Sam's Grog Grotto, the Luau Cove, the Tropical Hideaway, and last but not least, what it replaced, California's  incredible Tahitian Terrace at Disneyland.

A desaturated version.

You can concept art for all these places here on the blog! The piece at top was discovered on the excellent Tikiman's Unofficial Polynesian Resort Pages on Face Book. It's a definite must add to anyone's collection!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disney Tearing Down Polynesian's Luau Cove Celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month?

Does anyone else see Disney's hypocrisy here? The suits approve a slaughter of the Polynesian Village's Luau Cove and the Spirit of Aloha dinner show so they can build a DVC tower. Is this Inclusion? Sensitivity? Promotion of understanding cultures? No. A cash grab, pure and simple. Commerce at work. Disney is about the money and whatever it will take to get it. Don't be fooled.

Since the opening of Walt Disney World, guests have been able to get a taste of real Polynesian culture. Now that's gone, so guests get a chance to make more money for Disney. By staying in the Disney Vacation Club rooms at the Polynesian. Hypocrisy of the first degree.

(Top photo copyright Mark Taft. Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Tiki Culture Lives on at Disney World's Polynesian Village Resort

Tiki Culture- I love it! Give me views of South Pacific tropical islands with crystal waters, lush fruity drinks, and the sights and sounds of days gone by, and I'm in total relaxation mode. Or give me stuff that delivers the vibe. Are you one who still enjoys the Enchanted Tiki Room? Does Trader Sams float your boat? Join the club!

Few things were more enjoyable during our last Walt Disney World trip than an evening at the Polynesian Village Resort and dinner at the world famous Spirit of Aloha luau. Even the boat ride over from the Magic Kingdom at early dusk was truly magical.

The re-envisioned lobby area was a major step backward, and the Moana makeover seems pleasant but unnecessary. The original just needed a refresh and not a makeover. That said, I am looking forward to a new entrance and monorail station. Yet...

The real Hawaii has charms that Disney's duplication can't match. But when you want a small taste of that island life while at Disney World, head over to the Polynesian. You won't be disappointed!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)