The newest resort accommodations at the Walt Disney World Resort are actually part of one of the original Disney Resorts created in 1971.  The Polynesian Villas and Bungalows are part of the Disney Vacation Club and have added some amazing new views and rooms to a classic Disney favorite.

Polynesian Villas & Bungalows - Lake View Deluxe Studio

After many, many months of construction that has been transforming Disney's Polynesian Resort the fruits of that labor are now ready to be experienced!  Starting on April 1, 2015 the newest rooms are available to the public.  There are 3 new classes of rooms: Lake View Deluxe Studios, Standard View Deluxe Studios, & 2 Bedroom On-The-Water Bungalows.

Only WDWorld was there for opening day and spent the first available night in one of the Lake View Deluxe Studios.



The new Studios here are the largest one at the Walt Disney World measuring in at 447 sq ft.  The rooms are designed to handle 5 adult sized people.  There is a queen sized bed, a double sized sleep sofa and a twin sized fold down bed that is positioned beneath the television.

This new feature to allow a 5th adult to fit in the room is starting to show up across other Deluxe offerings across Disney World.  For those of you that are used to the tiny fold down bed that can be found at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort, rest assured this new bed is much longer.  It is just as long as a traditional twin and my 6' 5" teenage son spent the night in the bed shown above.



The other major new feature in the room is that there are two bathrooms in this studio!  One houses a tub with shower and a toilet, while the other contains a shower with traditional shower head and the rainfall shower head that is amazing!  This way two people can shower at once and speed up the time it takes getting ready in the morning (or evening)!  Definitely a great feature.




The Polynesian style decorations and furniture in the room fit the style well and do a great job at making the "escape" to Hawaii complete.  The DVC Resorts have done an excellent job over the past several years at paying significant attention to the detail and theming of the resorts and rooms.



The last great feature is the improved emphasis on storage in the room.  The bed has been redesigned to allow for underbed storage and even has drawers.  The surf-board inspired coffee table opens to reveal secret storage as well.  This combined with the fold up bed under the flat screen tv has created a spacious room with ample storage of luggage and items.




The lake view studios provide a great view of the Seven Seas Lagoon and the new waterfront bungalows.  They also serve as an idea place to watch the Wishes Fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom or the nightly Electrical Light Parade as it makes its way across the lagoon.

Review Summary

The new Lake View Deluxe Studios at the Polynesian Villas and Bungalows are exactly what you want when you stay at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel.  They are spacious, comfortable and allow families to easily get ready quickly during the morning prior to a long day a the Disney World Theme Parks.  The worst part of these resorts is having to check out.  These are truly places that your family will not want to leave.

Many families will no doubt claim the Polynesian Villas & Bungalows as their new favorite place to stay during their Disney World Vacation and we can't argue with them.  Disney has a winner with these newly designed rooms.  We highly recommend them!

One of the most anticipated additions to the Disney Vacation Club at the Walt Disney World Resort is now here!  The spectacular Villas & Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Resort are now available for sale to current DVC members and to the general public starting February 9.



The first waterfront DVC Bungalows include incredible views of the Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom theme park.  Each Bungalow contains 2 bedrooms and has their own private plunge pool amongst the amenities.  They will sleep 8 guests in a fashion designed to resemble what you might find on an island in the South Pacific.  The Bungalows have two full bathrooms, a kitchen, washer and dryer, and large dining and living room spaces for gatherings.

Also to be found as additions to the Polynesian Resort are 360 Deluxe Studios that can sleep up to 5 guests each and feature a kitchenette, enhanced storage space for convenience and comfort, and two separate bathroom areas, one a full bathroom with a tub/shower and another one with a shower and sink, allowing more people to get ready at one time. A pull-down armoire bed showcases painted artwork from the popular Disney film, Lilo & Stitch..  These will be the first DVC Studios that can adjoin another Deluxe Studio.

Other changes are coming to the Polynesian Resort as well this Spring and Summer.  The initial group of DVC rooms and Bungalows are scheduled to open for use starting on April 1, 2015!

Who else is excited to check these out first hand?

Being a Disney Dining Plan veteran did not prepare me for the culinary experience that my family enjoyed when we tried the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan during a recent Disney World Vacation.



Disney Deluxe Dining Plan
For the uninitiated, the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan turns your Walt Disney World Vacation into a near all inclusive culinary experience.  Each day you receive 3 Table Service credits and 2 snack credits in Dining Plan speak.  This means that you can enjoy three different meals at a multitude of Disney World sit down restaurants savoring an appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage for each. this process repeats for night of your stay.  You also receive two Disney designated snack items per person per night of your stay. On top of that you also receive refillable Drink Mugs to use at your resort during your stay.

If you use your credits properly you should not need to purchase any additional food during your Disney stay.

The Deluxe Dining Plan with its 3 Table service credits per day (including appetizer) is a far departure for the original Disney Dining Plan that includes 1 Table Service Meal (entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage), 1 Quick Service Meal, and 1 snack per night of your stay.  You also receive refillable Drink Mugs to use at your resort during your stay.

You will find that you will spend a larger portion of your vacation sitting in restaurants, so this is not necessarily the best option for first time visitors or those with young (impatient) children.  If you are looking for a relaxing, leisurely paced vacation where fine dining is one of the keys, then this may be the option for you.



Veteran Disney Dining Plan Tricks
For frequent visitors of Disney World, including especially Disney Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members, there is an advantage to breaking up your vacation into 2 separate resort stays.  This allows you to choose whether you would like to purchase one of the Disney Dining Plan options for one or both parts of your stay.

By splitting up your vacation you can use the Dining Plan to its fullest capability and still not feel "burnt out" with too much food.  We have found that sometimes an entire week on the Dining Plan can be a bit much.  For our Deluxe Disney Dining Plan test we spent one night at the Old Key West Resort where we purchased the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan and then followed that up with an additional 6 nights at Disney's Animal Kingdom Kidani Village without the Dining Plan.

Another important fact to note is that all Dining Plans are good until midnight of the day that you check out.  In our case since we checked into the Old Key West Resort on a Saturday afternoon, it meant that we had from our check-in time until midnight on Sunday night to use our Deluxe Dining Plan Credits, thereby spreading it out over a day and a half.  This allowed us to avoid feeling overwhelmed with food and to be able to maximum the value of the credits with our dining choices.



Restaurant Choices
Dining at Disney World is never cheap, but there are certainly some dining experiences that are more expensive than others.  It is in the guest's best interest to use the Disney Dining Plans when they wish to dine at the more expensive restaurants and either pay out of pocket or use other discounts (Disney Annual Passholder, Disney Vacation Club Member, or Tables In Wonderland)when dining at the others.


For our Deluxe Dining Plan Experience the 3 restaurants that we chose were: Kouzzina, Coral Reef, and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.  Each provided a combination of intriguing menu choices and prices that justify using the Disney Dining Plan.  For each meal that included appetizer, entree, non alcoholic beverage,and dessert our check averaged over $50 per person.  All told including the actual 3 Table Service meals, snacks, and refillable drink mug, it averages slightly over $170 per person.  Considering that we paid $85.52 per person for our one night of being on the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan we saved 50%!




Choose Great Snacks!
Never settle for boring snack with your Disney Dining Plan Snack Credits.  Although the Disney suggested representative snacks are: Soft drinks, coffee, and ice cream bars there are so many more options to enjoy.  The snack choices vary widely and change frequently.  You can obtain a variety of great breakfast items (danishes, muffins, warm giant cinnamon rolls, yogurt parfaits, fresh fruit cups, etc.).  There are also an unbelievable selection of dessert and pastry items available at many of the bakeries throughout Disney World.  Starring Rolls at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Boulangerie Patisserie in Epcot are 2 favorites.


There are even special treats in the candy shops and many different forms of ice cream and desserts at shops and stands everywhere.  Explore and spend your credits well.  We even used some snack credits during this trip to get some "Zebra Domes" at the Mara at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.  They are one of Disney World's most talked about treats and deservedly so.



Enjoy the Food!
Often it's all about the food, so expand your horizons.  Try foods that you have never tried before, and above all, enjoy the experience!  During this trip we tried the Greek specialties at Kouzzina that we recommended by our server, tasted Norwegian cuisine in their unique salad/appetizer bar, and enjoyed the delightful creations at the Coral Reef.

Without a doubt the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan is a lot of food.  I don't know if I could handle an entire week of it.  Our one day was amazing and I could easily see two or three days, but I don't know if I would want to do it longer than that.  There is too much a Disney World to enjoy to spend the entire vacation enjoying the restaurants.  I am definitely glad that we chose to try the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan and I can foresee us trying it again in the future.  It was too much fun not to!

The Disney Vacation Club has officially announced what rumours have speculated for months.  The newest addition to the DVC at the Walt Disney World Resort will be part of the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.  The new villas will include 147 villas to open late in 2013 near Disney's Wedding Pavilion.  This will be the second Disney Vacation Club property to be located along the Magic Kingdom Monorail loop joining the recently added Bay Lake Tower Villas at Disney's Contemporary Resort.


Here is the official announcement from the Disney Vacation Club:

Villas in the works for Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Disney Vacation Club is developing an estimated 147 villas as part of the previously announced expansion of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Estimated to open in late 2013 near Disney's Wedding Pavilion, the resort's slated to become the 12th Disney Vacation Club property.

"We continually look for ways to expand Disney Vacation Club by creating resort experiences that our Members will love," said Claire Bilby, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Disney Vacation Club. "With the continued popularity of Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, we are thrilled to offer our Members and Guests a new resort option along the monorail beam with easy access to the Magic Kingdom Park, as well as a variety of shopping, dining and recreation experiences."

The Walt Disney World Resort is known for its stunning Resort Hotels that are vacation destinations unto themselves.  Not the least of which are the Disney Vacation Club Resorts.  In this article we will look at the Top 6 Disney Vacation Club Resorts located at Disney World.

Disney World Top 6 Disney Vacation Club Resorts
The Disney Vacation Club, aka DVC, is the unique Disney version of timeshare ownership that has become very popular.  Along with this popularity has come a multitude of Resorts that each have qualities to make them people's favorites.  Ranking them is not easy and is sure to delight some and upset others.  Without further adieu here is the Top 6:


6. Old Key West Resort - The original Disney Vacation Club Resort is still home to the most relaxing DVC Resort.  They have truly captured the laid back atmosphere of the Florida Keys.  It is hard to believe that you are still in the center of Disney World.  It really is a 'Home Away From Home."
5. Bay Lake Tower At Disney's Contemporary Resort - The newest DVC Resort At Disney World is the first to be just a monorail ride away from the Magic Kingdom and affords spectacular views of Disney World's first theme park.  Rooftop Lounge is only open to DVC Members staying at this resort and provides a magical way to view Wishes.


4. Boardwalk Resort - The east coast feeling of the Boardwalk has been recreated at this favorite resort of many.  Its close proximity to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios cuts down on the time spent riding the Disney World Buses.  Night Time entertainment on Disney's Boardwalk is literally just outside your door to enjoy.


3. Wilderness Lodge Villas - The feeling of the great American National Park Lodges of the Northwest has been magically created in this beautiful resort.  The imagery is spectacular both inside and out.  The pool area even has its own geyser.  You can't help feeling special when you get to stay somewhere as wonderful as this.


2. Beach Club Resort - Two words: Stormalong Bay!  This eastern seaboard themed resort not only is a short walk from Epcot, but also has what many people consider to be Disney World's 3rd Water Park as its resort pool.  This makes the resort a favorite of families with children during the summer months.  Also a close walk to Disney's Boardwalk and a boat ride to Disney's Hollywood Studios.


1. Animal Kingdom Villas - The Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas provide a unique experience to Disney World and anywhere else.  The masterful architecture of the buildings creates an experience that transports you to Africa in the grandest fashion.  The Resort has its own savannahs populated with Zebras, Giraffes, Ostriches, Ankole Cattle, and more.  The restaurants: Boma, Jiko, and Sanaa are all top notch and provide African flavors that complement the surroundings.  When you are here you may forget about the theme parks at Disney World, it is an amazing resort throughout and worthy of the top spot on our rankings.

At the Disney Vacation Club's newest resort: Bay Lake Tower At Disney's Contemporary Resort you can get incredible close-up views of the Magic Kingdom and an experience that differentiates itself from all other Disney Vacation Club Resorts.


Bay Lake Tower
Staying true to the design elements of Disney's Contemporary Resort, Bay Lake Tower takes that "contemporary" feel and applies it to the design of the rooms and amenities for the new hotel.


The studio rooms have the same amenities that you will find in the other Disney Vacation Club Resorts, but the layout is different and the feel is a little on the cozy side.


Incredible Views
What sets Bay Lake Tower apart from the other Disney Vacation Club Resorts is Location, Location, Location.  You are right next to the original Disney World Theme Park and have both walking access and monorail access to the Magic Kingdom.  Along with the close proximately comes some incredible views.

The pictures shown above and below are taken from the 12th floor of Bay Lake Tower.  The above picture is from the exit to the elevator, while the ones below are taken from a Magic Kingdom View Studio.


The views get even better as you move on to night time.  There is nothing like seeing the Magic Kingdom at night.  It takes on a whole new persona.



Top Of The World Lounge
At the top of Bay Lake Tower is the exclusive Top Of The World Lounge that is only accessible by Disney Vacation Club members that are staying at Bay Lake Tower.


The inside of the glass walled lounge follows the theming of the Contemporary Resort and offers a full bar and a limited appetizer type food menu.


The most impressive part of the lounge though is the rooftop views.  It is also a great place to catch the Wishes Fireworks.  The music from the show is pumped into the lounge and the outside viewing area.  It is really neat to catch Wishes from a whole new perspective.