Island Tower and recent changes specific to the Polynesian
The new Island Tower (sometimes called the Island Tower or Disney Vacation Club expansion at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort) opened in late 2024 and added a new guest tower, the Cove Pool, and a poolside restaurant called Wailulu Bar & Grill. These changes also removed Luau Pointe and the Spirit of Aloha dinner show venue and shifted some pool and dining access patterns around the resort.
In this guide
Overview of the Island Tower addition
Disney added the Island Tower to the Polynesian grounds as a recent expansion, bringing new rooms and a dedicated pool area referred to as the Cove Pool. The Island Tower is tied into existing resort pathways that connect the Polynesian Great Ceremonial House to the Grand Floridian and other nearby facilities.
Construction and openings around the Island Tower have led to reconfigurations of some outdoor spaces and the removal of certain event venues that previously sat on the same footprint.
- Island Tower opened in late 2024 (new dining and pool facilities were added).
- The Cove Pool is the Island Tower’s pool and is open roughly 7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
- A new poolside dining venue, Wailulu Bar & Grill, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and supports the Cove Pool area.
| New element | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cove Pool | Pool near the Island Tower; hours approx. 7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.; reportedly has no lifeguards on duty |
| Wailulu Bar & Grill | Poolside restaurant at Island Tower serving breakfast, lunch, dinner with indoor and outdoor seating |
| Island Tower guest rooms | Adds more guest-room inventory and connects to resort pathways |
Dining changes tied to the Island Tower
Wailulu Bar & Grill opened in the Island Tower and is described as a casual poolside restaurant serving breakfast as quick service and lunch/dinner as table service with lagoon views. The addition provides dining service for guests using the Cove Pool.
Other core dining venues (for example 'Ohana, Kona Cafe, Capt. Cook's, Kona Island, Pineapple Lanai, Tambu Lounge, Trader Sam's Grog Grotto, Barefoot Pool Bar and Oasis Bar & Grill) continue to operate at the Polynesian, though the resort’s dining map shifted slightly with the Island Tower opening.
- Wailulu Bar & Grill: new at Island Tower; serves breakfast, lunch, dinner.
- Pool service for Cove Pool routed through Wailulu Bar & Grill; reports indicate Cove Pool lifeguard coverage differs from the main Lava Pool.
- Existing signature venues ('Ohana, Kona Cafe) remain on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House.
| Venue | Role after Island Tower |
|---|---|
| Wailulu Bar & Grill | New poolside restaurant serving the Cove Pool; indoor/outdoor seating with lagoon views |
| Barefoot Pool Bar / Oasis Bar & Grill | Continue serving their respective pools (Lava Pool / Oasis Pool) |
| 'Ohana, Kona Cafe, Capt. Cook's | Unchanged primary table- and quick-service locations in the Great Ceremonial House |
Pools, access rules, and guest use
The Island Tower introduced the Cove Pool, creating three named pools across the Polynesian property: the Lava Pool (main feature with waterslide), the Oasis Pool (quieter leisure pool), and the new Cove Pool near Island Tower. All three pools have roughly 7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. operating windows, with the Lava Pool hours sometimes extended in summer.
Pool access at the Polynesian requires proof of registration (MagicBand or room key) and pools are reserved for registered Polynesian guests only; pool-hopping between resorts is not allowed at this property. Reports note the Cove Pool may operate without lifeguards, so check posted rules and staff notices on-site.
- Lava Pool: main feature with volcano/Waterslide; summer hours can be longer (approx. 10:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.).
- Oasis Pool: quieter pool for a more relaxed setting; typically open about 7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
- Cove Pool (Island Tower): open roughly 7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.; reported to have no lifeguards on duty and is supported by Wailulu Bar & Grill.
| Pool | Typical hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lava Pool | Approx. 10:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. in summer; slightly shorter after Labor Day | Feature pool with waterslide; lifeguard coverage |
| Oasis Pool | Approx. 7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. | Quieter leisure pool; lifeguard coverage reported |
| Cove Pool | Approx. 7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. | Pool for Island Tower guests; reports indicate no lifeguards on duty |
What closed or was removed for the Island Tower
Luau Pointe, the outdoor luau and wedding lawn area, was removed for Island Tower construction, and the Spirit of Aloha dinner show has been announced as permanently closed. Those who formerly sought that outdoor show or the Luau Pointe site will need to plan alternate on-Disney or off-site activities.
Other event and wedding uses that occupied shoreline lawns were reconfigured as part of the tower and DVC expansion; check with Polynesian guest services or BookResorts agents for current ceremony and small-event options.
- Spirit of Aloha dinner show: announced permanently closed.
- Luau Pointe: no longer available due to Island Tower construction.
- Outdoor wedding/large-event layouts near the former luau lawn have been reworked or removed.
| Former feature | Current status |
|---|---|
| Spirit of Aloha dinner show | Permanently closed / not returning |
| Luau Pointe | Removed due to Island Tower construction |
| Luau/event lawn areas | Reconfigured or repurposed as part of Island Tower development |
Rooms, suites and Club Level implications
The Island Tower added more guest-room inventory and suite options tied into the Polynesian's room roster. Existing room types at the resort include Resort View - Club Level, Resort View Room, Water View Room, Theme Park View Room, the Kamehameha Suite - Club Level, Ambassador VP Suite - Club Level, and several Club Level and Honeymoon Room options; some of the new Island Tower rooms may be assigned Club Level status depending on reservation type.
If you specifically need a room type such as Kamehameha Suite - Club Level or Resort View - Club Level, verify at booking whether the night and room type are being allocated in the Island Tower or in the older longhouse buildings, since tower assignments and Club Level access can affect proximity to the Cove Pool and Wailulu Bar & Grill.
- Room names to note: Kamehameha Suite - Club Level, Ambassador VP Suite - Club Level, 1 Bedroom Suite - Club Level, Resort View - Club Level, Honeymoon Room - Club Level, Theme Park View-Club Level Room.
- Confirm Club Level lounge access and whether your Club Level room is in the Island Tower or another building when you book.
- Island Tower rooms will be closer to the Cove Pool and Wailulu Bar & Grill; older longhouses are closer to the Great Ceremonial House and Lava Pool.
| Room example | Potential guest impact |
|---|---|
| Kamehameha Suite - Club Level | Large suite option; confirm building assignment if Club Level services or proximity to the Cove Pool matter |
| Resort View Room | Standard placement may be in longhouses or newer tower—check assignment at booking |
| Honeymoon Room - Club Level | Club Level niceties depend on whether your room is in a Club Level building |
Transportation, beach access and guest services after the change
The Island Tower did not change the Polynesian's core transportation links: the resort still has a monorail station on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House and boat service across the Seven Seas Lagoon to Magic Kingdom, plus Disney bus service. Boat dock configurations near Magic Kingdom have been subject to maintenance and future dock changes, so check current status before relying on a specific dock.
The resort’s white sand beach remains available for shoreline viewing, seating and watching nightly fireworks or the Electrical Water Pageant, but swimming in Seven Seas Lagoon is not permitted. Concierge, luggage and booking services remain available from the Great Ceremonial House and BookResorts agents can confirm specifics for your stay.
- Monorail: station on second floor of Great Ceremonial House, serving Magic Kingdom, Grand Floridian, Contemporary and TTC.
- Boat service: departs roughly every 20 minutes to Magic Kingdom but can be suspended during storms or maintenance.
- Beach use: sand, chairs and viewing allowed; swimming in the lagoon is not permitted.
| Service | Note |
|---|---|
| Monorail | Operates from the Great Ceremonial House monorail station |
| Boat to Magic Kingdom | Generally departs about every 20 minutes; check for temporary closures |
| Beach | Sand access for viewing and seating; no swimming permitted |
