"Disney World Is Becoming a Marriott," Fans Blast Resort Change as Worse Than Splash Mountain Retheme

Comments for “Disney World Is Becoming a Marriott,” Fans Blast Resort Change as Worse Than Splash Mountain Retheme

Disney's Polynesian Resort bungalows

Credit: Disney

60 Comments

  1. Dain Anderson

    The architectural design of the Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, like the under construction tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, have no relevance to their settings or adjacent architectural vernaculars. Both are architecturally boring.

    The Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and Disney’s Riviera Resort are at least away from major view corridors that focus on the theme parks or naturalized environment…but at the end of the day they are just towers with “hats” (roof decor).

  2. Scott Lee-Ross

    Or we could keep the history alive and look at the original concept art for the Polynesian Village resort. You know, with that tower rising up in the spot of the Great Ceremonial House. Like was originally intended to be there. Oh wait, all of the hotels around Seven Seas Lagoon were originally designed to be towers.

    1. This tower does not look anything like the concept art. Just because it is a tall building doesn’t mean it is honoring the past. Also, that many rooms will add too many people to the amenities impacting enjoyment in dining, pools and transportation.

      1. Elle

        I think everyone can agree with this one. I just stayed at the Polynesian and all we could think was—Oh no! Why can they not get their heads out of their rears and just build a new Polynesian building?! How hard is that?! Oh wait, it would be like actually Retheming Splash Mountain to something dark-ride like and cool. Maelstrom-ruined. Universe of Energy—ruined. We loved the Guardians ride—but NOT at Epcot. Hollywood studios—awful. A whole day and only rode two rides?! (And we paid for one and it broke down!) Starwars land—nice, but really disappointing.
        Disney will be a Marriott. I vote for new management!!

        1. Mason

          Maelstorm wasn’t ever really popular at all because it was in the Norway pavilion and was there so kids would want to be in the World Showcase.

        2. Scott

          Disagree with basically everything you said.

          Maelstrom was tired, and the new theme made it better.

          HS is great, and the Star Wars area is one of the most popular sections of ANY of the parks.

          Only rode two rides? That’s your fault.

      2. Jesse

        New management of Disney is no longer concerning themselves with “Disney Fans” or “Disney loyalists “. It’s concern now is headed in a new direction as we have seen. It’s business direction is to appeal to the higher income, elitist type. It’s goal is to turn Disney into a elitist playground. Everyone one their business decision and changes has been steered toward increasing costs in order to make middle income families rethink their visiting the parks and resorts. As more and more families of middle income avoid visiting WDW due to the very high costs of vacationing at Disney, and the continued construction of higher end resorts along with increased pricing at restaurants and shops, the attraction of higher income families and individuals will grow in appeal. It’s a rather very clever business model. To transform a family affordable playground into an elitist playground all under the continued guise of “making improvements for all to enjoy”. Chapek is very good at putting on a false front. For those of us in the development industry his plan is a plain to see as the sun in the sky. While it is an vile atrocity to Disney Fans and loyalists, it is a business and as the top dog he has the right to take the company in a new direction.

  3. Brooke

    The DVC monstrosity doesn’t even fit the theming of the Poly. It’s too tall and it looks like a Radisson Hotel in central California. Chapek just wants a bigger building with more rooms = more money. I’m pssed about this and what Chapek is doing to Downtown Disney in Anaheim. He bulldozed the only movie theater within miles, that had the best IMAX screen in So Cal. And he is gentrifying the Brennan’s New Orleans restaurant to look like an outdoor mall in Oxnard. It’s all just a whitewash and cheapening of DTD. I cannot wait for the profits to tank and Chapek to be shown the door. The parks and hotels are in horrible shape, broken down rides, trash everywhere, filthy hotel rooms. Chapek is pinching every penny for himself and the Board.

    1. Cynde

      I agree, another case of it’s ALL about MONEY!!

      1. bernice schnipper

        Your so right,they forgot about the families who visit.Walt did’nt he wanted a place of happiness only.

    2. Auggie

      I agree with absolutely everything you’re saying! Especially about Jazz Kitchen, the new remodel plans look like something in a private gated community in Irvine.

      But, just in case you weren’t aware, the AMC that was in DTD is in Garden Walk now so it’s still basically next door considering GW is about an 5 minute walk from the DL Pickup/Dropoff area outside the front gate.

    3. Michael

      Fact Check: True! Disney is losing money across their Divisions like ESPN and Streaming! They are taking the Profits from the Parks, primarily WDW, and shoring up the massive money losses elsewhere! Hence the massive delay in TRON, Guardians and other attractions!

      Chapek is a Failure! But like most Boards, the Disney Board is a bunch of Yes Men and Women who have no GUTS to fire this Clown! The Parks are suffering! When EPIC OPENS by Universal they will EAT DISNEY’S LUNCH! WDW did away with FL Resident Hotel Discounts after Sept 8th, their Passes are a joke, the Parks are dirty…was just there and trash bins overflowing and the MK was nothing like it use to be! Space was down, Seven Dwarfs was down and so on! The Parks are falling apart! The Magic is gone! Harmonious is just awful!

      We stayed at Grand Floridian in the “NEW” DVC STUDIOS and they are nothing special! No Refrigerators but COOLERS, we had to move a mountain to get GF to bring us a Small Refrigerator for the Studio! The Pool is old, the Jacuzzi is a joke and just ONE…the stores close at 9PM except the one and Gaspirilla’s Closes by 11PM! BUT BUT pay Close to 600.00 a night! Just Junk! Disney is truly becoming 2nd Class!

      No one needs another Riviera on POLY! It just looks Stupid! Chapek builds CHEAP JUNK! Carnival Rides that create no BUZZ and he truly builds nothing new! Tron is a disaster….5 years to build? The 50th has been a BUST! They had NOTHING NEW for the MK but a bunch of Junkie T-Shirts and terrible Fireworks show! The Luau never should have been done away with! People loved it!

      Law of Diminishing Returns will take over! Look at the FAILURE of that Star Wars Hotel that is Failing Miserably by the Studios! Total Bust and whoever thought of that should be fired! Even Guardians is just an UGLY BUILDING OUTSIDE! Gone is the magic like Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain and others that had UNIQUE LOOKS and STORIES! Heck the outside of Guardians is just the Universe of Energy with a new overlay! Just Cheap Cheap Cheap!

      Walk the Epcot Walkway to Yacht/Beach/Boardwalk…Lights are out everywhere on the path! No replacements just left burnt out! I mean how can Engineering not see it?? Boardwalk is a shell! ESPN sits empty, the hotel is lifeless! Disney has just ignored the parks and resorts!

      But But DVC builds another ugly, uniform, dull tower for more Studios to rip people off!

    4. Bonnie

      There is an AMC theater in the Garden Walk, which is walking distance from the resort.

  4. TimW

    It looks like Aulani. Hawaii has a lot of high rises that look like any skyscraper. Aulani is the few attempts to be a little different in Hawaii.

    1. It doesn’t look anything like Aulani.

    2. Barbara

      So DONE with Di$ney !!!

  5. Elijah Abrams

    So they’re saying that the SM retheme is awful? Good.

  6. Shelley

    Disney is losing their creativity. There has to be a way to have a large hotel that is themed well. A Lot of the new construction they’re having, such as Disney Springs, loses much of the special theming that make it unique, and turn everything into buildings that could be in any strip mall. It’s like they don’t even know why Disney is special, why people come. It’s for the Kids. You have to think like a Kid. And if you can’t, then get out of creating anything for Disney. True Disney people go all out on Disney to make it special, just because they Can. Read the room!

  7. Having a tower with each resort ruins the landscape. The tower at Polynesian will probably block views of the Grand Floridian off to the left. People loved the Spirit of Aloha show. I’ll admit we could never afford to go when our kids were young, so we didn’t experience it. They flattened it to make a tower for the 1%. Disney has been taking away entertainment. Clearly Disney execs think entertainment is a waste of money.

    1. Heart of Disney

      Total agree. There WAS something special and magical about the poly and now the illusion is ruined. This and everything else that Disney has changed has crushed my spirit Chapel HAS to go before fe does any more irreparable damage to a once beloved FAMILY destination.

  8. Rroe

    Bob Paycheck cares about Share Holders only and to hell with all the once loyal Disney guests.

    1. Manny

      Wow a bold statement that has been plaguing corporate America since the 80s. This will not change unless companies are made to feel the pain. Shareholders who love Disney have to vote collectively against decisions made by the board. Including who is on the board.

    2. Jill E. Bean

      That’s… creepy.

    3. Susan

      As a small shareholder I can tell you I have not got a dividend check in at last 2 years.

      1. BuckeyeFineArts

        And predictions are you will go another 2-3 years.

  9. Joe

    Poly is in dire need of multi-room units for DVC members. I think that is the basis for the new tower. Eventhough the rooms are well-equipped and new, having not kitchens like other DVC-Resort villas makes them impractical.

  10. JoeBryant

    Who else is so burned out by the complaining that they just don’t care anymore.

    1. Carol A Wutzl

      Exactly.

    2. Nala Bones

      But you are complaining about complaining…. now I’m complaining about you complaing about complaining… see what you started here….

  11. Jayne1955

    I loved the dinner show and I will miss it forever. It was wonderful. No matter what they put there it is ruining one of my favorite experiences.

  12. Vic

    This monstrosity will ruin the feel of the Polynesian and views of the lake because it will become the predominate structure on the entire lake taking away from even the Floridian because of its height and location. Disney has failed miserably with a lack of creativity in recent years – at least they announced they will remove that monstrosity in the EPCOT lake. The new “hotel” behind the Swan and Dolphine is nice looking for a hotel but thankfully out of site for most visitors.

    1. BuckeyeFineArts

      Well, eventually The Grand Floridian will have a tower, as well. I strongly believe they have a design picked out already, and architects are planning the rooms, etc. now. I do not believe it will announced before the Poly tower is at least close to completion.

  13. Paul W

    I honestly don’t care much about the view from the room. If I want to watch the lake or fireworks it’s pretty easy to step outside to a better viewing area. When I’m at Disney I use the room to sleep, shower, and change clothes. That’s pretty much the case when I take any vacation. The deciding factors for me are the perks at the resorts, like transportation and what dining options are available right there.

    1. Manny

      Then you can go to motel 6, like the sports resort. Those that spend on a deluxe tend to enjoy the resort and hang out there more.

  14. Warren

    Like Walt, his “child”, aka Walt Disney World, is dead. The current management has no artistic vision and is only in it for the money. I’m glad I visited before Disney lost its soul. Now, it’s not worth my dollars. 😥

  15. Chris

    The parks will continue to be crowded if Disney keeps building/expanding hotels and not adding a new theme park.

    1. Javie

      Yeah. That’s what I don’t get. Disney has said they need to keep raising prices to reduce overcrowding, but then keeps building these big hotels hoping to attract more people I guess? So is the plan eventually that only DVC members will get reservations to the parks and WDW will finally become an exclusive club for the rich?

  16. j

    Whiney self indulgent babies should go create their own company and do it so much better since they are so smart (they actually understand zero).

    1. Jill E. Bean

      Spot on. Tired of the whining.

  17. Donna

    More resorts without park expansion makes no sense at all. The parks are already over crowded..so much so that regulars are not returning. As a DVC member, this is the first year since we purchased in 2009 we are not visiting due to a horrible experience with crowd and new lightening lanes.

    1. Bubba

      Good for you! Vote with your wallet I say.

      As for crowding. YOURE wrong. They were more crowded back in the day and that will never be that number of guests in the parks again.

      1. Delmar Shortt

        Despite what Disney and Social Media says, I do not think that the problem is really the crowds themselves. As you said, the parks used to be more crowded. The problem now is the fact that Disney wants to get away with as few CMs as possible and run rides at minimum which drives guests crazy and increases aggravation. Between that and the constant price increases it is no wonder people are on edge. Before there were always CMs standing around keeping control of crowds. They were also allowed and encouraged to do things to make guests feel special and wanted. Sadly, that is not the case anymore.

  18. John

    If all the entertainment and theming are gone. What reason is there to stay on property instead of off property? I have never stayed on property at Disneyland because of price. I am starting to wonder if it is even worth it at Disney world if the theming is all generic, there is no entertainment, and amenities are overcrowded. Staying somewhere else nearby is looking better and better

  19. Edward

    I believe Florida is NOT allowing building outwards. Only upwards…am not versed in this law…maybe someone could speak to this!

  20. Delmar Shortt

    I have never been able to afford to stay in a Deluxe Resort. Now I cannot afford Disney at all. That being said, this is just another move by Chapek to add another ATM machine to WDW regardless of how it looks or where it is as long as it costs Disney little and sells for a lot.

  21. Kathie

    It seems Disney’s Imagineers are all gone or made superfluous in the Chapek bottom line syndrome. We will have to cherish our memories because Walt’s dream is slowly dying. I’m happy I got to experience the REAL Disney World. A shame because it once was a place where no matter your age when you were there you were as carefree as a child. RIP

  22. Jim m

    Here we have Chapek requiring guests to have a ticket and reservation to enter a park to avoid overcrowding! Yet he continues to build more resort rooms! Where’s the sense in that? It proves he could care less about people who pay their hard earned money to vacation there!

  23. Mason

    Disney died in 2020.

  24. Matt Brewster

    You neglected to mention how the Riviera high-rise ruined the CBR. Not only is it WAY too close to the other villages, but it actually replaced one of them- Barbados! PLUS, they built a skyride station next to the Riviera!

  25. Zack godbout

    I really dont like how you write your articles. This isnt college, you dont need a 300 word intro saying nothing. Get to the point please.

  26. Mickeymouse3

    Disney does a white washing with every refurb that is done to their hotels…can’t call them resorts any more. I read they don’t want people in the hotels because people don’t spend money in the hotels. They want people in the parks where they spend stupid amounts of green. Alas, this what penny-pinching bob demands.

  27. Just cram as many people in there as you can!!

  28. Disney is a joke anymore. All they think about more money in their pocket. They don’t care about the paying people because they know people will pay their idiotic prices. We are retired now and sure can’t afford it. I guess we will give our money to Universal. This is not a magical place anymore.

  29. M0710NM4N

    Though I love the thought of going to WDW… with all I keep seeing in articles and Youtube videos, I’m kinda glad I haven’t visited since around 2007.

  30. Alan

    I’ve got a good idea don’t go if you don’t like

    1. Why can’t you just scroll pass?

  31. I agree with Mr. Zack.. reporting about squirrls having an ‘altercationn ‘ ?! – really ? .. slow news week , eh mister ?..,🥱😴😖🙄
    Surely you can find a ‘real’ job, …. instead of cranking out nothing crap for a now – evil conglomerate.. How can you even afford to eat or pay rent on this filler site , anyway?

  32. Julius

    I live in Hawaii and the new building is more modern and more like the newer hotels in hawaii. Personally i like it… especially that it adds more availability at DVC. Altho I don’t think the Polynesian is nearly as nice as Aulani, which is amazing. Also the stereotypical 70s Polynesian design at the Polynesian Resort is a little dated. So this modernizes it…

  33. DM

    They don’t know when to quit… It makes me so sad because one by one the beautiful places at WDW are being phased out and replaced by cheap, generic, ugly, usually un themed alternatives. It really doesn’t make sense to stay on property anymore. I’d rather pay a fraction of the price to stay at an actual Marriott and get better service. I miss early 00s Disney!

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