Luxe Beat Magazine AUGUST 2015 | Page 40

New Disney Bungalows
Offer Polynesian
Perfection
By Debi Lander

S

taying in a Disney Hotel or
Resort provides one of the
best perks of a memorable
visit to the Magic Kingdom.
Now, one of Disney World’s
original and most beloved properties,
the tropical Polynesian Village
Resort, has undergone a fabulous
make-over. Anyone who enjoyed the
resort in past will find the improved
version even better.
Disney’s 20 new luxury bungalows
at the Polynesian have become the
Disney bungalow kitchen

choicest place to stay in Orlando.
Think Bora Bora meets Disney World.
The individual lodges hover over the
water of the Seven Sea Lagoon and
command prime views of Cinderella’s
Castle and the nightly fireworks
show. While I assume the fish I saw
swimming in the lake were real,
you can never be sure when Disney
Imagineers are fooling you.
Each two-bedroom, two-bath
bungalow incorporates authentic
South Pacific styling and provides

privacy for up to eight guests. You’ll
find a full kitchen with coffee maker,
microwave, toaster, stove, oven,
refrigerator, dishwasher and volcanic
rock-inspired countertops.
The comfy high-beamed living room
sneaks in a queen-size sleeper sofa,
one pull-down bunk-size bed and
glass doors that open up to the
back deck with a side extension
that incorporates two hanging
wicker chairs. I’d call it the ideal
environment to kick back in from

a long day at the theme park.
The master bedroom contains
a king-size bed and enormous (and
gorgeous) bathroom with a very cool
in-mirror TV. Where else but Disney
could you look up while brushing your
teeth and watch Frozen’s Elsa and
Anna dance on the mirror?
The second bedroom presents a
queen-size bed plus a pull-down
bunk-size bed. The additional
bathroom is separated into two
sections so one can act as a powder
room and the other a full tub/shower
and vanity facility.

The resort’s re-imagined look also
included the lobby of the Great
Ceremonial House with a large
welcoming Tiki statue. Designers
also renovated the main swimming
pool. As with all Disney properties,
informal and fancier restaurants
are available onsite. A long running
favorite, Disney’s Spirit of Aloha
Show, will continue to enchant
family members with luau cuisine
and authentic Polynesian dancing.
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, based
on the character from the Jungle
Cruise, opened with instant success.
You’ll likely have to wait for a table
or sit on the adjoining outdoor
patio. The themed lounge serves
handcrafted Tiki cocktails in

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ©MATT STROSHANE

The back deck is my favorite spot
with tropical hanging lanterns that
span the space. The best part: a
plunge pool. Yes, your very own little
pool to sit in, rest those tired feet
and watch the kingdom go by. When
it’s fireworks time, the patio speakers
are designed to play the soundtrack
in sync with the Magic Kingdom Show.