Other changes to come in 1987 included the expansion of the Concierge lounge, the remodeling of the Barefoot Snack bar, and the renaming of the Island Ice Cream Co. to Captain Cook's Snack and Ice Cream Co.
During the 1987 renovations, the resort's merchandise locations were moved to a corridor of Merchandise Shops. Here a relocated, Polynesian Princess, News From Civilization, and Children's shop were found, while Robinson, Crusoe, Esq was moved to the former Polynesian Princess location. In total, the merchandise renovations added 2,800 square feet of retail space. Outside the Grand Ceremonial House, Outriggers Cove was completed, and the resort's main pool was refurbished.
Outside In 1991, the Polynesian Resort's rooms were once again redesigned, this time by Gary Whitney. The new rooms were brighter than their predecessors, using tans and light red as their primary color scheme. In 1994, the Tonga longhouse became the new home of the concierge lounge. The following year, the Papeete Bay Verandah was renamed 'Ohana and the world's largest fire pit was installed. In 1996, the management of the Polynesian resort had some of the staff from Maui's Ka'anapali Beach Hotel come to Florida to help the Polynesian's staff make the resort even more authentic. At this time, the tile of the Grand Great Ceremonial Housewas removed and a new slate floor was added. From 1996-1998 the longhouse's guest room were once again refurbished and the longhouses themselves were repainted. Also during 1996, Outriggers Cove Snack Isle, Coral Isle Cafe, and Tangaroa Terrace all permanently closed and the resort's arcade was completedexpanded. The next big change to the Polynesian came in 1998, when Kona Cafe opened in the former location of the Coral Isle Cafe. The new restaurant was more open than its predecessor, and featured its signature Tonga Toast, which would become a staple of the Polynesian Resort. On October 28, 1999, the Polynesian longhouse names were changed. The chart below shows the 1971 names and what they were changed to in 1999. Entering the new Millennium, the Polynesian continued to see frequent changes. At this time, the resort's main poo was redone (although the volcano theme would remain), and the exterior courtyard was redesigned, Captain Cook's received an expanded outdoor seating area, and a new pool bar and merchandise cabana were added. In 2002, the Gran Ceremonial House's iconic waterfall was refurbished. Initially Disney thought that simple repairs were needed, but it was later discovered that most of the waterfall and many of the original plants had to be replaced. In a similar fashion, Disney determined that the original longhouses needed new foundations. At this time, they also received new carpeting. The next change came in February of 2003, when the resort's original Luau was replaced by a new "Spirit of Aloha" show. The following year, the resort's quiet pool was refurbished, and work began on once again renovating the hotel's guest rooms.
