Changes

The genesis of what would eventually become Disney's Polynesian Resort began in 1966, as Disney was working on their master plan for the Florida Project. As part of the initial plans for their expansion into Florida, Disney envisioned a series of "destination" that guests would stay at while vising Disney property. In these early concepts, Disney planned on creating a "South Seas" themed resort, which was to be located east of the [[Magic Kingdom]], unconnected to Bay Lake. This early version of the "South Seas Island" hotel would have featured three main lagoons, each of which served as a hub for a series of canals. The resorts resort's restaurants would have been located on the shore's of these lagoons, with the main restaurant sitting atop a large pier. [[Image:Polyconcept1.jpg|thumb|400px| Concept Art from Walt Disney's EPCOT film. Here the "Seven Seas Theme Resort" is featured with its three lagoons]]The next glimpse of the South Seas hotel came on October 27, 1966 when Walt Disney filmed his EPCOT film. Even though the resort itself had not changed, it was now shown as being located on the shores of an extended Bay Lake. Although now a waterside resort, this incarnation of the South Seas retained the lagoons seen in the 1966 plan.

The next glimpse first major written description of the South Seas hotel resort came on October 27in the 1967 Florida Project book. Here the hotel is described as "designed for enthusiasts of aquatic sports". True to this description the hotel's lagoons were each earmarked for a specific purpose. One lagoon was to be used for swimming, 1966 when Walt Disney filmed his EPCOT filmone for boating, and one for "shark diving". Although The history of the resort itself had not Polynesian Village Resort, and Walt Disney World in general, changedhowever, it in 1967, when Disney learned that the planned location for their theme park and resorts was now shown as being located largely unbuildable. To rectify this, Disney moved the facilities, and created the Seven Seas Lagoon on the shores of an extended Bay Lakeunbuildable land. Although now a waterside resort, At this incarnation of time, the area planned resorts, including the South Seas retained resort, were moved to the lagoons seen in shores of the 1966 plannewly created lagoon.

The first major written description of In 1968, Welton Beckett and Associates was hired by Disney to design and create the South Seas resort came in hotels for the 1967 Florida Project book. Here When the hotel is described as "designed for enthusiasts of aquatic sports". True to this description next Florida Project Master Plan in was released in 1969, the hotel's lagoons were earmarked for a specific purpose. One lagoon South Seas resort was referred to be used for swimming, one for boating, and one for as a "shark divingPolynesian style resort". The history of the Polynesian Village Resortwhich featured a 12 story main building, with elongated wings and Walt Disney World in general, changed in 1967 when Disney learned that smaller buildings to the planned location for their theme park east and resorts was largely unbuildablewest. To rectify In this, Disney moved incarnation of the facilitiesPolynesian, and created the Seven Seas Lagoon on resort would form a semi-circle around a lagoon that would have been located approximately where the unbuildable landTicket and Transportation Center is found today. At this time, This version of the area planned resorts, including the South Seas Polynesian resort, were moved to may have been influenced by the shores of modern hotels being constructed in the newly created lagoonactual Polynesia, specifically in Hawaii.

On April 20, 1969, Disney held a press conference to announce the creation of what would eventually be titled Walt Disney World. Once again the Polynesian Resort was featured. At this time , Disney announced that the Polynesian would be one of the resorts "Phase I" resorts along with the Contemporary, Venetian, Asian, and Persian resortshotels. Although the Polynesian's design was similar to the previously released 1968 version, however the location of the hotel's lagoon's location was now flipped. At this time, Disney also announced that US Steel would be partnering with Disney and Beckett and Associates to build Walt Disney World's hotels using unitized modular construction. The idea behind this new style of construction was that the Polynesian's rooms would be pre-built and then stacked atop one another. The partnership also meant that US Steel would lease the land from Disney, own the hotels, but then license the operation of the hotels back to Disney. This would have allowed Disney to run the hotels, with US Steel financing the construction of the resorts.

According to US Steel's initial plans, the Polynesian was to have 1090 rooms, 250 of which would have their own "private garden patio". The rest of the hotel's rooms would be identical, with every room guaranteed to have a water view. This version of the Polynesian also would have had featured a South Seas dining room located at the top of the hotel, a diving pool, a fitness center and private bungalows located on the Seven Seas Lagoon.

In the 1969 pamphlet The , the Polynesian was now described as the place to stay for "sports enthusiasts. The resort was now planned designed to hold 700 rooms (all with a water view) with 230 placed in the resort's main tower. Released later in the year, the 1969 Disney annual report stated that the resort would be a "low rise vacation village design" with 503 rooms. This version of the resort shows the beginning of what would eventually be the Great Ceremonial House and nearby longhouses.

As plans for the resort continued to develop throughout the rest of 1970, Disney released more details about what the Polynesian Resort would encompass. In addition to the previously released recreational activities , Disney revealed that the resort would feature unique nighttime activities including:

As the development of both the Polynesian Resort and Disney's Contemporary Resort continued, Disney's relationship with US Steel began to sour. As deadlines continued to be missed , and the construction costs skyrocketed, Disney decided to take over construction of the hotels themselves, and ended ending their partnership with US Steel. In order to train their employees how to run a hotel and experiment with new guest service methods, Disney leased out the Hilton Inn South in Orlando. In 1971, the former Seven Seas Resort resort was officially christened Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. In February of that year, construction on the resort officially began. Four months later, in August 1971, the resort was completed.

{{QuoationQuotation| One of the biggest changes will greet you right up front – a new porte cochere will showcase the iconic mid-20th century architecture the Polynesian is famous for. Our team from Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney World have crafted a design inspired by colors, patterns and textures found throughout the resort. This new entry features a high-pitched, open-truss roof covered in a thatch style. There’s also a bold façade that features pops of color complementing the Longhouses found throughout the resort. Along the Monorail station, bold new wooden screens will be covered with geometric patterns in bright, tropical colors that complete an exciting new composition that will greet you when you arrive."}}

'''BouTiki'''- The Polynesian Village Resort's main gift shop, BouTiki sells South Seas themed merchandise, as well as Disney souvenirs. Located in the Great Ceremonial House, BouTiki opened in 2005 in the former South Seas Room.  '''Moana Mercantile'''- Located in the Great Ceremonial House, Moana Mercantile sells toys, sundries and snacks. Opening in 2014, this shop opened in the former Trader Jacks and Samoa Snack location.====Former Shopping===='''Robinson Crusoe's'''- Originally opening with the rest of the Polynesian Village Resort on October 1, 1971, this shop sold menswear. Throughout its history this shopping locale was alternatively called Crusoe and Son, and Robinson Crusoe, Esq.. Robinson Crusoe's closed in 2005 and was replaced by an expanded Captain Cook's.  '''Village Drugs and Sundries'''- Located in the Great Ceremonial House, this shop offered flora arrangements and camera supplies. Village Drugs and Sundries was later renamed "Trader Jack's".  '''Trader Jack's'''- This small gift shop replaced Village Drugs and Sundries. Located next to Samoa Snacks, Trader Jack's sold Disney merchandise. The shop closed in 2014, as part of the larger Polynesian Village Resort renovations. Trader Jack's and the next door Samoa Snacks were both replaced by Moana Mercantile.  '''Trader Jack's Grog Hut'''- This shop opened with the rest of the resort on October 1, 1971 inside the Great Ceremonial House. Trader Jack's Grog Hut sold alcoholic beverages and snacks. Trader Jack's Grog Hut was replaced by Samoa Snacks.  '''Samoa Snacks'''- Located next door to Trader Jack's, Samoa snacks sold candy, toiletries and other snacks. The shop replaced Trader Jack's Grog Hut and closed in 2014 to make way for Moana Mercantile.  '''Kanaka Kids'''- Located on the ground floor of the Great Ceremonial House, this shop sold children's clothes and accessories.  '''News from Civilization'''- Located in the Great Ceremonial House, this shop was later renamed News from Polynesia. Operating from 1971 until 2005, News from Civilization was eventually replaced by a relocated Wyland Gallery.  '''Polynesian Princess'''- This shop sold primarily woman's clothing and accessories. Operating in the Grand Ceremonial House from October 1, 1971 until 2005, Polynesian Princess was eventually replaced by an expanded Captain Cooks.

'''Moana MercantileOutrigger's Cove'''- Located on the ground floor of the Great Ceremonial House, this shop sold South Seas themed merchandise. Outrigger's Cove opened in April 1987.