Changes

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 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 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.

When Disney's Polynesian Village Resort officially opened it housed 478 guest rooms and six suites. The resort's hotel rooms were housed in eight longhouses which were named:

Tahiti, Figi, Maui, Samoa, Tonga, Hawii, Bora Bora, and Balley High (which was not constructed using modular construction). In addition to the Great Ceremonial House, the resort also featured a swimming pool, putting green, and Mariana.