The first major change to come to the Polynesian resort was the construction of Luau Cove in 1972. This new covered area was used to house the Luau show, sheltering the performances from the elements.
In 1974, the Polynesian's rooms were redesigned. Gone were the standard and sterile looking furniture that the resort opened with. Instead, the rooms now featured a darker, more "tropical", color palate. The Polynesian's first major expansion came in 1978, when the Oahu longhouse longhouse opened with its 144 rooms. At this time, the Tangaroa Terrace, Snack Isle, Moana Mickey's Fun Hut (an arcade) and also opened. At this time, a second swimming quiet pool, located was also constructed on the former location of the resort's East side, openedputting green. Subsequently, in 1980 the Lie Hut was added to the resort.
In 1984, the South Seas Room was closed and converted to a concierge lounge.
1985 proved to me be a year of massive change for the Polynesian Village Resort. The hotel's, rooms and hallways were rehabbed and given a more traditional color scheme. At this time, and the word "Village" was removed from the resort's name. At this time, and two new longhouses, Pago Pago and Moorea, were also added to the resort, increasing its capacity by another 219 rooms. Further changes came to the Grand Ceremonial House, where the monorail platform was extended and Captain Cook's Hideaway was renamed Island Ice Cream Company. Also changing names at this time was the Maui longhouse, which changed its name to Maori.
Although room renovations continued throughout 1986, it was 1987 that saw the Polynesian Resort drastically changingnext substantial changes at the resort. At this timePresently, a walkway was added from the Polynesian to the Transportation and Ticket Center. The Great Ceremonial House was also refurbished and given new tile, furniture, an enlarged front desk, and a new roof in order to match the lobby with the recently renovated guest rooms. 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.
Other changes to come in During the 1987 included renovations, the expansion 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 Concierge loungeformer Polynesian Princess location. In total, the remodeling merchandise renovations added 2,800 square feet of retail space. Outside the Barefoot Snack barGrand Ceremonial House, Outriggers Cove was completed, and the renaming of the Island Ice Cream Co. to Captain Cookresort's Snack and Ice Cream Comain pool was refurbished.
During the 1987 renovationsIn 1994, the resort's merchandise locations were moved to a corridor Tonga longhouse became the new home of Merchandise Shops. Here a relocatedthe concierge lounge, Polynesian Princess, News From Civilization, and Children's shop were found, while Robinson, Crusoe, Esq was moved to which left the former Polynesian Princess locationSouth Seas Room open as a conventions space. In totalThe following year, the merchandise renovations added 2,800 square feet of retail space. Outside the Grand Ceremonial House, Outriggers Cove Papeete Bay Verandah was completed, renamed 'Ohana and the resortworld's main pool largest fire pit was refurbishedinstalled.
In 19911996, the management of the Polynesian Resortresort had some of the staff from Maui's rooms were once again redesigned, Ka'anapali Beach Hotel come to Florida to help the Polynesian's staff make the resort even more authentic. At this time by Gary Whitney. The , the tile of the Great Ceremonial House was removed and a new rooms were brighter than their predecessorsslate floor was added. In conjunction with these refurbishments Snack Isle, Coral Isle Cafe, using tans and light red as their primary color schemeTangaroa Terrace all permanently closed and Moana Mickey's was expanded. From 1996-1998 the longhouse's guest room were once again refurbished and the longhouses themselves were repainted.
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 The next big change to help the Polynesian's staff make the resort even more authentic. At this timecame in 1998, when Kona Cafe opened in the tile former location of the Great Ceremonial House Coral Isle Cafe. The new restaurant was removed more open than its predecessor, and featured its signature Tonga Toast, which would become a new slate floor was added. From 1996-1998 staple of the longhouse's guest room were once again refurbished and the longhouses themselves were repaintedPolynesian Resort.
Also during 1996On October 28, Snack Isle1999, Coral Isle Cafe, and Tangaroa Terrace all permanently closed and the resort's arcade was expandedPolynesian longhouse names were changed.The chart below shows the 1971 names and what they were changed to in 1999:
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 pool 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.
==Fun Facts and Trivia==
*In 1974, the Polynesian's rooms were redesigned. Gone were the standard and sterile looking furniture that the resort opened with. Instead, the rooms now featured a darker, more "tropical", color palate.
