The day has FINALLY come!

For months, we’ve been patiently watching as the new Disney Vacation Club (DVC) tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, called Island Tower, has taken shape, and the time has finally come for us to step inside for the very first time. There are new dining options to explore, a new pool and splash pad, and, of course, new rooms. Come with us to check it all out!

Atmosphere

The atmosphere of Island Tower is similar to the theming of the rest of the existing Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, but it does have its own flair. Many fans aren’t big on the new look, while others have said they’ve loved it!

From the outside of the resort, we agree with some guests who have said that the building looks a little plain, but we think the foliage and additional theming additions help a bit.

Inside the building, you’ll find lots of stunning artwork in bright colors. These displays really help to bring the Polynesian vibe.

These pieces of art are especially prominent in the lobby area, with tall displays that fill the space. We could sit here and relax all day long!

But what about other offerings?

Dining

The new dining option at this tower is Wailulu Bar & Grill, which is a mix between a walk-up pool bar and a table service restaurant. You’ll get to look at views of Cinderella Castle and Seven Seas Lagoon while you dine!

There’s an all-day lunch and dinner menu available, as well as on-the-go options for breakfast.

Their menu has some Polynesian inspiration. There are even a few dishes with Spam!

On opening morning, there were already a few people at the bar to grab breakfast. This spot is likely going to be popular since it’s the building’s only dining location.

We ordered a few different grab-and-go options to start our morning. We’re really hyped to try the Pineapple-Coconut Bread!

Wailulu has a variety of sweet pastries and sweets to choose from. They are all on the sweet side, so it is a perfect choice if you are looking for a sweet breakfast! If you want something super quick and easy to grab and go, Wailulu Bar & Grill would be a great choice. Check out our post below for our full review!

REVIEW: We Ate Breakfast at Disney World’s NEWEST Restaurant and Our Favorite Item Might Surprise You!

But that’s not all! We went back for dinner, and the meal did NOT disappoint.

Wailulu Bar & Grill has one of the best views of Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom — and you don’t even need a reservation to dine there. The food is filled with Polynesian ingredients and flavors, so be prepared if you’re dining with picky eaters. The menu is something you won’t find anywhere else in Disney World, and if you’re looking for that kind of unique dining spot, Wailulu Bar & Grill is for you. It’s authentic. It’s unique. It’s real.

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Entertainment

While there’s a new fitness center available at Island Tower, there’s also a new pool and splash pad! This new pool is called Cove Pool and is complete with a sandy beach area, whirlpool spa, and gorgeous views of Seven Seas Lagoon.

There are plenty of spots to lounge near the pool. We could totally see ourselves spending a relaxing resort day out here!

Little ones can enjoy Moana’s Voyage, a splash pad boasting a full-size sculpture of Moana and her iconic canoe.

Seriously, your kids are going to love this splash pad! That Moana sculpture is SO accurate.

But what about the accommodations here?

Rooms

What do these new rooms look like at Island Tower though? That’s one of the most important aspects, since it’s where you’ll be staying, right? We got to check them out for ourselves firsthand!

We stepped into one of the Deluxe Studios for a tour, and while the rooms are small, they pack quite a few offerings in the space. There’s both a queen bed and a murphy bed that turns into a couch.

Since these are DVC rooms, you get a kitchenette, complete with mini fridge and microwave. There’s a decent amount of cabinet storage.

The bathroom is fairly small, with a door to close off the toilet and shower. We love that blue water-like tile, though!

And the vanity is actually hidden behind the door to the room. It’s the first thing you come to when you walk inside.

Fireworks Views

Now, this might be one of the biggest perks of the Island Tower: the VIEWS! Some of the best views of the fireworks can be found in the building’s garden terraces. During our stay at the hotel, we caught the fireworks from the Bamboo Forest Terrace, which is on the 3rd floor.

Additionally, you can find a great view of Magic Kingdom at the Wave Break Terrace. This one is located on the 5th floor, and like the other terraces, it has a stunning atmosphere during the daytime.

The best part is that the fireworks music is piped in, so you can enjoy the Magic Kingdom fireworks without the massive crowds on Main Street, U.S.A. We’ve got our full thoughts on these hotel terraces below — check it out before your visit!

Disney World’s Newest Hotel Addition Has Some SPECTACULAR Fireworks Views — Here’s the Secret

We’ll be staying at the resort tonight for its opening day and bringing you more updates, so stay tuned to DFB!

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What do you think of Island Tower? Tell us in the comments!

Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney World to attend their media preview of Island Tower. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ