Permit Points to Work at Polynesian Island Tower

Published September 19, 2026

Disney reportedly filed a construction permit on Saturday, September 19, 2026, for Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows at Walt Disney World. As of Saturday, September 19, the filing points to construction work at the Polynesian resort tower, but Disney has not announced what is changing.

According to reports, the Notice of Commencement lists Walt Disney Imagineering on the filing, Faden Builders as the contractor, and “general construction” as the scope of work. That language is broad, so the permit confirms work is planned, not the guest-facing details.

Island Tower opened in December 2024 at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The 10-story Disney Vacation Club tower sits along Seven Seas Lagoon on the former Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show site at Luau Cove.

The tower added new DVC room categories at the resort, including Duo Studios, Deluxe Studios, One-Bedroom Villas, Two-Bedroom Villas, and Two-Bedroom Penthouse Villas. Its amenities include Wailulu Bar & Grill, the Cove Pool area, a sandy beach courtyard, a whirlpool spa, and Moana’s Voyage Splash Area.

What we know

• Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows — reportedly has a new Notice of Commencement tied to construction work.
• Walt Disney Imagineering — listed in reports as connected to the filing.
• Faden Builders — listed as the contractor on the reported permit.
• Scope of work — described as general construction, with no specific project details announced.
• Island Tower — opened in December 2024 at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

What’s not confirmed

Disney has not announced what the construction work will add, change, close, or affect at Island Tower.

Disney has not confirmed a timeline, guest impact, amenity closure, room impact, or whether the work will be visible to guests. The permit alone does not confirm a refurbishment, expansion, restaurant change, pool change, or operational closure.

What it means for your trip

If you are staying at Island Tower or booking Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, do not assume the tower is closing or that amenities are changing based on this filing alone. The smart move is to treat this as a watch item, especially if your plans depend on Wailulu Bar & Grill, Cove Pool, or a specific room-view request.

For now, book the resort based on what is actually available, not on speculation. If Disney later confirms closures or visible work, that is when you should reconsider room requests, dining plans, or whether the monorail-area convenience is still worth the price for your group.

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