Though the majority of Walt Disney World resort hotels are currently operating, there are still a handful that have remained shuttered following the resort's reopening in July, including Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort which will not be opening at all in 2020, with Disney confirming that this hotel will remain shuttered until summer 2021.

During this time, Disney has announced that they will be extensively refurbishing the hotel, making enhancements to the Great Ceremonial House and Guest rooms, which will be moved to a Pacific Ocean-inspired color palette with details, patterns and textures added from Disney’s Moana. And now we have some additional details about what changes this refurbishment will bring:

• New entryway design: A redesigned entry for the resort will feature 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
• Monorail station enhancements: The Polynesian Village Resort monorail station is getting a facelift with bold new wooden screens added that will be covered with geometric patterns in bright, tropical colors that complete an exciting new composition.
• Enhancements to lobby: Changes will also be coming to the lush gardens and fountains that have welcomed guests to the resort since opening day.  The open and airy design of the entryway will be enhanced with dramatic lighting elements, including beautiful chandeliers inspired by glass floats, fishing nets and oversized bamboo elements. The new chandeliers will match the existing grand chandelier in the resort lobby, artfully bridging interior and exterior spaces.

This massive refurbishment will be officially kicking off September 28 2020, at which time the front desk will be relocated to a temporary area at the Pago Pago building for DVC access, and the front arrival entrance will be unavailable. Guests will still be able to access the Great Ceremonial House through the side and back entrance only and Kona Cafe, Moana Mercantile, Tambu Lounge, and Pineapple Lanai will all still remain open, despite having modified hours beginning October 4. Later this fall, The Polynesian Village Resort monorail station will close on November 2, 2020.

The refurbishment is expected to last a little under a year, with a grand re-opening happening sometime next summer. Are you excited to see the evolution of Disney's Polynesian Village Resort?