Walt Disney World Resort is finally addressing an issue that has been in the making for nearly three decades. After 29 years of standing closed to guests, a building at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is now undergoing work to repair damage from Hurricane Milton, which hit Central Florida in October 2024. This development comes shortly after a public outcry about the state of some areas at the Deluxe Disney Resort hotel.
Earlier this month, Disney Fanatic reported complaints from guests at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. On X (formerly known as Twitter), @Savethedmagic shared their frustration after paying luxury prices, only to find what they described as “rotting” vegetation along the beachfront of the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Disney's ‘Modern Polynesian’ – fronted by rotting vegetation. This is the view people are paying top dollar for. This water looks awful. Doesn’t feel like a Polynesian Island; it looks like a sewer carrying away waste. This used to be so beautiful, and the lake was the draw.
The latest work, however, has nothing to do with guest complaints. On August 6, WDWNT reported that construction crews had started working on the rooftop of the Aotearoa building, which sustained damage during Hurricane Milton. The building’s overhang has been missing since October 2024, and now, after almost a year, construction has finally started on two corners of the structure.
The area around the work site has been secured with yellow flags and fences to ensure the safety of both construction workers and guests. Crews are also working on the laundry building’s roof, and carved faces on the exterior of the building are being protected by plastic tarps during the process.
One affected building was once home to the Tangaroa Terrace restaurant, which closed back in 1996. Since then, the space has been repurposed for backstage areas for Disney cast members.
Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t made any public statements about the ongoing work at the hotel. However, it’s not unusual for Disney to keep updates on maintenance and refurbishment projects quiet, especially when the changes don’t directly impact guest experiences.
Do any other Disney Resort hotels need refurbishment like this? Share your opinion with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
