It’s the first day of 2025 and I’m bringing you to explore the brand new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows at Walt Disney World and try the brand new restaurant, Wailulu Bar & Grill! We’ve been watching this new DVC tower rise up since construction began, and now we finally get to explore and see what it’s like, check out the design, details and food! We’ll have lunch at the new restaurant, Wailulu Bar & Grill, and see how this new tower (that I once called a monstrosity) actually fits into the Walt Disney World skyline and atmosphere, check out the cool Moana and ocean theming, see neat details like Hidden Minnies & Mickeys & more. Let’s start off the New Year by checking out something brand new at Disney World, get some steps in on a gorgeously beautiful sunny blue day, and have a little New Year chat to share some things from the heart with you! Thank you all for the love and support on all my videos throughout the years, it’s been an awesome year and I’m so excited for 2025, to share even more cool things with you!!
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HAPPY NEW YEAR, MY PRECIOUSESESESSSSS!!! 💎
Thank you Jackie for all your hard work. You do an amazing job. I love how you explain everything and have a great time doing it. I love your road trips and seeing places that I will never be able to see in person. Good luck to you and Sam. I hope ya'll have a wonderful and blessed 2025! ❤
Great video as always Jackie! WHERE did you get your shirt?! I absolutely love it! ☺
Adding a 1000 guests to this resort without expanding the overall footprint will make this resort even more crowded than it ever was. There is no 'extra' land to make it feel less crowded.
More people, same land area, less tropical foliage. The new pool is tiny. The sunbathers will spill over to the two other pools which are already strained for capacity. The monorail station has longer lines. The tower does not have its own bus stop so everyone is squeezing into the tiny bus stop at the main building. And the quick service restaurant will have people camping at their tables at fireworks time – so good luck getting a table at peak times (remember – no reservations to churn over tables). Huge miss not to move Trader Sams into the new building so they could add much needed capacity.
The visual appeal of this building is intrinsic. Many people hate it, a few like it. I have been to Aulani, and if Disney spent the money to build this expansion in a similar design style, then I would be more in favor of the aesthetic. Otherwise, it looks like any mid range hotel chain. Sorry, I do not get excited about stenciling some design 'tattoos' on the building. That is cheap theming.
It will undoubtedly sell out because it is attached to the most popular resort at Disney World. But, it is still an awful addition. This is a blatant attempt to squeeze more profits from its Seven Seas lagoon crown jewel. We only had to lose nostalgia, serenity, and charm for this monstrosity.
Was the Christmas decor still up?
HAPPY NEW YEAR 🎉🎉 2025
Keep doing your thing dude love it!! HNY!
Thanks for sharing the area looks incredible!
Happy New Year Jackie and Sam 💗 looking forward to another year of your fun adventures. Hope to see you back in East Tennessee soon. Thank you for all you do and the joy you bring!
I do not like the way the new "monstrosity" looks. 🙁 I am not a fan of the modern look, but I also have all the love for the original, so I am probably just being bias. Just so many memories from my mom taking me as a child before she passed away. Plus, I have a huge love of the Polynesian vibe it has. Hopefully Disney does not have plans to make them a matching pair in the future or something…:/
Happy New Year!
Amazing art in there! Can't wait to see it in person
Forget James Brown — Jackie doing a video on something she doesn't really like is the real hardest working person in show business. Nothing wrong with that — there's not enough positivity around.
I agree, the original Poly transports you to a different world. The new one is just another fancy hotel.
As usual you did the best job showing the new tower, he details, knowledge. Well done and as always fun. Thank you.
Totally agree with your take, the new tower feels soul-less. It looks like a Hilton / Westin etc etc with all the glass. No magic of the OG Polynesian
Happy New Year!! I loved this video. You really do make me feel like I’m coming along with you on your adventures, and I love that so much!! I do think the new building is a monstrosity, but that menu looked good and I’d like to try that burger 😅
Happy new year to you both ❤
Happy New Year to both of you thanks for sharing enjoyed the video but not thrilled with the new resort
Hi Jackie, just found your channel last year after searching for HHN videos. Your enthusiasm & overall joy for what you do made it so refreshing to watch. My family & I usually only manage to come to Florida from Scotland every couple of years so we watch your videos now to try & keep those Florida blues at bay. Hope you & Sam have a great 2025
Do u need reservations or is it a quick service
Happy New Year! Lovely to meet you. I wish we were still in the sunshine, it's VERY cold 🥶
Happy New Year Jackie! Love the video. The new tower looks very nice, the 4 pilllars at the lobby, the wall decorations and that big wooden door are beautiful. I’m not a big sushi person but the spam roll sounds interesting. I would try it..the shrimp though looked delicious. The view from the restaurant is stunning. Can’t wait to see what new adventures you take us on in 2025..very excited to see you cover Epic Universe. Your videos are such a pleasure to watch. All the best to You, Sam and your family in this new year!!
We checked in to Poly this day and we met you Friday at MK by Big Thunder! Would've been so fun/funny to run into you at Poly this day too!
It was an interesting choice to plant the super modern with the DVC villas right next to the more traditional Polynesian villas with all the island vibes and architecture. 😂 Generally, I'm not averse to a more modern aesthetic. I like the interior a lot, whereas the exterior is….OK. I am glad to see Moana being utilized more often in the parks and resorts. I think my biggest problem is that the property as a whole now looks like it's having an identity crisis. At least the DVC villas at the Animal Kingdom Lodge kept and continued the original aesthetic (even if Jambo House is still the better stay), you know? But, I suppose progress marches on with or without us 😉 Looking very much forward to all of your 2025 content, and to continue following along on your journey as a creator!
Happy New Year. I am looking forward to our trip in late Aug/ early Sept and going to Epic and HHN!😊
Do you ever go Live ? You should because you’re good at having a conversation with your audience and we can chat with you! 🤗