Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows Prioritizes Sustainability
The Island Tower addition at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows wove sustainability into every corner of its design, from fish sculptures made of reclaimed fishing nets and a preserved-moss lobby installation to guest room rugs crafted from recycled plastic. The tower also relocated a Ficus aurea tree from Walt Disney World's 1971 opening day rather than removing it, and is projected to use 30 percent less energy than a comparable resort. It received certification in Florida's Green Lodging program upon its December 17, 2024 opening.
The Island Tower addition at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows incorporates sustainability practices at every level — from art installations made of reclaimed fishing nets and preserved moss to guest room rugs woven from recycled plastic, and a historic tree relocated rather than removed during construction. The tower aligns with Disney's 2030 environmental goals and is projected to use approximately 30 percent less energy than a comparably sized resort. It opened on December 17, 2024.
Key Details
- Opening Date: December 17, 2024
- Resort: Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, Walt Disney World
- Energy Efficiency: Projected ~30% less energy use than a typical resort of similar size
- Sustainable Art: Fish sculptures from reclaimed fishing nets, preserved moss lobby installation, Polynesian tapa cloth display
- Room Rugs: Made from recycled plastic transformed into silk-like yarn
- Certification: Florida Green Lodging program (Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection)
Sustainable Art at the Heart of the Tower's Design
Inside the tower's new casual dining venue, Wailulu Bar & Grill, sustainably crafted fish sculptures appear to swim overhead throughout the space. The vibrant green and blue sculptures are modeled after trevally fish and fabricated from reclaimed fishing nets, giving discarded ocean materials a new artistic life in a Polynesian-themed setting.
The tower's lobby features a one-of-a-kind installation made from preserved moss, bringing the natural world into the resort's interior. A custom piece of tapa — a traditional Polynesian cloth made from natural fibers and historically significant across Pacific Island cultures — is also displayed in the tower, inspired by wayfinding on the ocean and serving as a continuation of the resort's Polynesian cultural celebration.
Guest Room Rugs Woven from Recycled Plastic
Recycled plastic has been transformed into a silk-like yarn through revolutionary technology and used to create the luxurious guest room rugs inside the Island Tower. The rugs feature a coral pattern with colors evoking sand and sea, keeping guests immersed in the aesthetic of Polynesian beaches while treading on material that would otherwise contribute to waste streams.
A Historic Tree Relocated, Not Removed
During construction, a tree dating back to Walt Disney World Resort's opening day in 1971 was identified as too significant to remove. The specimen — a Ficus aurea (Florida Strangler Fig) with a unique Sabal palm growing within it — was carefully relocated on the resort grounds rather than cleared. The tree has been part of many guests' most-cherished moments at the Polynesian, and its preservation ensures future visitors can continue to enjoy it.
Energy Efficiency and Green Lodging Certification
The majority of the tower was constructed off-site using pre-fabrication techniques that significantly reduced construction waste. Optimized heating and cooling systems, energy-efficient lighting, and — notably — the first all-electric kitchen on Walt Disney World Resort property within Wailulu Bar & Grill contribute to a projected energy usage approximately 30 percent below that of a comparable conventional resort.
As a result, the Island Tower will join Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Green Lodging program, which recognizes lodging facilities committed to conserving and protecting Florida's natural resources.
What This Means for Eco-Conscious Disney Guests
The Island Tower sets a new benchmark for sustainable resort construction at Walt Disney World. The combination of recycled and reclaimed materials in guest-facing design, the protection of a historically significant tree, off-site pre-fabrication to minimize waste, and an all-electric kitchen together represent a meaningful step toward Disney's 2030 environmental goals. Guests and DVC members interested in the tower can book stays at DisneyVacationClub.com.