Disney Reveals the Island Tower’s Points Chart

The official website for the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows is live. The Disney Vacation Club has also kindly filled in the blanks about all the other questions about the resort. Most importantly, Disney just revealed the DVC Points Chart. So, let’s discuss the new booking options and compare them to what the Polynesian already offered.

The Basics of the Island Tower

On December 17th, 2024, the new expansion tower will open at the Polynesian. This new multi-level facility will offer five Room Types. They are:

• Duo Studios that sleep up to two guests
• Deluxe Studios that sleep up to four guests
• One-Bedroom Villas that sleep up to five guests
• Two-Bedroom Villas that sleep up to nine guests
• Two-Bedroom Penthouse Villas that sleep up to eight guests

In addition, you’ll enjoy your choice of four different Room Views. They are:

• Standard View – Garden and/or parking lot view
• Premium View – view of Seven Lakes Lagoon
• Preferred View – partial views of lake, pool, or golf course
• Theme Park View – partial view of Magic Kingdom

Current DVC members looking to add-on can start purchasing Island Tower contracts on October 1st, which is two weeks from today. Direct DVC sales will cost $225 per point. Any current member who buys a contract on that date may start booking Island Tower reservations on October 15th. Additionally, current Polynesian Villas owners, whether direct or resale, will also be able to start booking reservations on October 15th.

Then, on October 29th, non-DVC members may purchase at the Island Tower. Starting on November 5th, those new DVC members can book at the Island Tower. Finally, on November 19th, all other DVC members may reserve rooms at the Island Tower. So, a lot is happening during the next six weeks. Then, in exactly three months, the Island Tower hosts its first guests. 

I realize some of that may have been confusing given all the distinct dates. For clarity, here are those Island Tower dates in bullet point form:

• October 1st – DVC Members can purchase add-on contracts at the Polynesian.
• October 15th – New and Existing Polynesian Members can start booking
• October 29th – Non-DVC Members can purchase
• November 5th – The October 29th buyers can start booking
• November 19th – All other DVC members can start booking
• December 17th – The Island Tower opens to the public

Examining the DVC Points Chart

When DVC adds a second expansion into an existing Condominium Association, members naturally wonder about which facility offers the better deal. Since you’ll share amenities at the Polynesian and the Island Tower, you want to maximize your DVC Points. 

The first question you’ll ask is how much you’ll save by booking a Duo Studio. This Room Type has proven divisive in the DVC community, as some members simply will not consider such a small room. In fact, due to the two-guest limit, some of them can’t. 

Even those who are at least casually interested in Duo Studios may not like the prices, though. The nightly difference in DVC Points ranges from two to seven more for a Deluxe Studio vs. a Duo Studio. On more than half the nights in 2025, the gap between the Duo Studio and regular Studio will be three points or less. 

Overall, a week in a Deluxe Studio is no more than 23 DVC Points more than a Duo Studio during eight months of the year. So, the gap here isn’t as sizable as you might have anticipated. However, the Duo Studio is undeniably more intimate, which plays in its favor. 

Comparing the New and Existing Polynesian Options

Comparing the Island Tower to existing Deluxe Studios, the prices are identical for the Room Views of Standard and Premium. The Island Tower Studios add the new Room View of Theme Park View, which costs the most of the three options. Note that the current Lake View option at the Polynesian has evolved into Premium View. 

As you know, the current Polynesian rooms lack a One-Bedroom Villa. You’ll choose the Island Tower by default if that’s your preference. 

There isn’t a one-to-one comparison from the luxurious Bungalows to the new Island Tower offerings, either. The new Two-Bedroom Penthouse Villa isn’t quite the same, but it is a cheaper option than the Bungalows. 

The Two-Bedroom Penthouse Villas start at 86 points per night for a Standard View and max out at 226 points for a weekend night with Theme Park View in the busiest Travel Period. Bungalows range from 112 to 226 points. You’ll always have the best view at the Bungalow, though. 

Realistically, the more equitable comparison is Theme Park View for the Two-Bedroom Penthouse Villas. Those rooms start at 108 DVC Points. Therefore, I think it’s fair to say that the nicest suites at the Island Tower are on a par with the Bungalows in terms of cost. If you have the points, try both and decide which one you prefer.