With only four months to go until the opening of Disney Vacation Club’s new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, we spotted Moana’s outrigger boat in what will be a splash pad inspired by the animated film.

DVC Island Tower Construction

We spotted crews working on the balcony railings on the far right side of the Island Tower. The connecting wall to the main building has been entirely painted since our last update.

There is now scaffolding surrounding the porte-cochère. These steel frames offer crews better access to work on the roof of the porte-cochère.

Balcony railings have been added to some of the rooms on the far right side of the tower. Ten more have been added above the main entrance since our last report.

The steel framework we previously reported on has now been covered in paneling and painted about halfway down from the top of the building. This unique column is located near the elevator tower, which remains unpainted and still has secured supports for potential future work.

Near the unpainted portion of the elevator tower, work has been completed on the roof. It is now covered and painted.

A new concrete pathway has been poured from the port-cochère back toward the Island Tower’s elevator tower. A gray door replaces a wooden one in the concrete wall opposite the path entrance.

Different types of trees have been planted in front of the north wing. Crews have also added a walking path. The walking path between the Polynesian to Magic Kingdom remains closed to guests.

The other side of the Island Tower is visible from boats crossing the Seven Seas Lagoon, the dock, and nearby buildings. While most of the building has received its final paint, the south wing still has exposed concrete.

We spotted crews working on the roof at the top of the tower. Other workers were painting at the top center.

A closer look at the overhanging roof in the center shows that they have added more infrastructure before what will likely be the final covering.

Crews have been working on the pathway near the pool and hot tub area. The most exciting update here is that Moana’s life-size outrigger boat has been added to what will be a “Moana” inspired water play area.

New concept art of this area and the tower were shared at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event earlier this month.

The canopy was added to the framework we previously covered in our last update.

Here is a closer shot of Moana’s outrigger boat. If it follows the concept art, we expect this to be the center point of the splash pad area.

This angle offers a better view of the splash pad. The concrete surrounding the boat would be where the water features will be located.

The fascia has been completed along the edge of the roof. While most of the building has received its final paint, there is still exposed concrete between the south wing and the center of the tower.

The structure on the first floor of the Island Tower will be a restaurant and bar. A few crew members in a lift were working on the top of the structure when we last visited. No new theming has been spotted where more insulation was added to the steel structure. Previously, we saw a wooden wall surrounding the rectangular part of the bar. Today, there is a concrete barrier in the wooden wall’s place.

Disney revealed the Island Tower’s name and new concept art in May. The tower will take guests on a “storytelling journey that brings to life the spirit of Polynesia.” Disney also shared guest room concept art and announced that the island tower will open to guests on December 17, 2024.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.