I’ve decided to make the Poly construction updates a weekly series. Since we established a baseline with our first construction update, we’ll only have to cover the deltas in these weekly installments, which should make it slightly less onerous. This article reflects status as of May 13 unless otherwise noted, although some photos were taken on May 7 or earlier.

This is also the first update since Disney’s new concept renderings for the Poly were released. These renderings confirmed the widespread rumors that the lobby’s central water feature would be removed.

Progress on Cabanas

The Cabanas are taking shape quickly. Included are two panoramas of the cabanas, one from May 7, and one from May 13. The previous article also includes a panoramic image of the cabanas.

Additional cabanas on the far right have been framed out.

Here’s a panorama taken from a different angle. It has a less direct view inside the cabanas, but shows more of the construction site.

You see that the crane is hard at work on something behind that tarp. Here’s the best image I could get behind the tarp.

Behind the Tarp: Poly Beach Construction

Changes in the Great Ceremonial House

The Great Ceremonial House has seen a few changes, though they’re mostly tucked away. There is one highly-visible bombshell that we’ll address after the mundane stuff.

Kona Cafe unharmed for the time being, despite an image showing the counter under a translucent tarp on May 5.

Extended walls consume most of the walkway parallel to Captain Cook's

Captain Cook's exterior wall extension 2

These things are not that surprising, as the services in the rear of the GCH have already been closed, and the partial closure of the entry way doesn’t have a major impact on service.

But then, on May 8, two walls were placed on the upper floor of the lobby.

This is what you see as soon as you step off the monorail. A big, beige wall blocks what used to be an elegant view of the water feature.

The wall extends to the edge of the bannister.

Monorail boarding doors from Kona Cafe, with new wall

The view from the upper floor is not completely blocked; only two sides have been walled thus far. This is the wall opposite Kona Cafe, in the Tambu Lounge.

The wall in the Tambu Lounge. Ohana reception desk shown in foreground.

The other wall, as seen from the lower level

This is a pretty big deal, and Disney undoubtedly left some view of the water feature open so that people could have time to adjust to the concept of not seeing it anymore. Any way you slice it, the water feature’s days are numbered, and it will soon be removed — hence the two walls that are already up.