If you’re booking a stay at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, you’re probably expecting island vibes, a castle view, and a whole lot of magic. But lately, guests say what they’re getting instead looks more like something out of a drainage report than a dream vacation.
Opened in 1971, the Polynesian is one of Walt Disney World’s most beloved hotels. With tropical landscaping, tiki torches, and monorail access to Magic Kingdom, it’s been a longtime favorite for families—and a pricey one too, with nightly rates frequently topping $600. But now, a single photo is shaking that image.
A “Sewer” in Paradise?
On July 30, a viral tweet from the account @Savethedmagic showed what they say is the current state of the Polynesian shoreline—overgrown weeds, cloudy water, and a murky view that looks worlds away from the tropical escape Disney promises.
Disney’s “Modern Polynesian” – fronted by rotting vegetation. This is the view people are paying top dollar for. This water looks awful. Doesn’t feel like a Polynesian Island; it looks like a sewer carrying away waste. This used to be so beautiful, and the lake was the draw. pic.twitter.com/0bU3xreEOv
— Savethemagic (@Savethedmagic) July 30, 2025
“Disney’s ‘Modern Polynesian’ – fronted by rotting vegetation,” the tweet said. “This water looks awful. Doesn’t feel like a Polynesian Island; it looks like a sewer carrying away waste.”
The photo has racked up tens of thousands of views and sparked a heated conversation online. Some fans were stunned, while others weren’t surprised at all.
In follow-up posts, the user claimed Disney used to send barges out to clean the water and trim the shoreline but doesn’t seem to do that anymore. Some people blamed Disney’s current leadership and budget cuts, while others joked that maybe someone in charge thought the weeds were good for the environment.
More Than Just a Weedy Shoreline
Other commenters jumped in to say they noticed similar conditions elsewhere on Disney property. One said Rivers of America looked just as overgrown. Another claimed they had stayed at the Polynesian recently and saw none of this—but that hasn’t stopped the debate.
So what’s going on? Fans say it’s about more than a few patches of weeds. It’s about the feeling that Disney’s attention to detail—the thing that once made the parks and resorts feel so polished—might be slipping.
The Polynesian isn’t just another hotel. It’s a Deluxe Resort, a flagship property. Guests who stay there are looking for Disney at its very best. So when the visuals don’t match the glossy promo photos, it can feel like something deeper is wrong.
Is Disney Listening?
As of now, Disney hasn’t publicly responded to the complaints, and there’s been no confirmation that any cleanup is underway. That said, it wouldn’t be the first time Disney quietly addressed a problem after it went viral. Whether that means a barge shows up next week—or the shoreline just keeps growing wild—is anyone’s guess.
Still, the outcry makes one thing clear: fans are paying attention. Disney’s most loyal guests know what the parks and resorts used to look like. And they’re not afraid to call it out when things fall short.
I was just at the grand Floridian in June. There definitely are overgrown weeds at the waters edge but from what I hear Florida had a very very dry spring. I wonder if there is something environmentally that Disney cannot treat for the vegetation growth?