1 night only. No parks... which resort?

[readytogotodisney]

I'm at my 7 month window and I'm looking to book our post cruise resort stay. It's only 1 night since we'll be getting off the boat and then flying home the next day.
The only DVC resort we haven't stayed at is Rivera, but will there be enough to entertain us for 24 hours if we're not headed into the parks? Or am I better off saving the few points and staying at SSR with (what seems like) the nicer pools and walkability to DS for shopping and tons of food options?

Forgot to mention, it'll be myself, DH and our two kids 12 and 9 then.

 

[DeeBee3]

I get your points, but I'd go for the novelty. I've visited Riviera for food, but it seems like there's plenty to do. Plus, you can hope on the skyliner and check out another resort or go walk around the Boardwalk area.

 

[Sandisw]

I vote for RIV. You can Skyliner over to the other resorts to get a snack or adult beverage! It’s like a fun little mini trip! You can even take it to Boardwalk area to get ice cream etc.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Am I missing something? BCV and BWV are on the Skyliner too - better bang-for-your buck (points) at both of those. BCV would be a tough get at 7 months out though. AKV would be a good pick too - but good thinking on SSR proximity to DS.

 

[Lunchbox66]

I'd say depends on your style for Disney. For me:

Pro's to RIV - nice pool, great restaurant and lounge at Topolino's where you also get a firework view and character dining. You can walk to the pool/bar at Caribbean Beach in 5 minutes. You can also skyliner to the Epcot resorts and enjoy the Boardwalk and ice cream there, as well as the restaurants at beach and Yacht club.

Pro's to SSR - I believe the spa is still closed (so con?). Large layout where you can always rent one of those family bikes and tour the resort. I'm not a huge fan of the dining at SSR. walkable to Disney Springs where there's tons of restaurants, bowling, movie theatre and all those activities... Air Balloons, those expensive boatcar tours which I did once and LOVED.

My wife and I are big foodie's/wine/craft cocktail people so that factors in a lot for us. I'd say its a hard choice, but definitely recommend RIV if you've never been.

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

I'd try for BCV but availability is spotty.

 

[Geomom]

Animal kingdom--kidani or jambo. Animals, cultural activities, etc

 

[alldiz]

SSR or OKW.
Boat and or walk to Disney springs
No need to think about parks

 

[readytogotodisney]

Thanks everyone. A lot to think about. I'm currently sitting in AKL- Kidiani so I don't think that's in the cards for us since we like to mix things up in the resort dept.
I do have BCV waitlisted, since it's just one night maybe?
Can I make a reservation elsewhere after I've made a waitlist request? I've never done that before. If so I think I will book RIV for now.

 

[Lunchbox66]

Thanks everyone. A lot to think about. I'm currently sitting in AKL- Kidiani so I don't think that's in the cards for us since we like to mix things up in the resort dept.
I do have BCV waitlisted, since it's just one night maybe?
Can I make a reservation elsewhere after I've made a waitlist request? I've never done that before. If so I think I will book RIV for now.

I believe in your situation you can have your reservation and still waitlist 2 other reservations/resorts but need someone else to fact check me on this.

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks everyone. A lot to think about. I'm currently sitting in AKL- Kidiani so I don't think that's in the cards for us since we like to mix things up in the resort dept.
I do have BCV waitlisted, since it's just one night maybe?
Can I make a reservation elsewhere after I've made a waitlist request? I've never done that before. If so I think I will book RIV for now.

You can and if you want it to replace RIV, then chat with MS and ask them to note that.

If you haven’t been on the waitlist long, cancel it after you make RIV, put in a new one and choose replace that one.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

With kids that age, I would do BCV. It has the best pool in WDW. You can just relax by the pool while the kids play.

 

[sethschroeder]

walkability to DS for shopping and tons of food options?

Are you really going to go shopping at Disney Springs?

Flip side you could:

• Walk around the lake and around CBR
• Visit CBR, AOA, POP at their gift shops
• Take the skyliner to Hollywood Studio and then a nice relaxing boat ride to Boardwalk
• Walk along the Boardwalk (visiting that gift shop) and possibly grabbing some Boardwalk Ice Cream

Also food options? There are tons of food options in the Riviera vicinity (if you are including DS at SSR):

• Riviera (Primo is best QS on site and Topolino which people love even for a Character breakfast before going to the airport)
• CBR (nice cheap sit down in Sebastians that is highly rated)
• AOA/POP (nothing amazing but options)
• Boardwalk (places like Trattoria which Pete highly rates right now)
• BCV/YC (with places like Beaches and Cream or Yachtsman)
• Swan/Dolphin (with Sushi, Steakhouse, Ice Cream, ect)

 

[Col. Forbin]

BCV or Poly!

 

[ScottOKW2K]

You can and if you want it to replace RIV, then chat with MS and ask them to note that.

If you haven’t been on the waitlist long, cancel it after you make RIV, put in a new one and choose replace that one.

When you make a wait list request you have the option at the last step to choose whether you want it to be a new reservation of replace an existing reservation, and you will be given the option of which reservation to replace. You also have the option on whether the wait list expires 30 days or 7 days before check-in. The 30 day option is good if you want to make sure the points used will not be subject to holding restrictions if you need to cancel.

 

[Disneypapa]

SSR only because it is near Disney Springs

 

[Flynn's Gal]

RIV for sure. Skyliner to Boardwalk in the evening. When we were there in Dec, the entertainers were back so just walking around the boardwalk was fun in and of itself.

 

[jvalic33]

We had one of our best dinners at the Yachtsman just a couple weeks ago and it by far beat out Steakhouse 71 which everyone has been raving about.

We were so happy to have the Yachtsman back as an options so that is definitely a plus for the RIV if you want to take the Skyliner over for a meal.

The one thing I don't like about the RIV is that you can't always count on the Skyliner, it does go down at times so keep that in mind if you don't want to use other transportation.

We love the breakfast at Topolino's....kids adore the atmosphere and the AMAZING unlimited pastries which happen to be really great and I'm not one for indulging in pastries unless they are really good.

On the flipside we just stayed at SS for the first time ever we loved it and I was shocked at how much the kids loved it. We wouldn't hesitate to go back there and it was nice to have the easy access to DS, however, only one boat launch was working and it wasn't the one that put us close to the restaurants we wanted to go to. The rooms were recently refurb'd and they had the murphy beds inside and the decor was really tasteful but fun.