A Full Go on Riviera Resort

[bobbiwoz]

I would not give up our BCV for any current DVC on property. Glad there’s something for everyone!!

 

[Ms.Minnie]

I would not give up our BCV for any current DVC on property. Glad there’s something for everyone!!

Exactly how I feel about our BWV, it's exactly where we want to be.

 

[TexasChick123]

I gave up BWV for RIV. It’s all a personal preference depending on your own situation. BWV just wasn’t going to be a good fit for us long term.

 

[Sandisw]

I gave up BWV for RIV. It’s all a personal preference depending on your own situation. BWV just wasn’t going to be a good fit for us long term.

It is why we did the same, Though I still have 150 BWV points because my husband does like it..it’s okay for me.

Since I am the one that goes a lot, RiV was a much better choice to replace some of BWV...

 

[DVC BLT]

I think I found the inspiration for the chandelier. I stay here quite often for business...perhaps Disney designers stayed here as well during the research for the project?

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/parmd-le-meridien-etoile/

 

[klcts]

We currently own at BLT as it was a perfect fit when our kids were young and were comfortable in a 1BR. We now find ourselves spending more and more time in the Epcot / HS area and wanting a 2BR, and thus more points. We just returned from a trip where we stayed at BWV thinking we would love it there (using our BLT points). We spent some time over at BCV as well to see if we could settle on one of those resorts (buying resale), thinking their walking distance to 2 parks set them aside. In short, we were underwhelmed. To say these resorts are tired is an understatement. The bathrooms need full gutting. The soft goods do their best to cover what is inevitable. I guess you can only paint so many times before you need to redo the trim, walls, etc. I guess this is the life of a timeshare and eventually BLT will end up in the same spot. Perhaps our expectations for timeshares are too high? I can see us selling BLT when the condition deteriorates to this level and will buy into a newer MK DVC when the time comes…

Then we toured Rivera, which for sure I went in thinking I would hate given what I’ve read on this board (my trusted source for all things DVC). Bottom line, this board loves BWV and BCV far more than Riviera, and I made my opinion (and reservations) based on that.

I was wrong.

We took the tour and 2 other visits to the Riviera resort during the week for meals. We were blown away.

Lets start with the lobby, its impressive. For Disney – It’s a high end feel, from the furniture to the flooring and general design/layout. I didn’t like the small staircase from the ground level to the lobby, and the carpet appears worn already. This concerned us as the first thing we saw coming in from the skyliner (which we liked, more on that later). Not a reason to turn around and head back to BWV, but something that we looked at each other and just said “why?”

Restaurants – we ate at the quick service (Primo Piatto) and found it much better than Contempo Cafe at BLT. We wanted to hit Topolino’s but it didn’t fit within our schedule. We liked that you can access everything from within the resort and not needing to go outside to get food, coffee, etc.

Transportation – We rode back to Riviera on the Dedicated bus from MK just to give it a shot (after taking a Minnie van to MK from BWV). Everyone had a seat on the bus (this is the week between Xmas and New years as a reminder). We wondered if it had something to do with the resort size and having a dedicated bus or if the resort was only half filled? Not sure. We loved the skyliner. Rode it 10X or more. While any new transportation system will have its kinks in the early days, we trust that the reliability will go up. This is a gamble, but I believe its going to pay off as they learn how to optimize. Whenever you rent/buy in a new area, you always take a chance that the value will increase over time as things improve around you. This is no different, except the risk is lower at Disney. We trust that Disney will not leave the Skyliner as a mess, and if you wait for it to be running 100%, you will pay a lot more for those points, just like if you wait for an area to improve before buying in. We never waited more than 5 – 10 mins for a gondola, in its current condition which, as per the disboards, is nearly a disaster. Its way more comfortable than the monorail. With a family of 4 we rode by ourselves most of the time. The other times we had a couple join us, and of course, conversation starts which is nice. Its fast, and wind passes through it. Your comfortable. I can see it being comfortable during a hot day as well. The wind passes through similar to what you would feel on a ride/attraction on a hot day. I suppose if you had a fear of heights, its an issue, but for our family, it more than works - it’s a ride.

The villas – This is where the resort absolutely sets itself apart. Spectacular is the word. The pictures and the online tours do not do it justice. We walked through during the tour and were blown away. Our guide gave us more time to spend alone as we walked through each room really imagining how we would utilize the space. It was very well thought out. The only negative we could find was the lack of a 2nd toilet in a 1BR and a 3rd toilet in a 2BR. I guess this is something we grew fond of at BLT. With that said, they do have the 2nd shower in a 1BR and a 3rd shower in a 2BR. The kitchen is perfect and is designed consistent with how we use a kitchen on Disney property (breakfast and snacking). It has the dining room / bench area which we use quite often to just sit and relax at night with a glass of wine and the kids use for breakfast. The Murphy bed is spot on, as the pull-out couch not a good solution for a highly active Disney vacation. The bathrooms are high end for Disney, from the materials to the hardware.

In the end, it came down to villa quality, trading Skyliner for walking to Epcot & HS, and additional years on the contract. BCV and BWC had no chance. If you can afford the price per point, looking for a HS/EP DVC, it’s a slam dunk. Disney finally got it right. We added on 250pts. Just wanted to post something positive about RIV for those lurking and trusting all that you hear on disboards. Everyone is in a different financial position, and that is OK. For me, its difficult to read on here whether someone hates it because it doesn’t fit for them financially or if they are criticizing it for its own stand-alone issues. I get it and again, that’s OK.

Our 2 cents. YMMV

Your critique is exactly how my wife and I feel about the resort. We just added on and can’t wait to stay there in August. We live here in Orlando and have eaten at Primo 3 times already. Best quick service by far.
Thank you for taking your time In writing your review. I would recommend to everyone that loves DVC to take there time and see the resort before they rush to judgement.

 

[Spark65]

Your critique is exactly how my wife and I feel about the resort. We just added on and can’t wait to stay there in August. We live here in Orlando and have eaten at Primo 3 times already. Best quick service by far.
Thank you for taking your time In writing your review. I would recommend to everyone that loves DVC to take there time and see the resort before they rush to judgement.

Shhh don't let the secret get out everyone will want to buy at RIV

 

[Dizzydizney]

@DVC BLT...our thoughts exactly. We sold our SSR contract at a profit (never stayed there anyway) and a small BWV contract (at a very large profit) to offset the purchase of DRR. We still have plenty of points at BWV and BLT. I, too, don't understand why they did not put a second toilet somewhere in the huge one bedroom villas. I love the BLT one bedrooms for that reason. But in the long run, not a deal breaker. We stay in one bedrooms at BWV...no big deal, it works fine. We decided on DRR because....BWV expires in 2042. I imagine that the entire DVC side will be gutted on the inside and come back at a much higher price and point scale. I'll be in my 80's, so I will be thankful for the many decades of enjoyment I received from my BWV DVC (if I even live that long). So buying into DRR was kind of like leaving a legacy for the kids and grandkids (one kid on the deed). And if they can't afford it, don't want it or whatever, they can rent it out or sell it for $1 (didn't cost them anything). If Disney ends up being worthless, well then the whole country would probably be in trouble too, so whatever. I'll be six feet under...

 

[TexasChick123]

We just got home from WDW tonight. While we didn’t stay at RIV for this trip, we did go over a couple of times to check it out. The grounds and the hotel are beautiful. Primo Piatto and Topolinos were both delicious. The Skyliner worked great while we were there. Pretty much, this visit made me very excited to have bought here back in March, and we can’t wait to stay there this fall!

 

[SUSAN O'BRIEN]

We just got home from WDW tonight. While we didn’t stay at RIV for this trip, we did go over a couple of times to check it out. The grounds and the hotel are beautiful. Primo Piatto and Topolinos were both delicious. The Skyliner worked great while we were there. Pretty much, this visit made me very excited to have bought here back in March, and we can’t wait to stay there this fall!

I am very interested in this topic, however I would love to visit the property first before I can add any commentary. I have seen very little regarding the views from standard room locations. I saw what a popular trip planning site put out and hoping the standard views are better than what I saw. The difficult part is, to make an overnight stay fairly "reasonable" only a Tower Studio or Deluxe Studio is within my budget (that's even reaching). Locaton can never be guaranteed, so only chance of having space and a nice view on porch/balcony is preferred view it seems. All I have been able to review online have been preferred videos and photos, with the exception of the previously mentioned travel site. An out-of-pocket cost to stay presently, even with discounts is very pricey. Can anyway please comment on Deluxe Standard Views? Are they as dismal as what I saw online? It surely would help if folks could see a better overview of what "most" people would ultimately rent, purchase, or spend out of pocket. Does anyone have photos to post? Thanks in advance.

 

[kboo]

I am very interested in this topic, however I would love to visit the property first before I can add any commentary. I have seen very little regarding the views from standard room locations. I saw what a popular trip planning site put out and hoping the standard views are better than what I saw. The difficult part is, to make an overnight stay fairly "reasonable" only a Tower Studio or Deluxe Studio is within my budget (that's even reaching). Locaton can never be guaranteed, so only chance of having space and a nice view on porch/balcony is preferred view it seems. All I have been able to review online have been preferred videos and photos, with the exception of the previously mentioned travel site. An out-of-pocket cost to stay presently, even with discounts is very pricey. Can anyway please comment on Deluxe Standard Views? Are they as dismal as what I saw online? It surely would help if folks could see a better overview of what "most" people would ultimately rent, purchase, or spend out of pocket. Does anyone have photos to post? Thanks in advance.

There have been reviews (including one of mine) in the DVC resorts section with photos. Not that hard to find...

 

[dd08]

Interesting thread with some underlying currents of the culture here.

some good discussion too

 

[Wakey]

I wouldn’t criticise anyone for buying Riviera at all. I don’t like the resale restrictions but as per my other thread I was looking forward to staying there and maybe I could have considered points if it blew me away as the new VGF as some guides had been touting it as.
Having visited, we were very disappointed. If it had been fabulous I’d have said, and I’d have booked it for summer. My wife she kids flatly refuse to stay there. That is a genuine assessment based on my comments on my other thread which I will not repeat here. I also caveat that by saying I haven’t stayed, just spent an hour there, and accept my view could change when I stay- but they lost me in the showroom so to speak so it’s unlikely I will test drive, particularly given the test drive price.
Many resorts are criticised. SSR gets a constant hammering for example.
But some RIV owners seem particularly sensitive about any legitimate criticism of the resort, and that gets knocked back as sour grapes.
On a Facebook page someone posted a video of his Tower Studio saying how great it was. He was overlooking the car park, in a tiny room at the same or more points cost of a Garden/ pool view proper room at Boardwalk. He can’t be surprised when people say they are glad he likes it but it doesn’t look to them that great.
I think there’s currently a mixture of people who genuinely like what they’ve bought, but others are suffering Nelsonian blindness (it’s the shiny new resort, that’ll wear off) or buyers remorse, having bought sight unseen based on the admittedly great room mock ups so they are very defensive about the resort.
I do agree some will criticise it without visiting just out of sour grapes as well, but you’ve got to take that on the chin just as other resort owners have been doing for years.
Point is if you are happy, no need to get upset. There is a DVC for everyone. But I think it wrong to shut down all legitimate criticism of any resort as ‘sour grapes’ or a ‘culture’.

 

[SUSAN O'BRIEN]

There have been reviews (including one of mine) in the DVC resorts section with photos. Not that hard to find...

Thank you kboo. I do not see the photos you are referencing. I looked up your post from the list that follows your reply as well. Can see those easily, but no photos. Perhaps harder to find for me, apparently...lol... No worries. Plenty of reviews indeed, but few photo shots of standard room views. Plenty for Tower Studio (for price point upper floors okay, lower floors not so great). Thus far, few from upper floor standards in Deluxe Studio etc. Mentions floor 5 and up for better standard room views, but not finding photos in posts or in photos section. I can wait until I visit and head over there and perhaps take a look. Regardless, if one is DVC points or out-of-pocket, location only guaranteed with preferred view, so it truly is not crucial to see the photos. One just needs to know what one is buying and the price tag seems a bit high to me. Granted I do not know the specifics of DVC ownership. I have a neighbor who does so will consult with him and his thoughts. He appears to under utilize his points, but perhaps has had great success privately renting them. Who knows. Thanks.

 

[jarestel]

Many resorts are criticised. SSR gets a constant hammering for example.

And that's really the bottom line. You and your family apparently love SSR but many posters here see it as a resort of last choice when nothing else is available. (I'd add that I'm not one of them, I like SSR too!) Folks like different things for different reasons, and debating why personal preferences are right or wrong is pretty much guaranteed to achieve only calloused fingertips from endless keyboard pecking. But I will peck away and say that I haven't seen a DVC resort that I didn't like and I expect I will like DRR also when I stay there.

 

[Sandisw]

Thank you kboo. I do not see the photos you are referencing. I looked up your post from the list that follows your reply as well. Can see those easily, but no photos. Perhaps harder to find for me, apparently...lol... No worries. Plenty of reviews indeed, but few photo shots of standard room views. Plenty for Tower Studio (for price point upper floors okay, lower floors not so great). Thus far, few from upper floor standards in Deluxe Studio etc. Mentions floor 5 and up for better standard room views, but not finding photos in posts or in photos section. I can wait until I visit and head over there and perhaps take a look. Regardless, if one is DVC points or out-of-pocket, location only guaranteed with preferred view, so it truly is not crucial to see the photos. One just needs to know what one is buying and the price tag seems a bit high to me. Granted I do not know the specifics of DVC ownership. I have a neighbor who does so will consult with him and his thoughts. He appears to under utilize his points, but perhaps has had great success privately renting them. Who knows. Thanks.

There are not yet a lot of photos in the thread. Only a few. I will add them as they come in. You can set it up to receive notifications.

In terms of views, you can never be sure what you will get and have to weigh how important that is to your own vacstion,

For me, view is secondary and not all that important..Resort and all the other aspects play a much bigger role. I bought RIV and will be taking advantage as much as possible to book SV rooms, as well as tower studios, when I can. I resort hop as much as possible, especially now that I will be going about 6 to 8 times a year, so staying at RIV will not be every trip.

As you consider maybe buying, especially at RIV, be sure you are comfortable buying someplace you would be happy with if that is where you are most of the time.

Buying resale will take RIV off the table, and there are certainly options at other DVC resorts where views are more widely known. I will say we won’t know that much regarding RIV for a little bit since we have to wait for those who stay to report back here.

 

[Ms.Minnie]

We just got home from WDW tonight. While we didn’t stay at RIV for this trip, we did go over a couple of times to check it out. The grounds and the hotel are beautiful. Primo Piatto and Topolinos were both delicious. The Skyliner worked great while we were there. Pretty much, this visit made me very excited to have bought here back in March, and we can’t wait to stay there this fall!

I'm very happy for you that you are happy with your purchase. I hope you have many years of fun and memorable WDW trips ahead. I'm very excited to ride the Skyliner (I just hope it works as it should while we are riding) and visiting RV. I'm also looking forward to have a meal or two at Primo Piatto , I have read positive reviews about this place so we will definitely try it at least once. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!

 

[A2DisneyMom]

I am very interested in this topic, however I would love to visit the property first before I can add any commentary. I have seen very little regarding the views from standard room locations. I saw what a popular trip planning site put out and hoping the standard views are better than what I saw. The difficult part is, to make an overnight stay fairly "reasonable" only a Tower Studio or Deluxe Studio is within my budget (that's even reaching). Locaton can never be guaranteed, so only chance of having space and a nice view on porch/balcony is preferred view it seems. All I have been able to review online have been preferred videos and photos, with the exception of the previously mentioned travel site. An out-of-pocket cost to stay presently, even with discounts is very pricey. Can anyway please comment on Deluxe Standard Views? Are they as dismal as what I saw online? It surely would help if folks could see a better overview of what "most" people would ultimately rent, purchase, or spend out of pocket. Does anyone have photos to post? Thanks in advance.

I’m planning a full visit recap sometime this weekend, but checked out of a 1br standard view on Monday. We were on the seventh floor on the west side of the resort. Our view was of the west parking lot, yes, but also very prominently Spaceship Earth and Epcot Forever. Also very visible (but more distant) were the Contemporary Resort and Happily Ever After. All could be seen from both the room and balcony (but most enjoyed on the balcony and with a glass of wine).

 

[Ms.Minnie]

I too enjoy a glass of wine on my BW balcony, nothing like a nice glass of wine, view of Spaceship Earth, the lake, boats, Yacht Club and Beach Club across the lake, the people milling around on the boardwalk. In the evening viewing the night time shows on boardwalk and the fireworks show from Epcot and off in the distance from MK, all very enjoyable things to view while sipping my wine.

 

[RaymOOOnd]

Just recently saw Riv in person. My immediate gut feelings: lobby much more underwhelming than I'd expected. Quite small, almost cramped, very bright and modern looking. But the grounds - very nice, great murals, cool pool atmosphere with little seating areas imparting a great sense of relaxation.