A long Labor Day weekend at changed my mind about Riviera in a good way.

[RoseGold]

8-10 people in a skyliner unit? Really? Maybe they are bigger than they look.

Yes, they fit two full size strollers end to end in the middle, so pretty big!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Can't stay at Riviera with resale contracts. Providing incentive to buy direct. I think the place is nice enough of a carrot to make a lot of people buy direct so they can stay there.

It was selling about the same as other resorts so it doesn't seem to have been a great carrot. Those who eventually sell will probably pay a price for this decision and DVC hasn't really gained much, if anything, from it.

 

[sethschroeder]

When they fill the skyliner up with 8-10 people per car, will it be any better if all the skyliner hotels are also at 100%? Right now, neither the hotels nor the skyliner cars are at capacity and it sounds like getting on at certain times can be problematic.

Have to remember when they leave every 4th/5th car open you will be getting 2/3/4 groups possibly in a single car in addition to possibly a few empty spaces in other cars.

It makes a large difference and also will clear out the CBR/Epcot loading stations as well instead of having them so backed up at prime times. As it was outlined lots of times there is really zero wait.

 

[igrsod]

This made me laugh because I am just the opposite. I can never pull the trigger and book OKW to save points because I just haven’t yet gotten the courage to stay there when I know parks are part of the trip.

Someday since I will be doing more solo trips with much less, if any park time!

The buses aren't that bad. The resort is so relaxing and the extra room space is very nice. I wasn't sure I would enjoy OKW before I stayed there, but now it would be my go to for many types of vacations.

 

[AdamsMum]

When they fill the skyliner up with 8-10 people per car, will it be any better if all the skyliner hotels are also at 100%? Right now, neither the hotels nor the skyliner cars are at capacity and it sounds like getting on at certain times can be problematic.

We visited Riviera in early February (my son and I). The skyliner vehicles were being loaded with 5-6 people. I don't see 10 being comfortable. Leaving Riviera we were in a very short line, only 2 parties ahead of us, and we waited around 8-10 minutes for a vehicle that wasn't already occupied (this was around 10:30 a.m.). I don't think that's reasonable for when the parks are at capacity or at park opening time. I would have thought with the resort just recently opened they'd be trying to make it more convenient for guests staying there. I won't be buying there, but I wasn't considering it anyway. The reason I bought BWV was to avoid the wait in long lines for buses as much as possible and to have the choice of walking back to my resort.

 

[Sandisw]

The buses aren't that bad. The resort is so relaxing and the extra room space is very nice. I wasn't sure I would enjoy OKW before I stayed there, but now it would be my go to for many types of vacations.

I know and I keep hearing that, but I am not a fan of traveling by bus so just can’t do it,

But, I did actually book for 2 nights for a tentative solo trip in April, after 2 nights at RIV....so maybe 2021 is the year!

I also may be doing a larger group trip with friends next year and could try the grand villa at 7 months for part of the trip if it happens since some of those friends are not big park people and it would be just a resort stay!

 

[igrsod]

I know and I keep hearing that, but I am not a fan of traveling by bus so just can’t do it,

But, I did actually book for 2 nights for a tentative solo trip in April, after 2 nights at RIV....so maybe 2021 is the year!

I also may be doing a larger group trip with friends next year and could try the grand villa at 7 months for part of the trip if it happens since some of those friends are not big park people and it would be just a resort stay!

I will be excited to hear how you felt.
I think also, because I had such low expectations of OKW, I was pleasantly surprised.... but then again, I had the same expectations of SSR, and I didn't like that resort as much.
The bus thing might be the breaking point for you it seems. We quite often took uber rides when the buses were just too much. The extra cost was not that much, $8-10 per trip. And they will pick you up and drop you off right at your doorstep. It kind of felt like living in a community.

 

[RebelScum]

The sky-liner doesn't make sense right now with only 1 party per cabin.

I have stayed at RIV twice. Once pre-COVID and once during. The first trip, I had no issues with the skyliner and wait times, likely because they could combine parties. This last trip (early September) we also had no issues going to EPCOT. However, we did have to wait to transfer at CB on our way to Hollywood Studios for the rope drop once. However, I suspect that will work itself out as the pandemic subsides, as it did not appear to be a problem pre-pandemic.

It is good enough to warrant buying direct.

Agree - I have points direct and after my two stays, wonder whether I bought enough.

 

[keishashadow]

The idea of designation a certain % of cars to river is is a good idea

The sky-liner doesn't make sense right now with only 1 party per cabin.

That’s the only reason I will board one next week. Makes perfect sense to me

Right now, neither the hotels nor the skyliner cars are at capacity and it sounds like getting on at certain times can be problematic.

Was at AoA earlier this year. Only ran into bit of wait boarding at that station around 5 to 6 pm

it’s when u have switch lines it can be hit or miss

wouldn’t trust it for DHS in am

Yes, they fit two full size strollers end to end in the middle, so pretty big!

Barely, they fit. It’s rather crowded with a full car load in the best of times IMO

 

[cvjw]

Have to remember when they leave every 4th/5th car open you will be getting 2/3/4 groups possibly in a single car in addition to possibly a few empty spaces in other cars.

It makes a large difference and also will clear out the CBR/Epcot loading stations as well instead of having them so backed up at prime times. As it was outlined lots of times there is really zero wait.

We are staying at BWV currently, and taking the skyliner over to riveria most mornings to walk. When we try to return on the skyliner from riveria to Epcot at about 10:30, they are not leaving every 4th car open. More like every 10th car. I have counted. Lots of mornings. Long lines to get a skyliner to Epcot because they are all being filled at Caribbean beach. I would not be pleased if I was a riveria owner.

 

[Mumof4mice]

We are staying at BWV currently, and taking the skyliner over to riveria most mornings to walk. When we try to return on the skyliner from riveria to Epcot at about 10:30, they are not leaving every 4th car open. More like every 10th car. I have counted. Lots of mornings. Long lines to get a skyliner to Epcot because they are all being filled at Caribbean beach. I would not be pleased if I was a riveria owner.

That was my experience too, Riviera to Epcot in January this year. The loading CM was reluctant to ask parties of 2-4 who spread out on both benches in the cabin to move to one side to facilitate boarding of a second party. So it took a while to board even though the queue was short.

Each skyliner bench comfortably seats 4 adults or 2 adults plus 3-4 children. I think with experience and training to always load 2 parties into each cabin, the Skyliner capacity could be significantly increased.

 

[AquaDame]

When we were there in October last year soon after they debuted they were loading us to the gills... we actually were blocked from boarding by a man one time who started screaming at the CM to stop packing them in like sardines.

Maybe they have given up on 8-10 per car which is IMO a good thing. You CAN fit 25 people in an elevator, but should you? We had a few uncomfortable rides that trip while we could ride before the accident shut it down.