Bought Riviera Despite Restrictions

[Brian Noble]

I've never understood the complaint that OKW is "not themed." Yes, it has multiple bus stops, but I don't see what that has to do with theming--the creation of a sense of time and place. Likewise for the presence or lack of elevators. (Though, I suppose that is thematically appropriate to Key West, where the buildings are typically no taller than two stories.)

There are lots of reasons not to like the resort, and many people don't. But, to me, OKW always manages to whisper "island time" whenever I am there. Maybe its the shells embedded in the sidewalks, or maybe the BGM loop (despite the fact that it included the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, which is very much not Key West.) The resort is lushly landscaped, and seems to move at a slower pace. It just works for me for some reason.

Taking a quick perusal of Street View, I'd say they got it vaguely right, though admittedly in the usual Disney sanitized way---don't get me started on POFQ vs. actual NOLA. Then again, I'm also one of those freaks who "gets" the vibe of SSR (quiet sophistication) and appreciated the inside baseball joke of Dino-Rama. So, maybe I'm just a try-hard Thomas.

 

[Nursemanit]

So VGF is a nice old luxury beach resort.

OKW on the other hand I don't view that as a good theme what so ever. Spread out, multiple bus stops to parks, missing elevators, ect. Its by far the opposite of the optimum DVC setup.



Here is the Le Negresco a old luxury French Riviera beach resort. Could they have went another route with the French/Italy theme? Sure they could have went more over the top but wanted the Riviera luxury from France/Italy.

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Disney missed big time with RR - could they at least have done the same colors and not grey? And more pronounced styling on the roof and sides?

 

[DonMacGregor]

This comment brought up an additional thought- There is a 1959 movie called 'Some Like It Hot' with Marylin Monroe, Jack Lemmon, and Tony Curtis. It was #1 in the box office for 3 weeks. Anyway, it prominently features the Hotel Del Coronado, but the film called it the 'Seminole Ritz' and placed it in Miami (vs San Diego). All this is to say that Florida misappropriation for this property has been going on for a very long time.

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If you ever visit the hotel, there is an absolute treasure trove of history lining the walls and in the newly expanded museum (in the old ice house building). Photos of the literally hundreds of dignitaries, movie starts, moguls, Presidents, and other notables who've visited the Del, as well as images from the many movies and other events filmed there (including Some Like It Hot) can be found throughout the hotel's lobby and corridors in what is referred to as the "Victorian Building".

 

[JELLYROLLS4LIFE]

Hate to admit it - but with Resale prices where they are nowadays - a direct buy at Riviera is not as foolish as it seemed when the resort first opened. The biggest issue I have with direct right now is the inability to buy an AP as the best "perk" that is offered but not accessible to members - but that is a problem with all direct purchases.

I still think that long-term the resale restriction hurts the ability to resell that contract say 5 years from now when the market becomes flooded with Riviera resales that no-one wants. However, Aulani resale remains buoyant more than it deserves, so I still would expect Riviera resale to hold above $100 per point anyways. But if you are not concerned about resale value - then nothing wrong with buying the resort.

 

[Ruttangel]

Disney missed big time with RR - could they at least have done the same colors and not grey? And more pronounced styling on the roof and sides?

I agree, very unimpressive when you approach from Epcot Skyliner During the day, a grey soulless building. It does look better at night and the Terrace has great views.
Comparing that to the way VGF looks from monorail or boat at any time of day is chalk and cheese.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Maybe its the shells embedded in the sidewalks, or maybe the BGM loop (despite the fact that it included the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, which is very much not Key West.)

Exactly. We all know she went down in the big lake they call Gitche Gumee (that never gives up her dead)...

 

[sethschroeder]

Disney missed big time with RR - could they at least have done the same colors and not grey? And more pronounced styling on the roof and sides?

Except in the US you will find that color scheme more well received by a wider audience.

I agree, very unimpressive when you approach from Epcot Skyliner During the day, a grey soulless building. It does look better at night and the Terrace has great views.
Comparing that to the way VGF looks from monorail or boat at any time of day is chalk and cheese.

Really? VGF from the monorail is not good in day nor night. You look at the backside of a pool that you can just see, you see all the backstage areas with the doors open for luggage, and then you pull in to a fairly standard monorail platform with a long hallways and small doors.

Its not until you get in to the hotel that its back to "wow" which for RIV is similar to when you hit that archway with the mosaic tiles and fountain.

Besides the entrance to both of these resorts are about the bus/car area. VGF has the low ceiling with fountain until it expands upwards. Riviera has the low ceiling that pushes your view out the large windows to the lawn area with lake overlook.

VG main lobby is not the VGF lobby and VG main lobby puts both to shame but thats because its a hotel lobby not DVC specific. CCV is likely my favorite lobby followed by Animal Kingdom (although Kidani is really the DVC desk which is great but not as nice as the hotel lobby area).

 

[sethschroeder]

the BGM loop

Thing is I would not be in that area of the resort that often. My room would be in a small building a good distance away, I would jump on a bus, and bus directly to final destination. Exception would be when going to Disney Springs a couple times during the trip.

Also the theme is poor IMO and the design elements for how the resort is set up is also flawed. That being said I never have to stay there so its nice for the people that like it.

 

[Nursemanit]

Except in the US you will find that color scheme more well received by a wider audience

Prison Grey?

 

[sethschroeder]

Prison Grey?

I will take you as the expert on prison's as I havent been in one.

Also there is a reason the majority opinion is once they see Riviera in person they like the resort itself regardless if they would stay there.

 

[Ruttangel]

I will take you as the expert on prison's as I havent been in one.

Also there is a reason the majority opinion is once they see Riviera in person they like the resort itself regardless if they would stay there.

Based on their signature I think they own at RIV.

 

[sethschroeder]

Based on their signature I think they own at RIV.

I said the color scheme is in line with what a majority will find appealing. They said its prison gray which I have zero experience with and doesn't really change that the color pallet is in line with what many people prefer.

The color from the other hotel that I showed as an example would be pushed back on in America more likely.

Is it less "out there" yes but they are not looking to go over the top they are looking to do some theming while still making is appealing to a wide net of people.

One benefit Disney has with places like CCV and Poly is those theme while "out there" are very trendy and pleasing to a large portion of Americans.

 

[busyizzy]

Enjoyed reading opinions on RIV here. We're going to buy some RIV direct points soon.

 

[BeachClub2014]

I kinda like the design and look of Riviera Resort. To each their own, I suppose.

 

[Sandisw]

I kinda like the design and look of Riviera Resort. To each their own, I suppose.

Me too. I love that it’s different and not so themed because it’s relaxing after the parks..and it’s why I even like how it looks over CBR which is themed and makes me feel like I am looking at that from a cruise ship when sitting at the waters edge or doing my morning walk around the lake.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I was considering getting a guaranteed week for Jersey Week, but I thought Jersey Week moved around. Sometimes it was the first week of November, sometimes the 2nd. Am I wrong on that?

Jersey Week includes the NJEA Teacher’s Convention and Election Day, so always in November.

We also like Riviera very much. No plan to buy, as we will probably be liquidating some as we approach our 80’s.

This mural alone is so pretty, and it makes me happy to see it. I think it’s a lovely resort. This is just part of the mural.

 

[BeachClub2014]

Me too. I love that it’s different and not so themed because it’s relaxing after the parks..and it’s why I even like how it looks over CBR which is themed and makes me feel like I am looking at that from a cruise ship when sitting at the waters edge or doing my morning walk around the lake.

Exactly. I like the understated elegance of the resort. If I want overly themed kitsch then I would stay at All-Star Sports or the Polynesian.

Kidding! The Polynesian is a lovely resort.

 

[Nursemanit]

I will take you as the expert on prison's as I havent been in one.

Also there is a reason the majority opinion is once they see Riviera in person they like the resort itself regardless if they would stay there.

That is the majority opinion in the Riveria forum yes.

 

[Sandisw]

That is the majority opinion in the Riveria forum yes.

Many of those people didn’t like it that much until the visited and changed their mind once they did.

It’s a popular resort with both owners and non owners which is why 7 month bookings go fast.

I certainly get not everyone likes it but as already mentioned, not everyone wants or needs the big Disney theme that some other places have.

 

[Royal Consort]

Disney missed big time with RR - could they at least have done the same colors and not grey? And more pronounced styling on the roof and sides?

I dont think its a big miss but I'd like the colour to be lighter and the mansard roofing to be consistent across. Adding decoration to non-descript walls would also be nice. Minor issues but, agree, it would lift the resort.