BWV vs RIV for Hollywood Studio - Family summer trip

[BLTStitch]

Hi All, I’m debating two nights stay between BWV or RIV for next summer trip for Hollywood studio. We have two young kids - 4 and 8 by the time we travel. Never stayed at either.

Something want to check -

BWV has the walking option, but will summer walk too hot for the family?

Which one is more kids friendly?

Will there be long line / wait for RIV rope drop or leave after the park is closed?

Appreciate for any recommendations / advice. TIA!

 

[Dave006]

I’m debating two nights stay between BWV or RIV for next summer trip for Hollywood studio. We have two young kids - 4 and 8 by the time we travel. Never stayed at either.

I would vote for the BWV over the Rivera for a summer visit.

Yes it can be hot to walk during the late morning, and during the heat of the day. The humidity is very high all summer. When in the summer are you planning as that is when the most rain falls during periods of the day. However you can also catch a Friendship boat between the BW and HS vs walking.

The BWV has a large feature pool with a great slide that your 8 yr old will enjoy, and depending your 4 yr old they may love it or hate climbing the stairs over and over. Being at the BWV which is on Crescent lake, and very close to all the dining options at the various resorts.

The BWV have a great community hall located by the quite pool that has activities for the children or the entire family.

Dave

 

[RuntheMouse]

I will almost always vote for RIV because it’s one of my favorite properties. In this instance though, I’d vote for BWV. It’s a short trip and the skyliner could be an issue in the summer with heat and storms. You can always take the boat to HS if it’s too hot to walk.

 

[BLTStitch]

Thank you both! BWV it is then. Another debate =D - is boardwalk view worth the extra in your opinions (vs resort view)? I know this has been discussed many places - just curious in your opinions.

 

[zackiedawg]

I'm a Boardwalk DVC member and stay there very often - I was just there September in a Boardwalk view room, which I love. But honestly, I'd say no - probably not worth extra. In some rooms you can see some of the Epcot fireworks, and the view of the lake and boardwalk is nice - but they're also noisier as you can hear the people on the boardwalk and music and lights - with kids that could be a problem, Resort views can be noisy if over the pool, but can be nice and quiet at either the quiet pool or gardens which you can request.

If taking the boat to DHS instead of walking, a tip would be to walk over to Swan/Dolphin if you're in one of the garden view rooms near the end of the hall facing Swan - they're about as close if not closer than walking over to the Boardwalk dock, and from there they go straight to DHS. You can use the same strategy on the way back to Boardwalk - exit at Swan/Dolphin and you can walk back to Boardwalk and your room before the boat gets to the Boardwalk dock.

Riv is lovely - but as mentioned, the Skyliner while fun can get crowded heading back and it's not a direct route to Riv - you have to hop one line to Caribbean Beach then the other line for DHS. Staying at Boardwalk, you can always hop the Skyliner over to Riviera from the Epcot station just to go see the resort, grab a bite, etc.

 

[RuntheMouse]

Thank you both! BWV it is then. Another debate =D - is boardwalk view worth the extra in your opinions (vs resort view)? I know this has been discussed many places - just curious in your opinions.

For us no, too noisy.

 

[CarolynFH]

Resort views can be noisy if over the pool, but can be nice and quiet at either the quiet pool or gardens which you can request.

I think these views of the pools or the interior gardens would be Preferred, formerly known as Pool/Garden view. Resort view (formerly Standard view) villas at BWV primarily look over the entrance driveway, with a few villas facing the tennis courts.

 

[BLTStitch]

Great. These are what I want to know. Watching YouTube, people will usually say how amazing boardwalk view is, but they are a lot extra compare to resort view. I don’t know if I can get a resort view, but will give a try.

I think these views of the pools or the interior gardens would be Preferred, formerly known as Pool/Garden view. Resort view (formerly Standard view) villas at BWV primarily look over the entrance driveway, with a few villas facing the tennis courts.

That’s correct. For DVC, the pool /garden view requires saw amount of points. Resort view is much cheaper.

Thank you!

 

[zackiedawg]

Yes - apologies - I misread the question and thought she was comparing Boardwalk View to Pool/Garden. Resort view is mostly front-entrance view, with a few way down the end of the hall looking towards canal/tennis courts. Some people hate those rooms way down the end of the hall, but I kind of prefer those when doing resort view - as the view is better and if on the 1st or 2nd floor, it's an easy walk over to the bus stop and closest when walking to DHS.

 

[Judique]

Thank you both! BWV it is then. Another debate =D - is boardwalk view worth the extra in your opinions (vs resort view)? I know this has been discussed many places - just curious in your opinions.

Are you a member or are you renting points? And are you talking summer 2026?

The 7 month window is already open for summer 2026. If a member you would know by now if BWV resort view is available for your dates.

If not a member, resort view is probably gone because it is about 1/3 cheaper in points than BW View or P/G. It makes up about 20% of the resort. If you luck out and get it, grab it!

Boardwalk view and Pool/Garden - each cost the same amount, so if either is available, and you want it, you won't pay any more or any less for the view.

Comparatively, any studio at BW is less than Riviera for summer.

I like Riviera for little kids. I've seen characters there plus the grounds have some nice play areas and if I'm not misremembering a zero entry pool.

I love Boardwalk but I own there. One thing for BWV, during the walk to DHS, in summer it's pretty hot and sweaty but the boat is air conditioned. I'd save my energy for the parks rather than wasting it on walk while trying to manage 2 kids.

Personal disclaimers: I don't ride the Skyliner as I don't care for the heights (personal issue). I also no longer go in summer - too hot for me.

 

[patm95]

Own at both BWV and RIV. I agree BWV would probably be best, especially for your kids age. Don’t miss out on the community hall! As far as boardwalk view, it depends on how much time you’ll spend in the room. If you stay until park close, I’d pass. But if you’re putting the kids to bed early l, it’s awesome to sit out on the balcony with your wife and watch Epcot fireworks.

 

[BLTStitch]

Are you a member or are you renting points? And are you talking summer 2026?

The 7 month window is already open for summer 2026. If a member you would know by now if BWV resort view is available for your dates.

If not a member, resort view is probably gone because it is about 1/3 cheaper in points than BW View or P/G. It makes up about 20% of the resort. If you luck out and get it, grab it!

Boardwalk view and Pool/Garden - each cost the same amount, so if either is available, and you want it, you won't pay any more or any less for the view.

Comparatively, any studio at BW is less than Riviera for summer.

I like Riviera for little kids. I've seen characters there plus the grounds have some nice play areas and if I'm not misremembering a zero entry pool.

I love Boardwalk but I own there. One thing for BWV, during the walk to DHS, in summer it's pretty hot and sweaty but the boat is air conditioned. I'd save my energy for the parks rather than wasting it on walk while trying to manage 2 kids.

Personal disclaimers: I don't ride the Skyliner as I don't care for the heights (personal issue). I also no longer go in summer - too hot for me.

Thank you for sharing the thoughts! I’m a new member and this is for 2026 summer (resale BLT + direct Poly) first time using my points to book a trip for family. I debated many times when to go. Summer is the easiest for school and work. I’m hoping everyone can survive the heat so we can do annual trips in every summer. I just got the boardwalk resort view 1 bedroom booked for the dates I wanted! Needed to get 1 bedroom at 7 month as no studio was fully available. I may book an extra night at the end of the trip at riviera studio to have a resort day before heading home.

 

[BLTStitch]

Own at both BWV and RIV. I agree BWV would probably be best, especially for your kids age. Don’t miss out on the community hall! As far as boardwalk view, it depends on how much time you’ll spend in the room. If you stay until park close, I’d pass. But if you’re putting the kids to bed early l, it’s awesome to sit out on the balcony with your wife and watch Epcot fireworks.

Noted for community hall! Kids will be so excited. It will be nice to watch fireworks from the own balcony, but decided to save some points for this time. The first night we get there, we might be walk down to the boardwalk to watch fire works? I think my kids will not sleep by then.

Another question for the stay - I heard the QS at boardwalk is not that great - do you have recommendations where to go eat table / QS when we are at resort for dinner / lunch? Do you think skyliner to riviera one day if we have time for QS is a good idea?

 

[zackiedawg]

If you just want diner-style foods - chicken sandwiches, burgers, fries, shakes - one of the best choices nearby is to walk over to the Fountain at Dolphin Resort. The Boardwalk quick serve options are thin - but not terrible...the deli actually has good meats, the pizza window (it's NOT NY pizza, but when served hot it's not terrible), and the corn dog stand (expensive for a corndog, but they are huge and very tasty).

Riviera has a very good quick serve spot in Primo PIatto - it's slightly more upscale from the typical 'burger' spot but all solid menu options.

If you want sit-down food - Trattoria is actually fairly decent for Italian food...Flying Fish and Cake Bake are both very good though pricier. Dolphin has Rosa Mexicano which has some pretty decent Mexican food. Il Mulano at Swan has pretty good Italian as well. One thing to remember with Swan and Dolphin - they don't do Magic Bands...so just make sure you have alternate payment methods with you (credit card, ApplePay, cash).

And honestly, I wouldn't be afraid to check out some other resorts for lunches or dinners while there - you can plan them based on what park you're doing - from MK, it's always easy to take a boat over to Wilderness Lodge (Geyser Point is a great bar food spot), Contemporary you can get to by walking or monorail (Steakhouse 71 is one of the most reasonable priced steakhouses at Disney and pretty solid). And Disney Springs of course always has plenty of restaurants of all types to choose from - so you can always try that after a park day, then bus from there back to your resort.

 

[patm95]

Noted for community hall! Kids will be so excited. It will be nice to watch fireworks from the own balcony, but decided to save some points for this time. The first night we get there, we might be walk down to the boardwalk to watch fire works? I think my kids will not sleep by then.

Another question for the stay - I heard the QS at boardwalk is not that great - do you have recommendations where to go eat table / QS when we are at resort for dinner / lunch? Do you think skyliner to riviera one day if we have time for QS is a good idea?

Walking to Epcot to watch the fireworks is a great idea! You could also just watch them from the boardwalk and take in the atmosphere. I’d you have park hoppers it’s great to just walk to Epcot whe you have extra time.

You’re right that BW lacks quick service. There are better options at yacht and beach club. You can walk or take the ferry over. The skyliner to riviera is also a great idea! We just got back from a stay and we like primo piatto for the best quick service we’ve had to date! Also if you have hoppers you can always walk to Epcot and grab something from there!

 

[Ralph&Pam]

In addition to the selections at BW Deli and Prima Piatto at RIV, we like the QS options at Hurricane Hannah’s by the Stormalong Bay pool at Y&B. An easy walk around the lake or boat ride across the lake from BW.

 

[toesmom]

Hi All, I’m debating two nights stay between BWV or RIV for next summer trip for Hollywood studio. We have two young kids - 4 and 8 by the time we travel. Never stayed at either.

Something want to check -

BWV has the walking option, but will summer walk too hot for the family?

Which one is more kids friendly?

Will there be long line / wait for RIV rope drop or leave after the park is closed?

Appreciate for any recommendations / advice. TIA!

Hot all summer and walking is actually ok if you avoid mid day. I would suggest BWV they have great pool and kids play area. I would suggest uv umbrella it really helps in the summer