Disney Riviera Resort

[tjkraz]

Any referral to caribbean is going to make large segments of the several hundred thousands of established dvc contract owners go running to the hills to hide...

...and that's no small task because the closest hills are in Georgia!

Caribbean isn't going to be mentioned in any of the sales literature, presentations, etc. When prospective buyers ask about dining options, they'll likely stick to whatever is native to Riviera. But to guests staying on site, it isn't practical to ignore the other buildings which surround the lake.

Centertown is positioned rather close to where they are building Riviera. The walk from Riviera to Centertown (purple) looks to be no more than the distance from BCV to the ESPN club.

 

[dlavender]

Meanwhile the whole Centertown complex is being renovated at CBR so some upgrades there seem likely. It's possible that they build a "bare minimum" QS location at Riviera and refer guests to Centertown for more. It wouldn't be all that different than dining at BW/BC where a 5 minute walk opens up many more options.

It is different in that BW/BC is a deluxe, while CBR is a Mod.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Had an interesting phone call with a CM this morning- it was a follow up to my complaints about our recent trip (in large part the bus issues I referenced previously). I never mentioned DRR at all, yet the CM was "talking up" how the gondolas were going to be a new solution to transportation issues and were coming soon... I think I just caught a glimpse into their upcoming marketing campaign.

Never any doubt...

Funny how they said that when you were complaining about wilderness...

Did they say the gondolas would stop the buses to Saratoga from sucking, by chance?

 

[tjkraz]

It is different in that BW/BC is a deluxe, while CBR is a Mod.

Because of the label or something tangible?

 

[preemiemama]

Never any doubt...

Funny how they said that when you were complaining about wilderness...

Did they say the gondolas would stop the buses to Saratoga from sucking, by chance?

No word on Saratoga- sorry! I have lived that, too, and there are way too many stops. Though WL to Contemporary and then to a park is almost as bad...

I'm sure that the push will be to buy in/use points to stay at DRR to avoid the bus hassle from other DVC resorts. The CM did also allude to the fact that the bus situation would improve at WL and other resorts because the current fleet could be reorganized and more buses would be available for resorts like WL that are currently having issues. That makes me believe that we are looking at a situation like BW/YC/BC where the gondolas are the only transportation option to DHS and Epcot, much like the Friendship boats.

 

[dlavender]

Because of the label or something tangible?

Is this a legit question?

One resort has 3 nighttime entertainment options, 2 or 3 bars in addition to that, a bakery, and ice cream shop.

One resort has a food court and a table service.

Which one is deluxe?

 

[Andrew015]

Caribbean isn't going to be mentioned in any of the sales literature, presentations, etc.

Then that would be a departure from past practice. Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.... I think they almost "have to" mention CBR somewhere if it's sharing resources...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Because of the label or something tangible?

Or to put it more simply:

Quality of design and amenities, and more importantly volume of amenities per room/occupant.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Then that would be a departure from past practice. Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.... I think they almost "have to" mention CBR somewhere if it's sharing resources...

...the game is afoot...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Is this a legit question?

One resort has 3 nighttime entertainment options, 2 or 3 bars in addition to that, a bakery, and ice cream shop.

One resort has a food court and a table service.

Which one is deluxe?

You forgot waterpark...slide built with a roller coaster around it...walk to park on foot...blah blah blah...the little things...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Caribbean isn't going to be mentioned in any of the sales literature, presentations, etc. When prospective buyers ask about dining options, they'll likely stick to whatever is native to Riviera. But to guests staying on site, it isn't practical to ignore the other buildings which surround the lake.

Centertown is positioned rather close to where they are building Riviera. The walk from Riviera to Centertown (purple) looks to be no more than the distance from BCV to the ESPN club. View attachment 254463

A lot depends on "centertown" and what they do to it...

Cause it looks like it's really close to where OPR is...and I KNOW that Pig...it sucks.

OPR (even if you change its name)...makes sassagoula look like the Sorbonne in comparison

 

[_auroraborealis_]

On the other hand, I've seen more than one person complain about the QS at deluxe resorts in general, because they aren't as large as those at AOA or Pop or even POR. So maybe proximity to such a food court complex would be considered a plus for some.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

On the other hand, I've seen more than one person complain about the QS at deluxe resorts in general, because they aren't as large as those at AOA or Pop or even POR. So maybe proximity to such a food court complex would be considered a plus for some.

I think some will defintely go that route. No question.

But i suspect that most dvc doesn't go for the quick serve as long as there are some passable convenient options.

 

[Andrew015]

On the other hand, I've seen more than one person complain about the QS at deluxe resorts in general, because they aren't as large as those at AOA or Pop or even POR. So maybe proximity to such a food court complex would be considered a plus for some.

IMO, that's a byproduct of cramming DVC onto already-established properties without adding additional dining resources. Almost every single Deluxe resort has received a bolt-on DVC addition, and I don't believe any of them have received new restaurant capacity with perhaps the exception of the new waterfront joint at WL. I.E. adding 428 new guest rooms in BLT and having them utilize the same quick service location that once serviced only CR. Riveria/CBR won't be immune from the problem. Resort resources "should" expand at the same rate as your room capacity. This doesn't appear to be any different than past practice.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I think some will defintely go that route. No question.

But i suspect that most dvc doesn't go for the quick serve as long as there are some passable convenient options.

The complaints about Mara at AKL-V are pretty epic, though.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

IMO, that's a byproduct of cramming DVC onto already-established properties without adding additional dining resources. I.E. adding 428 new guest rooms in BLT and having them utilize the same quick service location that once serviced only CR. Riveria/CBR won't be immune from the problem. Resort resources "should" expand at the same rate as your room capacity. This doesn't appear to be any different than past practice.

The whole point of the "add-on" strategy is to overextend resources..squeeze more water from the minimum wage and federally subsidized college program "rocks"...

But you dern well know that...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The complaints about Mara at AKL-V are pretty epic, though.

Well...if people don't want to walk my suggestion is maybe they should walk MORE...

It's not like you have to take a bus

 

[tjkraz]

Is this a legit question?

One resort has 3 nighttime entertainment options, 2 or 3 bars in addition to that, a bakery, and ice cream shop.

One resort has a food court and a table service.

Which one is deluxe?

We may be coming at this from two different directions. No, DRR/CBR will probably not have multiple night clubs and bars. However neither do the Contemporary, Animal Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge, etc.

In drawing comparisons to the Boardwalk area, I was referring to the setup and easy accessibility of additional resources. Heck if Riviera guests want access to even more amenities, they're about a 5 minute gondola ride away from the Boardwalk itself.

Then that would be a departure from past practice. Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.... I think they almost "have to" mention CBR somewhere if it's sharing resources...

But this isn't "Villas at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort." In terms of branding the new property, obviously Disney wants to create as much separation as possible. Caribbean beach was not mentioned during the D23 presentation or the press release. Nearly a week later, there are still people who don't realize that Riviera is being built on former CBR land.

CBR's check-in location will almost certainly change since it's basically on the Riviera side of the resort. Separate entrances are virtually a given.

I'm giving Disney the benefit of the doubt in assuming that they will build Riviera to typical deluxe standards including room design, dining, feature pool, etc. If that doesn't happen, obviously it will change my opinion. After back-to-back conversion projects at Poly and WL, this is their first new construction since Grand Floridian villas. And that one hasn't disappointed.

Assuming impressive Riviera facilities, I don't believe that having to walk over to CBR to rent a boat or buy a turkey wrap (or any other item not offered on DRR restaurant menus) will be a deal-breaker for many. Prices, nightly point cost, dues or theme may be deal breakers--but not just the idea that they may have to mingle with neighbors from a moderate.

 

[jade1]

Heck if Riviera guests want access to even more amenities, they're about a 5 minute gondola ride away from the Boardwalk itself.

And EPCOT-closer actually.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Well...if people don't want to walk my suggestion is maybe they should walk MORE...

It's not like you have to take a bus

I'm thinking more of the "it serves weird food" complaints.