Grand Floridian or Riviera for non-park trip?

[mouseclick1]

DH and I are planning to use some points for a non-park trip this year. GF and Riviera are the only DVC resorts we have not yet tried, so we would like to stay at one of those. I had Riviera booked and then switched to GF, but now I'm second guessing myself. The plan is to spend most of the afternoons lounging at the pool, so looking for opinions on the pool itself as well as pool-side food and drink options. Breakfast options are also somewhat important. We are over character breakfasts; just looking for a nice breakfast to start the day. Dinners aren't really a factor since we can easily head anywhere on property. Would love to hear opinions!

 

[Her Dotness]

I'd give the edge to VGF because of the possibility of a room service breakfast if so inclined.

Add to that more than 1 or 2 restaurants at the GF in contrast to RIV.

GF Cafe is a delight, IMO. Bright, cheery decor. Delectable food at all three meals. Good service in our experience. Citricos has that charming new Mary Poppins theming and a revamped menu for an appealing dinner option. Gaspy's has an incredible chicken with brie sandwich, sounds weird but is deeeelish.

Shopping options are definitely greater and more varied at the GF. I actually prefer its Basin White to the Basin shop in DS. BW has some exclusive scents and far more knowledgeable CMs, again IMO.

Can't speak to the pools' appeal. We keep saying we really must swim this trip and then spend the time in the parks instead.

Disclaimer: Almost all our points are at VGF. We hardly ever stay elsewhere, we like it that much.

 

[Kingdome8]

Riviera is the best. Pool is great. Bar riva is good spot. And they have bocce ball.
Plus can hop on skyliner if choose. We were just there 2 weeks ago and dinner at Topolinos was incredible. Pre dinner drinks on patio then going out to watch fireworks was the best. Plus the food. Mmmmmmm.

 

[Sandisw]

We prefer RIV but VGF is a close second. I find the pools at RIV much more relaxing as an adult.

I do think the QS food at RIV is better than VGF but VGF has a better choice for dinner especially since it’s easily connected to CR and Poly.

RIV though you do have all the places on the Boardwalk just a Sky liner ride away.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

I don’t think you can make wrong choice. Both are beautiful and have excellent dining choices. The ease of the monorail does give the GF an edge with even more dining though. Have fun with whatever you choose.

 

[SLThomas318]

Just keep in mind the construction… both at GF and the poly tower. Depending when you are going I’d say Riviera might be more relaxing.

 

[mouseclick1]

Thank you, everyone! Sounds like I will need to schedule my next two trips at one followed by the other!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I really like the pool better at Riviera, and that would be my pick!

 

[kandlsutton]

Thank you, everyone! Sounds like I will need to schedule my next two trips at one followed by the other!

We are doing both this trip for comparison. Started in a deluxe studio standard view at VGF (2 nights), then moved to a resort studio theme park view at VGF (2 nights), and currently at RIV in a 1BR standard view (3 nights).
Glad to be at RIV during NICOLE so that we can stay dry. Got into Topolino’s this morning at opening with a modified menu. No characters or re-orders but price was reduced to $25. The BEST breakfast we have had this week and we’ve had breakfast at Grand Floridian Cafe, Steakhouse 71 and Whispering Canyon Cafe.

Our ranking:

1. Riviera for proximity to Epcot and Studios. It is compact and you can get around without going outside. Topolino’s is excellent and we enjoy Bar Riva and La Petite Cafe. The 1BR is probably too much space for just the two of us, but the king bed and laundry make it worth it for us. And it‘s nice to eat at a table and watch TV in different rooms.​
2. Villas at Grand Floridian for proximity to Magic Kingdom. The walkway to MK was typically took the least amount of time, followed by the monorail and the boats. Monorail is last stop to MK so can be crowded. Going to MK, the boat stops at GF first and then goes to Poly so can take awhile. We either walked to MK or took the monorail and used the boat to get back to GF.​
   • Resort Studios - bigger than the deluxe studios and closer to the main building, but no covered walkway. The queen bed is more comfortable than the murphy bed. The couch doesn‘t face the TV so have to watch TV from the beds. There is a small table, but no chairs - just a stool under the vanity dressing table. We have knee problems, so the tub/shower combo was harder to access, especially after a long day in the park when legs didnt want to lift up my feet. ​
   • Deluxe Studios - smaller than the resort studios and farther from the main building, but there is a covered walkway. The murphy bed is better than a pull-out but mattress is about half the thickness of the queen bed. Table with two chairs and couch faces the TV.​

 

[sndral]

We are doing both this trip for comparison. Started in a deluxe studio standard view at VGF (2 nights), then moved to a resort studio theme park view at VGF (2 nights), and currently at RIV in a 1BR standard view (3 nights).
Glad to be at RIV during NICOLE so that we can stay dry. Got into Topolino’s this morning at opening with a modified menu. No characters or re-orders but price was reduced to $25. The BEST breakfast we have had this week and we’ve had breakfast at Grand Floridian Cafe, Steakhouse 71 and Whispering Canyon Cafe.
…

For a truly fair comparison you’d need to either stay in a studio at Riviera or a 1 br. at the Grand Floridian
Sadly, the GF’s headliner breakfast option IMO - 1900 Park Fare - has not yet re-opened post pandemic .
I like the relaxed & quiet atmosphere of the Grand Floridian Cafe for breakfast - several years ago I was enjoying a quiet solo breakfast there when several suits walked in w/ Whoopi Goldberg (she was that night’s narrator for the Candlelight Processional,) they sat at a table near mine & I did my best not to stare .

 

[kandlsutton]

For a truly fair comparison you’d need to either stay in a studio at Riviera or a 1 br. at the Grand Floridian
Sadly, the GF’s headliner breakfast option IMO - 1900 Park Fare - has not yet re-opened post pandemic .
I like the relaxed & quiet atmosphere of the Grand Floridian Cafe for breakfast - several years ago I was enjoying a quiet solo breakfast there when several suits walked in w/ Whoopi Goldberg (she was that night’s narrator for the Candlelight Processional,) they sat at a table near mine & I did my best not to stare .

I agree that a DS and 1BR isn't a fair comparison, but regardless of the room type, we still prefer Riviera for centralized location and compactness of the resort. GF is more spread out and you have to walk outside to get to the main building.
Point charts are comparable, with Riviera slightly less points.

 

[RoseGold]

There are nicer and cheaper pools off-site, I've always wanted to go to the Hilton lazy river one. I wouldn't pick either of these for a great pool and breakfast experience. They're obviously covered in kids, and the Disney playlist at the pools would make me crazy for an adult, relaxing experience.

I like GF cafe, the omelet I had was exceptional. But it was slow and loud and full of kids, and you could visit once from off-site and get the gist.

 

[mouseclick1]

Thanks again! I appreciate all the opinions!

 

[DVCsloth]

I don't think you can go wrong with either, both are first class all the way!

 

[Straulin]

I haven’t stayed at the RIV but did go visit on our last trip and tour the resort.

RIV while objectively nice and probably better in a straight feature for feature list, it just didn’t have the feel we preferred. We were staying at Grand Floridian for the first time. Between the two I would personally go VFG. It felt more relaxing to us.

 

[sndral]

Focusing on OP’s specific preferences, to wit:
Being ‘over character breakfasts’ - Riviera’s only sit down breakfast option is the fixed price character breakfast. GF has the more moderately priced traditional sit down GF cafe. Thus if OP wants a non character sit down breakfast at their resort - they won’t get that at Riviera. If QS breakfast is ok, then they’ll have that at both the GF & Riviera. If venturing to nearby resorts for breakfast is ok - then both resorts have non bus transportation options for that.
OP stated they were most interested in spending resort time at the pools/adjacent bars. Both resorts have 2 pools, Riviera has one pool bar which appears to be adjacent to one of the pools & a stroll from the other pool. GF has two pool bars - one at each of its’ pools. I really have no insight on which set of pools is ‘better.’ My impression is that the GF’s courtyard pool & adjacent deck space is more generously sized than either of the Riviera pools. I wonder if any of them have the kids activities during the day - that’d be enough to drive me away.

 

[kboo]

We own at both RIV and VGF and ... I LOVE the "backyard/pool" area at RIV. For a non-park stay I would choose RIV. The two pools are very close, Bar Riva and Le Petite Cafe are close to both, and the "backyard" has broad expansive views and lots of places to sit, play games, etc. We have spent many afternoons there without feeling like we are "missing" the parks. It is peaceful and fun.

The QS at Riviera is much better than most QS at the resorts - the pasta is great and the tuna nicoise salad is also so good. And everything is very conveniently located. There are more restaurants at VGF, but Caribbean Beach is a short walk away, and we really enjoyed Sebastian's Bistro there. For holidays (Christmas and Easter) I would prefer VGF, but other times I prefer RIV - it is peaceful and scenic and relaxing.

 

[kboo]

Focusing on OP’s specific preferences, to wit:
Being ‘over character breakfasts’ - Riviera’s only sit down breakfast option is the fixed price character breakfast. GF has the more moderately priced traditional sit down GF cafe. Thus if OP wants a non character sit down breakfast at their resort - they won’t get that at Riviera. If QS breakfast is ok, then they’ll have that at both the GF & Riviera. If venturing to nearby resorts for breakfast is ok - then both resorts have non bus transportation options for that.
OP stated they were most interested in spending resort time at the pools/adjacent bars. Both resorts have 2 pools, Riviera has one pool bar which appears to be adjacent to one of the pools & a stroll from the other pool. GF has two pool bars - one at each of its’ pools. I really have no insight on which set of pools is ‘better.’ My impression is that the GF’s courtyard pool & adjacent deck space is more generously sized than either of the Riviera pools. I wonder if any of them have the kids activities during the day - that’d be enough to drive me away.

RIV's 2 pools are "across the path" from each other. Kids activities at the feature pool, which is also very close to the QS and the bar. But the quiet pool is truly a retreat (and our kids sometimes choose that as well). The pools are also far less crowded than the GF pools. We've never had trouble finding chairs.

 

[mouseclick1]

Thanks again for everyone's suggestions! I decided to keep the GF for this trip based on the convenience of dining options around the monorail. I will save Riviera for our next trip when we will plan for a longer vacation and include the parks. I do appreciate all of the advice!