Hard Pass on Riviera Resort

[Minniemoo15]

We have post 1/19 resale points and I was worried when Riv opened that I would have Fomo. after seeing the resort in pictures, I definitely do not. The pool looks so blah and the amount of points required is eye popping.

I always said I would just rent my points and pay cash to stay here if desired - our resale savings had us coming out way ahead anyway. But truly I think I would actually prefer to stay at CBR over Riv and save money to boot. Better pool, same skyliner, and access to all the dining options at both resorts

I know different tastes for different people and for some this will truly be their dream - I’m just so glad now that, for us, we didn’t get swooped up in the DVC magic sales pitch and went with our devious resale gut instead!

 

[Spark65]

I find it odd that so many posters can post continued negative of aspects of Riviera, don't like the hand soap, the ceilings aren't tall enough and the pool water looks cold, yes I am being facetious. The funniest thing I can't understand is that those who continue to gripe about all aspects of this resort can't wait to put their butts in a bed there.

If you hate it so badly why on earth would you stay there?? Shakes head incessantly

 

[Soap_1984]

I find it odd that so many posters can post continued negative of aspects of Riviera, don't like the hand soap, the ceilings aren't tall enough and the pool water looks cold, yes I am being facetious. The funniest thing I can't understand is that those who continue to gripe about all aspects of this resort can't wait to put their butts in a bed there.

If you hate it so badly why on earth would you stay there?? Shakes head incessantly

Equally confusing is how those who loved it before it opened.

People like different things, the biggest issue at riviera is the resale restrictions and the price; if it was priced more reasonably then people wouldn't be complaining but it's priced to compete with the top resorts from a moderate location so, of disneys own doing, it has to be spectacular.

You don't need to stay there to judge resale restrictions, payback period or the location. The stuff about the skyliner is a bit overblown, the rooms look excellent, the lobby was shockingly small and the pool does seem a bit underwhelming.

Take the features and amenities and rank them among the deluxe resorts. It's opening with a high point chart and the highest opening price of any direct resort and higher than any resale at wdw. They are charging a lot so people are expecting a lot.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

I find it odd that so many posters can post continued negative of aspects of Riviera, don't like the hand soap, the ceilings aren't tall enough and the pool water looks cold, yes I am being facetious. The funniest thing I can't understand is that those who continue to gripe about all aspects of this resort can't wait to put their butts in a bed there.

If you hate it so badly why on earth would you stay there?? Shakes head incessantly

Point priced like GF but not much to do there. No spa, no community hall, no extra common space or amazing lobby to read a book. No boats to rent, no horses to ride, no savana or jugglers to watch, no boardwalk games to play, no stormalong bay. No walk to a park, no theming, no golf, no Disney Springs nearby, no large amounts of green space, no extra large rooms or extra bath. They are desperately trying to evoke Walt with the photographs in the lobby, but there is no Walt here, no plussing it. Just a nice run of the mill hotel with new furnishings and a few Disney pictures hanging around. To make matters worse, there is a moderate resort within walking distance that hosts thousands of people. And... the resale restrictions, so contracts hold less value than any other resort off the lot. So whether or not you like the actual hotel (hard to call it resort when all it has is a so so pool), it is a downgrade for dvc pure and simple. That’s why you see the pushback.

 

[ScubaCat]

The exterior of the Riviera resort is just horrendous

That's just a matter of opinion. I think the exterior is nice actually.

 

[Sandisw]

Except thats not related you need to compare Std to Std. Both categories are a minority of rooms. Then compare p to p.

129 vs 104

I know you and Rivshore love the resort but you need to compare apples to apples.

Lets also look at January and it's BWV 78/107 vs RIV 116/143

Not really because the discussion was about staying at RIV vs other places. Views aside, you can make a stay at RIV come out for a similar point cost as an owner if one books SV.

I realize the points charts are more when comparing like views, but if someone buys RIV and is okay with booking SV rooms, then they will not spend double points compared to places like Poly, VGF, BLT or BWV garden view during many times of the year, Will it be easy to book? Maybe not buy neither is BWV standard.

And it’s not about loving the resort. It is about being honest that while the points charts are higher, it is possible to make a stay there reasonable when comparing to some of the other resorts.

Obviously, someone who doesn’t see many pluses, won’t stay there, But people have posted it will cost you so much more to stay there is simply not accurate. It all depends. I currently have two SV rooms booked for late November next year and they are right around the same points I had to spend for the 3rd room at BWV isince I couldn’t get SV. So, it not not costing me much more.. mere 16 points for 5 nights.. my RiV rooms than BWV Room..IMO, that is not a outrageous difference. YMMV.

 

[sethschroeder]

Not really because the discussion was about staying at RIV vs other places. Views aside, you can make a stay at RIV come out for a similar point cost as an owner if one books SV.

If someone buys RIV and is okay with booking SV rooms, then they will not spend double points compared to places

Will it be easy to book? Maybe not buy neither is BWV standard.

Exactly why you then you should compare standard to standard view then and where to possibly own.

BWV 71 points vs RIV 104 points for a Studio
BWV 149 points vs RIV 220 points for a 1BR
BWV 215 points vs RIV 291 points for a 2BR

What's that? I can get a 2BR at BWV for the price of a 1BR at RIV?

But people have posted it will cost you so much more to stay there is simply not accurate.

It WILL cost more. You can't be like (well you can't account for the standard view of other resorts only for RIV).

Then if you want to compare about sleep around points you should really remove the standard view from both sides. Which was my original point. Someone with a MK contract looking to stay at an Epcot resort during a festival will be looking at non-standard options.

In September 1-19 (since you brought it up to start):
Studio/1BR/2BR
BCV - 100/192/266
BWV - 102/195/262
RIV - 129/ 279/356

The only time RIV is not going to be more expensive in the Epcot area is when you look at getting a Tower Studio but you have to own there likely once the resort "sells out" in the next 2-3 years.

 

[ScubaCat]

The only time RIV is not going to be more expensive in the Epcot area is when you look at getting a Tower Studio but you have to own there likely once the resort "sells out" in the next 2-3 years.

I got claustrophobic just watching a video of one of those rooms. . But to each his or her own!

I also thought the 3BR grand villa being on one floor was a little lame, too. Granted it solves accessibility issues, but it seemed a little on the small side for a room that sleeps 12. Just my opinion though.

 

[Sandisw]

Exactly why you then you should compare standard to standard view then and where to possibly own.

BWV 71 points vs RIV 104 points for a Studio
BWV 149 points vs RIV 220 points for a 1BR
BWV 215 points vs RIV 291 points for a 2BR

What's that? I can get a 2BR at BWV for the price of a 1BR at RIV?



It WILL cost more. You can't be like (well you can't account for the standard view of other resorts only for RIV).

Then if you want to compare about sleep around points you should really remove the standard view from both sides. Which was my original point. Someone with a MK contract looking to stay at an Epcot resort during a festival will be looking at non-standard options.

In September 1-19 (since you brought it up to start):
Studio/1BR/2BR
BCV - 100/192/266
BWV - 102/195/262
RIV - 129/ 279/356

The only time RIV is not going to be more expensive in the Epcot area is when you look at getting a Tower Studio but you have to own there likely once the resort "sells out" in the next 2-3 years.

Of course it’s More. I know that, but how often do we tell people not to buy BWV for SV rooms. It may prove true for SV at RiIv,

Doesnt change that I can stay at RIV for 5 nights in a SV studio for only 16 points mlre than a BWV studio in pool view. Whether one sees it as worth it or not is a matter of opinion.

So, my point remains, and you obviously don’t agree that if one wants to stay at RIV and they can if they get SV..and being an owner there increases that chance,, then it certainly won’t be more than double everywhere else..which is what my post was addressing.

I have also compared LV at BLT to SV at RIV and yes, it’s comparable. For me, resort matters, not view and I am sure I am not the only one.

I disagree with the notion that you will pay a tremendous amount more, no matter what, to book at RIV over BWV Or other near park resorts., That is simply not true.

Like I said I am paying only 4 points more per night to stay at RIV over BWV. You certainly can’t argue with that fact,

 

[sethschroeder]

I also thought the 3BR grand villa being on one floor was a little lame, too. Granted it solves accessibility issues, but it seemed a little on the small side for a room that sleeps 12. Just my opinion though.

Is it missing a BA as well? 3BA instead of 4BA like other GVs? Although looking at VGF it also has 3BA so not sure how common that is.

Edit: looked further looks like it's 50/50 on if GVs have 3 or 4 BAs.

Of course it’s More. I know that, but how often do we tell people not to buy BWV for SV rooms. It may prove true for SV at RiIv,

Doesnt change that I can stay at RIV for 5 nights in a SV studio for only 16 points mlre than a BWV studio in pool view.

Why are we comparing a Pool to Standard view? The Standard at BWV is 25% of rooms? The Standard at RIV is 30% of rooms?

They both are not a guarantee but can be walked. I could have grabbed one at BWV last week if I cared and walked it to December.

If anything RIV might have a worse case of people grabbing STD views since there is no bookable category like a Boardwalk, Theme park, or Fireworks view. From initial accounts some of the Standard views actually have fireworks views but haven't seen too much yet.

I am interested to see after 5 years or so they look to add a Fireworks view and shift some rooms around.

So again can we stop trying to reinforce love of RIV with strange comparisons.

Next people will try to compare the food to VGF when it doesn't have an offering like V+A.

 

[ScubaCat]

Is it missing a BA as well? 3BA instead of 4BA like other GVs? Although looking at VGF it also has 3BA so not sure how common that is.

3 bathrooms. And if you're in the first of the 2 bedrooms, you have to go across the hallway to get to the "main" one. Not the end of the world, obviously, but still makes the room seem a little on the small side for the occupancy.

https://www.disboards.com/media/flo...-grand-villa-at-disneys-riviera-resort.88643/

 

[JETSDAD]

Riviera GV's are the 2nd largest GV's (only GFV is larger)....not that I'll ever be able to afford a GV anyways.

 

[Spark65]

Equally confusing is how those who loved it before it opened.

People like different things, the biggest issue at riviera is the resale restrictions and the price; if it was priced more reasonably then people wouldn't be complaining but it's priced to compete with the top resorts from a moderate location so, of disneys own doing, it has to be spectacular.

You don't need to stay there to judge resale restrictions, payback period or the location. The stuff about the skyliner is a bit overblown, the rooms look excellent, the lobby was shockingly small and the pool does seem a bit underwhelming.

Take the features and amenities and rank them among the deluxe resorts. It's opening with a high point chart and the highest opening price of any direct resort and higher than any resale at wdw. They are charging a lot so people are expecting a lot.

You have plenty of other resorts to choose from so there is no reason to complain about points, restrictions or MF's. Don't like the options choose a different resort nothing holding you back.

 

[Spark65]

Point priced like GF but not much to do there. No spa, no community hall, no extra common space or amazing lobby to read a book. No boats to rent, no horses to ride, no savana or jugglers to watch, no boardwalk games to play, no stormalong bay. No walk to a park, no theming, no golf, no Disney Springs nearby, no large amounts of green space, no extra large rooms or extra bath. They are desperately trying to evoke Walt with the photographs in the lobby, but there is no Walt here, no plussing it. Just a nice run of the mill hotel with new furnishings and a few Disney pictures hanging around. To make matters worse, there is a moderate resort within walking distance that hosts thousands of people. And... the resale restrictions, so contracts hold less value than any other resort off the lot. So whether or not you like the actual hotel (hard to call it resort when all it has is a so so pool), it is a downgrade for dvc pure and simple. That’s why you see the pushback.

I don't see any any push back I see a resort that attracts a certain client/person/vacationer. I also see other resorts at Disney that have options that appeal to others who feel Riviera is not for them. I see options, lots of other options at different resorts so it gives people choices, choices to stay where their heart will be satisfied. I would choose carefully if you want to be happy, don't like something don't stay there.

What I really do see is a lot of butt hurt jealous people who wanted something for nothing and want to be able to sell in the future for a huge profit like others before them did. People can try and sugar coat the reasons they don't like it but in reality spending your money to stay there but refusing to buy in with the constant negative comments in all honesty is so disingenuous.

Merry Christmas everyone I do hope everyone has a great day, is able to spend time with their families and eat till the cows come home!

 

[The Jackal]

Is it missing a BA as well? 3BA instead of 4BA like other GVs? Although looking at VGF it also has 3BA so not sure how common that is.

Edit: looked further looks like it's 50/50 on if GVs have 3 or 4 BAs.



Why are we comparing a Pool to Standard view? The Standard at BWV is 25% of rooms? The Standard at RIV is 30% of rooms?

They both are not a guarantee but can be walked. I could have grabbed one at BWV last week if I cared and walked it to December.

If anything RIV might have a worse case of people grabbing STD views since there is no bookable category like a Boardwalk, Theme park, or Fireworks view. From initial accounts some of the Standard views actually have fireworks views but haven't seen too much yet.

I am interested to see after 5 years or so they look to add a Fireworks view and shift some rooms around.

So again can we stop trying to reinforce love of RIV with strange comparisons.

Next people will try to compare the food to VGF when it doesn't have an offering like V+A.

With all the DVC resorts 3 resorts have no 3 GV’s BCV, BRV and PVB. 5 resorts have GV’s with only 3 bathrooms BWV, CCV, RIV, AUL and VB. 8 have 4 bathrooms BLT, VGF, AKL, AKV, OKW, SSR, VGC and HHI.

The last 2 resorts built have only 3 bathrooms in a GV, CCV and RIV. I wonder if DVC has decided one bath per bedroom is enough.

 

[sethschroeder]

With all the DVC resorts 3 resorts have no 3 GV’s BCV, BRV and PVB. 5 resorts have GV’s with only 3 bathrooms BWV, CCV, RIV, AUL and VB. 8 have 4 bathrooms BLT, VGF, AKL, AKV, OKW, SSR, VGC and HHI.

The last 2 resorts built have only 3 bathrooms in a GV, CCV and RIV. I wonder if DVC has decided one bath per bedroom is enough.

Probably didn't see people caring enough so figured it was an easy way to cut costs possibly.

No clue if it's enough or not haven't stayed in GV. I just heard about it on opening day I remember.

 

[Soap_1984]

You have plenty of other resorts to choose from so there is no reason to complain about points, restrictions or MF's. Don't like the options choose a different resort nothing holding you back.

Exactly. The complaints are coming, generally, in threads for people asking for advice.

Also the resale restrictions will eventually affect all future and current owners, which is why many people are opposed to it and why I am staying away from purchasing Riv. I can live without dvc and I'm not worried about availability at Riv since it will not impact my or my family's enjoyment by not getting a room there at 7 months.

The numbers show that 10 percent of the people who say "I'll never sell" do sell.

 

[RivShore]

It's around 40-110% more depending on the room size and view. But yes, many options are double.

Scanning thru the comparisons posted after my question, no one has posted anything that's close to 100% more. Looks to be between 25% and 45% for the most part. Where do you see a 110% or a more than doubling of points for a comparable room?

 

[Judique]

Swan and Dolphin is most definitely a moderate. I can book it right now in June for $220-$250 a night. Actually the last time we went to Disney we stayed cash at a moderate resort and I was trying to convince the wife to stay at the Swan and Dolphin to save some money over the moderate resort, but she didn’t like the bland look of the resort and also that it was a conference resort.

Have you stayed at either resort?

 

[TCRAIG]

For me - I was interested in Riv - did the tour and really liked the rooms - however - Skyliner was not my cup of tea, points chart way too high and location left a lot to be desired...so I’ll pass and stay with my GF, BLT, BC etc points