In defense of the Riviera tower studio

[spot28]

DH and I just spent 3 nights in the tower studio at Rivieria! We had seen several reviews likening these tiny made for 2 (or 1) rooms as akin to jail cells. I had thoroughly prepared my 6’4” husband for this approx 200 sq ft square-foot room....”it’s going to be small babe, We probably won’t spend much time there...” and to our surprise we found the room adorable and very hospitable. the small balcony was a lovely reprieve especially during Covid just to sit and get fresh air outside. the bathroom is surprisingly large for such a small room with a very luxurious and large shower larger than in my home. we spent more time in this room than others we’ve stayed in the past. On one visit with my two sons the four of us had a CBR room and found there was literally no walking around room by the time we were all in the room with suitcases, the bathroom so tiny. And just that one small table with two chairs to sit we only slept in the room and spent a little time there. the tower studio on the eighth floor provided for lovely views I’ve only ever had a bush or parking lot to look at at any Disney hotel. We watched gondolas, Could see Epcot gleaming in the distance at night and I slept with all the curtains open so I could watch all the various structures peeking out over the trees from my bed. The bed was comfortable and everything about this provided for a wonderful stay I hope you will consider for your next trip.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1387911124159447044

 

[docindigo76]

This sounds great--my BF and I have one of these booked for 4 nights over the 50th anniversary weekend (crossing fingers we make it). While we are both smaller people, I'm really looking forward to trying out the room and seeing the resort. For the two of us I think it should suit us well, and the size of the resort and amenities we need under one roof is a bonus for us, for several reasons. Hope we can score a good view too but if not, no worries for us.

 

[Eeyore daily]

I love them. My boyfriend talks about how he wants to stay there again just for the bathroom alone. We were on the same floor of the lobby which was so convenient and bing able to sit out on the patio watching the Skyliner was relaxing. I'd definitely go back!

 

[kristenabelle]

That bathroom was massive and so nice, and I loved the balcony too. I do a lot of single trips, so I may be biased, but I'm also a big fan of tower studios!

 

[RoseGold]

I went on the tour and I thought it was adequate. I've stayed in smaller, but only in NYC and Asia. I agree the balcony makes a world of difference to how cramped it feels, even if you never use it.

Now, that point chart is another discussion. That I can't defend.

 

[spot28]

I went on the tour and I thought it was adequate. I've stayed in smaller, but only in NYC and Asia. I agree the balcony makes a world of difference to how cramped it feels, even if you never use it.

Now, that point chart is another discussion. That I can't defend.

Ohhhhh...see I’m not DVC owner, I paid the usual way.

 

[Noodlez]

Ohhhhh...see I’m not DVC owner, I paid the usual way.

I think that may be the main point you're missing! It's not the room is terrible or ridiculously small (I'm sure I've stayed in smaller), but for the same number of points you could get a full sized studio at Old Key West or Boardwalk, or for less you can get a value studio at Animal Kingdom. This room is small by comparison.

 

[Bjaiken77]

I’m very interested in this option. I’d you own Riviera, do you think they will be hard to get at the 11 month mark. My significant other and I enjoy a lot of time at the resort itself (enjoying its amenities) and the parks. I know the rooms are bigger at OKW, SSR, BWV, and AKV, but for two people, I don’t know if I need more. I haven’t stayed there, but I toured Riviera and ate at Topolinos. To me, it certainly has a deluxe resort feel along with that long expiration date I’m looking for. And I love the skyliner. I would love to stay there but I only have resale points.

 

[Mickey of the Villages]

DH and I just spent 3 nights in the tower studio at Rivieria! We had seen several reviews likening these tiny made for 2 (or 1) rooms as akin to jail cells. I had thoroughly prepared my 6’4” husband for this approx 200 sq ft square-foot room....”it’s going to be small babe, We probably won’t spend much time there...” and to our surprise we found the room adorable and very hospitable. the small balcony was a lovely reprieve especially during Covid just to sit and get fresh air outside. the bathroom is surprisingly large for such a small room with a very luxurious and large shower larger than in my home. we spent more time in this room than others we’ve stayed in the past. On one visit with my two sons the four of us had a CBR room and found there was literally no walking around room by the time we were all in the room with suitcases, the bathroom so tiny. And just that one small table with two chairs to sit we only slept in the room and spent a little time there. the tower studio on the eighth floor provided for lovely views I’ve only ever had a bush or parking lot to look at at any Disney hotel. We watched gondolas, Could see Epcot gleaming in the distance at night and I slept with all the curtains open so I could watch all the various structures peeking out over the trees from my bed. The bed was comfortable and everything about this provided for a wonderful stay I hope you will consider for your next trip.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1387911124159447044

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. And then I looked over your signature and saw that you and I have had almost the same lifetime of Disney, resorts, visits, you name it. You don't list any cruises but all the rest is the same. I remember going to Disney World for the first time in 1979 and being SO AMAZED AND HAPPY. Anyway, more than anything I loved your signature and spending a few minutes reliving it all.

 

[Akck]

We just did a 3 day stay in a tower studio too. We liked it and we both agree we’d stay in it again as it is actually larger than our bedroom at home. I’d say the only thing you need to do is utilize the storage space the room has. If you don’t you’ll be tripping over your stuff all the time. We did put the bed up to utilize the couch, mainly for eating a meal and the footstool tops flip over to make a nice tray. I think everyone would be happier in a deluxe studio, but the tower studios are perfectly adequate for 1 or 2 guests.

 

[LPnerd]

I went on the tour and I thought it was adequate. I've stayed in smaller, but only in NYC and Asia. I agree the balcony makes a world of difference to how cramped it feels, even if you never use it.

Now, that point chart is another discussion. That I can't defend.

It's becoming hard to defend any point chart, however I have to wonder, all these comments about bathroom size? How much time are these people spending in their bathroom? ROFL. I'd rather have more living space myself. Disney is becoming more and more like the Casinos in Vegas, "make the rooms small with fewer amenities to get them out of their rooms, and into the casinos and restaurants."
We toured this resort, read the brochure, and have no desire to stay here or the Grand Floridian. I love that Disney has so much variety, something everyone can find to love.

 

[LPnerd]

I think that may be the main point you're missing! It's not the room is terrible or ridiculously small (I'm sure I've stayed in smaller), but for the same number of points you could get a full sized studio at Old Key West or Boardwalk, or for less you can get a value studio at Animal Kingdom. This room is small by comparison.

SHHHHH! ( LOL)

 

[kristenrice]

SHHHHH! ( LOL)

Exactly! I'm doing a split stay in October...2 nights in a preferred view studio at Riviera, followed by 3 nights in a value 1BR at AKV. The thing is? The STUDIO at Riviera is the same amount of points as the 1BR at AKV! I know that the 1BR at AKV is smaller than standard 1BR's, but still...it has a full kitchen and a washer and dryer, as well as 2, separate rooms....for the same amount of points as a single room at Riviera. Fortunately, for this trip, it is just myself and my 16-year-old daughter so switching the first two nights of our stay to a studio was not a tough decision. If DH and DD18 would have decided to come along too, the decision would have been a lot harder. Riviera is a GORGEOUS resort...but so is AKV...and since we only own 150 points, it is really hard to stomach that points chart at Riviera.

 

[spot28]

I think that may be the main point you're missing! It's not the room is terrible or ridiculously small (I'm sure I've stayed in smaller), but for the same number of points you could get a full sized studio at Old Key West or Boardwalk, or for less you can get a value studio at Animal Kingdom. This room is small by comparison.

Yes, exactly hat's what I meant when I said "Oh, see I'm not a DVC member" I have no insight to the points. But for non DVC members, if the cost if right they should consider the tower studios. Other reivews (outside here) had me quite concerned we were going to be claustrophobic, so much so we almost didn't stay there but glad I did and want to share some positivity. I had org posted this under resorts board but the moderator moved it here.

 

[spot28]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. And then I looked over your signature and saw that you and I have had almost the same lifetime of Disney, resorts, visits, you name it. You don't list any cruises but all the rest is the same. I remember going to Disney World for the first time in 1979 and being SO AMAZED AND HAPPY. Anyway, more than anything I loved your signature and spending a few minutes reliving it all.

Yes, I'm a cruise-a-phobe but if I did one it'd be Disney.

 

[jimmymc]

I'm happy you enjoyed it!

Like others mentioned, I think the controversy is the point charts and cost. You can get a regular DVC studio at a lot of resorts for the same points, or a tower room at Coronado Springs for less cash.

 

[MomOTwins]

I'm happy you enjoyed it!

Like others mentioned, I think the controversy is the point charts and cost. You can get a regular DVC studio at a lot of resorts for the same points, or a tower room at Coronado Springs for less cash.

Just replied to the other thread as well on the subject of the studios, but this thread's comments on point cost are a little different so replying here too.

I'm a Riviera owner, and I kind of think the tower studio is designed with owners in mind--the people who were willing to pay a big premium over resale at some other resort, because they really want to be able to stay at Riviera. For me, I'd rather be at Riviera resort in a tower studio than a one-bedroom suite at Old Key West, which we tried on our last trip and wasn't for us (room was nice, but couldn't stand the bus transportation with all the internal stops, and limited on-site quick service dining). Owners get the advantage of booking at 11 months, and it is fewer points than other Riviera options. So I think if you look at it that way--that it is not a cheaper option than other resorts, but a cheaper way for people who want to stay at Riviera to stay there, the point chart makes sense.

 

[kristenabelle]

It's becoming hard to defend any point chart, however I have to wonder, all these comments about bathroom size? How much time are these people spending in their bathroom? ROFL. I'd rather have more living space myself. Disney is becoming more and more like the Casinos in Vegas, "make the rooms small with fewer amenities to get them out of their rooms, and into the casinos and restaurants."
We toured this resort, read the brochure, and have no desire to stay here or the Grand Floridian. I love that Disney has so much variety, something everyone can find to love.

For me, it's much less about the size and more about the upgrades - I love our home BWV, but the showers/bathrooms are old and outdated. The shower space at Riviera was so nice, and a little slice of luxury after a long day at the parks. I'm a sucker for super nice bathrooms.

 

[jimmymc]

Just replied to the other thread as well on the subject of the studios, but this thread's comments on point cost are a little different so replying here too.

I'm a Riviera owner, and I kind of think the tower studio is designed with owners in mind--the people who were willing to pay a big premium over resale at some other resort, because they really want to be able to stay at Riviera. For me, I'd rather be at Riviera resort in a tower studio than a one-bedroom suite at Old Key West, which we tried on our last trip and wasn't for us (room was nice, but couldn't stand the bus transportation with all the internal stops, and limited on-site quick service dining). Owners get the advantage of booking at 11 months, and it is fewer points than other Riviera options. So I think if you look at it that way--that it is not a cheaper option than other resorts, but a cheaper way for people who want to stay at Riviera to stay there, the point chart makes sense.

I can see preferring it to OKW for all the reasons you mentioned, but when you consider somewhere like Boardwalk or Bay Lake Tower, which have arguably better locations and normal sized studios for the same point cost as a Tower Studio room, it loses it's value.