Indecision on Resort Choices

[BWVPam]

We have a Boardwalk Villa booked through our DVC points at the end of July for my 60th birthday. Hubby and I decided to go down a few days early before our adult kids join us and we decided to make a regular cash reservation so we didn't touch the rest of our points. We took advantage of the summer promotion rates and got a studio at Riviera for those three nights. Today I saw that there was a room available at Grand Floridian or a room at Beach Club. The Riviera was the cheapest, than about 200 more for Grand Floridian (Hotel Room) and than another $75 or so for Beach Club Studio. Torn about my decision now. Anyone stay at all three and have recommendations. We have stayed at Beach Club Studio before but not at Riviera or Grand Floridian. We also have annual passes, but haven't seen passholder discount for end of July now.

 

[Marionnette]

We have a Boardwalk Villa booked through our DVC points at the end of July for my 60th birthday. Hubby and I decided to go down a few days early before our adult kids join us and we decided to make a regular cash reservation so we didn't touch the rest of our points. We took advantage of the summer promotion rates and got a studio at Riviera for those three nights. Today I saw that there was a room available at Grand Floridian or a room at Beach Club. The Riviera was the cheapest, than about 200 more for Grand Floridian (Hotel Room) and than another $75 or so for Beach Club Studio. Torn about my decision now. Anyone stay at all three and have recommendations. We have stayed at Beach Club Studio before but not at Riviera or Grand Floridian. We also have annual passes, but haven't seen passholder discount for end of July now.

As a DVC member, I think you will find it difficult to book a studio at RIV using your points in the future unless you own there. And as more rooms are declared into DVC inventory later on, fewer will be available to book with cash. If you have hopes of ever staying at RIV, now is the absolute best time to do it.

 

[Becky Mouse]

We have a Boardwalk Villa booked through our DVC points at the end of July for my 60th birthday. Hubby and I decided to go down a few days early before our adult kids join us and we decided to make a regular cash reservation so we didn't touch the rest of our points. We took advantage of the summer promotion rates and got a studio at Riviera for those three nights. Today I saw that there was a room available at Grand Floridian or a room at Beach Club. The Riviera was the cheapest, than about 200 more for Grand Floridian (Hotel Room) and than another $75 or so for Beach Club Studio. Torn about my decision now. Anyone stay at all three and have recommendations. We have stayed at Beach Club Studio before but not at Riviera or Grand Floridian. We also have annual passes, but haven't seen passholder discount for end of July now.

When you stay at Boardwalk, you'll have easy access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It might be nice to stay at the Grand Floridian, where you will have easy access to Magic Kingdom.

 

[Marthasor]

I've stayed at all three. Since you are already booked in the EP area for the majority of your trip, I would do GF and stay in the MK area. GF is gorgeous. RIV and BC are lovely, too, but you will be in that area when you stay at BWV. I like to change things up when doing split stays.

 

[jbock]

I've stayed at all three. Since you are already booked in the EP area for the majority of your trip, I would do GF and stay in the MK area. GF is gorgeous. RIV and BC are lovely, too, but you will be in that area when you stay at BWV. I like to change things up when doing split stays.

Agreed. Assuming the extra $$ for GF isn't too much of a factor, lots of great walkable food options at monorail resorts. Of course doing a bunch of those adds even more $$ to the cost difference... so there's that. My second choice would be Riviera, b/c I haven't stayed there. Last choice BCV, not b/c it's not a great resort, it just doesn't offer you anything extra that you won't get to easily do when you're at BWV... Unless you're planning on spending the time at the pools. Then, maybe BCV. I'd still probably save the $75 (and spend it on F&B at GF/monorail resorts.

 

[BWVPam]

Yikes - now a studio has popped up at Polynesian - thoughts? We have never stayed in a DVC property at either Riviera or Polynesian. We will be paying cash for these nights wherever we decide to go.

 

[jbock]

Yikes - now a studio has popped up at Polynesian - thoughts? We have never stayed in a DVC property at either Riviera or Polynesian. We will be paying cash for these nights wherever we decide to go.

Where does it fall cost-wise?

 

[Marthasor]

Yikes - now a studio has popped up at Polynesian - thoughts? We have never stayed in a DVC property at either Riviera or Polynesian. We will be paying cash for these nights wherever we decide to go.

I would do Poly or GF for the same reason I listed above. Poly is gorgeous, but if you are planning on visiting MK during these days, GF gets a slight nod from me because of the new walking path.

 

[Dave006]

Yikes - now a studio has popped up at Polynesian - thoughts? We have never stayed in a DVC property at either Riviera or Polynesian. We will be paying cash for these nights wherever we decide to go.

I would skip the Polynesian studio. They are quite spacious as they are based on the old resort rooms that are about 415 sq.

The resort is still a construction zone, the Monorail does not stop at the resort as the Monorail station and the front of the Great Ceremonial House is being rebuilt. You either walk to the TTC,, take a bus to the MK or resort boat to MK and a bus to every other park.

Dave

 

[chasgeese]

What kind of studio is it at the Riviera? If it’s a tower studio, I would avoid as those rooms are pretty tiny.

 

[jbock]

I would skip the Polynesian studio. They are quite spacious as they are based on the old resort rooms that are about 415 sq.

The resort is still a construction zone, the Monorail does not stop at the resort as the Monorail station and the front of the Great Ceremonial House is being rebuilt. You either walk to the TTC,, take a bus to the MK or resort boat to MK and a bus to every other park.

Dave

End of July is a gamble in terms of Poly, eh? Reservations are open for 7/21, right? So, depending on exact dates, monorail *should* be running and construction zone *should* be [mostly] gone.... but delays happen.... I'm staying at Poly studio late June with the thinking that pool area will be less crowded but I'm starting to rethink re: construction noise... I had planned to walk to MK from Poly, but it might be a bit hot for that (for the 8 y/o... the heat doesn't bother me..)

 

[Dug720]

GF gets a slight nod from me because of the new walking path.

The path from Poly to GF ties into the path to the MK, so you can walk to and from MK and Poly.

 

[Sarahslay]

We have a Boardwalk Villa booked through our DVC points at the end of July for my 60th birthday. Hubby and I decided to go down a few days early before our adult kids join us and we decided to make a regular cash reservation so we didn't touch the rest of our points. We took advantage of the summer promotion rates and got a studio at Riviera for those three nights. Today I saw that there was a room available at Grand Floridian or a room at Beach Club. The Riviera was the cheapest, than about 200 more for Grand Floridian (Hotel Room) and than another $75 or so for Beach Club Studio. Torn about my decision now. Anyone stay at all three and have recommendations. We have stayed at Beach Club Studio before but not at Riviera or Grand Floridian. We also have annual passes, but haven't seen passholder discount for end of July now.

I've stayed at all 3 and I just love Riviera. Of course if you really want to walk to a park I highly recommend Beach Club, but I just personally can't get behind GF. While it's a gorgeous resort I just can't ever relax, and it gets so many people just coming to see the resort itself that it can feel a lot busier. I also just find the walk to Epcot and HS a lot better than the walk to just MK at GF. That being said, I am fond of Riviera, it's very relaxing and I am staying there again in a few weeks because it's so nice to get away to at the end of (or middle of) a busy day at the parks.

 

[jbock]

but I just personally can't get behind GF. While it's a gorgeous resort I just can't ever relax, and

I will admit the GF golf carts flying around the walkways at what seemed like top speed is a little much... I assume that's still happening..

 

[BWVPam]

Thank you for everyone's comments. We decided to just keep the room at the Riviera. It was the least expensive of all of the options and my husband likes the features a little better. We have stayed DVC for so long, that a regular hotel room is not appealing to him. I decided against the Poly due to all of the construction. I was hoping he would want to stay at Grand Floridian but he said he thought he would really prefer Riviera. I will let people know my thoughts when I return.

 

[Cheburashka]

We have a Boardwalk Villa booked through our DVC points at the end of July for my 60th birthday. Hubby and I decided to go down a few days early before our adult kids join us and we decided to make a regular cash reservation so we didn't touch the rest of our points. We took advantage of the summer promotion rates and got a studio at Riviera for those three nights. Today I saw that there was a room available at Grand Floridian or a room at Beach Club. The Riviera was the cheapest, than about 200 more for Grand Floridian (Hotel Room) and than another $75 or so for Beach Club Studio. Torn about my decision now. Anyone stay at all three and have recommendations. We have stayed at Beach Club Studio before but not at Riviera or Grand Floridian. We also have annual passes, but haven't seen passholder discount for end of July now.

I've stayed at both and they're both very nice. Grand Floridian gets the edge from me in summer because it has a slightly bigger pool area, and the monorail will be more convenient & reliable in summer weather than the Skyliner.