Is Rivera worth the cost?

[ACN2]

I currently have reservations at Riveria, POR and Swan. I just don’t know what to keep. I normally stay at deluxes these days, but I’m having a hard time justifying the extra cost of Rivieria. It’s almost $1k over Swan and I’m just not getting the luxury vibe like GF or Poly. Am I wrong? Who has been since opening?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I think it depends on what you are looking for in your vacation. We stayed in a 1-bedroom at RIV in December and absolutely loved it. The room was huge, well-appointed and comfortable and the resort amenities (pool and restaurants) were very nice. We also enjoyed using the Skyliner.

That being said, if you are booked in a studio at RIV and are trying to compare it to a room at Swan or GF, I would seriously consider saving the $1K and staying at the Swan. I find the Swan rooms to be incredibly comfortable, it has a great pool complex and some of the best restaurants in WDW. You also get the walk to EP and boat/walk/Skyliner to DHS.

If you wanted more space and are booked in a 1- or 2-bedroom at RIV, I would say keep it. If it's a studio, I would switch to the Swan.

 

[Wild4Walt]

I haven't stayed at the Riverside yet but was wondering if for a Mod you had looked at the Gran Destino Tower at the Coronado. For a mod property it looks amazing and seems to border the deluxe resorts. Everything here is also fresh and it offers some amazing fireworks views from the water view rooms if I remember correctly.

 

[DVCjj]

Just stayed at Riviera for 4 nights this week (Disney Visa promotion) and absolutely, positively loved it. If we weren't so old, I would definitely be adding a contract there to our BCV/Poly.

We declared it the 'perfect resort' and we have stayed at all DVC except SSR and Grand CA.

I definitely want to go back to the Riviera.

 

[DVCjj]

I haven't stayed at the Riverside yet but was wondering if for a Mod you had looked at the Gran Destino Tower at the Coronado. For a mod property it looks amazing and seems to border the deluxe resorts. Everything here is also fresh and it offers some amazing fireworks views from the water view rooms if I remember correctly.

Though I just posted how much we LOVED the Riviera, if you need to save money and want a moderate, I would definitely go to Destino Tower at CSR. I booked my daughter and son in law there recently when I couldn't get DVC and they loved it. We visited and were shocked how nice it was. The best moderate for sure.

Before being DVC members, we have stayed at both Swan & Dolphin many times. Though I feel they are very reasonable and a great benefit to be able to walk to Epcot and HS, I hope the ACN2 decides to stay at least one time at the Riviera. Now THAT is special.

 

[ACN2]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I’m currently booked in a deluxe studio, so not a one bedroom due to peak cost when we are going at Mardi Gras. What’s available was limited with my AP discount. Prices were extremely high so just wanted to make sure it was truly worth it. The rooms look beautiful, but the resort itself looked abit lackluster compared to the other deluxes we’ve stayed at (basically all of them) in this price tier. I didn’t want to be disappointed. I’m expecting a branded smell like GF or an awesome pool like BCV or Poly. It’s hard to tell from videos what Riveria has to offer for the littles, 8yo and 6yo.

 

[Hopefully]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I’m currently booked in a deluxe studio, so not a one bedroom due to peak cost when we are going at Mardi Gras. What’s available was limited with my AP discount. Prices were extremely high so just wanted to make sure it was truly worth it. The rooms look beautiful, but the resort itself looked abit lackluster compared to the other deluxes we’ve stayed at (basically all of them) in this price tier. I didn’t want to be disappointed. I’m expecting a branded smell like GF or an awesome pool like BCV or Poly. It’s hard to tell from videos what Riveria has to offer for the littles, 8yo and 6yo.

If those are your expectations you WILL be disappointed. It is none of those things.
stay at the Swan And save your money with more realistic expectations, I hope.

 

[snappy]

You can always do split stay and check Riveria out.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I’m currently booked in a deluxe studio, so not a one bedroom due to peak cost when we are going at Mardi Gras. What’s available was limited with my AP discount. Prices were extremely high so just wanted to make sure it was truly worth it. The rooms look beautiful, but the resort itself looked abit lackluster compared to the other deluxes we’ve stayed at (basically all of them) in this price tier. I didn’t want to be disappointed. I’m expecting a branded smell like GF or an awesome pool like BCV or Poly. It’s hard to tell from videos what Riveria has to offer for the littles, 8yo and 6yo.

RIV does have a kids' splash play area and some lawn games that they might enjoy. It also has a nice slide in the main pool area. Riding the Skyliner was fun for us, as well. In terms of theming, it's elegant and understated. It is definitely not in the realm of Poly, AKL or WL, for instance in terms of incredible theming. Again, I don't know if that's worth $1K over Swan where there is a nice pool complex, daily activities, a playground and s'mores each afternoon.