Ned help picking Resort for Anniversary Stay

[kbill07]

Hi everyone, DW and I wanted get some feedback on where we should stay for our ten year anniversary. We are planning on going for two nights. I love doing split stays because I hate having to take transportation back from the parks at night. With that said, the majority of our WDW trips we have stayed at Yacht Club, Beach Club, or Poly. With YC/BC being closed, we are torn between picking a new Epcot and MK resort. On the Epcot said we are debating between Riveria Studio or BWV Preferred Room (standard not available). On the MK side we are debating between CCV, BR, Poly, and BLT studios. All of the rooms are the same price except for the Poly. I believe the Poly is around $60 (will rent points) more expensive. With no kids on this trip, we would like to try something new. We really want to try out one of the Wilderness Lodge resorts and I really want to stay at Riviera as well. We probably spend one day at MK and the other two days at Epcot and HS. We also plan on going to pool in the afternoon on our second day. Was hoping to get feedback on where the community would recommend staying. How does the Riviera pool compare to Wilderness Lodge? What is the boat ride like back to Wilderness Lodge? Is it worth doing split stay for only two nights?

 

[andy_dangg]

I’d personally recommend Riviera, the pool is beautiful and the resort is brand new and really nice. If you’re spending 2/3 of your time at Skyliner parks, I think I’d def recommend Riviera because the Skyliner is such a time saver. Wilderness Lodge looks lovely—I’ll be there later this month—but in your case, I’d pick Riviera. Great dining too! Love Primo Piatto!

Boardwalk would be a nice choice, but if the price difference is insignificant, I’d choose Riviera for less walking and newer rooms.

 

[rwdavis2]

I would never do a split stay for 2 nights. Moving is too much trouble. If you've never stayed at Wilderness Lodge I would recommend it. The boat ride back to WL is just a boat ride. Nothing special or magical about it. I would recommend it over a bus.

 

[kbill07]

I’d personally recommend Riviera, the pool is beautiful and the resort is brand new and really nice. If you’re spending 2/3 of your time at Skyliner parks, I think I’d def recommend Riviera because the Skyliner is such a time saver. Wilderness Lodge looks lovely—I’ll be there later this month—but in your case, I’d pick Riviera. Great dining too! Love Primo Piatto!

Boardwalk would be a nice choice, but if the price difference is insignificant, I’d choose Riviera for less walking and newer rooms.

Have you stayed at Riveria and gone to the pool? Wife wants to know which pool is better.

 

[kbill07]

I would never do a split stay for 2 nights. Moving is too much trouble. If you've never stayed at Wilderness Lodge I would recommend it. The boat ride back to WL is just a boat ride. Nothing special or magical about it. I would recommend it over a bus.

I was for split stay at the beginning but I think you might be right. You don't think it would be a pain to get to Epcot from WL?

 

[andy_dangg]

Have you stayed at Riveria and gone to the pool? Wife wants to know which pool is better.

I haven’t personally stayed at Riviera, but I’ve visited both resorts and I’d give the slight edge to Riviera. The quiet pool there is really nice and has great seating. To be fair, Wilderness Lodge also has a great quiet pool. The main pool at Riviera has a really cool looking slide as well, and is zero entry. Wilderness Lodge’s pools are nice, but the pools at Riviera are more “luxurious” looking if that’s what you’re going for.

 

[andy_dangg]

I also don’t know if you’re considering Copper Creek or Boulder Ridge at Wilderness Lodge, but the rooms at Boulder Ridge definitely look a little on the older side, especially compared to Riviera and Copper Creek. Again, I’m staying at Boulder Ridge in a few weeks and am SO excited, but it’s still something to be aware of.

 

[TCRAIG]

I’d book Grand Floridian

 

[kbill07]

I also don’t know if you’re considering Copper Creek or Boulder Ridge at Wilderness Lodge, but the rooms at Boulder Ridge definitely look a little on the older side, especially compared to Riviera and Copper Creek. Again, I’m staying at Boulder Ridge in a few weeks and am SO excited, but it’s still something to be aware of.

Curious, why did you decide to stay at Boulder Ridge then?

 

[hedberg1661]

For the EC area I would recommend the Swan and Dolphin. Great dining options - proximity to EC and DHS - fantastic pool complex.

For the MK area I would recommend either the CR (main tower) for a short walk to MK. The pool is fine but nothing special. Good dining options.
I would also recommend WL. Good dining options and a nice boat ride to MK. The pool area is nice and I just love the whole feel of that resort.

 

[andy_dangg]

Curious, why did you decide to stay at Boulder Ridge then?

We were booking a confirmed DVC rental reservation and it was too good to pass up ($140ish a night).

The rooms don’t look ratty by any means, but just haven’t been renovated super recently. But the rooms are a little larger than Copper Creek, and more of the rooms seem to have lake views, so I’m not complaining. We were initially booked at Pop so this is def an upgrade

 

[kbill07]

I’d book Grand Floridian

That would be on the list but they aren't open when we are visiting.

 

[TCRAIG]

That would be on the list but they aren't open when we are visiting.

Rent points and stay on the DVC side?

 

[CynBeth]

I also would not do a split stay for 2 nights. At WL you can take a bus to Epcot or take a boat to CR and then monorail to the TTC for the Epcot monorail.

 

[kwdw]

I was for split stay at the beginning but I think you might be right. You don't think it would be a pain to get to Epcot from WL?

Um, no. The pain of a split stay for two nights would be much worse!

Given I don't like the Riveria studio layout at all myself (too small/snobby, IMO), I'd suggest one of the MK options since that will be new for you. I loved my BL stay in a studio - but that's because I loved the walking distance to MK and the set up of the kitchen area there as that was important to me. I think the BL pool area is nothing to write home about. I think the WL area seems romantic - so maybe I'd suggest that given its an anniversary trip.

 

[03GirlsMom]

I haven’t had the opportunity to stay at the Riviera resort yet but WL is fantastic. I think it would be perfect for an anniversary trip

 

[Blondie58]

For an anniversary I would book the Grand Floridian in the main building for two nights. However, since the NBA is there and I don't know when your 10th anniversary is, I would definitely go to the Riviera if GF in not available. Breakfast at Topolinos in the Riviera is deluxe. Happy Anniversary whenever it may be AND many more years of happiness and blessings.