PLEASE,,,,,Stop calling Riviera an EPCOT resort.

[john7994]

In fairness, at 10 years something like 99% of all children are 122cm/48in or taller--which is the tallest height requirement at WDW. They can do anything in the parks at that point.

https://www.who.int/tools/growth-reference-data-for-5to19-years/indicators/height-for-age

You make way too much sense in your posts

 

[Vulnox]

Riviera is absolutely an Epcot resort, for all the reasons others mentioned and the OPs issue with the skyliner doesn't detract from it at all. May as well complain about a bus getting a flat tire or getting to the bus station as your bus just leaves if you are going to complain about weather or other rare issues that impact the Skyliner.

We have stayed at Riviera once and CBR once, both times using the skyliner; to get back and forth to Epcot (and HS) and never had an issue, longest wait was about ten minutes, and we used it several times during the trip, including just heading back to the hotel to take a mid-day break. It took us about 10-15 minutes from the Epcot entrance to our hotel room door. About equal to walking from Bay Lake Tower to Magic Kingdom, and it seems most would consider BLT to be an MK resort, and it's also a walk that would be miserable when it's pouring rain and lightning. So why does the Skyliner only get knocked for it? All that matters is the time it takes most of the day, which is 10-15 minutes, with some variable time added if you have to wait.

 

[NVDISFamily]

I guess I'll nibble on the bait.

As a somewhat newer DVC member (first points purchased in 2022) I absolutely considered Riviera an EPCOT/HS area resort and this weighed heavily into my desire to purchase points at this property vs VGF at the time. As a person who makes it to Disneyland for a few days every month or two, having a big bucket of points at a MK area resort was somewhat on a lower priority for us and EPCOT is the park we see ourselves wanting to visit more often as we age and spend more time at WDW in our retirement years.

CCV/WL also won out as our MK resort area of choice, but that's another topic...

For us, we had very little experience with WDW, the resorts, etc. We had done a lot of research and went in eyes wide open with the resale restrictions and all. Given our age and the fact that we'll likely live well past the 2042 expire of BC and BW, they just aren't a factor in our consideration and Riviera won our hearts. Our bucket of points was actually more of a mix of wanting to own there, and also as direct SAP (we purchased enough to get down to the low 160s per point and also got double points our first year). We have used them to stay at other resorts and just grabbed some rooms at VDH with them too.

I understand the appeal of BC and BW as likely "the best" EPCOT area DVC resorts. I very much look forward to booking a room there at 7 months one day (we only book the fancy rooms and go at less popular months so per the historical charts it should be possible). I've already had some magical EPCOT memories made at Riviera. During our fact finding/purchase trip in 2022 we weren't feeling the crazy crowds of people at EPCOT so we did a quick hop over to our new home we had just purchased and got a walk up at Topolino's. Enjoyed a great meal and then watched the fireworks while enjoying a beverage on the patio. It was a great night.

 

[PolyRob]

I know it was pointed out that Riviera and Caribbean Beach are currently labeled as Epcot Resorts on the Disney website. This isn't new special marketing for selling Riviera. It's physical location. It's been this way for awhile. I didn't see it mentioned, but the old Magical Express luggage tags had the "resort area" labeled in the Mickey head. There was MK, Epcot, Disney Springs, and AK. I stopped at Caribbean Beach multiples times on the way to Yacht Club/Beach Club.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

The good thing for OP and anyone who doesn't like Riviera being an Epcot resort area resort, despite Disney designating such for their purposes: you don't have to like it!

Also Riviera hate is sooo 2020-21, darling. The Internet has moved on to hatin' on VDH and the upcoming DVC cabins.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

They might as well be on two different planets, some can not understand the are similar, but not identical

I wouldn't even call them similar. MK, yes. But does CA have Epcot, AK, Studios, Blizzard Beach or Typhoon lagoon, Disney Springs (dumbest name change ever and kind of offensive), or all the resorts? No, it does not. One is a 2 day trip; the other is at least a week.

 

[NVDISFamily]

I wouldn't even call them similar. MK, yes. But does CA have Epcot, AK, Studios, Blizzard Beach or Typhoon lagoon, Disney Springs (dumbest name change ever and kind of offensive), or all the resorts? No, it does not. One is a 2 day trip; the other is at least a week.

I’m canceling a Disneyland reservation next week and spending the day at the third gate + water park - Knott’s. Knott’s has some great rides, food, etc. it’s about as far as getting from AKV to MK away. Yea Disneyland resort is not the same animal as WDW, but we have no problem having a great trip there for 4 to 8 nights when we can. WDW is a 10 to 14 night trip for us. Plus in terms of how much is packed into each acre, Disneyland resort is hard to beat.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I was brought up that if you didn’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.
Therefore I will refrain from saying Riviera is an ugly abomination to the DVC resort collection.

 

[Sammie]

You make way too much sense in your posts

At least you recognized that. Every time I post something that makes sense I get ignored. LOL> The why are YC/BC guests taking a bus from Epcot and the Amazon Prime crashed their site on Prime day got crickets. LOL>

 

[Sammie]

I was brought up that if you didn’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.
Therefore I will refrain from saying Riviera is an ugly abomination to the DVC resort collection.

Back door insults are still insuls. LOL. I think it's a lovely resort. Now Bay Lake Tower has nothing to recommend to me except location. Rooms are ugly and so is the tower itself.

 

[NVDISFamily]

Back door insults are still insults. I think it's a lovely resort. Now Bay Lake Tower has nothing to recommend except location. Rooms are ugly and so is the tower itself.

We hosted 25 at Riviera (and other properties) in June. Multiple rooms of various sizes. Had some feedback about the times the Skyliner had it's issues but other than that the resort received high praise from the family. They also stayed at CCV/BRV and AKV. Overall Riviera was ranked #1 or #2 of those. AKV was also at the top due to the family loving the animals. Our #1 (at WDW), CCV, was actually ranked lower but that's fine, it's nice that different people like different things. We also did a tour of SSR so I could show the family that as our "value" option for stays when the points are thin.

It's fun when you can come in with less of the historical baggage about Riviera (yes I agree it sucks it started the direct/resale point madness...). To us "less knowledgeable" people, it's a beautiful resort.

Also Riviera hate is sooo 2020-21

But it's so hard to let it go....

 

[Stargazer65]

Also Riviera hate is sooo 2020-21, darling.

But it's so hard to let it go....

The Internet has moved on to hatin' on VDH and the upcoming DVC cabins.

Please...we don't have to stop hating a previous resort just because new ones come into the mix.

People need to realize that resort hate shared is multiplied, not divided. That hating a new resort doesn’t diminish the hate we feel for an older resort. That people are capable of hating more than one resort. It's what binds us all together as a DVC family.

Now Bay Lake Tower has nothing to recommend except location. Rooms are ugly and so is the tower itself.

Bay Lake Tower is a work of Contemporary Art! From the curved rooms to the triangular dishes, everything is perfect.

 

[john7994]

At least you recognized that. Every time I post something that makes sense I get ignored. LOL> The why are YC/BC guests taking a bus from Epcot and the Amazon Prime crashed their site on Prime day got crickets. LOL>

Sorry if I overlooked your past contributions - I will endeavor to share the love better

 

[john7994]

Back door insults are still insults LOL. I think it's a lovely resort. Now Bay Lake Tower has nothing to recommend except location. Rooms are ugly and so is the tower itself.

I will say of the DVC resorts we have stayed at so far, BLT was by far my least favorite (except for the extra bathroom in the 1BD) - this is of course entirely subjective on my part.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

I’m canceling a Disneyland reservation next week and spending the day at the third gate + water park - Knott’s. Knott’s has some great rides, food, etc. it’s about as far as getting from AKV to MK away. Yea Disneyland resort is not the same animal as WDW, but we have no problem having a great trip there for 4 to 8 nights when we can. WDW is a 10 to 14 night trip for us. Plus in terms of how much is packed into each acre, Disneyland resort is hard to beat.

I have no issue with Disneyland: I hope to go at least once. My issue are the people that insist they're the same place and use the words interchangeably.

 

[tidefan]

Not to wade into a debate on the subjective merits of one property versus another...

But, how people feel about each individual DVC Resort is going to have about as many opinions as there are owners. Truth is that they are all great and individually, we are all going to have our preferences. For instance, now that our DD is in college, it's usually just DW and I traveling. That means a lot of studios. For those, we actually prefer BLT. Yes, it's small, but A) it has a great location, B) we think it has the best layout of any studio, especially the kitchenette area, which we use a lot, and C) it has easy parking which is important for us since we drive.

Now Aulani, we won't go unless we get at least a 1-bedroom because we feel like you have to have a kitchen in Hawaii as food is so expensive. In fact, we have always gotten a 2 bedroom and invited friends/family. It is probably our favorite overall DVC (and it really isn't close). When Disney got rid of AP's we figured it was actually cheaper to use our points in Hawaii than go to WDW, even though WDW is about an 8.5 hour drive away. (ETA: that calculus has changed now that AP's are back on the table)

Our specifics are not everyone else's though, so we all have our likes and dislikes based on what our own circumstances are. Also, we really do like every property, though we have our preferences of one over another. And sometimes it depends on the room type. For instance, we like SSR for studios, but prefer OKW or AKV Standard for 1/2 Bedrooms if we are trying to minimize points. For splurges, we prefer PVB or VGF1, but don't really like VGF2 because you can "put" the second bed away, so you have no living area. However, others may love the 2 bed setup at either VGF2 or OKW studios.

But, this being an internet message board, it fun to blow things out of proportion...

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Also Riviera hate is sooo 2020-21, darling. The Internet has moved on to hatin' on VDH and the upcoming DVC cabins.

Ah, youngsters can't hang onto the trash talk anymore like they used to. SSR hung in there for 16 years until DVC ruined it with a good refurb. In some circles it's still going strong. Riviera is still just a baby in the game.

 

[Smugpugmug]

SSR is a Universal resort for us. Easy highway access lol

Okay but I actually do this though lol I love staying at Saratoga and then going to Universal. I'm doing that in September for HHN.

The good thing for OP and anyone who doesn't like Riviera being an Epcot resort area resort, despite Disney designating such for their purposes: you don't have to like it!

Also Riviera hate is sooo 2020-21, darling. The Internet has moved on to hatin' on VDH and the upcoming DVC cabins.

I'm a #RivieraHater for life, baby! Don't care about the VDH tower.

 

[john7994]

Not to wade into a debate on the subjective merits of one property versus another...

But, how people feel about each individual DVC Resort is going to have about as many opinions as there are owners. Truth is that they are all great and individually, we are all going to have our preferences. For instance, now that our DD is in college, it's usually just DW and I traveling. That means a lot of studios. For those, we actually prefer BLT. Yes, it's small, but A) it has a great location, B) we think it has the best layout of any studio, especially the kitchenette area, which we use a lot, and C) it has easy parking which is important for us since we drive.

Now Aulani, we won't go unless we get at least a 1-bedroom because we feel like you have to have a kitchen in Hawaii as food is so expensive. In fact, we have always gotten a 2 bedroom and invited friends/family. It is probably our favorite overall DVC (and it really isn't close). When Disney got rid of AP's we figured it was actually cheaper to use our points in Hawaii than go to WDW, even though WDW is about an 8.5 hour drive away. (ETA: that calculus has changed now that AP's are back on the table)

Our specifics are not everyone else's though, so we all have our likes and dislikes based on what our own circumstances are. Also, we really do like every property, though we have our preferences of one over another. And sometimes it depends on the room type. For instance, we like SSR for studios, but prefer OKW or AKV Standard for 1/2 Bedrooms if we are trying to minimize points. For splurges, we prefer PVB or VGF1, but don't really like VGF2 because you can "put" the second bed away, so you have no living area. However, others may love the 2 bed setup at either VGF2 or OKW studios.

But, this being an internet message board, it fun to blow things out of proportion...

Not sure why you are responding to me … I was responding to another poster on their view, specifically of BLT and not all resorts, which I happened to share as well as acknowledged as a purely subjective view on my part.

 

[tidefan]

Not sure why you are responding to me … I was responding to another poster on their view, specifically of BLT and not all resorts, which I happened to share as well as acknowledged as a purely subjective view on my part.

Sorry, just hit reply to put my thoughts in. Nothing really pertaining to your post, so I've removed it!