Poll: Tell me where to go...RR or VGF

[Stargazer65]

7 month window for the second half of our October split stay is coming up. We were going to shoot for a 1 BR villa in one of the above. We were thinking to try for VGF, but we have enough direct points at present for RR standard or preferred, so we could do that instead. Good chance I get locked out of a choice as well. It looks like RR Preferred view is easiest to get, we'll see. In the meantime just for fun, take this quick poll and tell me where to go.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Where are you staying for the first half? Are you planning on a Halloween party at MK for those dates?

 

[mamaofsix]

I voted VGF because I simply like the location and suites better, however: have you checked availability? I would be very shocked if there were any 1 bedroom VGF available at the 7 month mark in October...

You will have better luck with RR (preferred, not likely standard).

 

[Stargazer65]

Where are you staying for the first half? Are you planning on a Halloween party at MK for those dates?

Vero Beach. No Halloween party, and no particular plans. This is a more laid back trip for DW and me. We may go to Universal for a day since our passes are good there to the end of year. If we go to a WDW TP, it'll likely be a one-off.

 

[Stargazer65]

have you checked availability? I would be very shocked if there were any 1 bedroom VGF available at the 7 month mark in October...

Yes, still a possibility for all choices, but that will change quickly. I do think Riviera Preferred is a shoe-in if I'm online at 8.

 

[CarolynFH]

I’d check the boxes for all three and see what shows as available. We’ve only had one night at RIV, in a 1BR standard, but stayed a week in a VGF 1BR, so I’d probably choose RIV (either view) out of the 3.

 

[lnR_Texas]

Just got back from a week in a 2 BR at RIV and loved it! The living area (which is the same for the 1BR) is organized really well with lots of space and seating, and the kitchen does not intrude in the living area as much as other DVC resorts. Haven’t stayed at VGF, but looking at photos I would say that I like the decor at RIV better. But of course, that’s just a personal opinion. Enjoy and good luck!

 

[intamin]

Vero Beach. No Halloween party, and no particular plans. This is a more laid back trip for DW and me. We may go to Universal for a day since our passes are good there to the end of year. If we go to a WDW TP, it'll likely be a one-off.

If you’re not going to the parks I’d recommend VGF for the monorail loop to resort hop. I love RIV but if you’re not doing the parks the skyliner doesn’t really do anything for you unless you love the Crescent Lake resorts.

 

[tjkraz]

I'd pick Riviera for two reasons:
- Riviera is more right-sized for the number of rooms than GF in my mind. Pools, lobby and quick service dining, in particular, tend to be a lot more crowded at GF than RIV.
- Grand Floridian and neighboring poly are both major construction sites for the foreseeable future. GF still has a couple buildings to be renovated plus the main lobby. No way of knowing when those will be done. And the Poly tower, which is very close to the GF DVC building where 1BR villas are located, will be under construction for almost 2 years.

Skyliner to Boardwalk / Beach Club area provides easy access to to other restaurants and shopping. Plus it also travels to POP & AOA, and Caribbean Beach is walkable.

 

[kboo]

I own at both, and love both, but if you're not likely to do much park time, I would go with RR. It is more low key and feels a little more like an escape. (Then again after Vero maybe you want to see the castle, etc.)

The other thing is - if you have a shot at 1br standard, you *may* be able to see both MK and EP fireworks from your balcony.

We also love popping over to Sebastian's Bistro (at CBR) for arrival night dinner. And Topolino's is one of our favorites.

 

[Sandisw]

Those are my top two but RIV is always first choice. I find it more relaxing if you are spending time at the resort pools and not quite as crowded a resort as VGF.

 

[sndral]

I’m a GF fan. Love the dinning options, GF cafe, Citricos, Narcoossees, Enchanted Rose, 2 pool bars, Gasparillas on the patio out front during MK fireworks. Love riding the boats over to the Poly or over to the MK to hop on the WL boat for lunch at Geyser point. Swinging by the Basin store on the second floor for bath bombs for the soaker tub, hanging out in the lobby listening to the piano player, or just strolling around the extensive grounds.
That said, there is construction at the GF & while they’ll likely be done w/ the last of the outer buildings by October, they may be working on the lobby by then - 1900 park fair and the tea room have yet to reopen, and there’s the Poly construction going on next door which I found more interesting than disruptive in Dec., but others might see it differently.

 

[Minniesgal]

Thing I don’t like about Riviera it’s a bit middle of nowhere. VGF has plenty of places to go visit and eat very close

 

[Stargazer65]

Vote tally has tightened up, still leaning VGF. I'm walking a VGF standard room since I don't have to borrow for that (point restrictions will force me to borrow for RIV). Tomorrow I can finalize my choice, it seems unlikely I'll get blocked by a VGF owner at this point. So far a RIV 1BR SV is still available on the RAT for my dates, so potential to switch it may still exist tomorrow morning as well.

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

We just did a split stay RR/GF one-bedroom in December. Both are awesome, but due to the construction at GF, I'd lean Riviera. I also think Riviera is laid out better.

 

[WDWFERN]

We love RIV for a primarily resort stay. It is a very relaxing and beautiful place to spend the day. We like walking in the morning on the loop through CBR, grabbing a coffee and croissant, and then spending time at the pool. I agree the sizing at the resort is great and adds to the relaxing ambiance, as we can always find a chair at the pool and Primo Piatto never seems overly crowded. It is also fun to take the skyliner to the Boardwalk area to grab ice cream or a meal. The dining options at CBR add variety too. If we want to have dinner at one of the MK resorts we just grab an Uber/Lyft. It is super convenient and adds very little to the overall cost of the trip.

 

[ehh]

I reckon all four view categories for 1BR at these resorts will be available tomorrow at 8am (and probably even past). I'd even bet that VGF SV will be the first to book up, not RIV SV.

I voted Riviera. I think the only time I'd choose VGF over RIV would be if we were planning to eat at V&A one of the nights.

 

[Stargazer65]

All done, reservation made!

 

[mamaofsix]

All done, reservation made!

What did you end up booking?

 

[Stargazer65]

What did you end up booking?

I was going to just go with whatever the poll said, but everybody kept on making good arguments for both. At the last moment I couldn't make up my mind, and I ended up flipping a coin!

It landed on the Riviera side, and I booked a 1 BR SV there.

Probably just as well since I had a glut of banked direct points to use in 2023 anyway, and I was thinking I should use them for RIV. I can use my resale points for VGF, and I suspect we'll do that in 2024.