Resort Questions/Recommendations

[Girlstar30]

Alright I have some resort questions for you guys! Sorry it will be a hodgepodge of questions about different resorts!

Beach Club Villas

(A) Is a cabana at BCV "worth it?" How early do you have to be down there to get a seat and what is your favorite area to sit in?
(B) I know about the lazy river and waterslide at the pool, is there anything else it has, I hear people talk about it like its its own water park?

Polynesian Island Tower
(A) Which area is best out of the indoor terrace spaces to watch the fireworks? How early should we get there to get the best seat?
(B) How early should we get to LAVA Pool for seats? Are there hot tubs?
(C) Where should we sit on the beach for fireworks viewing and how early?

Riviera
(A) Where should we ask to sit at Topolinos for dinner? Is the food good for dinner, ive heard mixed reviews
(B) Coffee lovers, what are your recommendations?

Vero Beach
(A) Can you see the turtles in September?
(B) What are your favorite activities they offer? (Nearby and at resort?)
(C) Favorite restaurants on and off site?

Do any of these resorts have a pool with a volley ball net?

Anything else you love/recommend/insider tips for these resorts?

Any advice appreciated, TIA

 

[VGCgroupie]

You should add a question about noseeums at VB, are they there in Sept? Since I know you are not a fan of bugs.

 

[Girlstar30]

You should add a question about noseeums at VB, are they there in Sept? Since I know you are not a fan of bugs.

I was told regular bug spray would work but yes if anyone has more insight about noseeums do tell!! I think lovebugs scare me more i know they dont bite but at least with noseeums I dont see em

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I can answer the BCV section. I don't have actual experience to answer your other questions. Yes, the cabanas at Stormalong Bay are worth it (at least to us). There are only 4 of them (unless they add more as part of the current refurb), and they are extremely difficult to get. So if you want to try and get one, you need to be ready to book 60 days out (or 60 days plus the length of your reservation at BCV). The pool does have a very, very lazy river and a pretty cool slide. I don't think of it as a water park, though. There's a fun kids area with a shallower pool and lots of sand to play in.

The pool opens around 10AM most days (at least in Dec-Mar when we tend to visit), and so would the cabanas. If you have a cabana, it doesn't matter when you get there, you'll have chairs. Otherwise without a cabana, getting there in the morning should be fine for a few lounge chairs, depending on the weather.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

Alright I have some resort questions for you guys! Sorry it will be a hodgepodge of questions about different resorts!

Beach Club Villas

(A) Is a cabana at BCV "worth it?" How early do you have to be down there to get a seat and what is your favorite area to sit in?
(B) I know about the lazy river and waterslide at the pool, is there anything else it has, I hear people talk about it like its its own water park?

Polynesian Island Tower
(A) Which area is best out of the indoor terrace spaces to watch the fireworks? How early should we get there to get the best seat?
(B) How early should we get to LAVA Pool for seats? Are there hot tubs?
(C) Where should we sit on the beach for fireworks viewing and how early?

Riviera
(A) Where should we ask to sit at Topolinos for dinner? Is the food good for dinner, ive heard mixed reviews
(B) Coffee lovers, what are your recommendations?

Vero Beach
(A) Can you see the turtles in September?
(B) What are your favorite activities they offer? (Nearby and at resort?)
(C) Favorite restaurants on and off site?

Do any of these resorts have a pool with a volley ball net?

Anything else you love/recommend/insider tips for these resorts?

Any advice appreciated, TIA

Got there an hour early back in April and there was no seating so watched from the lawn area.

 

[Girlstar30]

I can answer the BCV section. I don't have actual experience to answer your other questions. Yes, the cabanas at Stormalong Bay are worth it (at least to us). There are only 4 of them (unless they add more as part of the current refurb), and they are extremely difficult to get. So if you want to try and get one, you need to be ready to book 60 days out (or 60 days plus the length of your reservation at BCV). The pool does have a very, very lazy river and a pretty cool slide. I don't think of it as a water park, though. There's a fun kids area with a shallower pool and lots of sand to play in.

The pool opens around 10AM most days (at least in Dec-Mar when we tend to visit), and so would the cabanas. If you have a cabana, it doesn't matter when you get there, you'll have chairs. Otherwise without a cabana, getting there in the morning should be fine for a few lounge chairs, depending on the weather.

Thank you! Im going to try for the cabana but not expecting it! Im sure others have a leg up with longer reservations! Wish there were more!

 

[Girlstar30]

Got there an hour early back in April and there was no seating so watched from the lawn area.

Im thinking im going to start stalking at 2.5 hours

 

[muppets3d]

As far as Riviera we've always sat near the window at Topolino's but it doesn't really matter where you sit, if you're there during fireworks you're going to want to go out on the balcony anyway.

As for the coffee question, La Petit Cafe is very popular but I'm afraid I just drink the stuff in the urns down at Primo Piatto (or brewed in my villa).

 

[Girlstar30]

As far as Riviera we've always sat near the window at Topolino's but it doesn't really matter where you sit, if you're there during fireworks you're going to want to go out on the balcony anyway.

As for the coffee question, La Petit Cafe is very popular but I'm afraid I just drink the stuff in the urns down at Primo Piatto (or brewed in my villa).

Is there outdoor seating for topolinos?

 

[muppets3d]

Is there outdoor seating for topolinos?

There is seating out on the balcony but I don't think there's any wait service out there. It's more a place for you to congregate before/during/after fireworks, or if you're waiting for a table or whatever.

 

[Sandisw]

I love the food and drinks at Toppolinos! But, if there are not a lot of options so if someone wants food that is more mainstay, I don’t think it’s a good choice.

We sat at the bar but the views for dinner aren’t anything I can honestly say I even thought about.

For coffee? Well, my favorite is this almond milk cold brew with Jamison whiskey and whipped cream!!

 

[Cfabar1]

I love the food and drinks at Toppolinos! But, if there are not a lot of options so if someone wants food that is more mainstay, I don’t think it’s a good choice.

We sat at the bar but the views for dinner aren’t anything I can honestly say I even thought about.

For coffee? Well, my favorite is this almond milk cold brew with Jamison whiskey and whipped cream!!

I don't know how, but I would think sitting outside on that terrace in the back of Topolinos would be a lot of fun. Unsure if it is first come first serve only or if it is reservation based.

 

[sethschroeder]

Topolinos dinner is one of the better places and consistent.

Just remember it's a seafood and pasta place. If you get a steak or something not sure how it is but I would be going elsewhere if that's what I wanted.

Stormalong is nice but I wouldn't call it a Waterpark. Hopefully they increased the speed of the lazy river with the refurb as well.

 

[Girlstar30]

Topolinos dinner is one of the better places and consistent.

Just remember it's a seafood and pasta place. If you get a steak or something not sure how it is but I would be going elsewhere if that's what I wanted.

Stormalong is nice but I wouldn't call it a Waterpark. Hopefully they increased the speed of the lazy river with the refurb as well.

I love Pasta, I will be getting that i prefer a lazy river than a crazy one lol so hopefully its in between

 

[Girlstar30]

I love the food and drinks at Toppolinos! But, if there are not a lot of options so if someone wants food that is more mainstay, I don’t think it’s a good choice.

We sat at the bar but the views for dinner aren’t anything I can honestly say I even thought about.

For coffee? Well, my favorite is this almond milk cold brew with Jamison whiskey and whipped cream!!

I am so excited, I want to go now!!

 

[Middle of Main Street]

Thank you! Im going to try for the cabana but not expecting it! Im sure others have a leg up with longer reservations! Wish there were more!

BCV did have a volleyball "net" last time we stayed. It was a line, but it got a lot of use all day from lots of guests, so it was not competitive. In my experience, if you go at opening, you will have no trouble getting regular lounge chairs out in the sun. Go 15 minutes early if you want to be in a specific spot. The same timing applies to Poly's main pool. I have only done one stay there, but I waited at a different gate than the main one and was able to scan in when it opened at Poly.

 

[Pluto777]

Probably been answered before BUT...
Can anyone state EXACTLY what a studio at BCV, PVB and BLT will have in the kitchen?
For example s there always a microwave, minifridge WITH freezer, microwavable dish to cook with and a can opener? Inquiring family needs to know! Thanks : )

 

[muppets3d]

Probably been answered before BUT...
Can anyone state EXACTLY what a studio at BCV, PVB and BLT will have in the kitchen?
For example s there always a microwave, minifridge WITH freezer, microwavable dish to cook with and a can opener? Inquiring family needs to know! Thanks : )

There are video walkthroughs of each resort where you can see what the kitchenette is equipped with. All deluxe studio kitchenettes have the same equipment. Some like Riviera have real plates and silverware, but most provide disposable.

 

[Pluto777]

Thanks, you have a link you can post? If these 3 resorts are disposable plates/cups only, do they also have anything I can use to heat food in the microwave?
Thanks again!

 

[The Jackal]

Thanks, you have a link you can post? If these 3 resorts are disposable plates/cups only, do they also have anything I can use to heat food in the microwave?
Thanks again!

Just paper plates and bowls or the limited resorts that have real plates and bowls.