Rethinking my entire DVC strategy...help!

[Jason&Michael]

Not to mention it's only one of 3 DVC resorts in the Epcot area

Agreed, and it’s also the only Epcot DVC resort that doesn’t expire in 2042. That was a huge selling point for us.

 

[pangyal]

@Sprinkles&Sprints what is it about that pizza?!? My son has openly declared his love for Riviera more than once, based on absolutely nothing other than their QS pizza. We own there, and have stayed there many times, but all he sees is the pizza.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

@Sprinkles&Sprints what is it about that pizza?!? My son has openly declared his love for Riviera more than once, based on absolutely nothing other than their QS pizza. We own there, and have stayed there many times, but all he sees is the pizza.

Haha, it could be worse. We own at AUL and our kids talk about it as the most magical place on earth (they have been to every Disney park except HKDL) and when I ask them what makes AUL so special they always say “the [freestyle] soda machines!” sometimes they will also mention the water slides as an afterthought. I mean, I appreciate sugar as much as the next gal, but couldn’t they at least mention the malasadas?

 

[dvc lover 1970]

I vote for number 2. It will get you the blue card, save the money and wait for YC if it happens, if not wait for bc and bw in 17 years.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I think it’s funny when RIV fans say their favorite part of the lobby is that it’s so unimpressive that no one wants to go see it….

I can’t help but think that it sounds like someone saying their favorite thing about there significant other is that they are so unimpressive that don’t have to worry about them ever cheating on them!

 

[intamin]

I think it’s funny when RIV fans say their favorite part of the lobby is that it’s so unimpressive that no one wants to go see it….

I can’t help but think that it sounds like someone saying their favorite thing about this significant other is that there person is so unimpressive that don’t have to worry about them ever cheating on them!

I do wish the lobby was grander at RIV, but I also like that it feels like the resort isn't overrun by guests who aren't staying there and most of the people who are there are members. It also wouldn't fit with a traditional hotel lobby that one would see in Europe although I still wish this was one of the things Disney had decided to go a little bigger on. I think the right size lobby for it would've been one more similar to Boardwalk/Beach Club. It doesn't need a giant cavernous lobby like AKV/CCV/VGF.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I do wish the lobby was grander at RIV, but I also like that it feels like the resort isn't overrun by guests who aren't staying there and most of the people who are there are members. It also wouldn't fit with a traditional hotel lobby that one would see in Europe although I still wish this was one of the things Disney had decided to go a little bigger on. I think the right size lobby for it would've been one more similar to Boardwalk/Beach Club. It doesn't need a giant cavernous lobby like AKV/CCV/VGF.

I understand your point. I am also not sure where the idea that European resorts (Riveria is a resort, not just a hotel) don’t have grand lobbies made it into the DVC zeitgeist …. especially in France and Italy….especially along the Riveria….

I’ve also never heard anyone complain….. “you know Animal Kingdom Lodge shouldn’t have a grand lobby because the hotels in Africa don’t have those grand lobbies….”

 

[intamin]

I understand your point. I am also not sure where the idea that European resorts (Riveria is a resort, not just a hotel) don’t have grand lobbies made it into the DVC zeitgeist …. especially in France and Italy….especially along the Riveria….

I’ve also never heard anyone complain….. “you know Animal Kingdom Lodge shouldn’t have a grand lobby because the hotels in Africa don’t have those grand lobbies….”

Lol that’s why I said I DO wish DVC had gone bigger with it even if it were a less authentic representation of the Riviera because they didn’t have to follow it that strictly or hell it may have simply been have been because of Cheapek.

Genuinely asking but are there a lot of African hotels surrounded by the savanna?

 

[walt34]

Lol that’s why I said I DO wish DVC had gone bigger with it even if it were a less authentic representation of the Riviera

That the size of the lobby is an authentic representation of hotels at the actual Riviera may be the Disney marketing line, but it has nothing to do with reality. Just google Le Negresco (from which the RIV was certainly inspired) and take a look at the royal reception hall if you don't believe me. Yes, there are also boutique hotels along the actual Riviera, but with more than 500 rooms, the RIV is certainly no boutique hotel. If they had taken the reception hall from the Negresco as an inspiration and scaled it to the size of RIV you would have gotten a ballroom to rival the GF.

The actual reason is probably that a large lobby doesn't earn you any money (while more rooms in the same space will) and that the change to mobile check-in has reduced the need for a large reception desk.

 

[intamin]

That the size of the lobby is an authentic representation of hotels at the actual Riviera may be the Disney marketing line, but it has nothing to do with reality. Just google Le Negresco (from which the RIV was certainly inspired) and take a look at the royal reception hall if you don't believe me. Yes, there are also boutique hotels along the actual Riviera, but with more than 500 rooms, the RIV is certainly no boutique hotel. If they had taken the reception hall from the Negresco as an inspiration and scaled it to the size of RIV you would have gotten a ballroom to rival the GF.

The actual reason is probably that a large lobby doesn't earn you any money (while more rooms in the same space will) and that the change to mobile check-in has reduced the need for a large reception desk.

Oh no I believe you, I’ve looked up hotel Negresco before lol. Which is why again I’ve said I wish they had gone larger with it.

Like I said before it’s more than likely a result of the Cheapek era. Much like Grand Floridian’s BPK building was where they put up new wallpaper and changed the interior design and called it a day. Riviera should have had a grander lobby. I’m not denying that. I’m not denying RIV’s lobby is one of the misses of the resort. Like if it had had a nice fountain or something in the middle it would’ve added a lot but the resort makes up for it in other ways if you can look past the curb appeal.

 

[walt34]

Like I said before it’s more than likely a result of the Cheapek era. Much like Grand Floridian’s BPK building was where they put up new wallpaper and changed the interior design and called it a day. Riviera should have had a grander lobby.

Cost cutting is what both decisions have in common. I actually like the rooms and the design of BPK and very much like the location resulting from converting the existing hotel building. Where they went Cheapek with BPK is with the noise insulation between rooms. This was a known problem and should have been fixed.

On a sunny day the RIV looks really nice. When you 'fly' past it on the skyliner on a cloudy day, with its imposing height and greyish colour, it looks like a grey castle that could have been named the 'Disney Villains' resort'.

 

[intamin]

Cost cutting is what both decisions have in common. I actually like the rooms and the design of BPK and very much like the location resulting from converting the existing hotel building. Where they went Cheapek with BPK is with the noise insulation between rooms. This was a known problem and should have been fixed.

On a sunny day the RIV looks really nice. When you 'fly' past it on the skyliner on a cloudy day, with its imposing height and greyish colour, it looks like a grey castle that could have been named the 'Disney Villains' resort'.

I mean even before Cheapek the noise issues were a problem, then you add that they didn’t even bother to fix up the elevators in their brand “new” DVC building. At the end of the day it was an easy flip for Disney.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

Controversial, but for me, BCV and BWV lobbies are not really all that much better than Riviera’s, they just have taller ceilings. I spend as little time in them as possible (BWV specifically stress me out for some reason lol) and it doesn’t really give me a wow factor (Yacht Club though ) And their rooms are just ok, too. What makes them so exceptional is Crescent Lake and walkability.

 

[atthebeachclub]

Cost cutting is what both decisions have in common. I actually like the rooms and the design of BPK and very much like the location resulting from converting the existing hotel building. Where they went Cheapek with BPK is with the noise insulation between rooms. This was a known problem and should have been fixed.

On a sunny day the RIV looks really nice. When you 'fly' past it on the skyliner on a cloudy day, with its imposing height and greyish colour, it looks like a grey castle that could have been named the 'Disney Villains' resort'.

I really can’t get over the outside of the building. Pictures of the inside look nice, but the outside is another story. It is dull and lacks ornamentation.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

@Sprinkles&Sprints what is it about that pizza?!? My son has openly declared his love for Riviera more than once, based on absolutely nothing other than their QS pizza. We own there, and have stayed there many times, but all he sees is the pizza.

It came up again last night. We're heading back to WDW in a few weeks and arriving around dinnertime on Day 1. Last night she declared "We need to get Riviera pizza our first night! " (Note: we're not even staying at Riv).

I mean, at least they appreciate the little things??!! In a few years they could be asking to go to California Grill every night so I'll take the pizza

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Controversial, but for me, BCV and BWV lobbies are not really all that much better than Riviera’s, they just have taller ceilings. I spend as little time in them as possible (BWV specifically stress me out for some reason lol) and it doesn’t really give me a wow factor (Yacht Club though ) And their rooms are just ok, too. What makes them so exceptional is Crescent Lake and walkability.

Agree 100% (and as a BWV owner).

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

I really can’t get over the outside of the building. Pictures of the inside look nice, but the outside is another story. It is dull and lacks ornamentation.

Pictures? Wait, you’ve never been? You should definitely make a little trip out there next time you’re in WDW, I think it’ll surprise you. And do a little tour, have a meal, spend a night or two. There’s clearly something about it that doesn’t convey in pictures that has us RIV fans staying loyal and constantly has it sold out on its cash-side, despite its ridiculous prices. Even the most anti-RIV folks here in the boards have begrudgingly come around to really liking it, if not loving it and becoming an owner. And at least if you still don’t like it, you can definitively say why.

C’mon, come to the dark side, we have great coffee (they only drug the water a little bit to make us love it)

 

[AstroBlasters]

Agree 100% (and as a BWV owner).

The BWV lobby stresses you out?

 

[walt34]

Even the most anti-RIV folks here in the boards have begrudgingly come around to really liking it, if not loving it and becoming an owner.

This seems to be a somewhat broad claim. I’ve never been anti-RIV but I liked it less after visiting. This might be just me (it probably doesn’t connect with me because I’m too familiar with actual mediterranean hotels - it doesn’t feel special to me) but visiting didn’t help. It can see how it is a great hotel to others - just not that interesting to me.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Controversial, but for me, BCV and BWV lobbies are not really all that much better than Riviera’s, they just have taller ceilings. I spend as little time in them as possible (BWV specifically stress me out for some reason lol) and it doesn’t really give me a wow factor (Yacht Club though ) And their rooms are just ok, too. What makes them so exceptional is Crescent Lake and walkability.

I think my expectation levels for the BC/BW are lower because they were built over 20 years ago and the point chart is so cheap…. whereas RIV is marketed as “The Grand” of EPCOT…. and priced as such…