Rethinking my entire DVC strategy...help!

[AstroBlasters]

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

I didn’t know RIV was know for it’s great pizza…. that is a good tip.

 

[intamin]

I didn’t know RIV was know for it’s great pizza…. that is a good tip.

We tried taking engagement photos at RIV and in the middle of it I started joking with my now wife that our prop was disappearing

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

The BWV lobby stresses you out?

Oops, no. So maybe not 100% - more 95% . Agree w/ Merlin's point about the lack of a WOW factor with BWV and BCV lobbies. It doesn't bother me because the rest of the resort more than compensates. Feel the same about Riv.

I am definitely drawn to the breathtaking lobbies (GVF and CCV owner as well) but also appreciate that Riv's lobby isn't its own attraction...especially after long days navigating crowds.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

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.

I respect that. You’re basing it on actually visiting and staying. I never said that all those who disliked RIV went and then liked it but I’ve just read a few threads over the year where that came up.

And I really think going to Disney for an authentic Mediterranean experience or Polynesian experience or PNW experience is just setting yourself up for disappointment, it will never live up to reality (even if some do it better than other like WL). I’ve lived and spent a lot of time in France (I’ll be there in August woo!), as well, and I agree, it doesn’t really give me the same feels as the south of France, maybe just a hint of a feeling, but I like it for so many other reasons. I guess that’s my point. Don’t base it off pictures, go check it out and if you still don’t like it or like it even less, fair enough.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

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…

Has it been marketed as the Grand of Epcot? I’ve never heard that. That being said, it is reasonably on par with the villas at Grand Floridian. I’m not saying it’s better, I don’t think it is but it’s not so far off that it’s a ridiculous thought. Nothing will be the Grand Floridian but the rooms are as beautiful, if not more so. The grounds are smaller but still beautifully maintained and manicured. The restaurant and eateries, though fewer in number are all fantastic in their own right. The lobby is very meh but I love the voyagers lounge, le petit café and the courtyard which makes me feel neutral about the lobby now.

They have a gym, 2 pools, a splash area for kids, a recreation hall, some beach area all in a very comfortable footprint for easy access and comfort. It’s a pretty complete resort, if you don’t mind a bit more neutral color palette and subtle Disneyfication …here I am hyping the resort again when I said I’d stop lol it really isn’t for everyone I realize that but judge it by staying there, not by what people here on the internet say and show it to be. Or do what you want! I’m not here to police anyone’s thoughts or opinions!

 

[AstroBlasters]

Has it been marketed as the Grand of Epcot? I’ve never heard that. That being said, it is reasonably on par with the villas at Grand Floridian. I’m not saying it’s better, I don’t think it is but it’s not so far off that it’s a ridiculous thought. Nothing will be the Grand Floridian but the rooms are as beautiful, if not more so. The grounds are smaller but still beautifully maintained and manicured. The restaurant and eateries, though fewer in number are all fantastic in their own right. The lobby is very meh but I love the voyagers lounge, le petit café and the courtyard which makes me feel neutral about the lobby now.

They have a gym, 2 pools, a splash area for kids, a recreation hall, some beach area all in a very comfortable footprint for easy access and comfort. It’s a pretty complete resort, if you don’t mind a bit more neutral color palette and subtle Disneyfication …here I am hyping the resort again when I said I’d stop lol it really isn’t for everyone I realize that but judge it by staying there, not by what people here on the internet say and show it to be. Or do what you want! I’m not here to police anyone’s thoughts or opinions!

Nothing wrong with pointing out things you love about a home resort! We are all here to either gain knowledge or express our opinions!

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Has it been marketed as the Grand of Epcot? I’ve never heard that. That being said, it is reasonably on par with the villas at Grand Floridian. I’m not saying it’s better, I don’t think it is but it’s not so far off that it’s a ridiculous thought. Nothing will be the Grand Floridian but the rooms are as beautiful, if not more so. The grounds are smaller but still beautifully maintained and manicured. The restaurant and eateries, though fewer in number are all fantastic in their own right. The lobby is very meh but I love the voyagers lounge, le petit café and the courtyard which makes me feel neutral about the lobby now.

They have a gym, 2 pools, a splash area for kids, a recreation hall, some beach area all in a very comfortable footprint for easy access and comfort. It’s a pretty complete resort, if you don’t mind a bit more neutral color palette and subtle Disneyfication …here I am hyping the resort again when I said I’d stop lol it really isn’t for everyone I realize that but judge it by staying there, not by what people here on the internet say and show it to be. Or do what you want! I’m not here to police anyone’s thoughts or opinions!

I, for one, love it when you hype up Riv!!

 

[Tatebeck]

I, for one, love it when you hype up Riv!!

Me too lol! I don't really mind the small lobby and calm atmosphere, especially after a crazy day at the parks. One of the things I didn't like about the Polynesian when we stayed recently were all the people! Everywhere was always crowded and there were pretty much no last second dining reservations available if we wanted to change any of our plans. If a smaller lobby means they were able to have nicer rooms, keep better dining availability at good restaurants, have a more chill vibe, etc., then I'm personally fine with that!

The smaller lobby probably also has do do with the fact that it is DVC resort only and doesn't have to really appeal to hotel stayers long term in a sense. Most of the other big lobbies have a hotel side that is attached to it. The Grand Floridian hotel lobby was very nice, but their DVC lobby wasn't anything too special (although my wife loved the penguins/Mary Poppins fountain)

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

I, for one, love it when you hype up Riv!!

Haha makes you more secure in your own purchase? It’s also just nice to hear some positivity where sometimes these boards can get a bit complain-y and negative. And I don’t mean here in this thread at all! Just in general. Opinions are necessary and the negativity is often warranted for better change but sometimes I just want to be excited about something (have you ventured into the Tiana’s threads at all? Whew I had to unwatch it was getting to be too much) and not be bogged down by the people who’ve become very jaded by Disney.

 

[intamin]

Nothing wrong with pointing out things you love about a home resort! We are all here to either gain knowledge or express our opinions!

Yep, I even appreciate people discussing the shortfalls of the resort. It helps prospective buyers and also offers alternative perspectives. I don’t think I’ve made it a secret which resorts are my least favorite on WDW property (obviously not talking about VGF) but it makes me glad that others truly love those resorts (mostly because then they won’t use their points at places I like kidding!). There is no perfect resort and the lack of a grand lobby may be a dealbreaker for some and for others its not. I wonder if I didn’t already own at 2 other resorts with amazing lobbies if I would feel differently but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Regardless of which side you’re on, I don’t think it’s possible to go wrong either way and how passionate people are about both says a lot. The only wrong move is if someone were to buy at CFW kidding again I promise. Sort of.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Yep, I even appreciate people discussing the shortfalls of the resort. It helps prospective buyers and also offers alternative perspectives. I don’t think I’ve made it a secret which resorts are my least favorite on WDW property (obviously not talking about VGF) but it makes me glad that others truly love those resorts (mostly because then they won’t use their points at places I like kidding!). There is no perfect resort and the lack of a grand lobby may be a dealbreaker for some and for others it’s not. I wonder if I didn’t already own at 2 other resorts with amazing lobbies if I would feel differently but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Regardless of which side you’re on, I don’t think it’s possible to go wrong either way and how passionate people are about both says a lot. The only wrong move is if someone were to buy at CFW kidding again I promise. Sort of.

Their need to have the points priced sooo high and wanting to keep the point chart low really sabotaged that entire project…..

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Me too lol! I don't really mind the small lobby and calm atmosphere, especially after a crazy day at the parks. One of the things I didn't like about the Polynesian when we stayed recently were all the people! Everywhere was always crowded and there were pretty much no last second dining reservations available if we wanted to change any of our plans. If a smaller lobby means they were able to have nicer rooms, keep better dining availability at good restaurants, have a more chill vibe, etc., then I'm personally fine with that!

The smaller lobby probably also has do do with the fact that it is DVC resort only and doesn't have to really appeal to hotel stayers long term in a sense. Most of the other big lobbies have a hotel side that is attached to it. The Grand Floridian hotel lobby was very nice, but their DVC lobby wasn't anything too special (although my wife loved the penguins/Mary Poppins fountain)

It kinda reminds me when I decided to leave Manhattan for Brooklyn many moons ago...far fewer crowds, easy commute, more relaxed vibe. It wasn't considered a cool move way back when (had to beg my friends to make the trek by tempting them with yummy food)...many parallels!

But eventually the tides turned...and Brooklyn got the last laugh!!

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Haha makes you more secure in your own purchase? It’s also just nice to hear some positivity where sometimes these boards can get a bit complain-y and negative. And I don’t mean here in this thread at all! Just in general. Opinions are necessary and the negativity is often warranted for better change but sometimes I just want to be excited about something (have you ventured into the Tiana’s threads at all? Whew I had to unwatch it was getting to be too much) and not be bogged down by the people who’ve become very jaded by Disney.

I totally hear you - I completely tuned out anything Tiana-related. Beyond just spoiling any semblance of surprise, the negativity is deflating - I'm genuinely excited to (hopefully) ride in a few weeks.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

It kinda reminds me when I decided to leave Manhattan for Brooklyn many moons ago...far fewer crowds, easy commute, more relaxed vibe. It wasn't considered a cool move way back when (had to beg my friends to make the trek by tempting them with yummy food)...many parallels!

But eventually the tides turned...and Brooklyn got the last laugh!!

Are you Brooklyn based, Sprinkles?? My brother has an apartment in Williamsburg and I’m contemplating buying something out there, too. I’m in no rush as I’m going to be back and forth between Southern California and NYC for the next year or two so I’m happy to wait it out and see interest rates come down but my little childhood heart still wants to be in Manhattan it’s hard to give up that idea.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

I totally hear you - I completely tuned out anything Tiana-related. Beyond just spoiling any semblance of surprise, the negativity is deflating - I'm genuinely excited to (hopefully) ride in a few weeks.

Same, I’m really looking forward to it. We arrive the day after the ride opens so hoping to ride a time or two in the week we’re there

 

[atthebeachclub]

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)

I am pretty sure the food at Riviera beats BCV, but we took the Skyliner last time to Sebastian’s (which is amazing, BTW) and Hollywood Studios and it slowed down for minutes every time a breeze blew. It’s windy there and I hate the idea of getting stuck in a gondola for hours. The ski resort gondolas never bother me because it isn’t hot but those gondolas get toasty and I don’t want to have to pee in a bottle…and my kids hated the skyliner. If they’d build a bridge to the park I might consider it.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

I am pretty sure the food at Riviera beats BCV, but we took the Skyliner last time to Sebastian’s (which is amazing, BTW) and Hollywood Studios and it slowed down for minutes every time a breeze blew. It’s windy there and I hate the idea of getting stuck in a gondola for hours. The ski resort gondolas never bother me because it isn’t hot but those gondolas get toasty and I don’t want to have to pee in a bottle…and my kids hated the skyliner. If they’d build a bridge to the park I might consider it.

Yeah, disliking the skyliner might be the one thing that I would say would be hard to get over with the Riviera. We’ve been very lucky in all our stays and causal visits to never have had any issues but I can understand if your introduction to it was not great, makes you not want to use it again. And while it’s super rare to be stuck for more than a minutes, it’s still a really uncomfortable feeling. We got held on the monorail at least twice in recent memory, for more than 20 mins, and I hated it. It’s a big reason why the monorail is the lowest on my list of Disney transportation (maybe even below buses ) so I totally get it. I think we all agree not having a secondary way into Epcot was a big miss given how close it really is.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Are you Brooklyn based, Sprinkles?? My brother has an apartment in Williamsburg and I’m contemplating buying something out there, too. I’m in no rush as I’m going to be back and forth between Southern California and NYC for the next year or two so I’m happy to wait it out and see interest rates come down but my little childhood heart still wants to be in Manhattan it’s hard to give up that idea.

I totally get the allure of Manhattan - especially if you grew up dreaming of living there. That’s exciting that you’re considering buying a place - if you ever want to talk through neighborhoods, DM me - I know way too much about them all and love comparing the pros and cons of each.

We’re Brooklyn part-timers these days - split our time. But down the road, I’m sure I’ll be back full time (minus my WDW snowbird plans)