Riveria closeout

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

It's been some time since I went crazy with the multi-quote, but here I go...

Come to think of it, I would like to see Chef Mickey's razed and have California Grill do a Topolino's style breakfast instead.

I don't see myself owning at RIV but Topolino's breakfast is the best, most consistently excellent breakfast experience at any DVC resort. If staying there came with easier to get reservations, we'd probably stay at RIV...but it's kind of a pain to get to, especially if you expect weather that could take down the Skyliner.

But when you stay there everything is just so compact and convenient. For example, I love the ability to order a meal and not even leave my room until it's actually ready and then it's a two minute walk/elevator ride away.

I also think it has the best counter service on property, the best character meal, and one of the best dinners.

Mike, after spending a few days walking to and from the far end of BCV (which isn't even that far compared with the far end of BWV), you are really selling me on a RIV stay, and also making me regret that we've never made it there for dinner!

Just wait until Lakeshore Lodge opens and Riviera will be loved. Loved!

The hate for Riviera is nothing compared to the hate for LSL.

I understand that some people are just wild for a lazy river, but if I was going to buy a restricted resort, it would be not be LSL. Perhaps it will be amazing and I'm biased in that I'm an EPCOT person with kids who really enjoy the Skyliner, but I agree with you that RIV is mostly disliked for being restricted and not elaborately themed, and LSL will have those issues and also many many more.

I love and own Aulani so for me Poly was super cringe whenever a cm said “aloha” to me. I probably don’t bring it up enough, I usually just dunk on the point charts.

I own AUL but I don't think it's the reason that I feel trying to make Poly "less 70s tiki and more luxury generic hawaii" is so unfortunate-- I just think the retro fantasy tiki culture feels more fun and in the spirit of the lagoon.

I was thinking before I bought CCV that maybe I would get more RIV before it sells out.

Then I realized that I'd be fine with some cheap resale RIV! It's great that it's so cheap, and doesn't expire until 2070!

Just a note of caution, I would assume that when RIV is totally sold out, resale will be less cheap than it is today. The people who love it REALLY love it and when the choice is $250 direct v. resale instead of $180 (ish) direct v resale, I would bet resale comes up... I still expect it to be below where VGF is today... but perhaps not at the $100 mark we've seen lately either.

My wife has several other reasons. Here are some of her thoughts from earlier today:

I think your wife's reasons are all valid-- my own personal issue is that there's no way to get to the parks without a lot of walking, and yes, it may well be closer to the DLR parks than most of the WDW resorts, but they also offer trams and alternative transportation that does not require a mile through DTD... I also hate having to choose between waiting 30-60 minutes for bell services or dragging our luggage winding around the pool area.

 

[D-Trick]

Let's also not forget that VDH is the only DVC that does not guarantee complimentary parking.

In a few years time we could be talking about "TOT + parking fees"

 

[VGCgroupie]

Let's also not forget that VDH is the only DVC that does not guarantee complimentary parking.

In a few years time we could be talking about "TOT + parking fees"

Most that hate on VDH have no idea about this. Most that love VDH have no idea about this. So I wouldnt say this is why people love to hate VDH.

 

[Girlstar30]

Well I think theres a reason they keep giving it some pretty good incentives and thats for it to sell out or almost sell out before LSL goes on sale next year

 

[AstroBlasters]

Let's also not forget that VDH is the only DVC that does not guarantee complimentary parking.

In a few years time we could be talking about "TOT + parking fees"

Won’t impact my Uber from SNA….

 

[atthebeachclub]

See how you feel about RIV is how I feel about SSR where you own a chunk of points. Granted it’s not restricted, but wouldnt matter because I’d never own SSR.

And I’m the hater who wouldn’t own either.

 

[jolynne28]

I’ve visited but never stayed. My first stay is in April. Watch me start lowballing some RIV resale when I return. Cant say I don’t think it has a tiny chance of happening.

Oh it's happening, I'm calling it now. Can you start a countdown to your Riv stay thread so I can make sure to follow up immediately after and claim my prize?

 

[tx911]

Oh it's happening, I'm calling it now. Can you start a countdown to your Riv stay thread so I can make sure to follow up immediately after and claim my prize?

She's either going to love it or hate it, but I'm looking forward to the results as well.

 

[J-Dog]

This thread has morphed from "Riveria Closeout" to "Which Resort Do We Hate The Most?"

 

[airjay75]

She's either going to love it or hate it, but I'm looking forward to the results as well.

See, I think my money is on her liking it and seeing why a lot of us like it too, but maybe not a lover of it enough to buy points there.

 

[Carouselofplanning]

I would disagree with this statement.

"Fancy" Victorian era vs "fancy" European riviera is too subjective to quantify.

Clearly, VGF has much more food choices, and a better restaurant if you count V&A's. Topolino's is just as good as any other restaurant at VGF.

Otherwise, the other "luxury" components are all subjective as well. Certainly, the quality of the materials used in the rooms is on par or even slightly better at RIV compared to VGF. The lobbies are quite different, but I'm not sure there are specific criteria on that as far as luxury is concerned.

Transportation is also subjective but I wouldn't consider the Monorail more "luxurious" than the Skyliner.

IMO they are very close as far as the "luxury angle"

Overcrowded is never luxurious. When you’re paying such a premium, get the crowd of non guests out of my lobby, and my restaurants and my pools. Now.

 

[Girlstar30]

See, I think my money is on her liking it and seeing why a lot of us like it too, but maybe not a lover of it enough to buy points there.

I think what Riv's got going for it is the food And the studios are really pretty. I think she will like her bwv location better so I def dont think this will result in a purchase. She will be jealous of the coffee bar and enjoy her time Also she will appreciate the dedicated bus service and her son will enjoy the skyliner

 

[VGCgroupie]

Oh it's happening, I'm calling it now. Can you start a countdown to your Riv stay thread so I can make sure to follow up immediately after and claim my prize?

The funniest part is I was like should we do CFW and save some points, my husband says no we need to stay at RIV and just put it to rest that we dont like it all that much. Little does he know....

See, I think my money is on her liking it and seeing why a lot of us like it too, but maybe not a lover of it enough to buy points there.

I liked it from the lobby and viewing the rooms, but it wasnt love. My husband was meh about it. But everyone says you have to stay there to really "get it"

 

[jolynne28]

The funniest part is I was like should we do CFW and save some points, my husband says no we need to stay at RIV and just put it to rest that we dont like it all that much. Little does he know....

I liked it from the lobby and viewing the rooms, but it wasnt love. My husband was meh about it. But everyone says you have to stay there to really "get it"

My money is on you both being pleasantly surprised by how much you like it. It possibly edges out BW for me, and that's saying something b/c I looooove BW and Crescent Lake. This summer we're doing a split stay between both, so that should tip the scale to one or the other.

I am full on all about theming, but Riv just feels relaxing and totally different than anywhere else at WDW, which is a good thing IMO. We did a night a Poly in December, and liked it much better than the first time we stayed there. But of course it rained, and having to schlep from our longhouse to the lobby to get food with all the kids was enough to remind me why we don't own there.

 

[VGCgroupie]

My money is on you both being pleasantly surprised by how much you like it. It possibly edges out BW for me, and that's saying something b/c I looooove BW and Crescent Lake. This summer we're doing a split stay between both, so that should tip the scale to one or the other.

I am full on all about theming, but Riv just feels relaxing and totally different than anywhere else at WDW, which is a good thing IMO. We did a night a Poly in December, and liked it much better than the first time we stayed there. But of course it rained, and having to schlep from our longhouse to the lobby to get food with all the kids was enough to remind me why we don't own there.

My husband is very negative on the long hallways and long walks for food and drinks, this was his main complaint about Poly. So I bet he will like RIV much more than he anticipates. He also let me in on a little bit of emotion by asking me if RIV had views of the Skyliner... I was thinking yeahhh you will like it once we stay! I cant see us buying direct there, but I live for negotiations on resale and Id have fun buying some RIV resale!

 

[Lumpy1106]

I’ve visited but never stayed. My first stay is in April. Watch me start lowballing some RIV resale when I return. Cant say I don’t think it has a tiny chance of happening.

I was one of those people who hated RIV from the drop because of the resale restrictions, and then the high MFs. On our last trip we made some last minute changes to our plans that left us with RIV as the best option so we went ahead and booked it, fully expecting to hate it. Boy was I wrong! We loved every second of our stay. The bell hop who helped us unload our car, the desk CM that was so helpful and knowledgeable, the CM in the store that gave us the DVC discount on a suitcase (even though we are resale owners - shhh!), the Skyliner access to two parks, the pool, the QS, Topolininos - it was all the best we've experienced in DVC. Loved it and will likely make it our go-to resort from now on.

 

[DoubleBaconBLT]

Overcrowded is never luxurious. When you’re paying such a premium, get the crowd of non guests out of my lobby, and my restaurants and my pools. Now.

Yeah, I would be in favor of total visitor limits at every resort. Disney can easily track this, and they've implemented limits around overcrowded times in the past. If they're not crowded, then sure, have open access. But if there's 40 people from MK ahead of you in line at Gasparilla Island, it gets frustrating when you're paying GF prices to stay there.

There are three easy ways to fix this:

1. Magic band scanners at main lobby entrances and the most popular QS restaurants. During peak times, you have to scan in to enter and must either have a dining reservation or resort stay to get in.
2. If they don't want to limit access, just double all prices at all resort restaurants and shops, then give a 50% discount to anyone staying at that resort and 40% to anyone staying onsite. People who really want to experience a Pineapple Lanai Dole Whip can still get one, but there won't be a crazy line because no one wants to pay $15+ for that.
3. Expand the Mobile Order limitations. Currently, Mobile Order is only available at some locations to guests staying at the resort. This could be expanded to essentially give a "lightning lane" to resort guests. There might be 40 people in line, but if your order goes through first, it doesn't really matter.

 

[tx911]

My husband is very negative on the long hallways and long walks for food and drinks, this was his main complaint about Poly. So I bet he will like RIV much more than he anticipates. He also let me in on a little bit of emotion by asking me if RIV had views of the Skyliner... I was thinking yeahhh you will like it once we stay! I cant see us buying direct there, but I live for negotiations on resale and Id have fun buying some RIV resale!

Don't sleep on Bar Riva when you go. It's a great little place to grab lunch or dinner if you're at the resort.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Don't sleep on Bar Riva when you go. It's a great little place to grab lunch or dinner if you're at the resort.

The day we stay is a resort day, no parks so Im sure we will have time to grab a bite!

 

[tx911]

The day we stay is a resort day, no parks so Im sure we will have time to grab a bite!

Your 1BR is preferred or resort view?