Riveria closeout

[VGCgroupie]

Your 1BR is preferred or resort view?

Resort View. We had the option of both. Ended up choosing resort.

 

[tidefan]

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

I actually have some thoughts on this that I've touched on before, but I'll expand on here. I think that there are different resorts for different kinds of people and that is why sometimes you get such a disparity of opinions on here. My hypothesis is that all of the resorts are great for what they are trying to be, however, not everyone fits exactly each resorts strengths, so you get such a diversity of opinion. That said, the diversity of offerings, to me, is a sign of strength of the program.

For instance, take these comments on RIV. Over and over again, I am seeing people state "how convenient" RIV is. Well, my question here is "define convenient". For many above, it seems that services readily accessible at the resort define convenience, whether that be short walks to food service, shops, etc. For others, convenience may be defined as how easy is it to park near my unit so that I can unload supplies/groceries into my unit? For the former type of guest, RIV/PVB/VGF2/Jambo are going to be optimal, but for the second type of guest, CFW/SSR/OKW/VGF1/BLT/Kidani would be better.

I've often thought that one of the biggest determinants of where to stay is driven by if one has a car at WDW or not. If you do, it completely changes the calculus of how you manage your stay. For instance, we drive as it is about 9 hours from us here in Alabama. Since we have our car, we are able to bring just about anything we'd need for a stay and if we don't have it, Publix/Target/Walmart are a short drive away. I'll use our current favorite of CFW as an example. Again, this is just our situation and YMMV...

So, when we head to CFW, which has a full kitchen (which is important to us, at least, so you could insert 1/2 Bedrooms at SSR/VGF1/OKW and even Kidani as well), when you park you have convenient access to unload everything. CFW is the best because you park about 10 steps from the entry door to your unit. Loading/Unloading is extremely easy. Going to the parks is extremely easy. For MK, you take your Golf Cart to the dock and take the boat. For the other parks or Disney Springs, you just take your car. Super simple. Having the car also allows one to bring additional things, which for stays at CFW, we find we love to do. We bring lights that we string up on poles that we zip-tie to the deck to have outdoor lighting. We also bring decorations for our Cabin site (IYKYK, but you need to stay at FW to get this aspect of a stay there). We can bring items to hide to participate in the many scavenger hunts that take place around the Fort, so it makes for a easy stay.

Now compare this to resorts where parking isn't so convenient to your unit, and I'll include Jambo, WL, RIV, VGF2, and perhaps Poly (NOTE: I have not stayed at the new tower, so perhaps the parking is more convenient, and TBH, if you are in Bora Bora, parking is convenient...). Now, you probably have to first use Bell Services, and not to get into a discussion of Bell Services, but I find some love using it, some not so much. I fall into the not so much. So if I drive to Jambo, for instance, I am hauling all of our stuff from the car all the way down those long hallways to our unit. Then, as the car is not as convenient to get to, then you are primarily relying on Disney transport, which can be good or bad depending on the day.

To me, the resort that has the most difficult parking situation is BWV, so we avoid it like the plague, however, I think that if someone were flying into WDW and didn't have a car, it would be near the top of the list. So, all this to say, one isn't any better than the other, it's just that different styles fit different needs (Marginal Utility as the economists would say...), and I think that's a good thing.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Agree with the above.

Also, I bet many RIV haters would jump on a fire sale at RIV. FOMO is real and can get even the toughest critics.

 

[J-Dog]

For others, convenience may be defined as how easy is it to park near my unit so that I can unload supplies/groceries into my unit? For the former type of guest, RIV/PVB/VGF2/Jambo are going to be optimal, but for the second type of guest, CFW/SSR/OKW/VGF1/BLT/Kidani would be better.

I agree with most everything you said, except Kidani being convenient from your car. I've only ever stayed there once, and that long hallway was litterally the longest walk from my car to my room at any hotel, ever.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I agree with most everything you said, except Kidani being convenient from your car. I've only ever stayed there once, and that long hallway was litterally the longest walk from my car to my room at any hotel, ever.

We didnt have a car.. but that hallway... so. much. walking.

 

[Brian Noble]

relaxing

I think this is a key observation.

I really value my resort as an escape from the frenetic pace of the theme parks. It is one of the reasons I am less enthusiastic than most about staying on the monorail or in Crescent Lake, and why I enjoy OKW and SSR more than many. But, many (and I suspect most) other DVC owners would prefer to be "in the middle of it all."

Where you fall on this spectrum is likely to be an important factor in whether or not you happen to like Riviera's vibe.

 

[Carouselofplanning]

Agree with the above.

Also, I bet many RIV haters would jump on a fire sale at RIV. FOMO is real and can get even the toughest critics.

I absolutely hate the restrictions but love the resort. I’d really be in a bind if a fire sale happens. No way I’d buy direct at the current pricing, you just lose too much value too quickly, but if it becomes a deeper “one time only, speak now or forever hold your peace” closeout pops up…maybe.

 

[kboo]

I havent been around too long but I can confidently say I think VGF and OKW fire sales were once in lifetime type deals. Once for a sold out resort and once for an active one. I dont think that will happen again in either category. I would be happy to be wrong though.

If you were wrong, I might end up with some more Riviera points.

I mean... I think many people would take room service...

Personally for me, I think that BWV/BCV have VGC has it about perfect... Enough space from a park to make it quieter, more open, and serene, but a private entrance that is never packed and very easy to use...

^ fixed it for you (lol)

same. will forever kick myself for not getting more during this sale!

My husband, who has now put the kibosh on no more points, is the one who had us go from 200 to 250 points when we bought Riv, and 200 to 250+ at The Great VGF Fire Sale. Even during the Great VGF Fire Sale I toyed with the idea of buying more RIV instead of more VGF. They were the same price per point but with the longer contract length RIV was technically "cheaper"

Watch me start lowballing some RIV resale when I return. Cant say I don’t think it has a tiny chance of happening.

I do that every time I come back from VGC or AUL. I also was a "not RIV direct but I'll look at RIV resale if it gets to around $100pp" and then we bought RIV direct in April 2019...

I'm addition to that, many of us here have gone through a should I buy or not decision with RIV in the last few years. So I guess everyone needs to validate their decision.

so true - and now I am trying to validate buying RIV direct in 2019 vs RIV resale now. We have had some amazing RIV stays over the years. Priceless memories watching new years fireworks from our balcony... Was it worth the extra $$? I think so.

Most people hate on VDH without knowing anything about CA resorts or even DLR, it’s purely based off TOT (and maybe a little bit about it being restricted)

Mine is wholly on the TOT - I bought the resorts I bought based on cost per point, the resort, and dues. it doesn't help that it's farther away from the parks and it's really hard to get anything larger than a studio.

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.

.... ssshhhhh... for breakfast, I think if you arrive at open, you can often be seated. I have always been able to get a reservation for breakfast, but when don't have one at check in, I've asked and they either find one (!!) or that's what they tell me to do. And then I usually can pick up a reservation on the app the night before. So I've never tried it but the CMs do suggest that. Obviously this is more likely to succeeed if you have a smaller group. We've gone for dinner twice with groups of 8 and there are only 2 big round tables for 8 and they're not in a great location.

.............After we bought our most recent VGF points, DH put an end to my adding on, though he does sort of say it jokingly. Like he's trying to get me to test him. Right now, we don't have enough points for a GV and a GV would really be an amazing splurge some day. ... Riviera is his favorite resort, so maybe this could work....

 

[atthebeachclub]

She will be jealous of the coffee bar

Coffee bar was straight up disappointing. It’s cute. And they have these great looking pastries. But if you’re going to pretend to be European, your coffee needs to reflect that and BE European quality, in nice cups. It isn’t. It’s American trash coffee served in disposable cups still. It has so much squandered potential IMO. I honestly resented how my cappuccino was just…subpar.

At least elsewhere I know to expect the coffee will be nothing special. It SHOULD be more special at Riviera, given the theme.

 

[disneylandtour]

I havent been around too long but I can confidently say I think VGF and OKW fire sales were once in lifetime type deals. Once for a sold out resort and once for an active one. I dont think that will happen again in either category. I would be happy to be wrong though.

I can see that DVD wants to keep per price direct points on the high end. But also, I see a LOT of stresses on their sales model for WDW. Poly is selling a little slower than most expected. No one can move those cabins with their current MFs and the restrictions and whatever issues there are with the trust. RIV is still in open sales. And LSL is being built even faster than I imagined. It should easily be done in the first half of 2027. My take: this is too much inventory for DVD to successfully manage. I think the big sale will be at Poly, rather than Riv. But something's gotta to give in this structure.

The other open resorts are one-offs: Aulani and VDH. But the open, direct resorts at WDW are starting to pile up--and there's a TON of rooms in LSL. In the Poly Tower there's something like 268 rooms. There are 900 rooms in LSL. True, some will be cash. As far as I know the exact division between cash and DVC hasn't been announced. But let's assume it's 50/50. That means DVD is about to open up another 450+ rooms in the MK neighborhood when it has slower than expected sales at Poly Tower, another MK neighborhood resort, a tower with about half the DVC rooms as I suspect will be in LSL.

The math here, with current sales trends, isn't mathing well.

 

[disneylandtour]

Coffee bar was straight up disappointing. It’s cute. And they have these great looking pastries. But if you’re going to pretend to be European, your coffee needs to reflect that and BE European quality, in nice cups. It isn’t. It’s American trash coffee served in disposable cups still. It has so much squandered potential IMO. I honestly resented how my cappuccino was just…subpar.

At least elsewhere I know to expect the coffee will be nothing special. It SHOULD be more special at Riviera, given the theme.

Over at Cornado Springs, in the QS food court, they have a Rancilio Classe Five espresso maker. This might be the best coffee on property. I'm guessing this is intentional. Vacationers will put up with Joffrey's (sorry, I'm not a fan) but business travelers need something better at the convention-focused hotel.

Does anyone know the machine they have at the coffee counter on the first floor of the Contemporary (Contemporary Grounds)? That's the other convention area. I always forget to ask when I'm there.

 

[tx911]

Coffee bar was straight up disappointing. It’s cute. And they have these great looking pastries. But if you’re going to pretend to be European, your coffee needs to reflect that and BE European quality, in nice cups. It isn’t. It’s American trash coffee served in disposable cups still. It has so much squandered potential IMO. I honestly resented how my cappuccino was just…subpar.

At least elsewhere I know to expect the coffee will be nothing special. It SHOULD be more special at Riviera, given the theme.

I'm not by any means a coffee snob, but I do drink a lot of it. The Joffreys is tolerable for me but not great. I will get lattes at the Le Petit Cafe, and they are plenty good for me to scratch that itch. They also have lots of alcoholic options if that floats your boat.

Is it the most amazing coffee I've had? No, but I appreciate the ability to be able to get something beyond just a cup of Joffrey's when the need arises. That's not something I can easily do at the other resorts I've stayed at.

 

[atthebeachclub]

I'm not by any means a coffee snob, but I do drink a lot of it. The Joffreys is tolerable for me but not great. I will get lattes at the Le Petit Cafe, and they are plenty good for me to scratch that itch. They also have lots of alcoholic options if that floats your boat.

Is it the most amazing coffee I've had? No, but I appreciate the ability to be able to get something beyond just a cup of Joffrey's when the need arises. That's not something I can easily do at the other resorts I've stayed at.

I just feel that coffee is a huge part of the experience of being in Europe, and more detail should be paid to that at Riviera specifically.

It should border on the best coffee you’ve had! And they should focus on European style coffee. The cappuccino should be unimpeachable.

 

[tx911]

I just feel that coffee is a huge part of the experience of being in Europe, and more detail should be paid to that at Riviera specifically.

It should border on the best coffee you’ve had! And they should focus on European style coffee. The cappuccino should be unimpeachable.

Yes, I suspect that your first sentence may be why they put in a coffee shop there in the first place. It's still Disney though

 

[VGCgroupie]

I can see that DVD wants to keep per price direct points on the high end. But also, I see a LOT of stresses on their sales model for WDW. Poly is selling a little slower than most expected. No one can move those cabins with their current MFs and the restrictions and whatever issues there are with the trust. RIV is still in open sales. And LSL is being built even faster than I imagined. It should easily be done in the first half of 2027. My take: this is too much inventory for DVD to successfully manage. I think the big sale will be at Poly, rather than Riv. But something's gotta to give in this structure.

The other open resorts are one-offs: Aulani and VDH. But the open, direct resorts at WDW are starting to pile up--and there's a TON of rooms in LSL. In the Poly Tower there's something like 268 rooms. There are 900 rooms in LSL. True, some will be cash. As far as I know the exact division between cash and DVC hasn't been announced. But let's assume it's 50/50. That means DVD is about to open up another 450+ rooms in the MK neighborhood when it has slower than expected sales at Poly Tower, another MK neighborhood resort, a tower with about half the DVC rooms as I suspect will be in LSL.

The math here, with current sales trends, isn't mathing well.

I disagree. Time will tell

 

[atthebeachclub]

Yes, I suspect that your first sentence may be why they put in a coffee shop there in the first place. It's still Disney though

I just want to actually believe I’m in the Riviera. Not be brought back to reality! As an example: Kona coffee at Polynesian. It’s not a huge thing but it matters.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I'm not by any means a coffee snob, but I do drink a lot of it. The Joffreys is tolerable for me but not great. I will get lattes at the Le Petit Cafe, and they are plenty good for me to scratch that itch. They also have lots of alcoholic options if that floats your boat.

Is it the most amazing coffee I've had? No, but I appreciate the ability to be able to get something beyond just a cup of Joffrey's when the need arises. That's not something I can easily do at the other resorts I've stayed at.

I actually dont dislike Joffrey's if Im not the one responsible for making it. The coffee I had at AKV Boma was amazing. I was coming off of a red eye so that may skewed my judgment a bit, but I thought this is really good coffee!!

 

[tx911]

I actually dont dislike Joffrey's if Im not the one responsible for making it. The coffee I had at AKV Boma was amazing. I was coming off of a red eye so that may skewed my judgment a bit, but I thought this is really good coffee!!

I agree re Boma! Great coffee.

I did not like the Kona coffee at Poly. I think a lot of it comes down to what type of coffee you drink on the daily. I'm a French Roast drinker, so I dislike anything with a "tangy" finish.

 

[Genie+]

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!

My husband dismisses staying at RIV. In his mind it can’t compete with BWV loctaion. He also loves VGF. That’s his fav.

RIV seems a combo of what he loves about BW and GF.

I’ve told him RIV is right up his alley and tried to explain all the reasons he might enjoy more than expected. The rooms are really nice, on the bigger side, easy access to the amenities, skyliner, easy parking and more… Our family would get alot of use from the 5 food options there.

He can’t see it though. So I need to play the game. He’d book if I really wanted to try it, or if the kids asked to stay there. But it will also be doing him the favor lol I bet it’ll end up one of his top preferred resorts.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I agree re Boma! Great coffee.

I did not like the Kona coffee at Poly. I think a lot of it comes down to what type of coffee you drink on the daily. I'm a French Roast drinker, so I dislike anything with a "tangy" finish.

I still never bought the Joffrey's online, since I had to order a boat load or pay shipping. Funny how I am so cheap yet I can spend so much money at the same time.