Bo1203
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2021
- Messages
- 155
Just got back from 2 nights at Bay Lake Tower and a week at Riviera.
BLT
We had a studio lake view room on the 8th floor, could perfectly see the fireworks. Room had not been refurbished yet and was a handicap accessible room by chance. Floor plan was slightly different than what I expected due to that but might have been even more spacious. The room was fine, prob better shape than Boardwalk was when we stayed there before that refurb. First time staying at a MK resort and WOW walking to MK and avoiding TTC, boats, monorail etc., pretty great! The bridge to CR opened on our last day. Pool was better than we expected, kids really liked the slide. Probably a top contender given the point chart and walkability to add on and use for MK days on a split stay. I think BLT would benefit from a store/marketplace or at least a drink station inside. Cool to see Lakeshore Lodge going up so fast across the lake.
Riviera
Studio standard view room on the 4th floor right across from the laundry, view was of some palm trees and porte-cochere. Room was close to perfect, one of the sliding doors didn't quite close right and the floor was showing some wear due to luggage or strollers. Initially wondered how loud being close to laundry would be but wasn't bad at all. Ended up being very convenient. We haven't found a bad room at Riviera yet, so nice! Pools and splash pad are just the best, our kids never want to leave. We love the gelato stand, the coffee from the cafe, the smell of the lobby. When we drive away the kids are emotional about leaving. I wish the trips didn't fly by so fast. On nights parks have late night hours I wish they kept primo open late or at least offered one or two basics, plan accordingly.
Skyliner
Skyliner was awesome as always, it's our favorite ride, the kids love it. If you have young kids, inline double stroller is a major win, ours are getting so big we may not need it next trip
. We had our first experience of it shutting down one evening while leaving flying fish and Cake Bake Shop due to lightning. Should have just gone to a lounge at BW or BC and ubered back to Riviera, having seen many people comment about this, I wanted to see how it was handled. Kids were asleep in the stroller, and it wasn't raining so we decided to wait for the buses they bring behind the Skyliner station at International Gateway. BAD IDEA lol, don't do that, ever. They herd everyone onto the Skyliner ramp and bridge towards BC, took about an hour and half, some people probably even longer behind us. They must run very few buses. Some of the poorest planning on Disney's end I've experienced. It never started raining and the lightning was in the distance, but had it got bad out, which radar was showing it should have been, the way they didn't make use of covered areas, or have everyone walk to wait at BW or BC is probably a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Gideons
Line was short on arrival day so grabbed a Key Lime Pie cake slice and cookies. All very good!
Boathouse
Second time at Boathouse, went for lunch on arrival day one of our favorites had the Tuna Poke, was delicious. Service here has always been top notch in our experience.
Contempo Cafe
Nothing to write home about, typical quick service, had plenty of seating.
1900 Park Fare Breakfast
Food was okay and characters were great. As far as Breakfast buffets go, we prefer Boma by a mile. Topolinos is probably still our favorite character meal.
Steakhouse 71
One of our favorite restaurants, it was our 4th time here. Steak and drinks are great. Disney needs to either remove kids' menu steak all together or at least make it edible. We've noticed this across all on property restaurants. A leather shoe might be less chewy.
Topolinos Breakfast
10/10 the old fashioned at 11am with breakfast is my favorite.
Primo and Bar Riva
Best quick service. Our last trip we felt it had dropped off. Redeemed itself. Bolognese, hamburger and fries, pizza, all great this trip. Bar Riva was the 3rd year with the same staff, that's pretty cool. BRING BACK STICKY WINGS!!!
Flying Fish
First time here, the New York Strip had a delicious salty crust, we really enjoyed the atmosphere and will be back.
Cake Bake Shop
Only had treats. The cookie dough cake we all agreed was our single favorite thing we ate all trip.
Blue Ribbon corndogs
Had the Golden Dragon corn dog. Was a great lunch with a beer from Boardwalk Joe's. Siracha mayo dip and sweet and sour sauce.
Pizza window
$43 pizza is quintessential Disney.
Docking Bay 7
Changed the chicken, not as good now. The one-day ronto roasters, the coffee place, and docking bay 7 were all shut down. Smelled like smoke walking by, Disney was having a fiery few weeks.
Flower and Garden
I don't know, the epcot festival food this trip wasn't my favorite. I don't like lavender beer and honey everything. The chips and dip were a highlight. Rose and Crown our first day there had ripped out all the taps for a refurb and was cans only, slightly soul crushing. I'll be okay.
For being spring break, the parks and hotels didn't seem too much busier. We took advantage of 3 late night events for deluxe resort guest. Those really are great. We did Magic Kingdom twice till past midnight and got on so many rides. Epcot was able to just walk on frozen multiple times towards the end of the night. First time seeing country bears we had a solo viewing; our kids were cracking up, core memory there.
We bought 4 days of Multipass in advance, thinking its spring break going to be busier than normal. The changes are better imo then waking up day of to play the lottery and stack rides. I still find it annoying. I really hope DVC gets it for free one day or Premier pass takes over and mp is eliminated.
BLT
We had a studio lake view room on the 8th floor, could perfectly see the fireworks. Room had not been refurbished yet and was a handicap accessible room by chance. Floor plan was slightly different than what I expected due to that but might have been even more spacious. The room was fine, prob better shape than Boardwalk was when we stayed there before that refurb. First time staying at a MK resort and WOW walking to MK and avoiding TTC, boats, monorail etc., pretty great! The bridge to CR opened on our last day. Pool was better than we expected, kids really liked the slide. Probably a top contender given the point chart and walkability to add on and use for MK days on a split stay. I think BLT would benefit from a store/marketplace or at least a drink station inside. Cool to see Lakeshore Lodge going up so fast across the lake.
Riviera
Studio standard view room on the 4th floor right across from the laundry, view was of some palm trees and porte-cochere. Room was close to perfect, one of the sliding doors didn't quite close right and the floor was showing some wear due to luggage or strollers. Initially wondered how loud being close to laundry would be but wasn't bad at all. Ended up being very convenient. We haven't found a bad room at Riviera yet, so nice! Pools and splash pad are just the best, our kids never want to leave. We love the gelato stand, the coffee from the cafe, the smell of the lobby. When we drive away the kids are emotional about leaving. I wish the trips didn't fly by so fast. On nights parks have late night hours I wish they kept primo open late or at least offered one or two basics, plan accordingly.
Skyliner
Skyliner was awesome as always, it's our favorite ride, the kids love it. If you have young kids, inline double stroller is a major win, ours are getting so big we may not need it next trip
. We had our first experience of it shutting down one evening while leaving flying fish and Cake Bake Shop due to lightning. Should have just gone to a lounge at BW or BC and ubered back to Riviera, having seen many people comment about this, I wanted to see how it was handled. Kids were asleep in the stroller, and it wasn't raining so we decided to wait for the buses they bring behind the Skyliner station at International Gateway. BAD IDEA lol, don't do that, ever. They herd everyone onto the Skyliner ramp and bridge towards BC, took about an hour and half, some people probably even longer behind us. They must run very few buses. Some of the poorest planning on Disney's end I've experienced. It never started raining and the lightning was in the distance, but had it got bad out, which radar was showing it should have been, the way they didn't make use of covered areas, or have everyone walk to wait at BW or BC is probably a lawsuit waiting to happen.Gideons
Line was short on arrival day so grabbed a Key Lime Pie cake slice and cookies. All very good!
Boathouse
Second time at Boathouse, went for lunch on arrival day one of our favorites had the Tuna Poke, was delicious. Service here has always been top notch in our experience.
Contempo Cafe
Nothing to write home about, typical quick service, had plenty of seating.
1900 Park Fare Breakfast
Food was okay and characters were great. As far as Breakfast buffets go, we prefer Boma by a mile. Topolinos is probably still our favorite character meal.
Steakhouse 71
One of our favorite restaurants, it was our 4th time here. Steak and drinks are great. Disney needs to either remove kids' menu steak all together or at least make it edible. We've noticed this across all on property restaurants. A leather shoe might be less chewy.
Topolinos Breakfast
10/10 the old fashioned at 11am with breakfast is my favorite.
Primo and Bar Riva
Best quick service. Our last trip we felt it had dropped off. Redeemed itself. Bolognese, hamburger and fries, pizza, all great this trip. Bar Riva was the 3rd year with the same staff, that's pretty cool. BRING BACK STICKY WINGS!!!
Flying Fish
First time here, the New York Strip had a delicious salty crust, we really enjoyed the atmosphere and will be back.
Cake Bake Shop
Only had treats. The cookie dough cake we all agreed was our single favorite thing we ate all trip.
Blue Ribbon corndogs
Had the Golden Dragon corn dog. Was a great lunch with a beer from Boardwalk Joe's. Siracha mayo dip and sweet and sour sauce.
Pizza window
$43 pizza is quintessential Disney.
Docking Bay 7
Changed the chicken, not as good now. The one-day ronto roasters, the coffee place, and docking bay 7 were all shut down. Smelled like smoke walking by, Disney was having a fiery few weeks.
Flower and Garden
I don't know, the epcot festival food this trip wasn't my favorite. I don't like lavender beer and honey everything. The chips and dip were a highlight. Rose and Crown our first day there had ripped out all the taps for a refurb and was cans only, slightly soul crushing. I'll be okay.
For being spring break, the parks and hotels didn't seem too much busier. We took advantage of 3 late night events for deluxe resort guest. Those really are great. We did Magic Kingdom twice till past midnight and got on so many rides. Epcot was able to just walk on frozen multiple times towards the end of the night. First time seeing country bears we had a solo viewing; our kids were cracking up, core memory there.
We bought 4 days of Multipass in advance, thinking its spring break going to be busier than normal. The changes are better imo then waking up day of to play the lottery and stack rides. I still find it annoying. I really hope DVC gets it for free one day or Premier pass takes over and mp is eliminated.
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