Riviera is the nicest resort I've stayed at so far

[Mouseforward]

Aren't all of Disney World's themed areas just overly-sanitized versions of the real thing they mean to portray?

I always thought Charleston was the overly sanitized New Orleans.

 

[muppets3d]

I always thought Charleston was the overly sanitized New Orleans.

Parts of it are sure

 

[Brian Noble]

Aren't all of Disney World's themed areas just overly-sanitized versions of the real thing they mean to portray?

Yes, but the point of NOLA is that it is not entirely sanitized, in ways that don't really apply to many of those other settings.

 

[BeachClub2014]

Riviera is an excellent resort. It will never resonate with everyone, just like every other DVC resort has its detractors. I personally believe that Bay Lake Tower is a hideous architectural aberration that should be removed from the skyline, the Polynesian is an old, musty, decrepit relic that should be replaced, and Saratoga Springs reminds me of an apartment complex that you find in everywhereville. You'll find many people who love those resorts, which is great, but no amount of discussion will get me to see them otherwise, and no amount of "defending" Riviera will convince its detractors to think otherwise.

One of the strengths of DVC is that there is something for everyone, catering to every taste.

 

[Mouseforward]

no amount of "defending" Riviera will convince its detractors to think otherwise

I was a hater before I stayed there , I was meh when I stayed one night in a TS.

I stayed with my family for a week and I "got it" and now its my #1 choice.

Riviera's charm is not visual , its the relaxed pace, atmosphere, and the level of service. You have to stay to get the difference. I think it is the opposite of Poly in every way: quiet vs loud, calm vs busy, new vs dated, centralized vs spread out. I am always surprised when people list both in their top 2.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

I was a hater before I stayed there , I was meh when I stayed one night in a TS.

I stayed with my family for a week and I "got it" and now its my #1 choice.

Riviera's charm is not visual , its the relaxed pace, atmosphere, and the level of service. You have to stay to get the difference. I think it is the opposite of Poly in every way: quiet vs loud, calm vs busy, new vs dated, centralized vs spread out. I am always surprised when people list both in their top 2.

I’m with you entirely on the atmosphere. I’ve mentioned this previously but whenever we are staying at other resorts, we find ourselves drawn to Riviera precisely bc we can exhale and relax. I absolutely adore BWV but I don’t have that same feeling there.

We’re gearing up for a split stay at both and I’m kind of regretting starting at Riv bc I’m sure by week 2 I’ll be desperate for some tranquility (and cold brew)

 

[byurick]

......
Riviera's charm is not visual , its the relaxed pace, atmosphere, and the level of service. You have to stay to get the difference. I think it is the opposite of Poly in every way: quiet vs loud, calm vs busy, new vs dated, centralized vs spread out. I am always surprised when people list both in their top 2.

We just got back from a week's stay at Riv (our first time) and also did the Poly tower tour during the middle of our stay. It really was eye opening how busy the Poly is in comparison.

 

[SugarSweetLee]

I was a hater before I stayed there , I was meh when I stayed one night in a TS.

I stayed with my family for a week and I "got it" and now its my #1 choice.

Riviera's charm is not visual , its the relaxed pace, atmosphere, and the level of service. You have to stay to get the difference. I think it is the opposite of Poly in every way: quiet vs loud, calm vs busy, new vs dated, centralized vs spread out. I am always surprised when people list both in their top 2.

Our first stay was in the tower as well. "Never again to those rooms!" I cried.
Well, now that we own there, I do eyeball it occasionally - but so far have not swayed myself from paying the extra points for a regular studio. Maybe if we needed one cheap night before a cruise or something, and it happened to be available...

To your second point, Riviera and Poly are our top 2 resorts of everywhere we have stayed so far! I think they have very different appeals, and we have different things we value and prioritize depending on what kind of trip it is.

 

[Mouseforward]

Our first stay was in the tower as well. "Never again to those rooms!" I cried.
Well, now that we own there, I do eyeball it occasionally - but so far have not swayed myself from paying the extra points for a regular studio. Maybe if we needed one cheap night before a cruise or something, and it happened to be available...

To your second point, Riviera and Poly are our top 2 resorts of everywhere we have stayed so far! I think they have very different appeals, and we have different things we value and prioritize depending on what kind of trip it is.

Agree. I own at both as well, But I use my Poly as SAP or for family with kids.

Also agree on TS - for the points I would always go full studio unless it was less than 3 nights and I did not need my Owners Lockers.

 

[SugarSweetLee]

Agree. I own at both as well, But I use my Poly as SAP or for family with kids.

Also agree on TS - for the points I would always go full studio unless it was less than 3 nights and I did not need my Owners Lockers.

We don't own at Poly, but would like to. Maybe someday!

 

[Mouseforward]

We don't own at Poly, but would like to. Maybe someday!

If I could do it over I would have bought CCV or BLT SAP instead since I have had no issue getting a few nights at Poly with my RIV points but no luck at CCV or cheaper rooms at BLT.

 

[airjay75]

If I could do it over I would have bought CCV or BLT SAP instead since I have had no issue getting a few nights at Poly with my RIV points but no luck at CCV or cheaper rooms at BLT.

Don't tempt me with those BLT SAP! (BRB, off to check dvcforless.com for current listings )

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Not to get off topic, but an earlier post of BWV small studios reminded me of the late-great DIS legend… “Richyams” (do I have that spelling right?)

“You can clean the entire villa with one paper towel”…

 

[SugarSweetLee]

Our first stay was in the tower as well. "Never again to those rooms!" I cried.
Well, now that we own there, I do eyeball it occasionally - but so far have not swayed myself from paying the extra points for a regular studio. Maybe if we needed one cheap night before a cruise or something, and it happened to be available...

Welp, I spoke too soon and booked 5 nights in the tower for my birthday next summer "because they were available"

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Welp, I spoke too soon and booked 5 nights in the tower for my birthday next summer "because they were available"

I find them hard to resist - it’s just the two of us and by staying there I can eek out an extra trip! #disneymath

 

[crazycatlady]

I’m with you entirely on the atmosphere. I’ve mentioned this previously but whenever we are staying at other resorts, we find ourselves drawn to Riviera precisely bc we can exhale and relax. I absolutely adore BWV but I don’t have that same feeling there.

We’re gearing up for a split stay at both and I’m kind of regretting starting at Riv bc I’m sure by week 2 I’ll be desperate for some tranquility (and cold brew)

We have the opposite split stay coming next May: 5 nights at BWV and 5 nights at RIV.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

We have the opposite split stay coming next May: 5 nights at BWV and 5 nights at RIV.

We’ll have to compare notes!

 

[SugarSweetLee]

I find them hard to resist - it’s just the two of us and by staying there I can eek out an extra trip! #disneymath

Ah, I kept checking the site and the walkers finally moved on because a normal studio opened up for all our dates, so I switched the tower rooms over and blew the last of our available points to do so. Guess I'll save the tower for another trip

 

[Mouseforward]

Ah, I kept checking the site and the walkers finally moved on because a normal studio opened up for all our dates, so I switched the tower rooms over and blew the last of our available points to do so. Guess I'll save the tower for another trip

Points well spent for 5 nights, I don't think the tower studio is ment for anything more than 1-2 for 1-2 nights. One to two days of Florida storms and you would probably feel a bit caged in.

 

[tx911]

Points well spent for 5 nights, I don't think the tower studio is ment for anything more than 1-2 for 1-2 nights. One to two days of Florida storms and you would probably feel a bit caged in.

I have a couple of Tower stays coming early next year, one 3-night and one 4-nigh. But it will just be me so I think it'll be fine!