Riviera or Four Seasons (or similar)

[Maryrachel713]

I'm a DVC member and am planning a Star Wars/Harry Potter girls trip for me, my two sisters and our step mom. Step mom will prefer 4 Seasons or similar. Dad is probably going to pay for it, and just wants this trip to be what she wants. She hates crowds but will do it for her two fave things (she also likes Halloween, so could try to tie in with that, and I don't have a timeline for the trip so it could be next spring/fall/whatever. I'll need either two rooms or a suite of some kind--a 1 bedroom that sleeps 5 should be fine; she can have the bedroom and the 3 of us can take the main room. I've only toured the Riviera but for those what have experience with that AND luxury resorts (because TBH I don't really) how does it compare? I don't think the amenities are as big a deal as the quality of the accommodations.

Would love to know if people think Riviera will be luxe enough for her.

 

[Cfabar1]

if you're looking for true luxury, Riviera doesn't offer it. If my memory serves, there aren't even robes in the room, for example. no spa, one very good restaurant. riviera offers villa locations for timeshare owners....

However, you can use the Skyliner which is convenient.

If you're looking for true luxury I would say 4 seasons.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

DVC member here who also likes nice hotels.

Personally I’d never want to go to Disney but not stay on property, so while I have been to many Four Seasons around the world, the one in Orlando has no appeal to me. But your stepmom may not feel the same way. None of the Disney properties are going to be able to compare if that is the experience that she is looking for/will only be happy with.


If your SM is interested in Halloween, I might steer her more towards a MK property and go to MNSSHP (the Halloween party). The Poly Bungalows are probably the best mix of luxury and lack of crowds, BUT Poly itself is a zoo. The Copper Creek 3BD is my favorite room on property, and I love looking out over the water. It feels very peaceful there, but it is definitely less convenient to MK than other places. You can’t really go wrong with a Grand Floridian 2BD (or 3BD) and that’s probably the most convenient of the 3 options. Riviera is a very pleasant place to stay, with great food options and a very calm vibe. BUT it’s easier to get an Uber to HS from a MK resort than take an Uber to MK (have to go to the ticket and transportation center), so unless you are willing to pay for a Minnie Van instead - and they can be tricky at the end of the night - so it’s up to you which park you’d mostly want to focus on. Getting to HP is no different from either place.

The other DVC properties will disappoint if she wants a luxury experience. IMO Bungalows, VGF, Copper 3 (only), or Riviera are all close enough (though definitely a step down) that the pros may outweigh the cons.

 

[Minnie1222]

I've stayed at the Four Seasons and visited the Riviera. The ambience of FS is definitely more luxurious than Riviera.

If you're considering other resorts, I would highly recommend the Grand Floridian. The rate for their theme park view club room is currently just a little bit higher than a theme park view regular room at the FS, but you get the club access and a much closer view of the fireworks.

I believe both FS and GF are having some constructions right now. You may want to look into that prior to booking.

 

[Maryrachel713]

She doesn't like spas so I think it's just...overall luxury.

DVC member here who also likes nice hotels.

Personally I’d never want to go to Disney but not stay on property, so while I have been to many Four Seasons around the world, the one in Orlando has no appeal to me. But your stepmom may not feel the same way. None of the Disney properties are going to be able to compare if that is the experience that she is looking for/will only be happy with.


If your SM is interested in Halloween, I might steer her more towards a MK property and go to MNSSHP (the Halloween party). The Poly Bungalows are probably the best mix of luxury and lack of crowds, BUT Poly itself is a zoo. The Copper Creek 3BD is my favorite room on property, and I love looking out over the water. It feels very peaceful there, but it is definitely less convenient to MK than other places. You can’t really go wrong with a Grand Floridian 2BD (or 3BD) and that’s probably the most convenient of the 3 options. Riviera is a very pleasant place to stay, with great food options and a very calm vibe. BUT it’s easier to get an Uber to HS from a MK resort than take an Uber to MK (have to go to the ticket and transportation center), so unless you are willing to pay for a Minnie Van instead - and they can be tricky at the end of the night - so it’s up to you which park you’d mostly want to focus on. Getting to HP is no different from either place.

The other DVC properties will disappoint if she wants a luxury experience. IMO Bungalows, VGF, Copper 3 (only), or Riviera are all close enough (though definitely a step down) that the pros may outweigh the cons.

This is very helpful thanks--I also feel like on property probably outweighs some level of luxury and I feel like its a general luxury thing so maybe one of those others would work ok. I don't think I've got the points for a cabin or 3 bed (esp for 4 people lol) so I'll have to see about the Halloween party.

I've stayed at the Four Seasons and visited the Riviera. The ambience of FS is definitely more luxurious than Riviera.

If you're considering other resorts, I would highly recommend the Grand Floridian. The rate for their theme park view club room is currently just a little bit higher than a theme park view regular room at the FS, but you get the club access and a much closer view of the fireworks.

I believe both FS and GF are having some constructions right now. You may want to look into that prior to booking.

Do you know when GF was updated? I've heard the rooms are a bit dated but haven't stayed there.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

She doesn't like spas so I think it's just...overall luxury.


This is very helpful thanks--I also feel like on property probably outweighs some level of luxury and I feel like its a general luxury thing so maybe one of those others would work ok. I don't think I've got the points for a cabin or 3 bed (esp for 4 people lol) so I'll have to see about the Halloween party.

Do you know when GF was updated? I've heard the rooms are a bit dated but haven't stayed there.

VGF’s 2BD rooms don’t feel dated to me. Ironically BC, fresh off a renovation, went downhill in my eyes after staying at VGF and RIV recently. I like the new Murphy bed, but otherwise i was disappointed. And BC is our family’s favorite resort!

If your dad is willing to cover the cost, perhaps you may want to consider looking into renting points if you were trying for a bigger reservation than what your own points would cover. I wouldn’t necessarily stay at the cabins at copper, but the bungalows are pretty consistently available at 7m so you might be able to source (relatively) cheap rental points and try for one of those.

 

[Minnie1222]

Do you know when GF was updated? I've heard the rooms are a bit dated but haven't stayed there.

I believe all the rooms just had the major refurbishment. When I tried to book the theme park view club room this past December, I was told those rooms were "recently done". (Unfortunately, I wasn't quick enough and the room was taken before I could purchase).

I'm currently waiting for the construction to wrap up at GF before going back there.

 

[ocdb8r1]

As regards luxury, there's no comparison. The Four Seasons wins hands down with much better rooms, amenities and service. You get twice daily room servicing and the pools are outstanding. It is also virtually "on property" and really only lacks some transportation and extra evening hours.

The GF is slightly closer as regards aesthetic, but again, no room servicing (which to me is a total must for a true "luxury" vacation). While I personally am very happy (and often prefer) to stay in a timeshare where I have more space as well as a full kitchen and laundry it does not feel "luxury" and there is no "pampering" involved.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I guess for me, there is a whole world out there where I can stay at the Four Seasons or equivalent, but only a handful of ways to be at Disney.

 

[Cfabar1]

I guess for me, there is a whole world out there where I can stay at the Four Seasons or equivalent, but only a handful of ways to be at Disney.

Yes that's kind of the challenge isn't it...

Without knowing the poster, it is hard to know what they would feel is an acceptable lack of luxury. The Grand Floridian is one of my favorite hotels in the world, and we are proud owners at VGF. I wish I had even more points there! It is truly an amazing property to visit, and it feels so distinct and special.

That said, I have stayed in true luxury hotels and have visited several of them. Grand Floridian, as much as I love it, does not come close to the amenities and offerings - and Grand Floridian is a distinct cut above the rest of the Disney/DVC portfolio in my view.

Personally, I'd take the Grand or even a Riviera Villa, but I also am someone who isn't a huge fan of luxury - I prefer slightly premium products that are unique, and that is how I feel about much of the Disney portfolio.

 

[ocdb8r1]

I guess for me, there is a whole world out there where I can stay at the Four Seasons or equivalent, but only a handful of ways to be at Disney.

...but one could easily flip that around and say, there are Four Seasons all over the world, but only ONE on Disney Property, with it's own on-site Character Breakfast, princess makeover experiences and hidden Mickey's. It's technically on Disney property and benefits from early entry. It's a mile closer to the Magic Kingdom than Riviera (not helpful if Studios is your destination for Galaxy's Edge given the OP mentioned Star Wars).

I guess I'm just curious what people mean when they are saying they prefer to stay "on property" or "at Disney" compared to the Four Seasons.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Yes that's kind of the challenge isn't it...

Without knowing the poster, it is hard to know what they would feel is an acceptable lack of luxury. The Grand Floridian is one of my favorite hotels in the world, and we are proud owners at VGF. I wish I had even more points there! It is truly an amazing property to visit, and it feels so distinct and special.

That said, I have stayed in true luxury hotels and have visited several of them. Grand Floridian, as much as I love it, does not come close to the amenities and offerings - and Grand Floridian is a distinct cut above the rest of the Disney/DVC portfolio in my view.

Personally, I'd take the Grand or even a Riviera Villa, but I also am someone who isn't a huge fan of luxury - I prefer slightly premium products that are unique, and that is how I feel about much of the Disney portfolio.

That’s exactly how I feel! For me…it’s luxurious enough that I don’t feel the need to look elsewhere, but if one always requires a certain standard, it probably isn’t going to meet it.

 

[Minnie1222]

I guess I'm just curious what people mean when they are saying they prefer to stay "on property" or "at Disney" compared to the Four Seasons.

For me, luxury means the ability to walk, boat, or monorail back to the hotel after a late night at MK.

It's also cheaper to stay at GF than FS. This is the current nightly rate for a few nights over this Halloween:



I will likely get 35% and maybe 10% AP discount from the theme park view non-club and club rooms, respectively. No discounts from FS.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

For me, luxury means the ability to walk, boat, or monorail back to the hotel after a late night at MK.

It's also cheaper to stay at GF than FS. This is the current nightly rate for a few nights over this Halloween:

View attachment 882724

I will likely get 35% and maybe 10% AP discount from the theme park view non-club and club rooms, respectively.

The other thing I just thought of is that if they are asking for sleeping accommodations for 5, I can’t imagine them squeezing into one room, so we’d probably need to compare the VGF 2BD to multiple rooms/suites at the Four Seasons (even the suites only sleep 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children).

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Comparing just the resorts, it's not even close. Four Seasons is much more luxurious with a 5-star feel and appeal. Riviera is nice, but not along the lines of Four Seasons. I don't even put Grand Floridian in the same category, even though Disney would want you to think it is. But being on property with easy access to the Disney parks and Disney restaurants without needing transportation from the FS is most definitely a plus. And if you could get a DVC 2BR villa? It might not be the Four Seasons, but most of really, really nice for the space and location.

 

[ocdb8r1]

The other thing I just thought of is that if they are asking for sleeping accommodations for 5, I can’t imagine them squeezing into one room, so we’d probably need to compare the VGF 2BD to multiple rooms/suites at the Four Seasons (even the suites only sleep 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children).

Agreed...but this is another reason I'd pick the Four Seasons if someone else is paying for a special trip. I have plenty of opportunities to stay at a DVC property for cheaper.

Fair point on the convenience of the monorail resorts. I'm not sure I'd call it luxury, but it sure does feel good to get "home" so quickly from the MK.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

DVC and also a fan of luxury hotels...I would throw out the Swan Reserve. While it's not the Four Seasons, it's in an amazing location, is fairly new with a sophisticated vibe and their EPCOT-view suites have absolutely stunning views. Plus, since this is an adult-only trip, it's not completely overrun with kids. You can also connect a King room with a junior suite w/ 2 Queens - while no kitchen there's a huge table, sofa, etc.

 

[Minnie1222]

The other thing I just thought of is that if they are asking for sleeping accommodations for 5, I can’t imagine them squeezing into one room, so we’d probably need to compare the VGF 2BD to multiple rooms/suites at the Four Seasons (even the suites only sleep 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children).

They must get two adjacent rooms. Four women sharing one bathroom is a hard pass for me.

 

[Cfabar1]

DVC and also a fan of luxury hotels...I would throw out the Swan Reserve. While it's not the Four Seasons, it's in an amazing location, is fairly new with a sophisticated vibe and their EPCOT-view suites have absolutely stunning views. Plus, since this is an adult-only trip, it's not completely overrun with kids. You can also connect a King room with a junior suite w/ 2 Queens - while no kitchen there's a huge table, sofa, etc.

Or spring for a chairman's suite... I'm sure it can connect to another room... Those are awesome!

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Or spring for a chairman's suite... I'm sure it can connect to another room... Those are awesome!

Good call!!