Riviera Resort v. Boardwalk Area Resorts

[Momager]

The pricing is very similar for our dates, so that is not a factor. Which would you choose?? We LOVE staying in the Boardwalk Resorts because you can walk to Epcot and DHS. But the Riviera has the Skyliner to Epcot. Is it busses to all other parks then?

Which would you choose??

 

[OKW Lover]

But the Riviera has the Skyliner to Epcot. Is it busses to all other parks then?

The Skyliner will also take you to DHS.

 

[Nabas]

The pricing is very similar for our dates, so that is not a factor. Which would you choose?? We LOVE staying in the Boardwalk Resorts because you can walk to Epcot and DHS. But the Riviera has the Skyliner to Epcot. Is it busses to all other parks then?

Which would you choose??

Boardwalk.

We have stayed at both the Boardwalk and Riviera more than once.

The Riviera puts you on the Skyliner to 2 theme parks, but the Skyliner is not like the Monorail. We're are not fans of the Skyliner. In the middle of the day when lines are short and the weather it nice, the Skyliner is great. In the morning, the lines are frustratingly long. And the Skyliner shuts down for thunderstorms, which happens most days in Orlando, depending on the time of year.

The Boardwalk gets you within walking distance of 2 theme parks. (Or you can take a boat.)

The Riviera is newer and it feels it. At times, the rooms at the Boardwalk show their age.

Both the Boardwalk and Riviera have good pools. I'm not sure I'd say one is better than the other. But the Boardwalk does have what's probably the best WDW hotel water slide.

The Riviera's quick service restaurant is better than the Boardwalk. The Riviera's quick service restaurant is typical for a Deluxe Resort. The Boardwalk has a quick service restaurant but it requires walking outside and has no indoor seating.

The Boardwalk itself is a mini Disney Springs, with a few restaurants, bars, and shops.

Overall, I give the Boardwalk the nod because you can walk to two theme parks and I adore its 1930s/1940s Boardwalk theming.

The Riviera's theming is a little bland. Some might call it elegant. Elegant is nice when I'm on a business trip. When I'm on a WDW trip, I want gimmicky. The Boardwalk is gimmicky.

 

[Marthasor]

We've stayed at RIV and all of the EP resorts and, after one stay at RIV, we returned to only staying in the EP resort area. The rooms at RIV are beautiful, but there are not a lot of food options there and, if the Skyliner goes down (which it does in bad weather or if lightning is in the area), we felt a bit stuck. With the EP resorts, you have so many restaurants, plus EP and DHS within walking distance and some transportation alternatives if you don't want to walk. I would definitely recommend any of the EP resorts over RIV.

 

[TCRAIG]

Agree - BW or BC over RIV - I’m not a fan of the Skyliner

 

[Momager]

Thanks everyone! I'm honestly surprised at the responses as I really thought the Riviera would win out! We've stayed at the Beach Club and Boardwalk more than once, and I guess we'll be going back there! Either the Beach Club or Yacht Club - Whichever one is cheaper LOL

 

[Nabas]

Thanks everyone! I'm honestly surprised at the responses as I really thought the Riviera would win out! We've stayed at the Beach Club and Boardwalk more than once, and I guess we'll be going back there! Either the Beach Club or Yacht Club - Whichever one is cheaper LOL

Since you have stayed at the Beach Club and Boardwalk more than once, go for a new experience.

Go with the Riviera!

 

[EveV]

I am a fan of the food at Riviera (currently, as there is no Flying Fish) but also the pool bar at Riviera is great! Overall, for many reasons @Nabas states, the Boardwalk has more options on everything (dining, bars, other hotels, pools, transportation, stores, nightlife, etc.). I like to stay at both for different reasons obviously, as stated, and would absolutely not be upset with either. I mean, I'm not picky... just a simple gal, choosing between old luxury and new luxury lolol

 

[gottalovepluto]

I love having the coffee shop right there in the morning so my vote is Riviera. Yep, cannot walk back at night without waiting through the line- but real espresso is more important to me

I also like how compact Riviera felt. I was on the second to top floor in the wing furthest from the elevator (opposite of the Skyliner basically) and it still felt like a much shorter walk to the pool than BC felt to me. Riviera has the new TVs with the smart app stuff like Netflix and casting capabilities as well as rainfall showers. I’m a sucker for a rainfall shower!

 

[Sarahslay]

I've stayed at all the Epcot resorts and Riviera, with Riviera being so nice over Christmas that we moved our memorial day trip over there to a 1 bedroom suite because we loved it so much. I do LOVE the Epcot area resorts for being within walking distance to two parks, but I tell you what the walking KILLS me every time going up that hill back to the resorts at the end of the day from Epcot. I also do not like the QS at any of the resorts there which is why being close to Epcot is so incredibly important (and having park hopper tickets in that case which if it's not in your budget means it's no good to be that close to epcot). Honesetly we only had one issue with the skyliner and weather at Riviera on both trips, and we were able to catch a bus easily to where we needed to go (but honestly, we waited because the weather was so bad we didn't want to go at that point anyway). The food is good right there, love the QS & TS, plus the coffee shop is A++ any time of day (but especially helpful in the morning).

 

[goofy4prez]

I have not stayed at the Riviera and can't say that I have a desire to; However, the Boardwalk area resorts have become my favorite location in WDW. My favorite is the YC, but I'm fine with the BWI and the BC as well. Can't beat the easy walk to Epcot or the Studios, or boat if prefer. The restaurant choices such as Flying Fish, Yachtsman Steakhouse and Blue Zoo can't be beat. That and Stormalong Bay is the best of the best for resort pools. I guess the only downside for me is the counter serve options, but I'm really not a fan of them anyway.

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

I vote for Riviera. We own there but have stayed at almost every WDW resort. I do love the Yacht Club! but at RIV the food options are way better plus you can skyline over to boardwalk in 5 minutes, which we do for breakfast, before our Epcot days.

 

[huskerfanatic7]

It's very hard for me to pass up beach club. I tend too switch resorts to beachclub whenever is possible

 

[Princess Merida]

Just returned from our first Riviera stay. It’s beautiful and has excellent food options. The rooms are extra nice and I love the double showers. I will say I felt a bit removed at Riviera and couldn’t rely on the skyliner due to the weather shut downs. Also the pool slide is just okay. We typically stay at the Boardwalk. Love the proximity to parks, pool, shops, and dining options. For me the Boardwalk area wins for these reasons. I also agree with the previous poster that the Boardwalk has the best pool slide on property. If you choose Beach or Yacht obviously the pool area will be excellent. Love to hear and see the boats on the lake and definitely can’t wait for the entertainment to return. It’s just such a fabulous atmosphere.

 

[Lisa_lvspplmvr]

Btw there is a walkway by the river on the left when you exit Epcot . You don’t have to walk up the hill on the bridge . It is even semi shaded
We loved our June stay at Yacht Club . We were in room 1082 on the first floor . We could walk out our patio door and go right into the quiet pool (Admiral I think) . It was our favorite stay yet !

 

[Tigger's ally]

We have not stayed BC or YC, but Riviera hands down over BW. Not even close for us. Food situation at BW was weak. No breakfast. Have to leave the hotel for any food for the most part. Riv has Primo which is really good QS. Two really good TS's with beautiful views, and Bar Riva is a great indoor outdoor lunch or drink spot. And the rooms are so much better. We actually loved the Skyliner and found ourselves just riding it at night just for the romantic feeling seeing the lights. We always were first in line in the morning each morning we went to DHS and were walked right to the front of the line when we got to the changeover. We don't go in the summer so we don't see the afternoon thunderstorms.