Riviera Standard View Studios

[tx911]

Exactly.

That is why I cringe about CFW resale.

The cabins might be nice but families grow in number and in height. DS is already taller than me and I don't know how much longer the bunk beds would be an option if we owned there.

Hopefully will get rolled into lakeshore lodge!

 

[eticketplease]

Hopefully will get rolled into lakeshore lodge!

I think it will like Poly did to help the studio owners.

 

[Royal Consort]

From the outset I thought the concern regarding availability due to resale restrictions was overblown. Riviera is a nicely balanced resort without hefty bungalows or cabins and a good assortment of studios and 1+ bedrooms. You will likely get something, even if you have to shorten your stay. Borrowing is also an option if you buy the minimum for standard views but cannot get it.

I purchased Riviera, skipping Copper Creek, because we book studios in the Fall and I wasn't going to take that gamble, even with a fixed week at Copper Creek because we don't always use that. I see Copper Creek as far more problematic for studios than Riviera.

Like most resorts, the standard/cheaper rooms are going to book first. There is onus on the buyer to factor this in. For example, I own a fixed week standard view, but I also bought an extra add-on that allows me to book preferred view if there are no standard views available when I'm not using the FW. This year, standard view was unavailable right at the 11 month mark. No matter, the points are there for preferred. Resale purchasers should buy enough points to act as a buffer to avoid disappointment.

 

[Sandisw]

I wonder how many resale RIV owners have RIV as their only home resort, and all points are resale only. Meaning that they are truly stuck at RIV.
I added on RIV points via resale, only because I already own at other resorts. I must say that so far I haven’t had to walk even for race weekends if I book right at 8am at 11 months. If I forget, then I can get a PV studio.

My guess is that many of the owners who have bought resale RiV, and will continue to do so will have direct RIV or other resort points as well.

Those that don’t are probably going to be the buyers who buy larger contracts there.

Anyone who buys it as their one and only, and it’s not a large one, they need to plan for PV and recognize they may not get the number of nights they want.

 

[eticketplease]

I purchased Riviera, skipping Copper Creek, because we book studios in the Fall and I wasn't going to take that gamble, even with a fixed week at Copper Creek because we don't always use that. I see Copper Creek as far more problematic for studios than Riviera.

We will never own CCV as I see two bedrooms being more of a problem than studios. While VDH, VGC, OKW, BLT, AUL, AKL, SSR, HHI & VB only sleep 4 in a studio they have multiple options that can handle a 5th guest. At CCV you are forced to try for a 2 bedroom or larger to accommodate that 5th guest.

I think you made the right call on RIV as even if you are only a party of 1-2 and don’t need the larger accommodations it would help for renting your points if you were not able to use them for a year.

 

[mmackeymouse]

I’m sure a lot of people are walking them. That happens with standard view at Boardwalk and Bay Lake as well.

The thing I don't understand about walking is.....you have to be able to get in the door first. I have been trying to book since the beginning of the month, in even an attempt to "walk," and I can't get in the door.

Yes - sadly, you have to play the "one night at a time" game

The problem with this is some people, like myself, may book preferred view just to have *something* on the books. So, their points are wrapped up. In order for them to play one night at a time, they would be giving up a night on their other reservation, and if one of the nights ends up not coming through, then they are potentially setting themselves to lose out on the reservation they already had booked.



Circling back to the OP's original message, I think the question is more.....why is this happening, all of a sudden?

As for me, I have never had trouble getting reservations at Riviera. Not at 6 months, 7 months, 9 months. Granted I usually only book for 2-4 days at any one time, and not a full week, like OP was asking. But still.

I've never even done the 11 month thing until now. That said, I have booked at 7 months, on another membership at other resorts. Do I always get it at 7 months (presuming it's available)? No. But, I would say my track record is probably 50/50- sometimes I get it, sometimes I don't. The point is, I know the 8:00 am drill.

I have tried the last 4 days to book at 8:00 am. Every single time, I get the "Close and refresh" message, and then less than 15 seconds later- gone. It's unusual for me to go ofer. I mean this is.....AKV Value/AKV Club Level/VGC....level difficulty. Which to me is just strange.

 

[Mouseforward]

I have tried the last 4 days to book at 8:00 am. Every single time, I get the "Close and refresh" message, and then less than 15 seconds later- gone. It's unusual for me to go ofer. I mean this is.....AKV Value/AKV Club Level/VGC....level difficulty. Which to me is just strange

I think we have multiple things going on with RIV

1. Sales have been pretty strong for the past year. There is even a possibility that RIV will be sold out in 18 months.
2. The more people who buy RIV and stay at RIV end up loving it , while it was a much maligned property when launched, it grows on people. It became my favorite quickly and my family only wants to stay at RIV now ( I may even sell my Poly points and get RIV resale)
3. Resale points are selling fast and it is a restricted resort so 100% of resale owners are booking RIV at 11 months.
4. More and more MK areas points are being created but no new Epcot area resorts points have been created since the RIV launch 5 years ago. Availability is going to get worse until we have another Epcot area option.

Edit - I would not be shocked to see Aruba demolished and a second RIV tower being built.

 

[TexasChick123]

I bought RIV direct back in 2019 shortly after it launched. It has quickly become one of my kids’ favorite resorts. We own at VGF, BLT, and RIV. My kids love all 3 for different reasons. We’ve stayed at other resorts after booking within 7 months, but we always end up back at our home resorts by choice. I don’t think the resale restrictions ended up affecting the resale sales as much as people thought they would. If I owned some RIV resale points, I’d be happy to book there at 11 months. I haven’t had any issues booking there, but I do book 1BRs and 2BRs.

 

[Royal Consort]

I bought RIV direct back in 2019 shortly after it launched. It has quickly become one of my kids’ favorite resorts. We own at VGF, BLT, and RIV. My kids love all 3 for different reasons. We’ve stayed at other resorts after booking within 7 months, but we always end up back at our home resorts by choice. I don’t think the re at restrictions ended up affecting the resale sales as much as people thought they would. If I owned some RIV resale points, I’d be happy to book there at 11 months. I haven’t had any issues booking there, but I do book 1BRs and 2BRs.

The problem we face is NOT using our points outside of Riviera at 7 months (negating the benefit for direct points). We are so used to the Riviera style of vacation the last 5 years and have our routine (coffee at Petit, afternoon by the quiet pool, cocktail at Topolino's at sunset) that I think we may be disappointed staying elsewhere! Considering BRV at seven months this year, but they just don't have the things!

 

[DVCsloth]

Still seeing low or no availability for Riviera and CCV at 11 months.

 

[Dobermanns]

Still seeing low or no availability for Riviera and CCV at 11 months.

Eleven months from the last couple days is the start of marathon weekend 2026. I would’ve booked RIV (1/5 -1/12/26) if not for booking the new Poly Tower.

 

[Brian Noble]

I've been watching too---for most of the last week or two, it would have been pretty easy to piece together a longer reservation by cleaning up after the walkers go by. A little more work, but if you miss out on the 8AM cattle call, there are options.

I suspect using the waitlist day-by-day would accomplish the same thing, but you're giving up (the illusion of) control to do that.