Riviera v. Boardwalk

[LSchrow]

-Riviera Studios are 64 square feet larger, with tons of storage (older resorts like BW fall short with storage & amenities such as USB ports), a gorgeous walk-in shower plus tub/shower combo, and Queen Murphy bed (infinitely more comfy than the smaller Full sofa bed at BWV) - it's the most elegant & upscale of all WDW Resorts, IMHO
-BoardWalk has lots more going on, better Community Hall, more dining options (BC/YC, Swolphin nearby), walk to 2 parks & mini-golf (less reliance on WDW transportation)
Both have the drop-down bed, great views, lovely grounds. Those are our 2 favorite resorts so we will often do a split stay between them

 

[Doberge]

When money is not an issue I prefer Riviera as a resort especially with boardwalk activities down (yes, about the same activities but Riviera as a better energy without the boardwalk active). However, I'd personally pick BWV if rope drop is important. We stayed at Riviera recently and chose to drive to HS opening and another day for EPCOT when we knew we'd be there for closing because Skyliner was that annoying at openings/closings. Hopefully that improves with more parties on Skyliner. Pocketing $1000 is also very appealing, you can have some really nice experiences with that saved cash.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Between the 2 resorts, which would you choose and why? My family and I are DVC members but we'd be renting points to stay at either of these two resorts. Boardwalk is about $1,000 cheaper than Riviera. I love the location of Beach Club but it looks like it's not available for when we want to visit.

My decision would be based on where I'd spend most of my time. If I will be at epcot and DHS more, than BWV is a no brainer. The skyliner is a nice perk but it does go down alot and especially in the rainy season. I would rather rely on my own two feet to get to the parks. Also, the boardwalk area is much nicer and has more food choices than Riviera. Food at Riviera at Topolinos and Primo Piatto is good but it's not like you'd hop to CBR or the other skyliner resorts to eat for any better options. The Skyliner at morning/peak has some long lines. Usually they move fast and I'd suspect now with guests sharing gondolas, it should move faster. The Riviera is beautiful and the rooms are very well appointed. The BWV is nice but just comparing rooms, IMO Riviera is much nicer just for the token of being newer and has a more luxurious feeling than BWV. We do studios when we stay and both resorts have the extra under TV pull down which is nice so my kids don't have to share a bed. The Riviera has nice views if that's important to you but I prefer the views of the lake at Boardwalk over looking at CBR. Also, if you like the area more, Boardwalk just has more going on with dining being next to Swan/Dolphin and Yacht/Beach and in normal times, entertainment. But for me, just sitting out on the boardwalk, grabbing a drink and a bite is enough for me.

 

[vacay77]

-Riviera Studios are 64 square feet larger, with tons of storage (older resorts like BW fall short with storage & amenities such as USB ports), a gorgeous walk-in shower plus tub/shower combo, and Queen Murphy bed (infinitely more comfy than the smaller Full sofa bed at BWV) - it's the most elegant & upscale of all WDW Resorts, IMHO
-BoardWalk has lots more going on, better Community Hall, more dining options (BC/YC, Swolphin nearby), walk to 2 parks & mini-golf (less reliance on WDW transportation)
Both have the drop-down bed, great views, lovely grounds. Those are our 2 favorite resorts so we will often do a split stay between them

It’s interesting you mentioned the walk in shower. We just stayed at the Aulani and one thing I didn’t like about the room was that it still had a tub instead of a walk in shower.

 

[MomOTwins]

I'm biased because Riviera is my home resort and my favorite resort on property and I would choose it every time purely because I think it is a much better resort--better rooms, better QS dining, more compact layout so easier to get around (hated the endless hallways at BWV), but I won't deny that BWV is better for rope dropping HS and EP, and given that is a priority for OP, I think they should stay at BW. The skyliner is convenient, but it does have the risk of downtime, and even when it is running you won't be first in the gate like you would be when you walk. I don't mind being person number 300 through the gates, but to each his own.

One caveat, I'm not sure when the trip is, but once bus service goes back to "normal," Riviera does have the benefit of having dedicated buses to MK/AK, whereas when we've stayed at Crescent lake resorts in the past it was often shared bus service that was a pain because it was slower with the multiple stops and there was a risk buses filled up before your stop. Right now though, I believe BWV still has its own buses to enable Covid-era distancing.

 

[sssteele]

I'm biased because Riviera is my home resort and my favorite resort on property and I would choose it every time purely because I think it is a much better resort--better rooms, better QS dining, more compact layout so easier to get around (hated the endless hallways at BWV), but I won't deny that BWV is better for rope dropping HS and EP, and given that is a priority for OP, I think they should stay at BW. The skyliner is convenient, but it does have the risk of downtime, and even when it is running you won't be first in the gate like you would be when you walk. I don't mind being person number 300 through the gates, but to each his own.

One caveat, I'm not sure when the trip is, but once bus service goes back to "normal," Riviera does have the benefit of having dedicated buses to MK/AK, whereas when we've stayed at Crescent lake resorts in the past it was often shared bus service that was a pain because it was slower with the multiple stops and there was a risk buses filled up before your stop. Right now though, I believe BWV still has its own buses to enable Covid-era distancing.

Not impressed with Riviera.

 

[MomOTwins]

Not impressed with Riviera.

Resort taste is for sure subjective. I guess I an be more specific why I prefer RIV as a resort to BWV:

1. Rooms: Riv studio has larger bathrooms with walk-in rainforest shower--the studio also has the split bathroom layout which helps with multiple people getting ready at once. The murphy bed is also more comfy than the pull out couch in both the studios and suites. Room views at Riv are also very nice even in standard as you can see a long way versus BWV you really need a boardwalk view or you will be looking at trees or right next to a noisy pool.
2. Layout: Riv is more compact so you are never super far from anything since they built it vertically instead of horizontally. BW has such a long walk from the far rooms to the shops/dining/transportation.
3. Dining: We felt QS at BWV was quite poor. Just a (yucky) pizza window and a coffee shop. If Epcot were open in the mornings and park hopping was unrestricted, we could eat in WS pretty easily, but now, the lack of a good QS at BWV is really a downside. In contrast, Primo Piatto is excellent both at breakfast and lunch/dinner.
4. Pool: These resorts are pretty close in that both pools have pluses and minuses to me. At BWV I don't like the mickey cartoon overlay at the slide which feels very "value resort" to me (though I concede it is better than the awful clown they used to have), and I don't like that it lacks zero entry. At Riviera, I think the main pool could be a little more lush--needs some more palm trees or an infinit effect with the nearby lake or something "extra", but I do love the "tower" slide, the kiddie splash pad, and the quiet pool is perfect.
5. Theme: A lot of people say they don't get the theme of Riv. I grew up overseas and we went to french and italian riviera every summer, and I feel like they captured the theme perfectly. The elegant marble, light and bright color palate, furnishings, awnings, palm trees, gelato cart and cushioned loungers by the pool--it really was a stunning replica of what I remember from my childhood vacations and not at all "generic" to me. Other people don't enjoy that, but I was blown away by how pretty it was--much nicer in person than in photos. Know what it reminds me of? The Beast's castle in Fantasyland. I looked at it and see a castle up on a mountain and think it looks incredible. My DH looked at it and said: they took a toy-sized castle and stuck it on top of the restaurant. Sometimes we all just perceive stuff differently. Boardwalk is kind of a mixed bag on design for me--I think the boardwalk itself is beautiful, especially all lit up at night, but the resort inside is a lot of long drab corridors and feels like it has seen slightly better days.

Transportation I already discussed. I do think BWV has the edge on that if you are a rope dropper. We're not, so we're happy with the gondolas, but OP sounds like BWV would be a better fit.

 

[snappy]

I love water views, boardwalk view at the boardwalk, lake view at the Poly, and I like boat transport. We did a BW/poly split put last trip. It was perfect.

 

[kinkin201]

I think it would depend on what my plans that trip are. If I’m planning to go to the parks everyday I would definitely pick Boardwalk. Mostly due to the access to both HS and Epcot. If I have an AP and the parks aren’t a priority I would go with Rivera. The only park I would really want access to is Epcot for the food variety and that is an easy Skyliner ride away.

 

[rstiv]

I know I might get some heat for this but despite the location of Boardwalk it’s one of our least favorite resorts maybe because we are Jersey locals and the theme just doesn’t do it for us. We also love Beach club but I would vote Riviera it’s nice and new and a great vibe. BWV needs a serious refurb IMO

 

[808blessing]

Boardwalk: first rate location, variety of choices, point chart, no restrictions, transport: walk/boat/skyliner

Riviera: food, exp year, new/shiny

 

[zavandor]

Is anyone going to sleep on the sofa? Then Riviera has the huge benefit of having the pull down bed, which is as good as a real bed.

 

[vacay77]

Thank you everyone for your input. I didn’t

Is anyone going to sleep on the sofa? Then Riviera has the huge benefit of having the pull down bed, which is as good as a real bed.

Possibly. My son can either sleep there or it looks like it has a pull down bed as well?

 

[Timandalicia]

Between the 2 resorts, which would you choose and why? My family and I are DVC members but we'd be renting points to stay at either of these two resorts. Boardwalk is about $1,000 cheaper than Riviera. I love the location of Beach Club but it looks like it's not available for when we want to visit.

Boardwalk

 

[vacay77]

Thank you everyone for your input. I'm going to go with Boardwalk if it's still available. The location and the price is the biggest draw for me, especially because my son's favorite park is Epcot. I do still want to try Riviera someday, though. I think that was more for me since I like the theming more, lol.

 

[nlenguyen]

My decision would be based on where I'd spend most of my time. If I will be at epcot and DHS more, than BWV is a no brainer. The skyliner is a nice perk but it does go down alot and especially in the rainy season. I would rather rely on my own two feet to get to the parks. Also, the boardwalk area is much nicer and has more food choices than Riviera. Food at Riviera at Topolinos and Primo Piatto is good but it's not like you'd hop to CBR or the other skyliner resorts to eat for any better options. The Skyliner at morning/peak has some long lines. Usually they move fast and I'd suspect now with guests sharing gondolas, it should move faster. The Riviera is beautiful and the rooms are very well appointed. The BWV is nice but just comparing rooms, IMO Riviera is much nicer just for the token of being newer and has a more luxurious feeling than BWV. We do studios when we stay and both resorts have the extra under TV pull down which is nice so my kids don't have to share a bed. The Riviera has nice views if that's important to you but I prefer the views of the lake at Boardwalk over looking at CBR. Also, if you like the area more, Boardwalk just has more going on with dining being next to Swan/Dolphin and Yacht/Beach and in normal times, entertainment. But for me, just sitting out on the boardwalk, grabbing a drink and a bite is enough for me.

I agree. I like that Boardwalk has a lot more walkable access to dining. I feel Riveria you have to drive to get to most dining locations if the skyliner is really busy

 

[DRT-eagle]

Personal choice is hard. i love teh beach feel of boardwalk and the boats. Keep going back.

 

[Gayle C]

Can you walk to epcot or hollywood from the Riveria? Does the skyliner take you directly to either park ?

 

[CarolynFH]

Can you walk to epcot or hollywood from the Riveria? Does the skyliner take you directly to either park ?

No, you can't walk to either one from Riviera. The Skyliner takes you directly to the IG entrance of Epcot, but on the way to DHS you have to disembark at CBR and board the DHS line.