Riviera vs Poly Deluxe Studio

[KateMW]

Has anybody stayed in both? We just got back from a week at the Riviera with our son and really liked the room layout and size and the pulldown beds. We are taking both of our kids (18 year old daughter) for a quick trip at the beginning of Thanksgiving break since they've never been to Disney together and am now looking at the same type room but at the Poly. The videos I'm watching makes it seem like the Poly rooms are smaller? And maybe less storage? We liked pretty much everything about the Riviera except the lack of better food options but also have always loved the Poly so sentimentality is coming into play for what could be our kids first and last trip together. Help me decide!

FWIW, I would prefer a one bedroom but none are available at either.

 

[Nabas]

Has anybody stayed in both? We just got back from a week at the Riviera with our son and really liked the room layout and size and the pulldown beds. We are taking both of our kids (18 year old daughter) for a quick trip at the beginning of Thanksgiving break since they've never been to Disney together and am now looking at the same type room but at the Poly. The videos I'm watching makes it seem like the Poly rooms are smaller? And maybe less storage? We liked pretty much everything about the Riviera except the lack of better food options but also have always loved the Poly so sentimentality is coming into play for what could be our kids first and last trip together. Help me decide!

FWIW, I would prefer a one bedroom but none are available at either.

We've stayed in a Studio at both a few times.

The Poly rooms are large but the living space feels a bit small to me. Conversely, the dual shower area at the Poly feels huge.

We are fans of trying new. Since you have stayed at RIV but never at Poly, going with the Poly is an east choice.

 

[Disneyhanna]

I stayed in a preferred view deluxe studio at Riviera in November and a standard deluxe studio at Poly in February! I think the Poly felt a tad bit bigger but they're very close, definitely comparable. I think part of what made Poly feel bigger was Riviera has a little nook by the door with the closet and adjoining room door, so it feels a bit separate from the room and thus eats into the useable square footage (though it works great for putting suitcases out of sight). Whereas at Poly you just walk right in and it's one closet along the hallway instead of in a little nook. But it's not a major difference, either way I think the rooms would feel a bit tight with three adults and a kid but certainly will work given the two bathrooms.

Riviera:

Poly:

You can see how much bigger the bathroom with the toilet is at Poly, but it's wasted space unless you're using it for a pack and play in which it would be awesome. Also there are two separate sinks in the Poly room which is probably a big advantage for a family, vs. just a shared sink at Riviera. It's also nice that the Poly bathrooms are separated by a wall instead of a just a pocket door if you want more privacy.

The balcony at Poly felt bigger but it may vary a bit by room. We don't really use storage so I can't say much there but the remodels are all so similar now I'm sure it's about the same. The beds are identical between the two, the queen pull down Murphy bed is not as thick as a regular mattress (it's more foam-y) but it is still plenty comfortable for an adult (and I am picky about beds).

All that to say...I don't think you can go wrong. I loved both for different reasons. If the bathroom situation is a big deal I think Poly has a big edge given the two sinks alone. That's really the only big difference for the actual room imo. But I prefer the location of Riviera as an adult (and entering from the IG), as I don't spend more than a day or two at MK per trip. Same giant Smart TVs, pull down small bed below the TV, etc. I do like that Riviera is much quieter and calmer and you don't have to walk much outside since the rooms are in the main building.

Edit: Adding a few more pictures

"Nook" in Riviera by the front door

 

[Sandisw]

I have stayed in both and the living area in RIV was larger...at least it seemed that way...there than at Poly, due to the set up of the dual bathroom.

The last time I did it, it was just me, and I preferred RIV...but, I don't know if it is because the RIV studio was brighter...

 

[KateMW]

So one of our adults is a tiny 18 year old with a ton of makeup so the larger bathroom might be helpful with two sinks. But I do feel like the Rev is brighter too? Weird.

What are the chances a 1bd in either place will open up? We are not DVC so I'm just going through the Disney website.

 

[Sandisw]

So one of our adults is a tiny 18 year old with a ton of makeup so the larger bathroom might be helpful with two sinks. But I do feel like the Rev is brighter too? Weird.

What are the chances a 1bd in either place will open up? We are not DVC so I'm just going through the Disney website.

That makes a difference is you are not staying DVC.

Poly has no 1 bedrooms. But RIV is more likely to have rooms because they resort is not yet sold out for DVC ownership..which means that Disney still owns a lot of rooms to offer.

Since Poly is sold out, there are only a few ways rooms will show up for cash stays and the time you are going is a really busy DVC time so the chances of that showing up are pretty slim.

 

[Minniemoo15]

We find the Poly studios very spacious . The balconies are also considerably larger than other studios we have stayed at.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

We find the Poly studios very spacious . The balconies are also considerably larger than other studios we have stayed at.

Yes and the balcony chairs are maybe the best at WDW