Riviera without the Skyliner

[emilymad]

We have a mid July reservation at Riviera. All reports seem to indicate that the Skyliner won't be running. That was one of the main pluses for us staying at Riviera. We debating keeping our Disney trip or doing other things in Orlando just in general. It seems that transportation could be chaotic if it is all bus transportation. For those who have stayed at Riviera how big of a deal is this?

 

[erionm]

Disney had the cabins on the line doing testing within the last week or so. So, it's quite possible that they could be running when Epcot and DHS open on July 15.

 

[tjkraz]

It would be a bit of a letdown, for sure. But most Disney resorts operate entirely on bus transportation. And I think Riviera is the single smallest Disney-owned resort in all of WDW. What makes you think it would be any more chaotic than Kidani, Saratoga, OKW, etc.?

 

[emilymad]

It would be a bit of a letdown, for sure. But most Disney resorts operate entirely on bus transportation. And I think Riviera is the single smallest Disney-owned resort in all of WDW. What makes you think it would be any more chaotic than Kidani, Saratoga, OKW, etc.?

It wouldn't but the price for Riviera is higher than the other resorts.

We check in 7/17 so we will have to make a decision before we know for sure. I know that is just like everything else and under the changes we accept. We have an offsite hotel booked for half the price since we decided to keep our points safe with all of the uncertainty.

 

[tgboys3]

We have a mid July reservation at Riviera. All reports seem to indicate that the Skyliner won't be running. That was one of the main pluses for us staying at Riviera. We debating keeping our Disney trip or doing other things in Orlando just in general. It seems that transportation could be chaotic if it is all bus transportation. For those who have stayed at Riviera how big of a deal is this?

We did our tour last October of Riviera. We are walkers so my first question not just for Riviera but a lot of the other DVC resorts like Wilderness Lodge, etc - why don't they offer more walkways. There are access roads for Disney vehicles so why not be creative and do cool walkways. I would think especially now in this environment more walkways would be beneficial today and help with crowds on transportation in the future. Similar to the new walkway from Grand Floridan to MK. Riviera to Epcot is really a short walk. We love Boardwalk because we walk to both Epcot and Hollywood.

 

[MB1232]

I agree that one of the big perks for Riviera is the Skyliner. The deluxe resort price- wouldn't be worth it for us without all of the amenities and the skyliner.

 

[erionm]

Riviera to Epcot is really a short walk.

And you would have to cross a major roadway which Disney doesn't want. Also, you would need to walk to the IG entrance as Disney will not add a 3rd entrance to Epcot.

We love Boardwalk because we walk to both Epcot and Hollywood.

That path was incomplete for MANY years.

 

[emilymad]

We did our tour last October of Riviera. We are walkers so my first question not just for Riviera but a lot of the other DVC resorts like Wilderness Lodge, etc - why don't they offer more walkways. There are access roads for Disney vehicles so why not be creative and do cool walkways. I would think especially now in this environment more walkways would be beneficial today and help with crowds on transportation in the future. Similar to the new walkway from Grand Floridan to MK. Riviera to Epcot is really a short walk. We love Boardwalk because we walk to both Epcot and Hollywood.

We are normally Boardwalk people and like walking to both parks. We thought we would try something different this time which is seeming to be a mistake.

 

[RanDIZ]

We did our tour last October of Riviera. We are walkers so my first question not just for Riviera but a lot of the other DVC resorts like Wilderness Lodge, etc - why don't they offer more walkways. There are access roads for Disney vehicles so why not be creative and do cool walkways. I would think especially now in this environment more walkways would be beneficial today and help with crowds on transportation in the future. Similar to the new walkway from Grand Floridan to MK. Riviera to Epcot is really a short walk. We love Boardwalk because we walk to both Epcot and Hollywood.

I mentioned in a different thread that AK needs one. There’s endless possibilities and imagination on how they could approach the less then 1 mike trek from AK to AKL. If they incorporated live animals along a path or Disney themed scenes it’d be a no brainer.

 

[tjkraz]

We did our tour last October of Riviera. We are walkers so my first question not just for Riviera but a lot of the other DVC resorts like Wilderness Lodge, etc - why don't they offer more walkways.

WDW is mostly swampland, filled with gators, snakes and other critters. Disney cannot afford to just pave a path through the woods and endorse guest use. Any walkway needs to be properly lit, maintained and secured.

Riviera is physically close to Epcot but if you look at an overhead, it's nowhere near one of the park access points. To the east of Epcot you have cast member parking and a bunch of backstage facilities. Surrounding it on the other side are the reedy creek fire station, a creek surrounding the back of the world showcase, boardwalk cast parking, Skyliner pylons, etc. Disney doesn't want guests anywhere near those areas.

 

[tgboys3]

And you would have to cross a major roadway which Disney doesn't want. Also, you would need to walk to the IG entrance as Disney will not add a 3rd entrance to Epcot.


That path was incomplete for MANY years.

So if you look at the maps, which we did with our DVC rep the roads are built and it does not make you cross a major roadway and it would bring you to the IG entrance. Our rep said they have talked about this for a few years. So it may happen. I am not sure what you mean about the path was incomplete for many years. We bought the year Boardwalk was opened and we used it day 1.

 

[tgboys3]

I mentioned in a different thread that AK needs one. There’s endless possibilities and imagination on how they could approach the less then 1 mike trek from AK to AKL. If they incorporated live animals along a path or Disney themed scenes it’d be a no brainer.

We were also told that the skyliner is being planned for AKL.

 

[i<3riviera]

͏

 

[Ms.Minnie]

So if you look at the maps, which we did with our DVC rep the roads are built and it does not make you cross a major roadway and it would bring you to the IG entrance. Our rep said they have talked about this for a few years. So it may happen. I am not sure what you mean about the path was incomplete for many years. We bought the year Boardwalk was opened and we used it day 1.

The walkway between GF and MK is what was being talked about.

 

[tjkraz]

So if you look at the maps, which we did with our DVC rep the roads are built and it does not make you cross a major roadway and it would bring you to the IG entrance.

You cannot get from Riviera to Epcot without crossing Buena Vista Drive or Victory Way. Both are major roadways.

In theory, they could create a footbridge over Victory way, followed by a path that eventually meets up with the walkway between BoardWalk and Hollywood Studios. That would be a total walk about 3-4x the current distance between BW and DHS. Very few people would be willing to use it. It wouldn't allow Disney to reduce other transportation services and save money.

Our rep said they have talked about this for a few years.

Respectfully, he might have been telling you what you wanted to hear. It's unlikely that a DVC salesperson would be privy to any meaningful high-level discussions about future property modifications. Besides, if you asked about it, sounds a lot better to just say "yeah, I've heard rumors they may do that" rather than "no, I don't think that will ever happen."

 

[i<3riviera]

͏

 

[Drewferin]

I'm going to GUESS that the skyliners will be open. I have a feeling that Caribbean Beach and even Pop Century might be open to help support the costs. Pop cast members got recalled to work just yesterday which is an interesting fact. No mention of Caribbean Beach at this point... Remember its hard to sell a new DVC resort and talk about the benefits of the Skyliner if its not open and working!

 

[kateandy08096]

We have a mid July reservation at Riviera. All reports seem to indicate that the Skyliner won't be running. That was one of the main pluses for us staying at Riviera. We debating keeping our Disney trip or doing other things in Orlando just in general. It seems that transportation could be chaotic if it is all bus transportation. For those who have stayed at Riviera how big of a deal is this?

The ONLY reason I would stay at Riveria would be for the skylines. Other than that absolutely not.

 

[emilymad]

I'm going to GUESS that the skyliners will be open. I have a feeling that Caribbean Beach and even Pop Century might be open to help support the costs. Pop cast members got recalled to work just yesterday which is an interesting fact. No mention of Caribbean Beach at this point... Remember its hard to sell a new DVC resort and talk about the benefits of the Skyliner if its not open and working!

On the Rumor board it is being said that Pop CM's are going to help with NBA stuff so not necessarily at Pop.

 

[CraigInPA]

With the Skyliner being effectively off for months, and it's legendary reliability in the past, I'd avoid riding it that first week!

I know, from first hand experience, the thrill of hanging in the same spot over water for more than an hour wondering whether we would have to break out the emergency packs, how well that "water rescue" man lift they own actually works, and whether we would miss fast passes, and a dining reservation at Epcot.