Seeking input--Riviera vs. BCV or BWV

[KSDiamond85]

Hi fellow Disney lovers!

Longtime lurker here making my first post. Like many of you, I am pretty obsessed with planning my Disney trips. I think about them every day, am constantly tweaking desired ADRs on a spreadsheet, and change my resort at least five time before every trip. WDW trip planning is my main motivation for trudging on through the drudgery of daily life!

I'm planning for July 2021 after tearfully cancelling July 2020.

I need some input on my resort choices for a three-way split stay for my husband, my 6-year-old son, and me.

The first two nights are in a Poly DVC studio (which I have reservations about because of the recently announced closure of the hotel side, but that's a whole other post).

Four nights are in GF RPC (fingers crossed it opens).

The other three nights are in a Boardwalk Inn club-level deluxe room, which I've had my heart set on for awhile. But now I'm getting worried that CL won't be offered and/or the hotel won't even be open at all next July.

I'm wondering if I should be proactive and change now in case things book up quickly. I'm thinking I should change to Riviera, Beach Club Villas, or Boardwalk Villas.

It would be a one bedroom.

Riviera--stunning and food options look delicious, but I have concerns about the skyliner going down often in the summer due to storms.

BCV or BWV--I've always wanted to stay in the Epcot area because of the walkability to two parks but am not familiar enough with the DVC properties to know if there's an advantage to one over the other.

I know it's all subjective and based upon one's personal preference but just seeking input from the pros! Thank you so much for reading!

 

[Marthasor]

I've stayed in one-bedrooms in all three of those resorts and my choice would be BCV. The location is ideal. You are right next to EP and the Skyliner, very close to the park buses and the resort QS is very close to the building and is accessible via a covered walkway. You will also have access to the SAB pool which your 6 year old may enjoy. BWV and RIV are lovely, too, with RIV having some of the nicest 1-bedrooms at WDW, IMHO, but the location of RIV is a little lacking and the pools are a bit boring. We felt a bit isolated there and missed being able to walk to 2 parks. BWV is also great, but I'm not fond of all of the food options requiring a walk outdoors (particularly if it's raining). A couple pros for BWV - it's closer to the DHS path and, though some don't like the clown slide, my DS12 really enjoys it and one great thing about that pool is you can see your child the whole time when they walk up to wait for the slide and come down. In order of preference, particularly with a 6-year old, I would probably go BCV, BWV, then RIV.

 

[need2travel]

I can't comment on DVC properties as we've never stayed DVC but DH & I always stay at the Boardwalk Inn. You can't beat the ability to walk to 2 parks. it's awesome at the end of the night to just stroll out the Int'l Gateway in Epcot & be back to the resort a few minutes later-no waiting on buses! Also, the multitude of dining options around Crescent Lake plus the World Showcase makes it a great place for dining/snacking. The same reasoning also goes for BCV so it's probably just a question of which resort you like the look/vibe of for you & your family.

 

[TCRAIG]

I second Beach Club Villas - especially if you anticipate wanting to add pool time into your schedule

 

[Deb & Bill]

You'll find tons of information on the DVC villas on the DVC Boards.

 

[morganms22]

It was between all three for us as well for our October trip. After a lot of research, we decided on a one bedroom at Beach Club Villas. The pool, location, easy parking access, and less of a “hotel” feel really won out for us. We are going to eat at Riviera instead.

 

[Disney and the Dude]

I've stayed in one-bedrooms in all three of those resorts and my choice would be BCV. The location is ideal. You are right next to EP and the Skyliner, very close to the park buses and the resort QS is very close to the building and is accessible via a covered walkway. You will also have access to the SAB pool which your 6 year old may enjoy. BWV and RIV are lovely, too, with RIV having some of the nicest 1-bedrooms at WDW, IMHO, but the location of RIV is a little lacking and the pools are a bit boring. We felt a bit isolated there and missed being able to walk to 2 parks. BWV is also great, but I'm not fond of all of the food options requiring a walk outdoors (particularly if it's raining). A couple pros for BWV - it's closer to the DHS path and, though some don't like the clown slide, my DS12 really enjoys it and one great thing about that pool is you can see your child the whole time when they walk up to wait for the slide and come down. In order of preference, particularly with a 6-year old, I would probably go BCV, BWV, then RIV.

I want to mirror what Marthasor is saying, the BCV are absolutely fantastic. My wife and I own DVC at CCV and when stayed at BCV last year - we immediately fell in love. The atmosphere is so wonderful, the food options are stellar (Cape May - Seafood Buffet - THE BOMB). Being so close to EPCOT and the Skyliner to get to DHS is my favorite though. Those are our two favorite parks and you can get to either in about 5-10 minutes EASY.

 

[GeneralTso]

The 1 b/r at Riviera is STUNNING! It's a brand new resort, just sparkly and new. Skyliner gives awesome access to HS and Epcot. Their pool areas are elegant and relaxing as well.

 

[Abigail Broughton]

Easy... BCV wins!! Your 6 year old will sit endlessly in the Storm a-long Bay pool playing in the sand (I'm sure there's a bucket and shovel somewhere) which will give you and your husband some needed relax time. All the resorts have their very own appeal as you know but this is the winner for the little ones. Have a great trip!

 

[Abigail Broughton]

Easy... BCV wins!! Your 6 year old will sit endlessly in the Storm a-long Bay pool playing in the sand (I'm sure there's a bucket and shovel somewhere) which will give you and your husband some needed relax time. All the resorts have their very own appeal as you know but this is the winner for the little ones. Not to mention there is so much to offer in that location and so much to do. I may upset some people but we were not impressed with the Rivera. Nothing spectacular to look at as far as views and it's in a very strange location but a grand hotel. To us it felt not Disney and sort of out of place. The positive for us was the very sweet splash area. Our opinion of course. Have a great trip!