The Official Riviera Owners & Info Thread

[jdd]

We're new owners as of August and just booked our Welcome Home stay for Feb 19-22 in a deluxe studio, standard view. So excited for our first trip as DVC owners!!

 

[brazzledazzler]

RIVIERA'S BE OUR GUEST LIST
Will you be joining us at the Riviera? Comment on this thread with your dates to be added below!

2021
August
Diane Kompan: August 13-22
MomOTwins: August 14-18, Welcome Home Trip
havoc315: August 14-22, Welcome Home Trip, 2-Bedroom LO PV
Pills: August 14-25, Deluxe Studio SV
jasonplusliz: August 22-28, 1-Bedroom SV
Thegoatfeeder: August 30-September 8
Turn the Page: August 30-September 6, 1-Bedroom SV

September
transferteck: September 1-3, Tower Studio
bigAWL: September 8-11, 1-Bedroom PV
IceSkatingPrincess: September 9-14, Welcome Home Trip, Deluxe Studio SV (9-11), 1-Bedroom SV (11-14)
csmommy: September 12-14, Tower Studio
tdonnell56: September 14-17, 1 & 2 Bedroom
Anthony Vito: September 30-October 3, Deluxe Studio SV

October
Jimmy Mouse: October 3-9
Sandisw (DD): October 15-19, Deluxe Studio SV
Sandisw: October 26-28, 2-Bedroom SV
Turn the Page: October 27-30, Deluxe Studio SV

November
princessophiali: November 12-19, Deluxe Studio
Sydnerella: November 19-28, 1-Bedroom PV

December
jamesweikamp: December 4-11, 2-Bedroom PV
Thegoatfeeder: December 5-10
Dmvoight: December 10-19, 1-Bedroom PV
disneydreamer781: December 14-16, Deluxe Studio SV
Mike9865: December 17-24, 1-Bedroom PV
summerw: December 26-31, 1-Bedroom SV



2022
January
Jimmy Mouse: January 2-8
Sandisw: January 10-12, 1-Bedroom SV
Transferteck: Jan 13-17, Tower Studio
IceSkatingPrincess: January 14-19, 1-Bedroom SV
MamaJessie: January 17-22, Studio
Akck: January 17-21, Deluxe Studio

February
BradW: February 1-5, 1-Bedroom PV, Welcome Home Trip
Sandisw: February 8-10, 1-Bedroom SV
Evita_W: February 10-16
Transferteck: February 13-15, Tower Studio
havoc315: February 18-22, 2-Bedroom LO SV
Lorana: February 18-22, 2-Bedroom LO SV
brazzledazzler: February 19-22, Deluxe Studio SV, Welcome Home Trip
jamesweikamp: February 28 - March 6, Tower Studio

March
Sandisw: March 7, Deluxe Studio SV

April
SoCalDCLfan: April 6-9, Tower Studio
Sandisw: April 23-26, Deluxe Studio SV

May

June
summerw: June 3-10, 2-Bedroom SV

July

August

September

October

November

December


PAST TRIPS
2021
April
summerw: April 24-28, Deluxe Studio SV
Akck: April 24-27, Tower Studio

May
TinkB278: May 15-20, 1-Bedroom SV
kanerf: May 16-18, Deluxe Studio
DISguyDennis: May 22-27, Deluxe Studio SV
Doberge: May 22-27, Deluxe Studio PV

June
happenin2you: June 14-18, 1 Bedroom PV
Dicentras: June 19-23, 2-Bedroom LO SV
PixiePlns: June 19-26 1-Bedroom

July
nataliz: July 7-14, 2-Bedroom PV
ninafeliz: July 9-17, 2-Bedroom LO SV
UrsulaWantsYourSoul & javaduck: July 18&19, Tower Studio + 20&21, Deluxe Studio + 22-27, 2-Bedroom

Add me again!

brazzledazzler: May 22-26, Deluxe Studio SV

 

[brazzledazzler]

We're new owners as of August and just booked our Welcome Home stay for Feb 19-22 in a deluxe studio, standard view. So excited for our first trip as DVC owners!!

That’s our Welcome Home stay too! We bought in July! Howdy neighbor & congrats!

If you see a redheaded mom chasing as toddler, it might be me! (3 year olds have so much energy!!!)

 

[jdd]

That’s our Welcome Home stay too! We bought in July! Howdy neighbor & congrats!

If you see a redheaded mom chasing as toddler, it might be me! (3 year olds have so much energy!!!)

That's great! We will definitely say hi if we see you! My days of chasing 3 year-olds is over (well, maybe someday as a grandma ) but I remember what it's like. You have lots of fun Disney years ahead My youngest son will be in Disney with his high school choral group that weekend so we thought this would be the perfect time for our first RR stay.

 

[brazzledazzler]

That's great! We will definitely say hi if we see you! My days of chasing 3 year-olds is over (well, maybe someday as a grandma ) but I remember what it's like. You have lots of fun Disney years ahead My youngest son will be in Disney with his high school choral group that weekend so we thought this would be the perfect time for our first RR stay.

That’s so cool for your grandson and definitely a great weekend for a Disney vacation! Will he be performing at one of the parks?

We have a 3-year-old and a 4-month-old, so..many years ahead at Disney with these kiddos. I need to learn how to take it a bit slower

Have a great stay!!

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

-

 

[summerw]

Does anyone happen to know if you can request a Kuerig single serve coffee maker for a preferred studio (I understand they come stocked with regular pot coffee maker for these rooms ). Thanks for any info.

I'm sure it would depend on if they have any extras. The staff is so great there, I don't think it would hurt to ask.

We are staying Nov 4 - 11 if you can add us to this list.

Added! If you'd like me to add your room category, I can.

Nov 7-9 1 bdrm SV

Added!

We are going to be at there in a standard studio October 8-10 as part of a split stay (October 3-8 at our Poly home). The 50% point borrowing issue got us, but we decided to make lemonade and try the RR as a DVC discounted cash reservation to close out our trip!
It will be my MILs 83rd birthday on the 8th and we will celebrate at Topolino's. The RR portion of the split stay is still a secret for our 13 yo son, as he fell in live with the RR when we toured last October, he will be thrilled!
Mike

That's a great birthday dinner and exciting for the 13 year old! Did you want me to add you to the Be Our Guest list?

We'll be back home May 28-31, 2022 in a 1BR standard view. Can't wait to return!

Congrats! Would you like me to add you to the Be Our Guest List?

We bought Riviera sight unseen which is kinda crazy for us. DVC made most sense if we could get the blue card and Riviera was the best priced given the promos at the time for any place we’d consider for a home.

We had some extra points since we didn’t travel last year so we upgraded to a 1 BR for our first Riviera stay and I don’t know how we will ever go back to a studio! Is this how add-on problems begin? Might be my favorite location with the skyliner! Our old favorite pre DVC was WL because of the boat to MK which is great for sleepy kids when you don’t have to breakdown the stroller. However skyliner to two parks is better than a boat to one.

The food was great, the grounds were very nice. We lucked into an Epcot fireworks view which the kids especially loved. It had just about everything we could want in a DVC hotel.

That is exactly how add-on problems begin! Lol. The studios are beautiful, but we added on more points after staying in the 1-bedroom. We had a view of the Skyliner, Epcot and HS. We bought sight unseen too though for the first set of points. Between the Skyliner and the aesthetic, we all knew we would love it! Congrats!

DS x2 and I will be staying at RR on a split stay in Oct - 2 nights at SSR then 2 nights at RR.
I noted when looking at various QS menus that a notice now pops up that says Primo Piatto is only for those staying at the resort now. I have eaten there multiple times for lunch or dinner for a break from Epcot or DHS in the past when not staying there (this Oct trip will be my first stay at RR). But, every time I have done this, it has been virtually empty. Are they doing this because it has become too busy because of folks doing this? How do they enforce this?
I actually noticed this same notice for Contempo Cafe on a visit earlier in the year.
Right now, we are planning Primo Piatto for dinner on the night we check in there, but after looking at QS options in DHS (they got rid of everthing we liked at Docking Bay) was thinking of lunch there (which would be while we are at SSR).

Would you like me to add you to the Be Our Guest List?

We're new owners as of August and just booked our Welcome Home stay for Feb 19-22 in a deluxe studio, standard view. So excited for our first trip as DVC owners!!

Welcome Home! Would you like me to add your to the Be Our Guest List?

May 22-26, Deluxe Studio SV

Added! We love going that time of year!

 

[brazzledazzler]

Added! We love going that time of year!

May is great! Lower crowds, nice weather for pools and points are reasonable!

I’m hoping to get to Topolino’s for breakfast on one of our RIV stays next year & finally get a Frozen Rosé at Bar Riva!

 

[summerw]

May is great! Lower crowds, nice weather for pools and points are reasonable!

I’m hoping to get to Topolino’s for breakfast on one of our RIV stays next year & finally get a Frozen Rosé at Bar Riva!

Froze is so good! We haven’t done breakfast yet because I have a 12 year old who is currently too cool for character meals. He has to go with grandpa and grandma in June though. Lol

 

[bigAWL]

Wife and I had a great first-time stay at Riviera from Sep 8-11. Here are some of my quick thoughts.

• Resort is beautiful, and we loved our preferred view of the lake from the 6th floor.
• 1BR villa was nice, but not sure why we didn't love the layout. Having bathrooms between the living room and bedroom seemed awkward.
• Skyliner worked well for us when we needed it, but it was certainly down whenever there was lightning in the area. Basically no wait in either direction in the middle of the day. But when we were trying to rope drop Hollywood Studios, we seriously underestimated the line at the transfer station. You'll want to be getting on the skyliner at least 45 min, and preferably 60 min before park opens.
• Side note: I never knew how beautiful it would be to walk around Caribbean Beach Resort. I don't think I've ever actually visited a moderate resort before.
• Topolino's dinner was the best Disney World meal we've ever had (not including V&A's). We had the Gnocchi (very savory and delicious) and Heirloom Tomato (super refreshing), which were both really good. Then we went with the Filet Mignon and Tomahawk Veal Chop. Both were amazingly tender and amazingly flavorful. We finished with the Warm Valrhona Chocolate Cake, which was of course delicious, too. Bonus Epcot fireworks view from the terrace.

 

[bigAWL]

Some resort photos I took while exploring the RIV.

 

[bigAWL]

Here's all the Riviera merch I found in La Boutique:

 

[bigAWL]

And here are some of the posted activities and venue hours of operation:

Feature Pool:

Primo Piatto:

Bar Riva:

La Boutique:
I guess I didn't get the hours for Le Petite Cafe. Sorry.

 

[bigAWL]

And finally, here was our 1BR preferred view.

 

[CarolynFH]

Having bathrooms between the living room and bedroom seemed awkward.

Maybe a little awkward when there's just two of you, but if you have three people sleeping in the living room as well as two in the bedroom, it's better than having the bathroom entrance through the bedroom only!

 

[brazzledazzler]

And finally, here was our 1BR preferred view.
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The 1 bedroom seems so spacious compared to other resorts! Wow.

 

[kandlsutton]

RIVIERA'S BE OUR GUEST LIST
Will you be joining us at the Riviera? Comment on this thread with your dates to be added below!

2021
September
transferteck: September 1-3, Tower Studio
bigAWL: September 8-11, 1-Bedroom PV
IceSkatingPrincess: September 9-14, Welcome Home Trip, Deluxe Studio SV (9-11), 1-Bedroom SV (11-14)
csmommy: September 12-14, Tower Studio
tdonnell56: September 14-17, 1 & 2 Bedroom
Anthony Vito: September 30-October 3, Deluxe Studio SV

October
Jimmy Mouse: October 3-9
Sandisw (DD): October 15-19, Deluxe Studio SV
Sandisw: October 26-28, 2-Bedroom SV
Turn the Page: October 27-30, Deluxe Studio SV

November
ForWhomTheMouseTolls: November 4 -11
LSchrow: November 7-9, 1-Bedroom SV
princessophiali: November 12-19, Deluxe Studio
Sydnerella: November 19-28, 1-Bedroom PV

December
jamesweikamp: December 4-11, 2-Bedroom PV
Thegoatfeeder: December 5-10
Dmvoight: December 10-19, 1-Bedroom PV
disneydreamer781: December 14-16, Deluxe Studio SV
Mike9865: December 17-24, 1-Bedroom PV
summerw: December 26-31, 1-Bedroom SV

Add for Dec 11-18, 2021 2BR-P

Thanks

 

[bigAWL]

Wife and I had a great first-time stay at Riviera from Sep 8-11. Here are some of my quick thoughts.

• Resort is beautiful, and we loved our preferred view of the lake from the 6th floor.
• 1BR villa was nice, but not sure why we didn't love the layout. Having bathrooms between the living room and bedroom seemed awkward.
• Skyliner worked well for us when we needed it, but it was certainly down whenever there was lightning in the area. Basically no wait in either direction in the middle of the day. But when we were trying to rope drop Hollywood Studios, we seriously underestimated the line at the transfer station. You'll want to be getting on the skyliner at least 45 min, and preferably 60 min before park opens.
• Side note: I never knew how beautiful it would be to walk around Caribbean Beach Resort. I don't think I've ever actually visited a moderate resort before.
• Topolino's dinner was the best Disney World meal we've ever had (not including V&A's). We had the Gnocchi (very savory and delicious) and Heirloom Tomato (super refreshing), which were both really good. Then we went with the Filet Mignon and Tomahawk Veal Chop. Both were amazingly tender and amazingly flavorful. We finished with the Warm Valrhona Chocolate Cake, which was of course delicious, too. Bonus Epcot fireworks view from the terrace.

View attachment 605036

I forgot to mention the asparagus that appears in this filet mignon photo was a special order by my wife when she saw they normally accompany the Diver Scallops. She reported that the asparagus, too, was superb.

 

[jdd]

Welcome Home! Would you like me to add your to the Be Our Guest List?

Thank you! And yes, please
bigAWL, thanks for all the great photos, makes me even more excited for our trip!

 

[jdd]

That’s so cool for your grandson and definitely a great weekend for a Disney vacation! Will he be performing at one of the parks?

We have a 3-year-old and a 4-month-old, so..many years ahead at Disney with these kiddos. I need to learn how to take it a bit slower

Have a great stay!!

It's actually my son, not my grandson , but yes it should be a great weekend! They're performing at Disney Springs but will have a few days in the parks, so should be a fun time. We've been doing Disney since my oldest was 4 and he's now 24 (don't know where the years went...) and we loved every trip - enjoy!!