The Official Riviera Owners & Info Thread

[MichelleCanada]

Not much to say, just enjoy the resort and take your time. Primo Piatto is one of our favorite quick services and Topolino's is one of our favorite table services. It's nice watching the fireworks from up there but even if you aren't planning to eat up there it's not like your trip is ruined. The whole resort is very laid back and I'm sure you'll have a great time regardless. Welcome home!

Thank you for taking the time to respond to me. Interestingly I see Aulani in your signature - that is where we were when we bought DVC!

I also see Animal Kingdom in your signature. We are spending two nights at Kidani before we head out to a 5 day cruise with DCL. Any tips for AK are appreciated as well.

I look forward to using your tip about the food and fireworks!

 

[MichelleCanada]

I gave up coffee long ago but make an exception for the cold brew at Le Petit Cafe - either almond or cinnamon - with their house-made honey-almond whipped cream. So so good!

Thank you for the tip!! My husband will love this!

 

[tx911]

I gave up coffee long ago but make an exception for the cold brew at Le Petit Cafe - either almond or cinnamon - with their house-made honey-almond whipped cream. So so good!

I do love that little coffee shop at Riv. I haven't seen one at any other DVC resort that I can remember.

Curious as to why you gave up coffee? I would be useless without it!

 

[intamin]

Thank you for taking the time to respond to me. Interestingly I see Aulani in your signature - that is where we were when we bought DVC!

I also see Animal Kingdom in your signature. We are spending two nights at Kidani before we head out to a 5 day cruise with DCL. Any tips for AK are appreciated as well.

I look forward to using your tip about the food and fireworks!

Check out Sanaa and get the bread service there! That's actually a must do lol, if you don't want to eat the table service there they do let you take the bread service to go and you can eat it in your room while overlooking the savanna

I've also heard good things about Boma at Jambo House although I haven't tried it because we've eaten club level which serves similar offerings. One of the AKL staples is eating the zebra domes and again if you don't want to eat a buffet at Boma, you can actually get them from the Mara (quick service) for a few dollars.

Hope this helps!

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

I do love that little coffee shop at Riv. I haven't seen one at any other DVC resort that I can remember.

Curious as to why you gave up coffee? I would be useless without it

I’m the first to admit that coffee has amazing health benefits and nothing beats the smell first thing in the AM!!

But I consumed way too much during grad school. I was taking evening classes and would drink multiple cups a night (+ throughout the day). It got to the point where if I didn’t have a few sips within 15 min of waking up, I’d have a massive headache all day…not fun.

I still drink lightly caffeinated tea occasionally (and Riv cold brew while on vaca) but can’t go back to 7 cups a day!

 

[MickeyMouseLove]

Does anyone know if all of the Riviera deluxe studios definitely come with a walk-in shower? Or are there some that may only have a bathtub? Thanks!

 

[beccasmom]

We have stayed in a preferred view studio on three separate occasions and all had a split bathroom with a stall shower and a bath tub. I believe, but can’t confirm, that is the case with all the studios (except the tower studios).

 

[intamin]

Does anyone know if all of the Riviera deluxe studios definitely come with a walk-in shower? Or are there some that may only have a bathtub? Thanks!

They all come with both a walk in and a bathtub because they have a split bathroom somewhat similar to Polynesian’s.

 

[MickeyMouseLove]

Thanks!

 

[maui22]

Any suggestions for room requests? We just learned our waitlist came through. Have a preferred view studio Dec 13 and a standard view studio Dec 14. It will be our first stay at Rivera so we are clueless. Our only experience with Riviera has been riding the skyliner through there.

 

[sethschroeder]

Any suggestions for room requests? We just learned our waitlist came through. Have a preferred view studio Dec 13 and a standard view studio Dec 14. It will be our first stay at Rivera so we are clueless. Our only experience with Riviera has been riding the skyliner through there.

Near skyliner. Best chance to avoid the "bad" views for the category.

You can also try high floor as well.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

Any suggestions for room requests? We just learned our waitlist came through. Have a preferred view studio Dec 13 and a standard view studio Dec 14. It will be our first stay at Rivera so we are clueless. Our only experience with Riviera has been riding the skyliner through there.

Fun! I prefer west wing for SV rooms (Epcot and closer to skyliner) and east wing for PV (staring out towards the skyliner and AK/HS…if you’re high enough anyway)! And yes always higher floors but anything above 6th floor is pretty good I feel.

 

[maui22]

Fun! I prefer west wing for SV rooms (Epcot and closer to skyliner) and east wing for PV (staring out towards the skyliner and AK/HS…if you’re high enough anyway)! And yes always higher floors but anything above 6th floor is pretty good I feel.

Thank you for the info. This is crazy, last night we decided to put a waitlist for the PV (exchanging for SV). Waitlist came through in under 24 hours.

Early-mid December is normally really difficult for any resort this close. Might there be another declaration coming?

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

Thank you for the info. This is crazy, last night we decided to put a waitlist for the PV (exchanging for SV). Waitlist came through in under 24 hours.

Early-mid December is normally really difficult for any resort this close. Might there be another declaration coming?

I questioned if there was a declaration a few weeks ago because there seemed to be a lot more May availability then there was in June when you could book at 11mos, but I’m not sure.

I just think single night waitlists come through much quicker and more likely than multi-night ones. I waitlisted a night at BWV last week for Sept 1 and it came through in 2 days. Surprised the heck out of me. In fact, I’ve been 100% successful getting all my waitlists (with a bit of stalking, true) when it’s only a single night waitlisted at a time. Even when I have multi-night trip I want to WL, I book them as singular nights and as they come through make another WL for the next night.

 

[maui22]

I questioned if there was a declaration a few weeks ago because there seemed to be a lot more May availability then there was in June when you could book at 11mos, but I’m not sure.

I just think single night waitlists come through much quicker and more likely than multi-night ones. I waitlisted a night at BWV last week for Sept 1 and it came through in 2 days. Surprised the heck out of me. In fact, I’ve been 100% successful getting all my waitlists (with a bit of stalking, true) when it’s only a single night waitlisted at a time. Even when I have multi-night trip I want to WL, I book them as singular nights and as they come through make another WL for the next night.

Makes sense on the single night WL. We had been on the WL for Dec 13 in SV or PV for roughly 2 months. Happy when one came through. Decided to try changing the SV to PV so we might not have to change rooms. When that came through in under 24 hours, it seemed like something might be up. I ran some numbers. May plus June deeds on DVCnews showed 145k. If July is similar, puts it roughly 50-60k short of the total points in the last declaration. 1/3 of August if same rate puts it very close to selling al the points from that early May declaration.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

Makes sense on the single night WL. We had been on the WL for Dec 13 in SV or PV for roughly 2 months. Happy when one came through. Decided to try changing the SV to PV so we might not have to change rooms. When that came through in under 24 hours, it seemed like something might be up. I ran some numbers. May plus June deeds on DVCnews showed 145k. If July is similar, puts it roughly 50-60k short of the total points in the last declaration. 1/3 of August if same rate puts it very close to selling al the points from that early May declaration.

Ahh I love it when this community sleuths. Your numbers add up to my feelings, so we’re obviously right lol And actually, if there’s cash rooms available (I imagine there is considering the slow down they keep talking about), it makes sense for them to declare a bit early and let DVC members book them full, cause we definitely will

 

[Itoddmickey]

Is the activity list available for September yet? Will be there mid Sept and wanted to check on activities to coordinate my park days around them. Thanks in advance if you are able to assist.

 

[maui22]

Just saw this on DVCNews, written by Tim @tjkraz

"Water Leak Impacts Riviera Lobby Services"

https://dvcnews.com/wdw-resorts/riviera-resort/5977-water-leak-impacts-riviera-lobby-services

Hopefully someone will post updates.

 

[tx911]

Just saw this on DVCNews, written by Tim @tjkraz

"Water Leak Impacts Riviera Lobby Services"

https://dvcnews.com/wdw-resorts/riviera-resort/5977-water-leak-impacts-riviera-lobby-services

Hopefully someone will post updates.

That doesn't look good in the pics

 

[tx911]

Any updates on the water leak?