The Official Riviera Owners & Info Thread

[sethschroeder]

I appreciate the thought you put into your posts - it definitely shows. I'm new to the boards, although I started lurking last summer before jumping onto the DVC bandwagon. These boards definitely helped with our decision to join.

Which got me to thinking about the contract we purchased - which is a RIV FW. Isn't that kind of like a mini version of paying extra to guarantee a particular outcome (standard studio for week 39)? I understand it's not the same as picking a specific room, but every year I use the FW, I use more points than is required by the points chart* to guarantee my week. So while not necessarily a "fee", it certainly costs more. (*I know point allocations can change over time by room type/time of year).

Having said that, you bring up excellent points re: logistics. I'm in your camp; just not sure DVC wouldn't be able to pull it off if it wanted to.

The FW is very limited and was defined when the resort was legally created. Its why you dont see FW on other resorts that already didn't have them.

I could be wrong but its my understanding on how and why they can/do exist specific locations.

They could like with RIV starting resale restrictions though possibly create new resorts with the ability to pay more to book specific rooms.

Instead something I think they can do though would be no charge pick your room (like that of Hilton and other major hotel brands) in an app a day or two out.

 

[Orbiter_Fan]

The FW is very limited and was defined when the resort was legally created. Its why you dont see FW on other resorts that already didn't have them.

I could be wrong but its my understanding on how and why they can/do exist specific locations.

They could like with RIV starting resale restrictions though possibly create new resorts with the ability to pay more to book specific rooms.

Instead something I think they can do though would be no charge pick your room (like that of Hilton and other major hotel brands) in an app a day or two out.

Good points. I was thinking along the lines of DVC adding that feature to new resorts. But then, how would you know which room you'd prefer? Take PIT - I wouldn't have the slightest idea which room I'd prefer, since I haven't stayed there.

The main reason we bought a FW was to avoid having to plan/stalk/waitlist/walk reservations over the years. All I really need is a functioning room - I care not where it is on the resort (we're mainly a park family) -for now.

 

[OneOftheB's]

I would complain about that and I essentially rarely complain about anything.

We did the next morning. It was one of several issues we had that trip, and while we were not able to move, we were refunded the points. Which didn't really help, as it was a trip that was planned to burn banked points after our Hawaii trip was cancelled. Our friends who were able to stay at the Poly for free on us were happy though.

I will say every other stay at the Riviera has been outstanding, and we've stayed there at least once a year since the resort opened.

 

[Sandisw]

I appreciate the thought you put into your posts - it definitely shows. I'm new to the boards, although I started lurking last summer before jumping onto the DVC bandwagon. These boards definitely helped with our decision to join.

Which got me to thinking about the contract we purchased - which is a RIV FW. Isn't that kind of like a mini version of paying extra to guarantee a particular outcome (standard studio for week 39)? I understand it's not the same as picking a specific room, but every year I use the FW, I use more points than is required by the points chart* to guarantee my week. So while not necessarily a "fee", it certainly costs more. (*I know point allocations can change over time by room type/time of year).

Having said that, you bring up excellent points re: logistics. I'm in your camp; just not sure DVC wouldn't be able to pull it off if it wanted to.

That is the one exception as you are paying for priority to have a FW

But that also comes with limits. You can’t shorten it or change the start date…must be Sunday to Sunday.

If you use the points for it it won’t be booked. If you cancel it one year and bank the points, the banked points can’t be used to book it.

Outside of that, though, the contract details out the booking and charging for a specific room is simply not something I think they can do expect maybe as part of membership extras when room assignments are being done, after all rooms have been booked for that date.

 

[mac_tlc]

If I moved the camera a few feet to the left, you would see the walkway. The main walkway from the lobby and the East side of the resort to the Skyliner. Plenty of traffic, as would be expected.

I have been a member since 1992 and I do disagree with many of the thoughts on this thread such as no differentiation, paying extra for a specific room number, etc. All I ask is the the view classification be accurate, no more no less. Say what you will but if you asked 100 people, I don't many would "prefer" that view.


mac_tlc

 

[jennypenny]

I agree, the system works fine as long as the rooms are categorized correctly. RR really needs to recategorize some preferred rooms to resort view, even if it means increasing the points required per night across the entire resort view category. I'd be ok with them adding a third category for the worst views like at BLT.

I think people would be more willing to pay the point premium for preferred view if they knew they were getting a courtyard view. I know we would.

 

[Girlstar30]

Just thought I'd post this for all the Riviera foodies!

Two new desserts just dropped at Riv's Le Petit Cafe!

The Poached Pear Entremet and the Orange Cream Eclair!

They replaced the Honey Pistachio Entremet and the Lemon Profiterole! Hopefully these weren't anyone's favorite!

Found these photos online, the pear one looks loaded!

 

[Brian Noble]

That eclair looks like a giant Cheeto.

 

[Girlstar30]

That eclair looks like a giant Cheeto.

It really does!

 

[sethschroeder]

That eclair looks like a giant Cheeto.

Disney outsourced to Frito-Lay and its what the intern came up with. haha

 

[jennypenny]

Just back. A few things ...

-- Grocery delivery (thru DVC) went smoothly even though no one seemed to know it was an option.
-- The music wasn't playing in the courtyard and I really missed it.
-- The staff was great as always.
-- Bar Riva's menu is smaller but they moved some of the items to the Primo Piatto menu.
-- The skyliner seemed to be running a little later than normal.
-- I ordered art from the kiosk in the store. I can't wait to see it. It was $$ so I'm hoping the quality is good.
-- We often rode with other groups on the skyliner. They seem to be combining groups whenever possible to speed up the line.
-- We always recommended Sebastian's as a hidden gem but I won't anymore. They changed the chicken out for grocery-store level drumsticks with absolutely no flavor, a plain piece of white fish, and dry shredded pork. The beef and sides were ok, but all the flavor was gone. Even the condiments weren't that 'caribbean' anymore. We left hungry and disappointed. It's surprising too since I ordered the jerk chicken from Centertown market and that was still the marinated chicken breast. Not sure what's up at Sebastians but we won't be going back. Sad.

We also toured PIT. The lake view is amazing but I bet the standard view rooms are awful. The room is lovely. The resort area is still kind of a circus. We prefer the quieter atmosphere at RR. We also thought that from a distance the outside looked unfinished. I like the tattoo art but the plain tan walls looked strange. Not sure why they didn't stick with the color scheme from the longhouses so it all blended together better. Didn't bother taking the boat by Reflections to see how that's going. I'm boycotting it unless they change the name to River Country Lodge lol.

 

[sethschroeder]

-- Grocery delivery (thru DVC) went smoothly even though no one seemed to know it was an option.

How were the prices and selection and quality? My concern is they dont have the options and I am also always worried about getting fruit from a shopping service.

 

[jennypenny]

I didn't order fruit. Prices were Disney prices. We just needed half and half, milk, water, and OJ and didn't want to bother with a full grocery order for a weekend's worth of drinks. They apply the member discount. There's a $10 fee. We only tried it because we were arriving late and just wanted some drink stuff for a couple of days. For that purpose I like it.

 

[byurick]

I assumed the DVC grocery delivery was whatever they have in refrigerated section of the main resort store but they just deliver it to your room.

 

[Brian Noble]

That's correct.

 

[supercarrie]

Just back. A few things ...

-- We always recommended Sebastian's as a hidden gem but I won't anymore. They changed the chicken out for grocery-store level drumsticks with absolutely no flavor, a plain piece of white fish, and dry shredded pork. The beef and sides were ok, but all the flavor was gone. Even the condiments weren't that 'caribbean' anymore. We left hungry and disappointed. It's surprising too since I ordered the jerk chicken from Centertown market and that was still the marinated chicken breast. Not sure what's up at Sebastians but we won't be going back. Sad.

We also toured PIT. The lake view is amazing but I bet the standard view rooms are awful. The room is lovely. The resort area is still kind of a circus. We prefer the quieter atmosphere at RR. We also thought that from a distance the outside looked unfinished. I like the tattoo art but the plain tan walls looked strange. Not sure why they didn't stick with the color scheme from the longhouses so it all blended together better. Didn't bother taking the boat by Reflections to see how that's going. I'm boycotting it unless they change the name to River Country Lodge lol.

Such a bummer to hear about Sebastian's. I loved it on the one and only time I ate there, but that was back in 2019.

I recently stayed at a standard view PIT studio and while the view wasn't terrible (there is construction, which will be done in a couple years, and you have the monorail going by) I was so happy I purchased at Riviera. The Poly was chaos, including in the Island Tower lobby. And I'm with you on the building color - it does look unfinished!

 

[sticker231]

Excited for our first RR stay in June. doing some quick reading through the posts

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

Good points. I was thinking along the lines of DVC adding that feature to new resorts. But then, how would you know which room you'd prefer? Take PIT - I wouldn't have the slightest idea which room I'd prefer, since I haven't stayed there.

The main reason we bought a FW was to avoid having to plan/stalk/waitlist/walk reservations over the years. All I really need is a functioning room - I care not where it is on the resort (we're mainly a park family) -for now.

Touring Plans room view finder. Besides photos of the view from the room (or one close by), you can see the distance from lobby, etc.

 

[Kingkonig]

Does anyone know if Le Petit Cafe takes snack credits for the pastries?

 

[sethschroeder]

Does anyone know if Le Petit Cafe takes snack credits for the pastries?

https://allears.net/dining/menu/le-petit-cafe/lounge/