The Official Riviera Owners & Info Thread

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

So happy to hear. Felt like I was reading my own post- Boardwalk is my first love too, but we bought RIV a little over a year ago and are gearing up for our first stay over Labor Day weekend. I'm so excited- we'll have 1.5 days to simply enjoy the resort and a couple park days to benefit from the Skyliner access. We're starting in a studio to sleep 5 so we can only go up from here in terms of the rooms (and the points!).

You’ll have a great time!

My only word of advice is around the skyliner - I raised this on a different thread but the skyliner went down at least once a day almost every afternoon/evening we were there.

I had prepped myself for it (we usually travel this time of year) and made sure that if we had dinner reservations at a skyliner-dependent location, I factored in enough of a buffer for a Minnie Van or was flexible and just changed/canceled. It really wasn’t a big deal!

 

[SaraSpringsIsHome]

Today I started toying around with the idea of going in December for a few days, knowing there would be probably be zero availability. I have been wanting to go down at Christmastime for quite a few years…

Well, thank you to whoever cancelled, because we now have five nights in a preferred studio at RIV the second week of December!!!

Woohoo, 86 days!

 

[RuntheMouse]

Just got back last night from a quick 3 night stay. It was fantastic as always! It was our first time in a 1BR (8971). The location was perfect. Not too far from the east elevators, top floor on the end, incredibly quiet with great fireworks views. We could actually see the MK fireworks from our bed! Going back in 47 days!!!

 

[js]

Hi. Staying at the RIV for 8 nights next month! Our first time at this resort.
I booked a resort studio. What will my views be like with a resort studio?
Is there an option with a resort studio for me to see the water and the skyliner? I would LOVE
to see the skyliner from my balcony. It's not something I can see everyday at home LOL

Thank you so much!

 

[muppets3d]

Hi. Staying at the RIV for 8 nights next month! Our first time at this resort.
I booked a resort studio. What will my views be like with a resort studio?
Is there an option with a resort studio for me to see the water and the skyliner? I would LOVE
to see the skyliner from my balcony. It's not something I can see everyday at home LOL

Thank you so much!

Resort view studios are mostly on the parking lot side of the building. I don't think any are on the lake/skyliner side.

 

[RuntheMouse]

Resort view studios are mostly on the parking lot side of the building. I don't think any are on the lake/skyliner side.

But you might get a nice fireworks view if you are on a high floor

 

[js]

Resort view studios are mostly on the parking lot side of the building. I don't think any are on the lake/skyliner side.

Thank you. First time staying here and only been for drinks and/or breakfast/dinner at Topolinos. I appreciate this information.

But you might get a nice fireworks view if you are on a high floor

Thank you. Are all the resort studios facing the parking lot? Is there another location I can ask for or are they all same side and if so, I guess I would just say, high floor, is that correct?

Thank you.

 

[RuntheMouse]

Thank you. First time staying here and only been for drinks and/or breakfast/dinner at Topolinos. I appreciate this information.

Thank you. Are all the resort studios facing the parking lot? Is there another location I can ask for or are they all same side and if so, I guess I would just say, high floor, is that correct?

Thank you.

The resort view do all face the parking lot. Yes to the high floor request. We have had great fireworks views from both the east and west wings in the 8th and 9th floors.

 

[WhitneyMB]

Hi. We’re doing an extended family trip mid-December with my sister’s family—and we have a studio for them and for us reserved. It’s her family’s first time at Disney, so we’d like to decorate their door in some (small? tasteful?) way because we think their elementary aged kids will get a kick out of it.

We’ve stayed at the Riviera before but I don’t remember the doors. What would stick? Magnet or static cling or other recommendations?

Thank you!!

 

[Stormalong Smiths]

Hi. We’re doing an extended family trip mid-December with my sister’s family—and we have a studio for them and for us reserved. It’s her family’s first time at Disney, so we’d like to decorate their door in some (small? tasteful?) way because we think their elementary aged kids will get a kick out of it.

We’ve stayed at the Riviera before but I don’t remember the doors. What would stick? Magnet or static cling or other recommendations?

Thank you!!

This is such a fun idea! I can't speak to door decor but there are a number of services (both Disney-provided and third-party) that offer in-room decoration services. You could also try to contact the resort ahead of time to see if they're able to put a special message up on the TV.

 

[Brian Noble]

Depending on how strictly you want to read the Public Offering Statement, we arguably aren't allowed to decorate the doors, though I have infrequently seen people do it.

 

[peder]

And here I've been keeping artwork and wallpaper in my owners locker, putting it up on the walls at the start of each trip and stripping it off the walls on checkout day.

 

[CarolynFH]

Depending on how strictly you want to read the Public Offering Statement, we arguably aren't allowed to decorate the doors, though I have infrequently seen people do it.

I think you’re right. We can decorate inside our villa but not the outside of the door or the balcony. And we’re not supposed to hang clothes or swim suits on the balcony to dry!

 

[brightmango]

Just a random thought, but what's everyone's opinion on preferred views vs. resort views? I have my first preferred view stay coming up in May. I don't want to have any preconceived opinions about it before the stay, but after three consecutive resort view stays and firework views, its hard to imagine the grass is greener!

 

[airjay75]

Just a random thought, but what's everyone's opinion on preferred views vs. resort views? I have my first preferred view stay coming up in May. I don't want to have any preconceived opinions about it before the stay, but after three consecutive resort view stays and firework views, its hard to imagine the grass is greener!

I do think some of the preferred views that face the central area of the resort are very nice - the ones that face the Skyliner or the water on the other side of the resort aren't any better than many resort views. I'd try to request a room in that central area - or, if you want a view of Epcot and fireworks, then request close to or facing Skyliner.

 

[davidhr]

Just a random thought, but what's everyone's opinion on preferred views vs. resort views? I have my first preferred view stay coming up in May. I don't want to have any preconceived opinions about it before the stay, but after three consecutive resort view stays and firework views, its hard to imagine the grass is greener!

If you enjoy the fireworks view of standard it’s hard to imagine you’ll enjoy preferred more. I personally don’t care too much about the fireworks and don’t like parking lot views. That’s the reason I like preferred more.

 

[FSU Girl]

Just a random thought, but what's everyone's opinion on preferred views vs. resort views? I have my first preferred view stay coming up in May. I don't want to have any preconceived opinions about it before the stay, but after three consecutive resort view stays and firework views, its hard to imagine the grass is greener!

I like the standard view better. My first stay was in preferred and faced the skyliner which was nice. But our other stay was in standard and had a great view of fireworks. Our upcoming stay is in standard again. We book more last minute so I grab what I can get but I like that standard is cheaper lol

 

[muppets3d]

Just a random thought, but what's everyone's opinion on preferred views vs. resort views? I have my first preferred view stay coming up in May. I don't want to have any preconceived opinions about it before the stay, but after three consecutive resort view stays and firework views, its hard to imagine the grass is greener!

With rare exception like savanna view at AKV, I think paying more points for a better view is a waste of points. I wouldn't even do a theme park view at BLT. Each to their own!

 

[RivGirl]

Just a random thought, but what's everyone's opinion on preferred views vs. resort views? I have my first preferred view stay coming up in May. I don't want to have any preconceived opinions about it before the stay, but after three consecutive resort view stays and firework views, its hard to imagine the grass is greener!

I have stayed in both and love both. I might have a slight preference for preferred - I really love water views. But fireworks and the Spaceship Earth at night are pretty cool (and for less points, why not). My husband has a STRONG preference for the Preferred water view.

 

[SugarSweetLee]

I prefer the water view of preferred. We are usually out in the evening during fireworks time (sometimes watching them from a park or restaurant) so being able to view them from your standard/resort-view room is moot for us, and I don't love the parking lot views during the daytime.