Update in OP! We went with Riviera and loved it! OP: WWYD? 1 bed preferred at Riviera OR 2 bedroom standard at SSR

[Aimeedyan]

Update: Since Riviera was 1 of 3 resorts we haven't stayed at yet, we went for it. It worked out great! Incredibly spacious; MIL "claimed" the vanity near the toilet/shower and we used the larger vanity in the tub area. This meant we could all get ready at the same time with privacy still and there was plenty of space for all my stuff

The restrooms near the quiet pool were a quick elevator ride down so we occasionally would run down to that one. There was never another person in there when I stopped by and the toilet paper ends are stamped with the RR logo (little things, you know?).

While the Skyliner was not nearly as convenient with a scooter than it normally is (we often waited a long time), we did enjoy not having to do buses to all the parks. And I really loved how compact it is - it's one of the reasons why we love POFQ. It's a gorgeous hotel to stay at and we had wonderful CM interactions, food options, and daily housekeeping that was terrific.

Thanks for all the good thoughts!


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Cost is nearly the same, and I'm dying to stay at Riviera (it's one of 3 resorts we haven't stayed at yet!), but I'm hung up on the one bathroom thing at Riviera. It'll be my family (2 adult+1 preschooler) + my mother in law. The bed situation will be fine either way.

We have stayed at SSR many, many times and enjoy it but the Skyliner location of the Riviera is so appealing - MIL will be in a scooter and by DS is obsessed with riding it. I also love how compact Riviera is and the food options.

It's for just 3 nights. Is having 1 bathroom a dealbreaker for you? Would it be "worth it" to pay the same amount for a 1 bed at Riviera vs 2 bed at SSR?

 

[Gavalily]

I am staying at CR for three nights for the first time. My husband and I plus adult daughter, teen daughter, young grandson. One bathroom scares me some but it’s only three nights. It’s not worth staying somewhere less appealing or shelling out another 2k so we will make the best of it!

So basically what I am saying is…. Stay at the Riviera! You seem so excited about it from you post, just do it! Lol

 

[DJFan88]

It only matters if You think 1 bathroom is a dealbreaker and I agree with poster above that you sound so wanting to be at the Riviera that you may be disappointed if you’re not.
Also bear in mind how much you will use skyliner as to what your park plans are. You can always satisfy a child with a “ride” on one from like DHS to CBR ( or on to the Riviera for a nice Topolinos family breakfast) and back if you choose not to stay on the line.
Do you go to DS a lot? Etc.
Another consideration is how close Riviera is to the CBR Center area and being able to use that food court opens up more options.

 

[CarolMN]

Will you be going during a rainy/stormy season? The Skyliner can shut down unexpectedly if it is too windy or if there is lightening in the area. That means bus service and perhaps some inconvenience. Just something else to factor in.

Good luck with your decision. I'm sure whatever you decide will be just fine.

 

[Marthasor]

It really depends on the family dynamic. I'm a huge fan of the 1-bedroom villas with the pull-down Murphy. We are a family of 3 and it was a game-changer for us, but, we don't mind sharing a bathroom. Will your MIL be ok sharing a bathroom? Will she have the main bedroom or the living room? If the living room, will she be comfortable dressing in that space? For me, it's really a matter of how much privacy people need. If you are simply comparing resorts, I would pick RIV over SSR. The rooms at both are gorgeous. I just find SSR really difficult to navigate.

 

[OKW Lover]

It's for just 3 nights. Is having 1 bathroom a dealbreaker for you? Would it be "worth it" to pay the same amount for a 1 bed at Riviera vs 2 bed at SSR?

It wouldn't be worth it to me. I'd go with SSR even though that's not one of my favorite resorts.

 

[DeeBee3]

We had such a great experience at Riviera in August that I vote for Riviera. 2 adults, 2 kids (over age 5) and in a Studio. Granted we are all immediate family so the kids dressing was not an issue. We had 1 bathroom, but there are 2 showers - 1 with the toilet and 1 separate.

I think it's very doable - we loved the location. We are an Epcot family so the Skyliner was great and we had no issues with it despite being the last week in August and the hurricane passing through. You have to keep an eye out for lightning, which I did on my phone if I knew we had to get somewhere.

Ask you MIL how she feels about the bathroom.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

Cant stand the MIL 2 br
without her the riviera is really a nice place to be

 

[LoveToDisney]

I’d go with the 2 bedroom. I hate to share bathrooms. But I don’t mind SSR.

 

[pinkxray]

Tough call. My MIL? 2 bedroom at SSR. Or 1 bedroom at SSR in one building and a studio for MIL in another SSR building. LOl. Just kidding. But for her I’d pick the 2 bedroom because I would need as much space as possible.

If it was my mother I could deal with Riviera. I don’t think the bathroom situation is a deal breaker. For me, it’s more the family dynamics. Not sure if your MIL would be in the actual bedroom or the pull down in the living room. I wouldn’t love waking up and coming out to my MIL sleeping on the pull down.

It sounds like you really want Riviera. If you are close to you MiL and she is fine with whatever sleeping around you will have, I would give it a shot. It’s only 3 nights.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

I really like SSR personally, but only stay in standard if I have a car. Plus, you have someone in a scooter and the skyliner will be easier than a bus. I'd go with Riviera! Also, in a pinch, there is a bathroom in the lobby if someone really needs it and yours is occupied.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

I wouldn’t share bathroom with mil. People need their own space.

 

[Princess Merida]

Riviera because you sound excited about it and it's a great resort. The food options are fantastic and so is the skyliner!

 

[zavandor]

I would go for the extra space and bathroom any day.
As far as food options, you have Disney Springs at your doorstep. If you book preferred, request Congress park, if you book standard, request Paddock, Disney Springs is a 10-15 minutes walk away.
I can see the pain for the busses with the scooter, but you'd have to bus to two parks anyway.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I can barely deal with one bathroom with just my own family of 5, so I'd definitely vote for the 2BR if my MIL were coming along.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

in all seriousness, Riviera is nice enough I would tolerate the mother In law

 

[Tigger's ally]

One thing to consider. We stay at both. At the Riv, I don't pay extra for preferred. We loved the standard category high floor. Had great view of Epcot fireworks. Might make the "splurge" a little easier if you just go standard.

 

[GoingSince1990]

2 bedroom for this trip. Save the Riviera for when you go without MIL.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

Just wondering why not the 2br at riv

 

[Aimeedyan]

Tough call. My MIL? 2 bedroom at SSR. Or 1 bedroom at SSR in one building and a studio for MIL in another SSR building. LOl. Just kidding. But for her I’d pick the 2 bedroom because I would need as much space as possible.

If it was my mother I could deal with Riviera. I don’t think the bathroom situation is a deal breaker. For me, it’s more the family dynamics. Not sure if your MIL would be in the actual bedroom or the pull down in the living room. I wouldn’t love waking up and coming out to my MIL sleeping on the pull down.

It sounds like you really want Riviera. If you are close to you MiL and she is fine with whatever sleeping around you will have, I would give it a shot. It’s only 3 nights.

My MIL would literally be fine with sharing a studio with us (nope) and really just wants to be close to our son, as she only sees him 1-2 times a year. She would do the pull down since she gets up early. We talked about 2 rooms someplace but would miss the kitchen/living space to hang out.

Now, MY mother would need to be at a different resort altogether

One thing to consider. We stay at both. At the Riv, I don't pay extra for preferred. We loved the standard category high floor. Had great view of Epcot fireworks. Might make the "splurge" a little easier if you just go standard.

Preferred was the only thing available I keep checking for a standard option (or two bed)

2 bedroom for this trip. Save the Riviera for when you go without MIL.

We stay onsite 1-2 times a month (and visit the parks weekly) but have never caught an AP rate at Riviera before! I think that was why I was so excited - it's been on my list but never shows up when we decide to book a room (we usually book just a few days out, TBH).

Just wondering why not the 2br at riv

Not available Inventory is SUPER low for our dates.


Thanks for all your thoughts and advice! We're ~20 days away so we'll need to decide soon. And I keep checking online for rooms to pop open - that's what happened with this one! Maybe a 2 bed at Riviera will pop up soon