VGF v RIV

[macman123]

As you know I have a handful of points.

As I am from the UK I haven't managed to stay until recently due to the USA travel ban.

I have recently stayed:

1) 3BR Grand Villa VGF 1 night
2) 1BR VGF 7 nights
3) 1BR BLT 8 nights
4) 1BR RIV 8 nights

I went with the impression that VGF would be my preferred room hands down.

However, having stayed at both I have to say that RIV is very very impressive.

I asked for Spaceship earth view and the pictures below show what I could see from the balcony.

RIV is very luxurious - the bathroom/shower is stunning. The fixtures such as lampshades are made out of marble (I think) and are simply amazing.

The living area is great.

Not sure what thoughts are - would be interesting to hear from people who have actually stayed at both.

 

[davidl81]

I think RIV is a very nice resort in a JW Marriott kinda way. VGF has the location to MK working for it, while RIV is close to Epcot as long as skyliner is running.
I think there are pros and cons to both resorts, but I also think they are both nice resorts.
It’s one of the reasons I think VGF2 will be priced close/same as RIV. DVC wants all of their resorts at WDW to be considered equal. If you price VGF 10-20% higher than RIV then you are admitting that RIV is a step down from VGF.

 

[Bjaiken77]

I think VGF and RIV often appeal to the same consumer. I know I like them both. They are both subtle theming when compared to AKL or WL, but still have that Disney feel that makes me not want to stay offsite. That’s what I like about both, at least.

 

[DVCsloth]

VGF is one of my home resorts and my favorite. I love the location and access to all dining options. We stayed in a studio and a 1 BR in both and thought the rooms were pretty similar maybe a little nicer at Riviera. Both are awesome resorts in my opinion, but VGF is #1 for me. I am a big fan of Riviera though as well!

 

[gisele2]

Wow 24 nights at WDW , did you have fun ?

 

[Sandisw]

Just came back. 1 night VGF and 2 at RIV in the 1 bedrooms and honestly, proved that RIV wins for me.

I really do think it’s just as flagship as VGF. I actually much prefer the food. Plus, sitting at waters edge each morning with my coffee after a walk around the lake? Just priceless!!

I am glad you had an awesome time.

 

[kanerf]

I own at RIV and really like it. I have never managed to snag a stay at VGF, though I will be interested in VGF2 when it becomes available. Might buy a small package there if it is not too crazy. It will be more hotel like than the other DVC resorts and that might be ok for a few days close to MK. Not sure I would want to spend a week there.

 

[Paul Stupin]

I love both but do not own at Riviera. I love the rooms at Riviera, especially the one bedrooms, but we don’t like Topolino’s and the dining options are limited. VGF for us is way more immersive and distinctive, and we enjoy the walk to the Magic Kingdom.

That said, I’ll still keep booking Riviera at 7 months!

 

[DVCbie-Jeebies]

I love the Riviera resort where we bought our first DVC contract. It's my favorite place to stay and all things being equal I'd be there every visit, but all things are not equal. We just got back from a stay at Grand Floridian and while I prefer the rooms at the Riviera the walk to MK from GFV can't be beat... not by Riviera at least. We never took the monorail and thought of it a lot like the skyliner. I hate that Disney put the Riviera so far out there!!! Relying on the skyliner gondolas has been pretty bad for us to put it lightly with a lot of buses and waiting... but we do travel in the summer mostly so the storms have been an issue. If the rooms themselves weren't as great as they were, we probably wouldn't own there... that and our points costed us less when we bought than people are paying for a bunch of other places through resale. When GFV opens we're planning to talk to a sales person about the points there. Not sure we'll get rid of our Riviera contract, but I might be tempted if GFV prices are not too crazy!!!

 

[The Jackal]

Macman I’m glad you have finally been able to make it over and enjoy some of those points. They ban should have been lifted a long time ago.

 

[macman123]

Macman I’m glad you have finally been able to make it over and enjoy some of those points. They ban should have been lifted a long time ago.

I agree. The thing is Im back in 2 weeks time for 10 days. Just back in the UK to do my laundry

 

[DaveNan]

I agree. The thing is Im back in 2 weeks time for 10 days. Just back in the UK to do my laundry

Hey, all those GV and 1BR have private washers and dryers, why back to UK ?????

 

[macman123]

Hey, all those GV and 1BR have private washers and dryers, why back to UK ?????

Because I live here.......

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Because I live here.......

You have enough points to live at WDW, haha. If only they issued IDs/drivers licenses.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I was on a similar boat as you when we were getting our first contract. I thought for sure we would want VGF, it's supposed to be the nicest after all; the "flagship." But my husband and I fell in love with RVA, especially the rooms, while the rooms at VGF seemed too dowdy for our taste (having stayed at both). I absolutely love the grounds and lobby at VGF, though, so it was tough. But ultimately we spend more time in the room and the RVA grounds and lobby, while smaller, are nice also. My husband and I also really like the Skyliner and haven't had any issues, but we also don't go in the summer. We like the restaurants at both resorts.

I wonder if in the future they'll give VGF rooms a makeover and we'll like them more. The concept art for the new resort studios at VGF2 are much more to my linking, but no 1BRs, sadly. We want to add on at a monorail resort but I think it will BLT, we stayed at the Contemporary last November and loved it.

 

[macman123]

I think the room I stayed in had been refurbished because it was a pulldown bed in the 1BR.

Don't get me wrong it was stunning - but I think that RIV had the edge......

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I think the room I stayed in had been refurbished because it was a pulldown bed in the 1BR.

Don't get me wrong it was stunning - but I think that RIV had the edge......

Nice. I'll be sure to check out the refurbished rooms during one of our next trips (July or Nov) if VGF is still doing tours.
Meanwhile, I really look forward to seeing the refurbished BLT 1BRs! RVA's rooms are super nice, but they don't have that lovely extra full bathroom!

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

I’m so glad you finally got your welcome home visit!!

I’ve stayed at RIV several times, and VGF once. I think they’re both wonderful resorts, but I agree that the RIV rooms have the edge. The walkway to MK from VGF is gorgeous though… a real pleasure to stroll along! I’m very excited for the new resort studios coming at VGF!! I think they might be the most luxurious-feeling yet… we’ll see! Of course, I’m also excited to see what they do with the next BLT refurb (even though I don’t expect it to have as many upscale furnishings).

With all your points, I’m sure you’ll be able to enjoy them all

 

[havoc315]

Honestly, I find GFV to be overrated. That's not to say it isn't beautiful. I just feel that Riviera does "casual elegance" better than GFV hits upon "Victorian elegance."
In 1-2 bedroom units, I prefer the living room and kitchen from Riviera, but I prefer the master bedroom of GFV.
While I appreciate all the dining options at GFV, I don't love how spread out the resort is. I love how compact Riviera is. You're never more than 2-3 minutes from any pool, dining or amenity.
If I really wanted a Magic Kingdom location, I'd certainly take GFV over RIV. But being I actually prefer Epcot and DHS access, combined with all the other factors, I'll take Riviera happily.

 

[kboo]

I think the room I stayed in had been refurbished because it was a pulldown bed in the 1BR.

Don't get me wrong it was stunning - but I think that RIV had the edge......

As of Christmas week 2021, any VGF1 room open to guests is a refurbished room (they started top down, and floors 1-3 were being refurbed when we were there on the 5th floor). Our stay that week was VGF + RIV and we own at both.

In 1-2 bedroom units, I prefer the living room and kitchen from Riviera, but I prefer the master bedroom of GFV.
While I appreciate all the dining options at GFV, I don't love how spread out the resort is. I love how compact Riviera is. You're never more than 2-3 minutes from any pool, dining or amenity.
If I really wanted a Magic Kingdom location, I'd certainly take GFV over RIV. But being I actually prefer Epcot and DHS access, combined with all the other factors, I'll take Riviera happily.

I agree. Luckily we own at both, and my ideal trip would be a split stay between the two. our family readily debates whether we like RIV or VGF better, just like we debate whether we like California Grill or Topolino's better (while V&A is closed). I also really think the staff at RIV are lovely. My kids are also ok with the walk from MK to VGF but are just as happy taking a boat. We monorail in the AM to go to MK and boat back. It's really a toss up. I think because the adults in our family like EP and HS a little more, RIV probably wins. Our 10 yo loves the newer rides at HS, so she'd probably call it a tie, maybe broken by the VGF feature pool. Also - fireworks views from Riviera are better.