VGF vs RIV with young kids

[J-Dog]

Lobbies are hang out spots. That matters for a lot of people. Resort grounds also are important for a lot of guests. I still love being in the gf main lobby and the resort grounds despite a half dozen or so stays.

RIV has a lobby that is plenty easy to hang out in. How does the height of the ceiling make hanging-out in the lobby any different? Is it somehow "more fun" to hang out in a fancy lobby than a smaller one?

Just seems to me that people make way too big of a deal about the lobby when it comes to deciding on a home resort. Just IMO.

And I guess these kinds of things is why different people like different resorts.

 

[stevehudd]

RIV has a lobby that is plenty easy to hang out in. How does the height of the ceiling make hanging-out in the lobby any different? Is it somehow "more fun" to hang out in a fancy lobby than a smaller one?

Just seems to me that people make way too big of a deal about the lobby when it comes to deciding on a home resort. Just IMO.

And I guess these kinds of things is why different people like different resorts.

The GF lobby is magical for a lot of reasons. As are the wilderness lodge and animal kingdom lobbies. Its part of why staying on site is so much fun compared to off site. Perceived magical spaces add to the enjoyment of the vacation.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

And there's plenty of trip reports of people buying RIV sight-unseen who end up loving it.

I guess I don't understand the lobby thing being a consideration for buying DVC. Some of the WDW resort lobbies definitely have a "wow" factor. But that "wow" factor quickly diminishes, IMO, the more times that you see it. And by definition, DVC owners will almost certainly see their lobby MANY times. And there is no other advantage to a fancy lobby other than looking cool. Therefore, the lobby "wow" factor should be a non-factor for considering buying into DVC.

To you the lack of wow factor is a non factor. A big Part of my Disney vacations and DVC stays is soaking in all those details. Everyone is different. And I’ve stayed at Poly sooo many times but it still gives my thst “wow” feeling each time I walk in. Same with Boardwalk, each time I see it I get that feeling. That’s why I own at those places. But like I said, everyone’s different. People are strangely defensive of riviera. People criticize SSR all the time but if you say anything about Riv…lol

 

[stevehudd]

To you the lack of wow factor is a non factor. A big Part of my Disney vacations and DVC stays is soaking in all those details. Everyone is different. And I’ve stayed at Poly sooo many times but it still gives my thst “wow” feeling each time I walk in. Same with Boardwalk, each time I see it I get that feeling. That’s why I own at those places. But like I said, everyone’s different. People are strangely defensive of riviera. People criticize SSR all the time but if you say anything about Riv…lol

For almost anyone, buying DVC is a huge commitment. Fear of having made the wrong decision can manifest in being defensive. I don't think Riviera purchasers have any reason to be defensive as there are so many positives with their purchase. Every one of these resorts has a few downsides, but thankfully all of them have overwhelming positives.

Resale SSR is an unreal deal right now. Someone snagged a contract for 74 bucks a point on the ROFR thread.

 

[Disney_escape]

Personal opinion of course but I’d pick just about any resort over Riviera. Have you seen it? Extremely underwhelming. And MK will most likely be your kid’s favorite park for many years. So GF for the win imo.

Disagree, have you stayed there? I have stayed at almost every Disney hotel and most DVC's (Orlando),and I would rank it among the top. Now if you are looking for the Art of animation style Disney decor then RIV isn't for you.

 

[sethschroeder]

Lobbies are hang out spots. That matters for a lot of people. Resort grounds also are important for a lot of guests. I still love being in the gf main lobby and the resort grounds despite a half dozen or so stays.

Never have I ever hanged out in a lobby. Like ever at any place anywhere in the world.

Like even at VGF last year I would be hanging out on the balcony, hanging out in a lounge, hanging out by the pool, hanging out a variety of places.

Lobbies are for walking through.

Example AKV you are drawn to the seating and overlooks of the savannas not the lobby. With wilderness you are drawn to small corners of the lobby by the water or fireplace but really drawn outside at that location as well.

The lobbies are even designed with it being a temporary landing spot even with a tiny fraction of seats simply to get by while people wait for their room/Checkin/taxi/valet.

Also hanging out locations is exactly why lounges are created.

 

[Disney_escape]

Lobbies are hang out spots. That matters for a lot of people. Resort grounds also are important for a lot of guests. I still love being in the gf main lobby and the resort grounds despite a half dozen or so stays.

I would say the RIV resort grounds out back are great. Yes the lobby is not a huge Poly or Wilderness, but neither is BLT.

 

[Disney_escape]

To you the lack of wow factor is a non factor. A big Part of my Disney vacations and DVC stays is soaking in all those details. Everyone is different. And I’ve stayed at Poly sooo many times but it still gives my thst “wow” feeling each time I walk in. Same with Boardwalk, each time I see it I get that feeling. That’s why I own at those places. But like I said, everyone’s different. People are strangely defensive of riviera. People criticize SSR all the time but if you say anything about Riv…lol

I agree with you about people being more defensive with RIV than other DVCs, but I would say it has been funny to me over the last few years to watch many 'influencers' change their negative speaking once they stayed there. A popular Youtuber dogged on it for 2 years, then finally stayed there and then bought points. A host closely linked to this site was a HUGE RIV hater (referred to it as a women's prison if I remember correctly), but not once he stayed there. Everyone has their favorites, and different strokes for different folks, but until you have stayed a few days in a DVC opinion should be taken with a grain of salt. But then again, I'm someone who thinks BCV is overrated (yes I have stayed there).

 

[stevehudd]

I agree with you about people being more defensive with RIV than other DVCs, but I would say it has been funny to me over the last few years to watch many 'influencers' change their negative speaking once they stayed there. A popular Youtuber dogged on it for 2 years, then finally stayed there and then bought points. A host closely linked to this site was a HUGE RIV hater (referred to it as a women's prison if I remember correctly), but not once he stayed there. Everyone has their favorites, and different strokes for different folks, but until you have stayed a few days in a DVC opinion should be taken with a grain of salt. But then again, I'm someone who thinks BCV is overrated (yes I have stayed there).

BCV has terrible internal food options, rooms way worse than Riviera, an uncertain post 2042 future, and some weird theming.

And I just signed a contract there yesterday.

 

[crisi]

I 100% agree with this.

Young kids aren't going to care about subtle differences in the pool layout, and older kids may care about some things, but those opinions are often fleeting and inconsistent.

Buy where you, as the parent, wants to buy.

Also, your kids will be used to whatever "home" you pick if you stay there most often. We bought back when there were only a few resorts on site, at BWV, and my young adult children still would rather be at BWV than anywhere else. Not because its the best for what they want to do, but because its the place they know.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Disagree, have you stayed there? I have stayed at almost every Disney hotel and most DVC's (Orlando),and I would rank it among the top. Now if you are looking for the Art of animation style Disney decor then RIV isn't for you.

No I haven’t stayed there because I have no desire to lol. I’ve toured the rooms and the resort though. Staying there wouldn’t change my opinion.

 

[Frugal Fairy Tales]

I would say the RIV resort grounds out back are great. Yes the lobby is not a huge Poly or Wilderness, but neither is BLT.

Good point. No one ever mentions or seems bothered by the BLT lobby.

 

[Frugal Fairy Tales]

BCV has terrible internal food options, rooms way worse than Riviera, an uncertain post 2042 future, and some weird theming.

And I just signed a contract there yesterday.

Location. Location. Location.

 

[stevehudd]

Location. Location. Location.

Yeah its the perfect compliment to GF. Yacht club breakfast is also the best breakfast at Disney.

 

[Rex1993]

We're buying VGF because of the location and lack of resale restrictions. We have no intention of selling anytime in the near future but there is no question that DVC is trying to handicap the resale market with the restrictions.

 

[CarolynFH]

Also, your kids will be used to whatever "home" you pick if you stay there most often. We bought back when there were only a few resorts on site, at BWV, and my young adult children still would rather be at BWV than anywhere else. Not because its the best for what they want to do, but because its the place they know.

So true! We’re planning an early-2025 trip with DD, DSiL and their will-be-toddler. I talked to DD about possibly getting a CCV cabin, and she says they’d rather stay at BWV even in P/G view. She says it’s for sentimental reasons, including staying there for their honeymoon.

(Guess I’ll have to look for another reason to book a cabin….)

 

[J-Dog]

To you the lack of wow factor is a non factor. A big Part of my Disney vacations and DVC stays is soaking in all those details. Everyone is different. And I’ve stayed at Poly sooo many times but it still gives my thst “wow” feeling each time I walk in. Same with Boardwalk, each time I see it I get that feeling. That’s why I own at those places. But like I said, everyone’s different. People are strangely defensive of riviera. People criticize SSR all the time but if you say anything about Riv…lol

The same could be said of the opposite too.

People seem to love to hate on RIV for some reason. I think that the running theory of this is that the resale restrictions set-off some kind of subconscious "disdain" for the resort, and suddenly to these people everything about RIV sucks.

I personally don't hate any resort and there's no single resort that I would "refuse" to stay at.

 

[sethschroeder]

We're buying VGF because of the location and lack of resale restrictions. We have no intention of selling anytime in the near future but there is no question that DVC is trying to handicap the resale market with the restrictions.

Guess what Resale restrictions will impact you even at VGF if you don't sell before the park adjacent exodus in 2042 and the great exodus when SSR comes up.

Done the math and posted it previously. If you don't think losing 14% of the original rooms and over 50% of the rooms being at OKW/SSR doesn't devalue the ability to trade not sure what to say.

Its not impacted as much as RIV but its still impacted because people buying VGF in 20-30 years will only buy there because they want to stay there primarily.

 

[sethschroeder]

No I haven’t stayed there because I have no desire to lol. I’ve toured the rooms and the resort though. Staying there wouldn’t change my opinion.

How do you pick OKW over Riviera or All Stars over Riviera?

Point they were making is staying at the location is different than just touring. You can tell what you might like or dislike by touring but you can't really give "its the worst resort at Disney".

As an example how would you say Riviera is worse than CBR when its essentially next door, Riviera is closer to transportation, has larger rooms, and is not setup like a motel? It makes little sense except to grandstand.

But Riviera love to hate it is fairly normal from various people out there.

 

[Rex1993]

Guess what Resale restrictions will impact you even at VGF if you don't sell before the park adjacent exodus in 2042 and the great exodus when SSR comes up.

Done the math and posted it previously. If you don't think losing 14% of the original rooms and over 50% of the rooms being at OKW/SSR doesn't devalue the ability to trade not sure what to say.

Its not impacted as much as RIV but its still impacted because people buying VGF in 20-30 years will only buy there because they want to stay there primarily.

I'm not familiar with what is being discussed in this post. What is the park adjacent exodus in 2042?