Which of these DVC resorts for adult trip?

[Princess Merida]

I've owned DVC for 8 years now, but my boyfriend is new to Disney all together. We just took our first combined family trip and it was A LOT with 5 kids. We stayed at the Boardwalk in a 2 bedroom and it was great, but definitely a busy trip and heavily focused on kids and parks. I would like to take him back in May without the kids to show him what Disney has to offer for adults. We would likely stay 3-4 nights and go to only Epcot to drink around the world and ride GOTG. The rest of the time would be spent poolside and dinners would be at some of Disney's nicer restaurants. I currently have Boardwalk booked as that is my home resort, but do not want to stay there as we have already done so. I'd like to show him a different resort this time. I was thinking a MK resort because it's a whole different area with monorail access to great restaurants, but I'm open to Riviera and BCV because the dining options are great as well and the pool at BCV would be a bonus. Which of these options would you all suggest? Thanks in advance!

 

[Disneylover99]

If you’re only going to Epcot, I’d do BCV.
Save The Poly for a MK trip.

 

[Novatrix]

I voted BCV because it's the perfect location for an Epcot + pool trip, but if you're dead set against staying at BWV (which would be my number 2 pick for that scenario), then put in a waitlist as well for the new Poly tower room. If it comes through you can do Trader Sam's plus monorail crawls.

 

[DeeBee3]

I would have picked BWV, but with that out of the running, I picked Riviera. BCV pool very busy and lots of kids running around so if you want a more adult-focused trip, I'd pick RIV so you have 2 nice pools, good dining options, Skyliner to Epcot and Boardwalk area stuff. Also can walk over to Caribbean Beach to Banana Cabana and other places to eat/drink.

 

[zackiedawg]

Honestly the resort you stay at doesn't much matter - an adult trip is about what you do and where you go - so picking which resort is more about if you just want to try a different resort out. For an Epcot focused trip, Boardwalk is a great choice, as is Beach Club - Boardwalk has an advantage in offering some cheaper room options points-wise.

If considering MK resort area, I'd also throw Wilderness Lodge into the mix - both Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge - nice casual dining and bar option with Geyser Point, boat access to Contemporary and Magic Kingdom (as well as easy to Monorail to all the other MK resorts from Contemporary or MK)...lovely atmosphere, a busier main pool or quieter Bould Ridge pool...and the point charts at Boulder Ridge aren't bad.

Another outside-the-box consideration - Saratoga Springs. It's cheap, and there's no direct theme park connection...but if you're only planning one Epcot day anyway, it has the big advantage of being connected to Disney Springs via walking path...so your nightly restaurant and bar selection is massive. It also has 3 different pools - load and themed, less themed and a little less crowded, or a more quiet one (Congress Park). The Congress Park section is my prime recommendation since it's closest to the walking path to Disney Springs. Side perk: when leaving Epcot, you can walk out the International Gateway over to Beach Club and hop the Disney Springs bus - from there, you can enjoy Disney Springs late night entertainment options then walk 'home', or just head back to your villa directly - especially when leaving the park at the end of the day, you can actually get back quicker than if you walked all the way to the front entrance bus stop at Epcot and waited to get on your resort bus - which might take 2 busses depending on the line.

 

[Brian Noble]

I think you'd have to waitlist most of those, so that might make your decision for you. However, if availability were no concern, I think any of the EP-ish area resorts (BCV, BWV, RIV) are fine, just because the vibe at those resorts is a little more relaxed. There are plenty of great reastaurants between those plus the Swolphin.

Having stayed at all three, I happen to like RIV a little more, but only just. Personally, I found SAB to be anticipointing.I mean, it's fine, but it's, well, fine. And I would also second the recommendation of Saratoga as a dark horse choice. The vibe there is quietly and understatedly elegant, and that was only reinforced by the room refurbishment a few years ago.

I don't think I'd pick MK area given the nature of this trip. I think the "better" restaurants in the EP area beat out the set in MK, personally---especially if you are including Topolino in the EP-ish set. I would also put in a plug for Jiko.

 

[byurick]

Riviera all the way but if you're hoping for a duo studio that's gonna be a tough one without owning there.

 

[808blessing]

There is only one right answer! LOL. I stayed at all but the Poly. Own at the BC and it's pretty much my fave but
Riviera is my strong vote for adults only. Lots of romantic skyliner time. Beach Club is crawling with kids...take a break! The whole vibe is grown up Disney adult at Riviera. The pool is peaceful and clean. Reserve Topolinos as soon as you can and let me know how it goes!
eta =if you didn't already stay close to EPCOT at BW, I may have recommended BC for proximity.

 

[RivGirl]

I voted GF bc I would want a full size studio…and there are lots of lovely dining and bar options right there.

If you could go for a full size studio at RIV (probably preferred view) not only would that increase your likelihood of booking at 7mo without waitlisting, but it would tip the scales for me completely in its favor. Quick Skyliner to Epcot, lovely quiet pools, Bar Riva and the other on site restaurants are aces…it’s a no brainer. But the duo tower studio would not be my first choice, especially as a first visit to Riviera.

 

[cruisehopeful]

If you haven't stayed in a duo - I don't recommend it. I'd consider a duo only if it was my only option and I was only going to be in the room to sleep and shower.

 

[Mouseforward]

VGF is an outlier in your list it is a large studio, and higher in points.

I assume your BW is direct or grandfathered - then I would waitlist/book RIV full sized studio and waitlist BC

 

[BL2020]

Initially I voted BC but after reading your post changed it to Riv. This meets the easy access to Epcot and provides something new/different. While I prefer BC over Boardwalk, they are pretty similar to me with the ocean vibe and decorating scheme. Riv is very different. Though I agree getting a Duo studio may be hard and haven't stayed in one so don't know if the small size would be disappointing.

 

[Mle8308]

Riviera if you want to spend relaxing time at the pool, though for a romantic couples trip, I would not do a duo studio anywhere. It's a Murphy bed and it's a very small room for more than one person. It's an easy Skyliner ride from there to Epcot and the pool won't be packed every day, SAB will be. There's a lot of foot traffic at the BC and if you want something that feels more adult and upscale, it's Riviera. Topolino's is great for a nice dinner or you can just go for the bar and take your drinks to the outside terrace!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Voted for BCV, especially based on what you've described as your goals and expectations for the trip. The SAB pool reviews will tell you anything from the greatest pool anywhere to a crazy water park filled with kids! There are definitely quieter spots around SAB to enjoy the day. We love it with/without kids. If it's in your budget, I'd also recommend the potential option of renting one of the cabanas for the day - it is a REALLY relaxing way to enjoy the day with very little crowd traffic. And if SAB turns out to be busier than you care for, you have access to the 3 'quiet' pools on property, too.

The walk to and from EPCOT cannot be beat. And since it's where you're planning to spend your park time, you may as well stay very close by! Enjoy your trip, no matter where you end up staying!

 

[Steelers0854]

I voted BC but I am going to throw an out of the box idea out there that may address some of the earlier thoughts about availability. AKL? To me it was a sleeper hit. Beautifully decorated and immediately on walking in we felt relaxed. They have really good onsite restaurants (Sanaa’s bread service is worth the trip, Boma’s breakfast is the best on property IMO, and Jiko was a solid dinner) its not a terribly long trip to Epcot an you can easily head to Spring for dinner as well. Since it will be a shorter trip you may want to consider it, we were very pleasantly surprised.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I voted BC but I am going to throw an out of the box idea out there that may address some of the earlier thoughts about availability. AKL? To me it was a sleeper hit. Beautifully decorated and immediately on walking in we felt relaxed. They have really good onsite restaurants (Sanaa’s bread service is worth the trip, Boma’s breakfast is the best on property IMO, and Jiko was a solid dinner) its not a terribly long trip to Epcot an you can easily head to Spring for dinner as well. Since it will be a shorter trip you may want to consider it, we were very pleasantly surprised.

If that would've been on the list, I would have recommended it, too! Awesome for an adults' trip with 3 excellent restaurants, a great counter service, a very relaxing pool at Jambo, and (with a savannah view) the balconies with the animals.....

 

[Princess Merida]

I voted BC but I am going to throw an out of the box idea out there that may address some of the earlier thoughts about availability. AKL? To me it was a sleeper hit. Beautifully decorated and immediately on walking in we felt relaxed. They have really good onsite restaurants (Sanaa’s bread service is worth the trip, Boma’s breakfast is the best on property IMO, and Jiko was a solid dinner) its not a terribly long trip to Epcot an you can easily head to Spring for dinner as well. Since it will be a shorter trip you may want to consider it, we were very pleasantly surprised.

If that would've been on the list, I would have recommended it, too! Awesome for an adults' trip with 3 excellent restaurants, a great counter service, a very relaxing pool at Jambo, and (with a savannah view) the balconies with the animals.....

Love AKL and it would’ve been on my list too, especially since I haven’t yet been to Jiko. However, the room refurb is next year and I’d like to avoid that.

 

[Princess Merida]

I think you'd have to waitlist most of those, so that might make your decision for you. However, if availability were no concern, I think any of the EP-ish area resorts (BCV, BWV, RIV) are fine, just because the vibe at those resorts is a little more relaxed. There are plenty of great reastaurants between those plus the Swolphin.

Having stayed at all three, I happen to like RIV a little more, but only just. Personally, I found SAB to be anticipointing.I mean, it's fine, but it's, well, fine. And I would also second the recommendation of Saratoga as a dark horse choice. The vibe there is quietly and understatedly elegant, and that was only reinforced by the room refurbishment a few years ago.

I don't think I'd pick MK area given the nature of this trip. I think the "better" restaurants in the EP area beat out the set in MK, personally---especially if you are including Topolino in the EP-ish set. I would also put in a plug for Jiko.

I think you’re correct and availability at 7 months may be my deciding factor. Looking at other people’s responses, I may also want to avoid the duo studios. I didn’t think about them being too small for a more resort based trip, but that definitely makes sense and this may not be the trip to try one out.

 

[Princess Merida]

VGF is an outlier in your list it is a large studio, and higher in points.

I assume your BW is direct or grandfathered - then I would waitlist/book RIV full sized studio and waitlist BC

Yes, I am grandfathered. Thanks. Definitely thinking full studio wherever we stay after reading responses.

 

[Keetchino]

I'd go Epcot area resort hands down for an adult trip, but give the edge to the Riviera instead of Beach Club because I feel the balconies are maybe larger at Riviera? Could in my head, but I'm convinced they are lol. Riviera has a pretty great view as well. Check Stormalong Bay refurb/ closure too. If you do Riviera I'd do at least a regular deluxe studio instead of the small duo.