Why do people either LOVE or Hate Riviera?

[atthebeachclub]

Remember that time you had to on the Skyliner….. that would never be lived down…..

For real. This would live rent free in everyone’s head for the rest of their lives. And imagine if it was a stranger in the cabin!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Wouldn't bathroom issues be the same or worse on the monorail?

Agree! I feel like usually your are on the Skyliner alone with your people so doing your business wouldnt be as bad. On the monorail you are rarely ever only with just your people.

 

[airjay75]

Agree! I feel like usually your are on the Skyliner alone with your people so doing your business wouldnt be as bad. On the monorail you are rarely ever only with just your people.

I thought about pointing this out earlier as one thing I really like about the Skyliner. Unlike buses, boats, and monorail, you always get someplace to sit. And, as long as it isn't a busy time, your party typically gets the gondola to yourself.

 

[Genie+]

Any resort can get ripped from both sides but as you filter through these comments & put a tick on each item. You will notice a common reason for the Love side & the Hate side.

End of the day..grab a BWV resale.

Or a 3rd option… grab 150pts Poly direct and then you can book 1BRs at both BWV and RIV with the lowest current dues, with 40+ years of unrestricted points and blue card perks, and still retain the value of OG trading if ever deciding to resell.

 

[RivGirl]

Ok… which one these hotels is from the actual Riveria and which ones look generic?View attachment 1073310View attachment 1073311View attachment 1073312View attachment 1073313View attachment 1073314View attachment 1073315

 

[bdrex28]

I think you were quoting me, not TwinsMom .

That said, I will politely disagree with you on quick food being better at BWV than RIV. I think BWV is a lovely resort, and I very much enjoyed my last stay, but access to quick food was not an area in which I found BWV to shine. We enjoyed food from the Cake Bake Shop, the Deli, Trattoria al Forno, the Pizza Window, and the Corndog Stand. None of those locations felt very convenient to our room (BW view, last room at the end of the BW) or like they were particularly quick and easy places to grab food. The ice cream place looked nice, but the line was always very long. And, the only two places that offered mobile order were the Deli and Trattoria al Forno, which mean you had to stand in lines for anything else, some of which were quite long.

At RIV, whether you're in your room or at the pool, Primo Piatto, the Gelato stand, and Bar Riva are mere steps away. Bar Riva does, at times, offer pool service, although, even if they're not, the walk-up window is literally right in front of one of the pool gates. BWV does have more options, but RIV is way easier and more convenient for quick food options in my experience. You also have CBR's QS, which is probably a shorter walk from RIV than it was from our room at BWV to the Deli.

I think many have mentioned the restrictions

I will give you that RIV is pretty easy on quick food as well, mostly probably more convenient for sure. But I sure do enjoy being able to grab a quick slice of pizza or hitting up the general store for some needed items.

As I said we were probably 30 seconds from buying 250 pt contract in March of 2020 at RIV. It was crazy. My daughter had a volleyball tournament in Orlando so we combined it with a WDW trip. Covid literally "began" when we were at WDW, I think it was March 8-13 of 2020. Crazy. Anyway, we wanted more fast passes so we did the DVC tour and we were staying that trip in a 1 BR Villa booked through the Disney website (yes looking back crazy I paid that). Anyway, we liked RIV and at the last minute we hesitated due to the unknown of this thing called COVID-19. LOL

Fast forward, many trips later and I bought a resale contract we have found the location is awesome for us at BWV. I definitely don't dislike RIV at all, rooms are great and it's nice. We just prefer BWV.

You're definitely right though, you can get some rooms very much NOT close to the boardwalk and it would be nice if BWV had more breakfast options IMO. Trattoria isn't bad for breakfast and the quick service coffee shop in the lobby has pretty good ham/cheese croissants but something else would be nice. I still wish they'd replace Big River

 

[KPeterso]

I had visited Riviera a couple times over the years for Topolinos. Loved the restaurant and its terrace. Did the tour and also loved the rooms. Actually ordered a piece of artwork that was in the grand villa as I loved it so much.

But was hesitant to stay there because of the high point charts. My spring trips I meet up with friends for a few days and my friend really wanted to stay there and said it would be nice to be at the same resort for a change. So I booked it for our dates. Ended up loving it there. Would love to stay there again, but points are still so high (and I can only use certain points there --- I have some resale that do not qualify there), so it makes harder for me to book there. Someday I will stay there again though!

 

[Wedgeout]

Or a 3rd option… grab 150pts Poly direct and then you can book 1BRs at both BWV and RIV with the lowest current dues, with 40+ years of unrestricted points and blue card perks, and still retain the value of OG trading if ever deciding to resell.

Valid but it’s all about what you get at each with the Home Resort priority. PVB will get you the one bedroom but not at the category or point value owners get.

 

[Genie+]

Valid but it’s all about what you get at each with the Home Resort priority. PVB will get you the one bedroom but not at the category or point value owners get.

Yes, home priority can save alot of points! I’m looking at December and the point difference between resort and preferred is 7-12pts/nt for BWV/RIV 1BRs. The potential point savings is significant.

I was thinking if someone didn’t like BWV resale because it’s a shorter contract and can’t book RIV, but doesn’t like RIV resale or direct because of the restrictions, then PVB direct solves some of that if the target is 1BRs. You can book both BWV and RIV, and 1BR makes that a much easier thing to do at 7 months, plus the dues savings helps. Then Poly direct gets perks, unrestricted points, 40+ years, home priority, and the more palatable resale terms with OG trading.

 

[Wedgeout]

I was thinking if someone didn’t like BWV resale because it’s a shorter contract and can’t book RIV, but doesn’t like RIV resale or direct because of the restrictions, then PVB direct solves some of that if the target is 1BRs. You can book both BWV and RIV, and 1BR makes that a much easier thing to do at 7 months, plus the dues savings helps. Then Poly direct gets perks, unrestricted points, 40+ years, home priority, and the more palatable resale terms with OG trading.

Agree! PVB is the best active direct sale on the market currently. Checks those boxes. With this thread we are focused on @melissa70 RIV Love/Hate research. I believe the trigger was once almost pulled on PVB…Squirrel!!

 

[Genie+]

Agree! PVB is the best active direct sale on the market currently. Checks those boxes. With this thread we are focused on @melissa70 RIV Love/Hate research. I believe the trigger was once almost pulled on PVB…Squirrel!!

haha yeah, not an easy choice. There’s always something else to consider…

 

[Wedgeout]

If we removed the skyliner, (giving that feeling of closeness), OKW is the same distance to Epcot as RIV.

Now how does BWV rank?

 

[melissa70]

Agree! PVB is the best active direct sale on the market currently. Checks those boxes. With this thread we are focused on @melissa70 RIV Love/Hate research. I believe the trigger was once almost pulled on PVB…Squirrel!!

Hahaha I know
Since then I’ve realized the biggie is really home resort advantage…and since I already own BLT, I’m not sure I need Poly priority as much as I originally thought

And the price of buying direct! I used to think I needed it to not be restricted from other resorts, but I feel like I’m restricted anyway If I don’t own there.. I would not be using any of the other benefits of owning direct

 

[Brob2132]

I just don't get the lobby thing. Who cares if it's small? Do you guys live in the lobby during your vacations? I see it when I walk in and walk out.

Oh I love sitting in Jambo house around the fire having a glass of vino after dinner.

 

[Wedgeout]

Hahaha I know
Since then I’ve realized the biggie is really home resort advantage…and since I already own BLT, I’m not sure I need Poly priority as much as I originally thought

Nope. No PVB needed for you. BLT is all you need in that monorail resort loop. Must say my 3 nights last week in BLT resort studio changed my mind about the place. I really like it. The decor blows away the Contemporary incredibles theme. That artwork is so good, I ordered a couple pieces at the store kiosk.

 

[VGCgroupie]

If we removed the skyliner, (giving that feeling of closeness), OKW is the same distance to Epcot as RIV.

Now how does BWV rank?

But you walk a very short distance and get on a bus that takes you to Epcot without having to stop and pickup other people 3 more times.

 

[Wedgeout]

But you walk a very short distance and get on a bus that takes you to Epcot without having to stop and pickup other people 3 more times.

But it’s the distance security gate to security gate. Once the bus is on the main road. All have the option of getting on at Hospitality House. (RIV is actually the original Barbados that moved to the north Trinidad spot).

 

[VGCgroupie]

But it’s the distance security gate to security gate. Once the bus is on the main road. All have the option of getting on at Hospitality House. (RIV is actually the original Barbados that moved to the north Trinidad spot).

Stopping at other stops to load and unload is like torture. I just want to get where I am going already. Total travel time certainly needs to be considered not just time on the main rd. Throw an ECV or 2 in the mix and you easily add 15-20 minutes to your travel time.

 

[Wedgeout]

Back to the RIV Hate lol. A Deluxe Experience on a Moderate property. Soon to be duplicated at LSL.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Hardly Marriot generic. Maybe not 1800s built Hotel Monte Carlo price and location on the other side of the world.
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I gotta say that I look at those pictures and I disagree. There are touches, but no where close to the level of Aulani, Grand Cal, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Animal Kingdom…. and they could have if they wanted to….