The Official Riviera Owners & Info Thread

[Castillo Mom]

We officially closed on our second Riviera contract yesterday. 325 points strong.

2nd Riveria contract already! Congratulations!

 

[Castillo Mom]

I just bought 150 Rivera points! Thanks for answering all my questions and for all the info!

Congratulations!

 

[Castillo Mom]

We checked in today and I LOVE the 1 bedroom. The layout makes it seem so huge! We’ve been considering adding more points for a 2 bedroom because family are now asking to go with us. We’re Poly owners and didn’t really want a second monorail home. This may just be the place.

I also own at PVB and AKV, so Riviera was the perfect add on for me and very different from the other two resorts. I also considered the location and didn't want another one on the monorail line either. Looking forward to our first stay next fall. Congrats on your new addition!

 

[havoc315]

Love this thread... just bought first DVC contract, 200 points at Riviera

 

[UrsulaWantsYourSoul]

@havoc315 - Welcome Home!

 

[GrtDisGuy]

Does anyone know if the the vending machine where you can order the art prints is open right now?
I apologize if this is the wrong thread, I'm not sure where to ask this question.

We were there last week and it was open (and we ordered a print). It had some technical difficulties, but the staff in the shop utilized their computer to finalize the order.

 

[GrtDisGuy]

I think the intent was that the Primo Piatto would be such high quality and ambience, it would be like a TS. I remember hearing someone say something like that at a press event.
I haven’t eaten there yet but I can’t imagine with Covid precautions and reduced menus that it’s playing out well. Did you try Bar Riva?

We actually loved Primo Piatto, and i was surprised by how much we liked it. The "grilled cheese ham sandwich" thing with tomato soup was amazing, and the Italian sub was fantastic. The banana bread (we had 3 diff days!) - consistently moist. The cast members were super friendly and we always had a table even with the limited capacity. I only had drinks at Bar Riva

 

[MrsBooch]

We were there last week and it was open (and we ordered a print). It had some technical difficulties, but the staff in the shop utilized their computer to finalize the order.

what is the price range for prints? do you recall the starting price? I would LOVE to get some but don't want to drop major $$$

 

[GrtDisGuy]

what is the price range for prints? do you recall the starting price? I would LOVE to get some but don't want to drop major $$$

They typically have 3 diff sizes with paper or canvas. Paper and Canvas seemed to have same price. We got medium size about 20x29 with frame - $213 with shipping ($20 included in the $213, and includes our 20% annual pass discount. I think the smaller was $160 to $180 without discount and shipping, and was a good size still (13 or 16 by 20 or something like that - I can't really remember).

 

[MrsBooch]

They typically have 3 diff sizes with paper or canvas. Paper and Canvas seemed to have same price. We got medium size about 20x29 with frame - $213 with shipping ($20 included in the $213, and includes our 20% annual pass discount. I think the smaller was $160 to $180 without discount and shipping, and was a good size still (13 or 16 by 20 or something like that - I can't really remember).

awesome - thank you SO much! I'm in love with the Ariel print....it might have to happen...

 

[Shellbells]

We were there last week and it was open (and we ordered a print). It had some technical difficulties, but the staff in the shop utilized their computer to finalize the order.

Thank you so much. I'm going to book an ADR one morning just so I can get a print. It'll probably take me forever to pick which one. They are all so gorgeous.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Thank you so much. I'm going to book an ADR one morning just so I can get a print. It'll probably take me forever to pick which one. They are all so gorgeous.

Is there somewhere that shows all the prints?

 

[sethschroeder]

Is there somewhere that shows all the prints?

I have but can't post the link here. Its weird Disney doesn't post it online though maybe to pull people in to that resort.

 

[Shellbells]

Is there somewhere that shows all the prints?

I don't know of a website that shows all the prints you can purchase but I just googled "Riviera Resort art" and the 2nd link that came up was WDWNT. It shows how the kiosk works along with some of the prints. I walked around the resort in January and fell in love with the art on display. I can't wait to have one of the framed prints of my own

 

[vinmar4]

Love this thread... just bought first DVC contract, 200 points at Riviera

Welcome Home!

 

[summerw]

We did Bar Riva baked Brie and Le Petit Cafe charcuterie last night. Both were delicious! Le Petit Cafe doesn’t start serving their limited menu until 4 pm though. I haven’t seen an expanded menu from original opening so maybe it’s just the curse of 2020.

Edited to add: I’m just spoiled from staying mostly at Poly. Kona and Grand Floridian Cafe are excellent for breakfast.

I love your Le Petit Cafe choices. I hope we get a chance to try them. I have too many food plans. Lol.
And I agree it's probably a Covid side effect.

@sethschroeder here's the corrected one. If you can swap it out with the one in your early post that would be groovy and gracias! Thanks @TinkerBellLiz.

Thanks! I added it to the first post. Amazing chart! It's so helpful!!

It's been a few years since I was there for a May trip, but I remember love bugs. Not as bad as September, but present.

I don't hear people talk about them anymore so maybe they aren't as much of a problem as they once were? I remember a trip in September 2000 that was so bad I was picking them out of my kids' hair. blech

We've been in May and October. Only saw them in October at All Star Movies. I think they vary by year and location. They were bad when we saw them. The staff was blowing them off the side of the building, but they continued to cover our door.

If I could just drive to Disney in 6-8 hours I might be tempted but a 20 hour drive or a flight is not really something I want to do. We have our trip in March and I expect will go as I already proactively don't have the kids coming. They will come in Dec '21 or Jan '22.

We had to really work to get over our concerns about flying too. DS is clear in our county to go back to school soon, so I honestly am not more scared of flying than of elementary kids managing to stay safe. Lol. We bought face shields to go over our masks because I want to be extra safe. Waiting until they maybe have fireworks again sounds like a great plan too though!

We rebooked for April 2021 after our cancelled May holiday and have hit our 7 month window. We bought into Riviera with the view we’d try other resorts. We sat down to work out where else to stay as a split stay as we were thinking of adding on resale, but after going back and forth landed on that we just didn’t want to stay anywhere else.

Maybe it will change and we will want to try other resorts but for us right Riviera seems the best option. As we’re travelling from outside the US I hope things settle so we can get there!

Can't disagree with that! We are still waiting for our first stay, but I have a feeling we will be choosing the same.

Take a quick "walk" along the lake walk in front of Riviera

Anyone know another name for it? The path along the lake in front of Riviera that is?

Roughly 20 mins of the stream that ResortTV1 did the other night.

This was awesome and just what my stir crazy heart needed. Thanks!

Hello all! I just managed to stalk availability and put together a split stay for thanksgiving week - first half is in Copper Creek (which I'm familiar with) second half is going to be at Riviera!! (it was Polynesian but I'm nervous about the construction messing up our access to the Grand Ceremonial House - plus we wanted to check out Riviera anyway so -WIN WIN)

As I said - first time for us at this resort - I tried searching this thread but couldn't find anything re: the current offerings of activities?
I know there was a community hall - Eventi I think?

Are there still things going on in the Community Hall? Can we still do the scavenger hunt or the art scavenger hunt?

Bocce (sp) ball?

I know there are still pool activities in the feature pool - but I remember seeing some early videos when they first opened of the Community Hall and some Build your own Race Car and Racing activity?

Just wondering what is happening now - thanks!!

I did read from someone on FB that they are still doing the scavenger hunts and the bocce, but I don't know personally. I'm going in two weeks so I'll check it out!

 

[havoc315]

So I’m anticipating a first trip to Riviera next August.. will book tomorrow. Planning a 1 bedroom.
It’s a big point difference between standard view and preferred view. Is the preferred view worthwhile? How bad is the standard view?

 

[UrsulaWantsYourSoul]

So I’m anticipating a first trip to Riviera next August.. will book tomorrow. Planning a 1 bedroom.
It’s a big point difference between standard view and preferred view. Is the preferred view worthwhile? How bad is the standard view?

Depends on how much you like parking lot. That said, depending on your room you might have a view of the fireworks that some Preferred view rooms don't have (if they have fireworks again by then). Here are a couple standard views from rooms on 6th floor or above:

8625:


8949:


8855:


8765:


But yeah I'd totally request a higher floor.

Worst case you'd get something like 8261 (2nd floor)... but could probably request your way to a higher floor)

8261


Here's the room chart so you can envision where those rooms are. First number is always 8, second number is the floor, last two are the room number:

 

[havoc315]

Depends on how much you like parking lot. That said, depending on your room you might have a view of the fireworks that some Preferred view rooms don't have (if they have fireworks again by then). Here are a couple standard views from rooms on 6th floor or above:

8625:
View attachment 525811

8949:
View attachment 525813

8855:
View attachment 525814

8765:
View attachment 525812

But yeah I'd totally request a higher floor.

Worst case you'd get something like 8261 (2nd floor)... but could probably request your way to a higher floor)

8261
View attachment 525816

Here's the room chart so you can envision where those rooms are. First number is always 8, second number is the floor, last two are the room number:

View attachment 525815

thank you, very helpful. Looks like I want 8811! (Which floors are DVC?)

 

[jennypenny]

The standard views (if you look left off your balcony) are kinda like the MK view at BLT in that if you look down it's parking lot, but if you look up, you see Spaceship Earth and (at some point) fireworks. SE is a little further away, but not bad. You also look at the back of world showcase so some of the taller buildings can also be seen (more easily at night when they're lit up).

IMO the biggest difference between (some) standard and preferred rooms is the traffic noise. It's noticeable and starts pretty early. You don't hear it in the room but if you're on the balcony, it's a constant stream of traffic if you're the kind of person who notices it. I did.

The preferred view room we had (#81) was barely preferred IMO. It was wedged in the corner with a slight view of the kids play area, a view of the beach and some of Caribbean beach, but mostly was a view of Bonnet Creek. Bleh. I preferred our standard view room (#67).

The Tower rooms face the back of world showcase. I had the 'worst' possible (#23 on a lower floor) and I could still see epcot if I looked left while seated. The view was fine (except for the previously mentioned traffic noise) and the other two tower rooms must have great views.

BTW ... DD and I loved the tower room. We actually liked it more than the studio if it's only two people. It desperately needs a desk lamp, but other than that it was great. FYI ... it's hard for one person to put the bed back up in the Tower. It can be done, but it's not easy. The studio bed was easier but I assume that's because it has a thinner mattress than the tower room.