Riviera Owners Thread

I think Riviera's location is perfect. Right on the skyliner between other resorts to check out of you run out of things to do at Riviera. Of course Caribbean beach is right there but you are one stop from the boardwalk area and a few stops from AoA and Pop. The pool at Riviera is smaller but has a great slide and big splash pad area (not as big as VGF or Poly) but Riviera also is a lot smaller so less people.

Hi! We are fairly new Riviera owners. It will be two years this summer. We have experienced two Riviera trips as owners so far and love it. It is nice to have a quiet and peaceful retreat after a busy park day.

We also became Riviera owners two years from this coming June. We’ve stayed there once so far and just loved it!

The Riviera is great for the resort/rest days. Not only is there plenty to do at the resort but you are within walking distance of Caribbean Beach and the Skyliner gives you access to the resorts around Crescent Lake (Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk) and you can even go to Pop Century and Art of Animation if you want to. It's also great for younger kids for all of the reasons I just highlighted.

You have good taste, just need to add Aulani to that list :P

Hi, Our June 2024 trip led us to purchasing DvC in August. I see you own at the Polynesian too. It is calling my name. I just have not given in yet.

After we purchased the Riviera contract, my family didn’t wait long at all to tell me how much they also love the Polynesian. I decided to go ahead and plug in specific criteria in the DVC Resale Market App. A really great contract came up and I just went for it! I made my family very happy. LOL

Another Riviera owner here. We purchased two 100 pt contracts over the last year or so. Absolutely love it there! Location, views, food checked all the boxes for us. I have stayed there twice while my wife has had the opportunity to stay a few times.

Love Riviera! I usually stop by every trip, but I haven't stayed there since 2024... Headed back in Jan 2027 though. 🎉

@YamKriegs do you or Paul have an update on how much of Riviera has been sold?

DVC news has a great monthly breakdown of direct sales across all resorts. As of March they estimate about 85% of Riviera has been sold

https://dvcnews.com/dvc-program-menu/financial/financial-news/6384-saratoga-springs-helps-boost-disney-vacation-club-direct-sales-in-march-2026

Best Resort on property in our opinion. We even bought resale because for our first contract this is where we wanted to be. Saved tons and we will be staying in a 2BR again this year.

We bought site unseen on the Disney Fantasy in fall of 2019, the resort wasnt even finished yet.

I understand peoples thoughts on the theming, but to me that is part of actual European design philosophy. Its true to form, and that to me is as charming as anything. The beautiful artworks and the stunning views and ambiance around the grounds and corridors are enough for me.

And whats more European than going off to a festival (Epcot) and then regurning to simple, refined elegance to rest?

People want to postulate that the VGF is somehow superior for proximity to MK alone, but as a creepy childless fictional monster, i have to say outloud - we all know, nostalgia notwithstanding, EPCOT is the superior park.

I wont say Riviera is “better” than VGF, i wont even say its “better” than SSR or OKW. But i have to laugh when people say “its no VGF”.

Its proximity to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Disney Springs are fantastic. It has buses and the Skyliner which in form, function, and especially staffing are VASTLY superior to the monorail. It has wonderful dining options, a great cafe, a vibrant outdoor bar, and regardless of room category youre almost assuredly guaranteed a stunningview. Either of a lake and tropical villages or epcot fireworks and lush grounds.

For me, the Polynesian will always be my sentimental “favorite” But as a DVC community we dontooerate on “favorite” we think about “where is home” you buy where you want to stay, and even as proud Animal Kingdom owners - for me Riviera is home.

We've been debating Poly via resale. Seems like the perfect combination.

Can confirm, it's nice to own both.

Nobody loves the Riviera more than me. We had no intention of buying more points but decided to buy 125 there in 2022. Just a great resorts all around, checks every box for me.

Just had some friends who are interested in DVC ask about where to purchase and how many resorts is best to buy into. I think the best combo is having one EPCOT and one MK area resort. Having RR and VGF (also BLT) for us is great. Only thing I might want different is switching out our BLT points for Poly but that is for one reason only, I like having an outdoor running path.

If money was no object, this would be the most optimal…. If you can get over the fact most of the Epcot resorts are 2042 properties. :(

Just read that all of Riviera is declared, so we should be getting news in the near future that the resort is sold out. I’m a bit bummed because I wanted to add on more direct points in the next year. I’m not quite ready yet to drop that much money (I will pay cash, no financing)…so as a segue into that discussion, when I am ready to buy I really only want direct RIV points to avoid the resale restrictions on the contract. Is anyone aware of how long it would take for Disney to pull a contract for me to buy direct and would that be a horribly expensive way to go once the resort is sold out?

They always keep a certain ampunt kf point on “sold out resorts” but you ill pay a premium and be eligible for no incentives. For example, we really wanted to buy GF but it woukd have been $265 per poibt last year. Instead, we bought Riviera at roughly $204 per point with incentives.

Hi neighbors! I just added on 150 point contract.

I'll be honest it has been a strange journey with this resort. When I first visited this resort in 2021 wasn't particularly impressed with it. In 2022, stayed grudgingly because it was a last minute trip and they had availability. I ended up enjoying the stay; the rooms were beautiful. Skyliner was nice too. I think every year I'd always drop by for one reason or another. I was super impressed with the model rooms in the Disney Springs. The one bedrooms are the most amazing ones. I love the layout. The wheels were slowly turning. I have hodgepodge of points; some with a family member and others by myself. I needed some direct points for myself. I was just at Aulani and took advantage of their extra incentive!

Welcome, it's a great resort. We had no intention of buying there but after a stay in 2021 we fell in love with the place and bought there in 2022.

Welcome home, neighbor! We love the Riv!

I had a similar journey. when my kids were younger, it wasn't the best choice for us. But I went on an adults trip and now its my favorite !

Good Morning,

Can anyone tell me if there are any options to fairly easily walk from Riviera to Epcot? I’m wondering what resorts or properties are walkable if any? Thanks everyone!

No, Riv to Epcot is not walkable. Beach/Yacht Club and Boardwalk are the only resorts where you can walk to Epcot.

ETA: you could also walk from Swan/Dolphin.

Walk no but the Skyliner is awesome.

No, but they should add a walking path from Riviera to Epcot. They're right across the street from each other! Of course, this would mean adding an Epcot entrance between Germany and Refreshment Outpost. But there's room for it. And it would increase the value of Riviera immensely!!!

I had a similar thought when Riviera was built in 2019 but given how busy East Buena Vista Drive is I think they would need to build a walking bridge similar to what they did at Disney Springs.

That’s exactly what I was thinking - a bridge.

I would love it if they did it but it would be a very significant construction project between building the bridge, building the new entrance, and then doing modifications to the bake stage areas behind Germany and the Refreshment Outpost so guests are not walking through back stage areas (I looked at overhead maps, there is a significant amount of back stage area currently there).

This is such a great idea, it would change how people value the Riviera in a very positive way.

I agree with all of that (I looked at maps too). But it would increase the value of both Riviera and Caribbean Beach so much, IMO. Not that I want Disney to raise prices, but this would justify it, compared to most of their price increases 😂

Have they ever added an entrance to a park at WDW after that park opened? When did the International Gateway entrance to EPCOT become a thing? I don't remember it from the 1980s but it's possible I wasn't paying attention.

I know they recently added the Pixar Pier entrance to California Adventure.

Sorry, answered my own question, it opened in 1990 - https://d23.com/a-to-z/international-gateway/

Riveria owner since 2019,now my wife's and son's favorite resort.mine still ANIMAL KINDOM LODGE,lol thank you for having me!!

We generally have enjoyed our stays at Riviera. on the last trip we splurged and got a 1 bed. the room felt cold and uninviting as compared to the studios we have stayed in

We stayed at Riviera in Oct 2024 expecting it to be a one-and-done for us. We had walked through the lobby and public places and were underwhelmed. It knocked our socks off, and we added on for the first time since our original purchase in 2009!