News Disney Riviera Resort announced

[Flynnwriter]

It's too bad that Disney didn't stick with separate resort properties for DVC such as OKW and SSR. Barring that they could've gone with the concierge concept and turned floors of existing buildings into DVC wings. At least Boardwalk Villas kept with the theming of the main resort. When they razed a large beach to stuff DVC into GF, ruined the sight lines at the Polynesian to build a handful of units on the water, and demolished the garden wing of the Contemporary to build BLT, the writing was on the wall. The Walt Disney Company originally had 30,000 acres to play with, DVC resorts could've easily been kept as separate entities and not disturbed existing resort properties. Riviera could've been sited in the southwest corner of CBR where the Skyliner station is or in the woods between CBR and the DHS parking lot. It would not have required the demolition of Barbados and what were very nice boardwalks through the woods. In the undeveloped corner of CBR, Riviera could've had a lengthy beachfront opposite Trinidad and been in its own spot instead of being dropped on the property. The Skyliner could have gone through it (ala the monorail at the Contemporary) and the gondolas could be stored inside during inclement weather. And it would have had excellent views of the fireworks.

I wonder how the architects at Fugleberg Koch would feel about their design getting partially demolished for a tower that doesn't fit into the theme they created.

At some point, Disney decided to turn their backs on their own design rules and go for broke.

 

[floydbeatle]

I thought this building was a response to the “luxury builds” of Four Seasons, J W Marriott. It’s not luxury but it is luxury feel. I don’t think that building was cheap. Did you see the tile mural? I see it as a much nicer addition than say Bay Lake tower. This is far nicer than that. So I see an improvement in the construction of this tower. Conversely, the “sterilization“ of World of Disney, etc., depresses me.

I remember speaking with my DVC guide a year or two ago, and was told Riviera would be on par with the Four Seasons. I have not been to the Four Seasons Orlando or Riviera, but the pool pics alone put the Four Seasons on top. But I have stayed at the Grand and other Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts and it is simply not comparable. I doubt Riviera compares well either.

 

[The_Jobu]

and was told Riviera would be on par with the Four Seasons

I haven't been to either, but from what I've seen online, that sounds like hot nonsense.

 

[Magic Feather]

I remember speaking with my DVC guide a year or two ago, and was told Riviera would be on par with the Four Seasons. I have not been to the Four Seasons Orlando or Riviera, but the pool pics alone put the Four Seasons on top. But I have stayed at the Grand and other Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts and it is simply not comparable. I doubt Riviera compares well either.

Riviera was intended to match Disney's modern definition of a luxury hotel. It failed on almost every level.

Thankfully, the "blueprint" failing has made the likelihood of follow through on some projects meant to emulate this lower.

 

[Rescue Ranger]

Does this resort have ground floor rooms?

I never thought I'd consider staying here. While it is very nice, it just doesn't have that overall Disney feel to it due to its cookie cutter every-other-resort design of the building. From videos/pictures anyway.

We'll try to transfer from Polynesian to Beach Club next year(while dvc, all the closures and work going on there doesn't make sense for us to stay). However if we can't get Beach, we might go for Riviera for something new.

 

[UNCgolf]

Riviera was intended to match Disney's modern definition of a luxury hotel. It failed on almost every level.

Thankfully, the "blueprint" failing has made the likelihood of follow through on some projects meant to emulate this lower.

I was looking at hotel prices yesterday -- not because I am going to go any time soon, but because they are offering up to 30% off rooms for residents of southeastern states and I was just curious what that would look like.

Rooms at the Riviera were either the most expensive or slightly less expensive than the Grand Floridian and were over $500 a night even with the 30% discount. Rooms at the Yacht Club were like $130 less per night. I would never in a million years stay at the Riviera at those prices; it would probably have to cost less than Port Orleans before I'd even consider staying there.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Riviera was intended to match Disney's modern definition of a luxury hotel. It failed on almost every level.

Thankfully, the "blueprint" failing has made the likelihood of follow through on some projects meant to emulate this lower.

I’ll admit my exposure is limited (one trip over it on my way to the black diamond trials)...but my instincts are you are right.

It was a bad idea...and they didn’t really hide their “intentions” at all.

I was looking at hotel prices yesterday -- not because I am going to go any time soon, but because they are offering up to 30% off rooms for residents of southeastern states and I was just curious what that would look like.

Rooms at the Riviera were either the most expensive or slightly less expensive than the Grand Floridian and were over $500 a night even with the 30% discount. Rooms at the Yacht Club were like $130 less per night. I would never in a million years stay at the Riviera at those prices; it would probably have to cost less than Port Orleans before I'd consider staying there.

Ridiculous.

It’s still on the Caribbean lot. Any concept that yacht club is less is completely devoid of sane thought.

 

[Magic Feather]

The reason why Riviera has (comparative to other DVC’s) been doing good lately seems to simply be due to the surplus of points being used, with a lot of people wanting to try the new place that had no availability just a few months ago. Sales are still very weak (as they were pre-COVID).

 

[nickys]

I was looking at hotel prices yesterday -- not because I am going to go any time soon, but because they are offering up to 30% off rooms for residents of southeastern states and I was just curious what that would look like.

Rooms at the Riviera were either the most expensive or slightly less expensive than the Grand Floridian and were over $500 a night even with the 30% discount. Rooms at the Yacht Club were like $130 less per night. I would never in a million years stay at the Riviera at those prices; it would probably have to cost less than Port Orleans before I'd consider staying there.

Remember Riviera is exclusively DVC. If you look at prices for a studio GS a regular room at a shared resort, like GF then the studio is usually more expensive. Comparing a studio at GFV with a studio at Riviera is a better comparison than with a regular room at YC or GF. Riviera will probably still be more expensive because it’s newer.

 

[nickys]

The reason why Riviera has (comparative to other DVC’s) been doing good lately seems to simply be due to the surplus of points being used, with a lot of people wanting to try the new place that had no availability just a few months ago. Sales are still very weak (as they were pre-COVID).

I think it would be more accurate to say a lot of people are taking advantage of the low bookings to try out Riviera now, whereas pre-Covid it was hard to book a studio there if it wasn’t your home resort.

As for sales, it depends how you look at it. In terms of the percentage of points sold, yes it wasn’t particularly strong. In terms of actual points sold it was selling faster than CCV did. There are always two sides to a story.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

It was a bad idea...and they didn’t really hide their “intentions” at all.

It’s still on the Caribbean lot. Any concept that yacht club is less is completely devoid of sane thought.

It is a weird juxtaposition. Guests walk from Caribbean Beach (Aruba), to the Riviera, and then back into Caribbean Beach (Martinique).

To me, in my regular role as the theming police on this forum, the resort should have been themed to the Mexican riviera.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It is a weird juxtaposition. Guests walk from Caribbean Beach (Aruba), to the Riviera, and then back into Caribbean Beach (Martinique).

To me, in my regular role as the theming police on this forum, the resort should have been themed to the Mexican riviera.

The intent was clear from the start:
Continue the upward trajectory of DVC pricing/point costs while using less favorable property.

Oh...and everyone loves Disney Star Wars...they won’t be able to resist it...like a drug

 

[UNCgolf]

Remember Riviera is exclusively DVC. If you look at prices for a studio GS a regular room at a shared resort, like GF then the studio is usually more expensive. Comparing a studio at GFV with a studio at Riviera is a better comparison than with a regular room at YC or GF. Riviera will probably still be more expensive because it’s newer.

Yeah, I know. But it was roughly the same price as the Grand Floridian and there's no way it's worth even half the price of a room at the GF.

 

[Seanual757]

Just returned from 5 days at Riviera we added the Riviera to DVC collection back in January. We loved the layout of the hotel, the rooms were very spacious the overall feel of the resort we loved it. Not as open as VGF and not the resort feel of OKW & SSR with the separate buildings.

We stayed on the 4th floor in a 2 BR (sleeps 9) and YES they have rooms on the 1st floor (Ground level). Yes its more upscale then then other resorts (we feel GF is still a bit more upscale). Kind of reminds me of staying at the Wynn in Vegas w/out the Casino.

We love the ability to take the sky liner to Epcot and DHS (this is why we purchased VGF and Poly w/ small kids the ability to hop on the monorail is easier than grabbing a bus.

We own VGF, Poly, and Riviera with the exception of Poly the other two resorts fill our needs (Poly we out grew due to family size since no 1BR or 2BR rooms available).

Pretty sure any future DVC resorts will be leaning towards this model vs. the OKW/SSR buildings style.

Will we go back and stay at Riviera yes not sure when we will maximize our points and stay at OKW, SSR, or AKL.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Yeah, I know. But it was roughly the same price as the Grand Floridian and there's no way it's worth even half the price of a room at the GF.

Wait...you don’t like a really awful concrete tower, cheap/inconsistent theming, and a rooftop character/dinner hybrid where the prices are RIDICULOUS??

It’s bay lake on steroids...or heroine...to be more accurate.

 

[rowrbazzle]

Riviera was intended to match Disney's modern definition of a luxury hotel. It failed on almost every level.

Thankfully, the "blueprint" failing has made the likelihood of follow through on some projects meant to emulate this lower.

How so? What were they trying to achieve in that area? In what ways did they fail?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

How so? What were they trying to achieve in that area? In what ways did they fail?

I covered what they tried...

“Failing” is determined by sales and demand for bookings...which all correlate to per guest spending.

But also...riviera is a template. They really don’t want to build stand-alones...instead slapping them on old services...so if it hits well, look out port orleans etc.

Remember there Iger decided it’s “only about location” as the new way...
It doesn’t what the substance is...it’s only about how fast you can get to the park to buy early morning and after hours “Magic”

 

[rowrbazzle]

I covered what they tried...

“Failing” is determined by sales and demand for bookings...which all correlate to per guest spending.

But also...riviera is a template. They really don’t want to build stand-alones...instead slapping them on old services...so if it hits well, look out port orleans etc.

Remember there Iger decided it’s “only about location” as the new way...
It doesn’t what the substance is...it’s only about how fast you can get to the park to buy early morning and after hours “Magic”

Yes, I saw that. I was just asking Magic Feather as I surmised he had more information about Disney's thoughts.

 

[Doberge]

Sales are still very weak (as they were pre-COVID).

What's the data that supports that sales were weak pre-covid? The data I've seen on dvcnews is that sales were really strong pre-covid. The resort opened in December and in its first full month open in January 2020 they sold +180,000 Riviera points, only the fifth time in ten years a resort sold +180k in a single month. Riviera had it's second best month in February, then covid in March.

 

[RSoxNo1]

The reason why Riviera has (comparative to other DVC’s) been doing good lately seems to simply be due to the surplus of points being used, with a lot of people wanting to try the new place that had no availability just a few months ago. Sales are still very weak (as they were pre-COVID).

The impression that I get is that the new build DVC's may go dormant for a while. I suspect pre-COVID plans were Reflections to be followed by the Poly tower.