News Disney Riviera Resort announced

[Lensman]

Kidani is a boxy, less interesting copy of the original AKL. I’m sure Aulani is very nicely landscaped, but it’s a standard-looking resort structure with bits pasted on. CC and the Poly Bungalows are insanely priced cash-grab add-ons to existing resorts, and CC seems barely themed (I know, they came up with a new back story that conveniently explained why they differ dramatically in style from the original Lodge). I will concede that the Poly bungalows look nice and are of a piece with the rest of the resort.

AoA is decent when viewed from very specific angles, but it is the quintessential box hotel. As for the price point, looking at a random four-night period in September, a family suite at AoA is more than twice as much as the at far better themed Cabana Bay.

Do any of the resorts you mentioned compare to GF, GC, AKL, WL, Port Orleans, or the Contemporary?

I'd certainly argue that Aulani is right up there. Have you walked around it or even looked at some of the pictures of the common areas or rooms? You might not like it but it's definitely Hawaiian themed and styled more so than any Hawaiian themed resort in decades. Very consistent and lots of details everywhere in the design.

Also, I don't see how being high priced affects the degree of theming. That and your offhand dismissal of the possibility that Aulani could be well themed hurts rather than helps your argument.

That said, I doubt that Riviera will be as well themed a resort as we've seen in the past, but this is more a foreboding feeling than a well-informed prediction. And I'm not going to diss their recent decent accomplishments to rally indignation over evidence.

I think those are all debatable... Yes the guest rooms needed updating as do the surfaces from time to time... Refurbishment is good, but complete retheme and defurbishment is not...
Art Of Animation is an ugly box. As are all the odious All Star and Pop Century motels... Hard to even call them resorts...

The All-Star resorts have been ugly since 1994, the same year the Wilderness Lodge was built. The Grand Californian was built in 2001. Aulani was built in 2011.

I don't know that there's a narrative here that the resorts they built 20-30 years ago were universally well designed and beautiful and everything they've built in the past decade is ugly or derivative.

 

[Casper Gutman]

I'd certainly argue that Aulani is right up there. Have you walked around it or even looked at some of the pictures of the common areas or rooms? You might not like it but it's definitely Hawaiian themed and styled more so than any Hawaiian themed resort in decades. Very consistent and lots of details everywhere in the design.

I don't know that there's a narrative here that the resorts they built 20-30 years ago were universally well designed and beautiful and everything they've built in the past decade is ugly or derivative.

Videos of the Aulani lobby make it look like a nice resort lobby but nothing on the level of the Grands or the Lodges or even, more controversially, the original Poly. And the hotel structures themselves are very mundane. I can say, without reservation, that nothing about it entices me to go to Hawaii.

Since I’m unlikely to visit the Aulani anytime soon, I’ll even concede the point and limit my comments to the theme-park-connected American hotels. As you say, the pre-Iger hotels are not universally successful. The All-Stars and Pop and Caribbean, for instance, have always seemed lackluster. There are reasons for that of course - the All-Stars and Pops were genuine budget options when they opened and were experimenting with ways to present theming on a budget. The Caribbean was WDWs first, tentative attempt at a moderate. Even other resorts that I don’t feel are entirely successful, such as Riverside, show a genuine devotion to theming and a desire to offer something uniquely “Disney.”

That devotion, though the product may not always have been successful, is what defines the pre-Iger hotels. None of the Iger hotels show anything like this devotion. I think it is absolutely fair to say that all of the Iger-era hotels are either “ugly or derivative” or, I would add, bland. In fact, I would go so far as to say no single aspect of the Disney empire has fared as badly under Iger as the American theme park hotels.

 

[peter11435]

Videos of the Aulani lobby make it look like a nice resort lobby but nothing on the level of the Grands or the Lodges or even, more controversially, the original Poly. And the hotel structures themselves are very mundane. I can say, without reservation, that nothing about it entices me to go to Hawaii.

Since I’m unlikely to visit the Aulani anytime soon, I’ll even concede the point and limit my comments to the theme-park-connected American hotels. As you say, the pre-Iger hotels are not universally successful. The All-Stars and Pop and Caribbean, for instance, have always seemed lackluster. There are reasons for that of course - the All-Stars and Pops were genuine budget options when they opened and were experimenting with ways to present theming on a budget. The Caribbean was WDWs first, tentative attempt at a moderate. Even other resorts that I don’t feel are entirely successful, such as Riverside, show a genuine devotion to theming and a desire to offer something uniquely “Disney.”

That devotion, though the product may not always have been successful, is what defines the pre-Iger hotels. None of the Iger hotels show anything like this devotion. I think it is absolutely fair to say that all of the Iger-era hotels are either “ugly or derivative” or, I would add, bland. In fact, I would go so far as to say no single aspect of the Disney empire has fared as badly under Iger as the American theme park hotels.

I’m curious what about Riverside you view as not successful?

 

[Casper Gutman]

I’m curious what about Riverside you view as not successful?

Please note this is all personal opinion (well, pretty much everything I say is just personal opinion, but this especially so).

I feel the mansion theming does not lend itself to the moderate budget structures, with their external hallways and doors. The resulting buildings resembles a lot of hotels I’ve seen in the south, boxes with vaguely mansion-y adornments. The bayou houses work a lot better, but they still aren’t entirely successful. They are far too large and orderly to make convincing bayou shacks, which is a slightly curious thematic choice for that reason.

The deeper problem with both areas as well as with the Caribbean is that, as Port Orleans demonstrates, the moderates thrive on diversity of color and decorations within the same hotel block - that lends the space vibrancy and masks the blockiness of the core structures. The other Disney moderate that seems to get this right is the Hotel Cheyanne in Paris. Another, smaller issue is that Riverside, like Coronado and Caribbean, is too large, making certain areas feel very remote and the transportation system less efficient. Again, Port Orleans should be the model.

I still like the Riverside. The grounds are lovely and the attempt at theming is genuine and consistent, even if I don’t feel it fully works. The public spaces are also very, very nice.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

We like Riverside quite a bit. A nice blend of theming but not so high end that it’s not affordable.

 

[Bocabear]

I can appreciate these hotels as a moderate budget choice....But when you remember that Riverside and Caribbean were built as moderates whose price now is generally well over the $200 mark for a room, I would say they don't go far enough... The properties are sprawling, the transportation inadequate, and the quality of the lodging I think is underpar for the price. YES! it is Disney, and has lots of grass and landscaping, but when you compare it to nearby hotels at the same pricepoint, you get far less for your money... You could practically stay at the 4 seasons for the prices they charge...and get far superior accomodations and service.

 

[wdisney9000]

Just look at all of the complaining people do about "how far from everything" Animal Kingdom Lodge is, despite it being arguably the best Disney-owned hotel on the planet.

I believe it was @Master Yoda who made a good point awhile back (in a different thread), about how AKL is the same distance from MK that POLY, GF, WL, and Contemporary are from AK, yet no one complains about the bus ride to or from AK to the monorail resorts. Or even AKL to Epcot or HS is roughly a few minutes difference than if you started at the monorail resorts. Its just the perception that it is "in the middle of nowhere".

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I believe it was @Master Yoda who made a good point awhile back (in a different thread), about how AKL is the same distance from MK that POLY, GF, WL, and Contemporary are from AK, yet no one complains about the bus ride to or from AK to the monorail resorts. Or even AKL to Epcot or HS is roughly a few minutes difference than if you started at the monorail resorts. Its just the perception that it is "in the middle of nowhere".

I try to make that point all of the time. I'm a huuuge fan of Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Contemporary to Magic Kingdom - 10 minutes
Contemporary to Epcot - 34 minutes
Contemporary to Hollywood Studios - 19 minutes
Contemporary to Animal Kingdom - 25 minutes
Total: 88 minutes

Animal Kingdom Lodge to Magic Kingdom - 21 minutes
Animal Kingdom Lodge to Epcot - 20 minutes
Animal Kingdom Lodge to Hollywood Studios - 19 minutes
Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom - 18 minutes (seems high, but we'll go with it)
Total: 78 minutes

TL;DR, Animal Kingdom Lodge is mathematically more convenient than the Contemporary Resort. The gap grows even further if you include either of the water parks, Disney Springs, or either mini golf course.

Unfortunately, if there's a gap between "reality" and "silly myths that Disney fans have stuck in their heads for some reason," Disney really doesn't have much choice besides catering to the silly myths. There's absolutely zero reason why standard view rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge should be the cheapest deluxe resorts on property, but they are.

 

[Bocabear]

I believe it was @Master Yoda who made a good point awhile back (in a different thread), about how AKL is the same distance from MK that POLY, GF, WL, and Contemporary are from AK, yet no one complains about the bus ride to or from AK to the monorail resorts. Or even AKL to Epcot or HS is roughly a few minutes difference than if you started at the monorail resorts. Its just the perception that it is "in the middle of nowhere".

Yes, but the monorail resorts have many resorts gathered around and connected to the flagship theme park... There are opportunities to travel to the other resorts for dining and shopping withut having to get on a bus.... Animal Kingdom Lodge is not connected to any theme park except by bus, and it is a long bus ride to anywhere from that point.... So essentially, AKL really is in the middle of nowhere and does feel cut off and remote. Doesnt matter if you can manipulate the data to look like it is no farther from one thihing than another, it is the accessability that makes it feel that way. If they run a monorail line to the AKL, no one will ever say it is too remote again...but until then, it is off my list because it is too remote.... it just is...

 

[wdisney9000]

Yes, but the monorail resorts have many resorts gathered around and connected to the flagship theme park... There are opportunities to travel to the other resorts for dining and shopping withut having to get on a bus.... Animal Kingdom Lodge is not connected to any theme park except by bus, and it is a long bus ride to anywhere from that point.... So essentially, AKL really is in the middle of nowhere and does feel cut off and remote. Doesnt matter if you can manipulate the data to look like it is no farther from one thihing than another, it is the accessability that makes it feel that way. If they run a monorail line to the AKL, no one will ever say it is too remote again...but until then, it is off my list because it is too remote.... it just is...

Part of the charm at AKL is the fact it feels isolated, but it actually is not. My wife and I prefer the Boardwalk resorts (we even bought DVC at BWV), but every now and then we stay at AKL to get a different pace of resort and it really has grown on us. We quickly realized that it really isnt as far away from the rest of the resort as you think. If you have a group of 5 people or less you can get an Uber and get dropped off at the Boardwalk in about 5 minutes with light traffic and the price is about $6 for the Uber. Considering you are at Disney and gladly pay $3 for a soft drink, it shouldnt be an issue to spend a few bucks to save time.

The monorail resorts have their charm and offer a great selection of dining and yes, close to MK. But it doesnt take much effort (or money) to enjoy the same opportunities when staying at AKL.

 

[Master Yoda]

Yes, but the monorail resorts have many resorts gathered around and connected to the flagship theme park... There are opportunities to travel to the other resorts for dining and shopping withut having to get on a bus.... Animal Kingdom Lodge is not connected to any theme park except by bus, and it is a long bus ride to anywhere from that point.... So essentially, AKL really is in the middle of nowhere and does feel cut off and remote. Doesnt matter if you can manipulate the data to look like it is no farther from one thihing than another, it is the accessability that makes it feel that way. If they run a monorail line to the AKL, no one will ever say it is too remote again...but until then, it is off my list because it is too remote.... it just is...

I absolutely love guests like you.

AKL is one of the most unique resorts in all of WDW with some of the best dining. As long as so many guests keep saving their 5 minutes, I can save a bundle staying there.

 

[Kevin_W]

I absolutely love guests like you.

AKL is one of the most unique resorts in all of WDW with some of the best dining. As long as so many guests keep saving their 5 minutes, I can save a bundle staying there.

I'm with you on that! I can concede that even though overall travel time is similar, travel to MK can feel the most important. It's not only the most-visited park, but usually the one open the latest at night. When it's after midnight and you are ready to sleep after a long day at the parks, the extra time can feel long.

We were staying at Pop once and friends of ours were staying at Poly. We walked out of the park together - them to the monorail and us to the bus stop. They were back in their room almost exactly 30 minutes before we were. Is an extra 30 minutes of sleep for your family worth $100-$200? I decided no, obviously, but I can see how others might choose differently.

 

[flyerjab]

I absolutely love guests like you.

AKL is one of the most unique resorts in all of WDW with some of the best dining. As long as so many guests keep saving their 5 minutes, I can save a bundle staying there.

Usually my family prefers staying where you feel like you are in the middle of everything that is going on. On occasion I like to mix it up and stay in AKL or Kidani Village. It is a completely different feeling. And the fact I can relax on my balcony and watch various animals I cannot ever see normally is so enjoyable. Sometimes, that illusion of being somewhat isolated is appreciated.

You are so right though that you really aren’t that far away at all. People say that about AKL like it is a 30 minute bus ride. It’s not that far at all. I think many people, however, did like the option of different modes of free transportation. Maybe the fact that you can only get to other parts of the greater resort via bus is what perpetuates that feeling of being “so far away”.

On our recent mini-trip, we stayed 2 days at WL, and it was beautiful. For those that might enjoy feeling more isolated from the parks when in reality you are not, WL is wonderful for that. Our mornings were spent having coffee at Geyser Point. I didn’t even feel like I was in a theme park. It was so nice and relaxing.

 

[Bocabear]

I absolutely love guests like you.

AKL is one of the most unique resorts in all of WDW with some of the best dining. As long as so many guests keep saving their 5 minutes, I can save a bundle staying there.

I am glad to be loved! And I will repeat, I think AKL and Kidani are beautiful and I have stayed there several times and enjoyed it... I just feel like most of the time I like to be closer in... I like to go to Trader Sam's in the evening and have a few adult beverages with my friends, Travel around to the other hotels for dining and shopping....those kinds of things. When one stays at AKL, everything is an Uber or worse, a $25 Minnie Van ( we have a large group of friends we travel with most times), Or we have to load up the cars.
and let me repeat one more time...I think AKL is beautiful and a well done and lovely resort...But it would be even better if it was connected to Animal Kingdom with a train or some other type transport other than a bus...

 

[Next Big Thing]

If it weren't in Hawai'i, you all would be singing the praises of Aulani. It's everything that a Disney fan loves in a resort from theming, authenticity, a daily activity schedule, Lots of entertainment, a Luau on site and many nearby, Walking distance to a shopping complex, located on the Pacific Ocean and feels luxurious - something missing from many Disney hotels.

All of that is without mentioning the lazy river, Adults only area, Infinity pool and hot tub, and their Rainbow Reef snorkeling lagoon. Oh, and an Atlantis Resort is being built right next door, which will have one of their Aquaventure water parks. There's enough to do on Oahu for a solid two weeks i'd say without ever running out of things to do. If you can ever swing a trip, i'd highly recommend it.

 

[LAKid53]

If it weren't in Hawai'i, you all would be singing the praises of Aulani. It's everything that a Disney fan loves in a resort from theming, authenticity, a daily activity schedule, Lots of entertainment, a Luau on site and many nearby, Walking distance to a shopping complex, located on the Pacific Ocean and feels luxurious - something missing from many Disney hotels.

All of that is without mentioning the lazy river, Adults only area, Infinity pool and hot tub, and their Rainbow Reef snorkeling lagoon. Oh, and an Atlantis Resort is being built right next door, which will have one of their Aquaventure water parks. There's enough to do on Oahu for a solid two weeks i'd say without ever running out of things to do. If you can ever swing a trip, i'd highly recommend it.

So you feel there's enough at Aulani to do for a week without having to visit the rest of Oahu?

 

[Next Big Thing]

So you feel there's enough at Aulani to do for a week without having to visit the rest of Oahu?

Not what I meant.

I was just saying that Oahu itself is filled with things to do that you could easily pull off staying there two weeks and probably still have things you didn't do. The resort itself has a decent amount.

I spent a week there last summer and I think we did two days of mainly hotel days and packed a crap ton in the other five days out in Oahu. That's why I say you could do two weeks. We packed the stuff in Oahu so tightly that it almost got exhausting - Beaches, hiking, ziplining, luau, Kualoa Ranch, Roy's, local places, etc.

The hotel is definitely nice enough and has enough to do that it makes you want to allocate a few days just to enjoy the resort itself and what it has to offer, but the island is all sorts of beautiful and filled with things to do - much of it is seeing what nature carved out (swimming in a waterfall landing pond after hiking to get there was a trip highlight). There's also a Wet 'n Wild 5 minutes up the street from Aulani if people are looking for something like that while there.

 

[LAKid53]

Not what I meant.

I was just saying that Oahu itself is filled with things to do that you could easily pull off staying there two weeks and probably still have things you didn't do. The resort itself has a decent amount.

I spent a week there last summer and I think we did two days of mainly hotel days and packed a crap ton in the other five days out in Oahu. That's why I say you could do two weeks. We packed the stuff in Oahu so tightly that it almost got exhausting - Beaches, hiking, ziplining, luau, Kualoa Ranch, Roy's, local places, etc.

The hotel is definitely nice enough and has enough to do that it makes you want to allocate a few days just to enjoy the resort itself and what it has to offer, but the island is all sorts of beautiful and filled with things to do - much of it is seeing what nature carved out (swimming in a waterfall landing pond after hiking to get there was a trip highlight). There's also a Wet 'n Wild 5 minutes up the street from Aulani if people are looking for something like that while there.

Yeah, I'm aware of what's available on Oahu as I've visited the islands before. Was curious if Aulani on it's own was enough for a week's visit. Thanks.

 

[Next Big Thing]

Yeah, I'm aware of what's available on Oahu as I've visited the islands before. Was curious if Aulani on it's own was enough for a week's visit. Thanks.

I mean, a hotel like Aulani certainly isn't necessary to have a good trip to Oahu. But if you like Disney and can afford it, I would recommend it. It has the Disney touches you would expect, characters, character meals, etc, but overall the hotel is not "in-your-face-Disney". There's a lot of Hawaiian culture taken into account when Joe Rhode designed the hotel and it even reflects in the entertainment offerings.

The rooms were very nice as well, as you would expect. The only thing the Resort is glaringly missing is a Trader Sam's. It would seem to fit in very well at this hotel and the hotel doesn't really have a bar open late for adults.

Here was the view from our room. You can slightly make out the lazy river through the trees and the slides are in the Volcano-like structure.

 

[LAKid53]

I mean, a hotel like Aulani certainly isn't necessary to have a good trip to Oahu. But if you like Disney and can afford it, I would recommend it. It has the Disney touches you would expect, characters, character meals, etc, but overall the hotel is not "in-your-face-Disney". There's a lot of Hawaiian culture taken into account when Joe Rhode designed the hotel and it even reflects in the entertainment offerings.

The rooms were very nice as well, as you would expect. The only thing the Resort is glaringly missing is a Trader Sam's. It would seem to fit in very well at this hotel and the hotel doesn't really have a bar open late for adults.

Here was the view from our room. You can slightly make out the lazy river through the trees and the slides are in the Volcano-like structure.
View attachment 291185

I'm DVC, hence the interest in the resort.