We are a family of four who started going to DW in 2016 when the kids were 8 and 10. We have been back about every 2 years since, staying at FWC all but 1 time when we stayed at WL because I decided to break the bank.
Now they are 18 (daughter) and 20 (son).
I am planning a family trip in mid May 2027 when they are both finished with their Spring semester.
FWC are too expensive now that they are DVC, plus, we want to stay somewhere else anyway. We really like having the boat transportation to MK so the idea of switching to a bus only resort feels like it would take some of the magic out of it.
After doing some investigating, I found that BRV Deluxe Studios might just fit the 4 of us as it has 3 sleeping surfaces and if we use David’s or DVC Rental Store we could possibly score an 8 or even 9 night stay for less than 4K. Then I went a little nuts and saw the Riviera Deluxe Studios also have the 3 sleeping surfaces and thought we could try staying there a few nights, making it a split stay. Is this doable? It seems the Riviera DS rentals are a lot harder to come by especially if you want to score a 4 or 5 night stay? How crazy is it to think we could get 5 nights at BRV and 4 at the Riv? Should I go for it or just calm down and stick with BRV?
I just looked at availability for Riv and BR studios next May. BR appears to be pretty available. At Riv, the resort view studio rooms and more picked over, but the preferred view studios are pretty available. More points for preferred view, of course, which is why it’s more available. I would think you have good odds with whatever you choose If David’s has someone with points at one of those resorts.
Boardwalk also had five surfaces if you are looking for options in the same points range as BRV to put together a split stay. There are 4 night blocks available in May, the second half looks better.
For a trip as long as yours s split stay will definitely give you more options.
Riviera is great because while they only have one toilet there are two bathroom areas, giving you two places to shower. We’ve never had an issue booking preferred view even less than seven months out. The skyliner is great if you’re spending any amount of time at Epcot or HS.
We own at BRV and still love it but my young adult children prefer Riviera these days.
If I’m remembering correctly there was a toilet area with a shower and sink and then a connecting door to another shower area with a shower and sink. So not two toilets. Similar to the Polynesian.
I like the idea of a 5 night / 4 night split stay. You might want to have a backup in case one of your options is not available, whether that be doing another 4 nights at BRV or staying somewhere else (Kidani, SSR, OKW, and maybe Poly should be easy to get). I will only do split stays if I have a minimum of 3 nights at each location, and having one location 5-7 nights is preferred.
The Riviera has a split bathroom with two showers. One side of the split has a toilet and the other side has a sink/vanity. The original DVC studios at GF also have this arrangement. The original Poly studios (not the tower) also have a split bathroom, but they do have a full sink/vanity on each side of the split. So they are the best in that regard (also more spacious in the bathroom area). Still only one toilet, though. It can be handy having that extra shower!
Personally I would book non-contingent and then book a cash room in case one doesn’t come through, or switch the one that doesn’t come through to something else after a reasonable amount of time before all rooms are gone at other resorts.
I decided to try and book them contingent but gave a window of dates and the option of BWV if Riviera isn’t available for the latter half. We need 3 sleep surfaces so my options for a deluxe studio are limited. I am emailing with David’s Vacation Club Rentals and also submitted a request on DVC Rental Store. Davids is much more responsive so far. Fingers crossed!
