Second Guessing Myself - Opinions Wanted!

Walt Disney World
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DH and I are planning a little long weekend in April for Springtime Surprise! He will be running the 5k with me (he HATES running. He must really love me! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:) and I’m running the 10 miler as well.

I had BWV booked for us and just decided to switch to RR on a whim. When I went to book, BWV only had 1 bedroom availability and RR had a PV studio available. BW is probably my favorite resort on property.

DH and I have taken one other just he and I trip back in February 2020 and we stayed at the BW then and really had a great time. DH hasn’t stayed at the Riviera yet. Kids and I have stayed there multiple times and I really do like it there. It feels relaxed and I love the grounds.

What say you? A studio with a PV at Riviera or a 1 bedroom at BWV at the garden/pool view level? I do have a DVC waitlist request for a Boardwalk view studio at BW and if that comes through BWV for sure wins.

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Unpopular opinion, but I don’t really like the Boardwalk. :grimacing: So I’d likely choose RR. But if you really want the extra space …

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:scream: really?! What’s your fave? Now I’m curious…

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Here’s where I’ve stayed:

AKL - Jambo and Kidani
BWV
OKW
SSR
Poly
BR

Will stay shortly at RR!

I think BWV is my least favorite. It’s just so spread out and no place to get a snack. I was not a fan. OKW is my next least fave unless you’re near Hospitality House. My favorites are AKL/BR/Poly.

Also, the vibe of the actual boardwalk is not really my thing.

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And here comes the counter-argument

I love the rooms at Riviera but the overall resort does absolutely nothing for me

We did a split between RR and BW in 2022 and I didn’t expect to like BW as much as I did but I love it!! I love the convenience to two parks (on foot, by ferry, or by skyliner - kind of). I find the boardwalk itself to be SO charming in the evening with the live entertainment. And that view is :star_struck:

We are planning to stay there again in 2025. For us it was perfect. Whereas we thought RR was “fine” and - especially for the points - I’m not in a huge hurry to stay again.

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I did say it was an unpopular opinion! :laughing:

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lol! I get you on food options. I’m really not impressed with the new coffee shop there and the bakery has always been meh to me.

I love the overall atmosphere. And walking to the parks is just perfect.

On the flip side, I think the Riviera has some of the best food options on property.

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Yeah. Morning BW views simply cannot be beat.

I do love their lobby too.

Agree the Riviera is less impressive in some ways - size of the gift shop, lobby - but I do love the walking path that extends over to CBR (just discovered this in March and it’s quite nice) and I love the little Adirondack chairs out by the water first thing in the morning to enjoy with my coffee and Genie+ (although I don’t really have to do that anymore!).

And agree it’s pricey on points. That’s why if our waitlist comes through at the BW for a studio it’s BW all day. But as of right now a PV studio is less points than a Garden View 1BR at BWV.

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Love AKL! That place is just a whole other vibe.

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I don’t think you can go wrong. Either stay in a place you already love or try something new to find out if it’s your cup of tea. :man_shrugging:t2:

I want to try all the resorts eventually but there are certain trips where I want to go tried and true.

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I can’t say I’ve stayed at boardwalk, and I was skeptical about RR, but I have to say, I’m here now and it’s lovely.

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I think we had this when we were at Boardwalk. Except 2 br. 2nd floor. I could turn left outside our door and the stairs were right there. 5 minutes later and I’m on the Boardwalk getting another pizza slice from the window or going in the store for ice cream.

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I’m spoiled by the 1 br amenities. The proximity to two parks and the B/Y Club as well as Swolphin is a plus for me.

I loved the look of the Riviera Resort and our breakfast at Topolinos in July tho I didn’t see any rooms.

I think it boils down to what are your needs this trip with the 5k and the 10k. They may knock parks out of the equation as much. An in house elevator ride away from your room (almost) food option(s) may be key.

Without the running, I’d go for location location location. :grin:

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Other than…

Boardwalk Joe’s (pretzels/nachos)
Boardwalk Deli
The corn dog place
The pizza window
Leaping Horse Libations
The Screen Door
The coffee shop near the lobby
Boardwalk ice cream

:blush:

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This is our preference. It may be overkill, but it just feels more homey. But … I get that point costs can play a role.

I haven’t stayed at Riviera. Looks lovely…but we just love Boardwalk. What’s not to love? Except maybe a little noisy at times.

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To each their own. I don’t understand the love for it other than proximity to parks and even that feels over rated to me. But like I said … unpopular opinion.

(Edited so that it actually makes sense!)

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I totally respect that. Everyone has their reasons for liking…or not liking…things.

But I just take issue with the statement there is no place to get a snack. I would argue quite the opposite is true…BW quite possibly has more snack options than any other hotel on Disney property!

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Riviera is just so fresh and clean. Aesthetics go a long way with me. I’ve never stayed at BW, but considered it last October. The consensus (here, YouTube) seemed to be the rooms are tired. Even the outside of the building looked rundown. BUT - the location and the views seem amazing. And having an actual bedroom is a plus. If I could get BW 1 bed for around the same price as a studio at RR, I would go for it. Especially if the rooms at BW have been refurbed.

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Now that all the rooms are renovated, I prefer Boardwalk. In the spring you may need to worry about downtime with the skyliner. It is such a pleasant walk to Epcot and HS from BW.

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They are all refurbed now

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This

We stayed at BW years ago.

Even then, the resort itself was no Riviera. Aside from the Boardwalk area, the rest of the resort is :yawning_face:.

Saratoga Springs is more visually interesting. :smirk:

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