Bo1203
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2021
Not really just Riviera we also stayed at Vero and AKL.
Just got back from our second stay at our home resort, plus a couple quick stays at VB and AK. We had 1 night at Vero Beach ocean view studio, then 8 nights at Riviera standard view studio and 2 nights at Animal Kingdom Kidani 1 bedroom savanna view.
RESORTS
Vero Beach
Got to the resort around 11am and enjoyed the pools and beach all day. What an awesome setup for a resort. The underground parking with an elevator to your floor was so convenient, short walks to all the food, pools and beach. Totally met and or exceeded expectations. Quick service food was great, the spicy chicken sandwich was amazing. Drinks from the pool bar were also great. Didn't make it to the sit-down restaurants, if we go back without kids or have more time we definitely will. Room was ready early 2217, very large for a studio, believe they were just redone. Room and view were awesome.
Riviera Resort
We put a room request in for a high floor and bingoed with the 9th floor, great view of epcot and fireworks. Was more centrally located than our first stay. Almost in the middle between both elevators, was so convenient for refilling drinks/food, going to the pool and heading to the skyliner. Which by the way has continued to have 0 down time during our visits. Our two daughters freaking love the splash pad and pools, probably because they get gelato everyday.
AKL Kidani
Savana view was super worth it, our kids will remember that. We had 3-4 giraffes, and countless other animals outside all the time. First 1 bedroom stay, room was huge. Kidani hallways are no joke, we were to the right of the lobby when you walk in, in the middle of the horse shoe. The thing that saved it was the parking garage elevator, would highly recommend driving if you stay here. Kidani pool bar was closed down the day we went, that was odd. Our kids prefer the splash pad and pool at RR. We forgot a swim diaper in the room and walking back sucked, its a hike. Jambo pool was about the same distance, our oldest did the slide a bunch. The location of the Jambo pool, with the quick service and Jambo amenities makes it the one we would use, even if staying at Kidani.
RESTAURANTS
Raglan Road 5 stars, hamburgers and drinks were killer.
Topolinos breakfast 5 stars, very happy they now let you get a waffle side with any entree. Made ordering the steak and eggs easy. Breakfast old-fashioned is one of the best old fashions on property.
Primo and Bar Riva 2 stars, what happened! They freaking swapped the bbq chicken wings out for chicken tenders?! Hamburgers from Riva and primo also weren't very good. Bummer to see the food quality go down and the menus get smaller. Primo removed the french toast, but at least they still had the lemon blueberry pancakes which are a favorite. Had a conversation with one of the workers that led me to believe they've had a lot of complaints from members and they hope management listens to us, because they don't listen to the workers. At least Primo has the Coke Freestyle machines.
Le Petit Cafe 4 stars, service was a lot better than our first trip, they were much faster, iced coffees and beers were great. Would love to see them expand this with a full bar menu in the evenings, use the sitting room next door, and have an enchanted rose vibe. Missed opportunity.
Grand Floridian Cafe 5 stars, chicken and waffles enough said.
The Hollywood Brown Derby 5 stars, first time here, waiter was great, sounded like they just got a new menu. Best filet mignon we've had at Disney, the black garlic butter and the risotto were delicious. Got one of the nice booths, was just a great meal.
Sanaa just had a quick lunch here, should have ordered the bread service... Meals were great
The Mara 5 stars, hurts to say this, but I thought it smoked Primo as a quick service. More food options, the combination bowl is so freaking good, it reminded me of Satuli Canteen. Burger was noticeably better than the one at Primo
Boma breakfast 4 stars, man AKL has killer restaurants. My kids ate all the sticky buns and watermelon. The pork they slice for you and mustard are so good. Wish it was a little cheaper.
THE PARKS
Wow, huge difference in crowd levels compared to our trips last Oct, and May. There were times on Main Street we were shocked and talked about how many fewer people were there. We bought Genie 4 times and a couple ILL. Lots of 15-45 min wait times. Magic Kingdom Extended Evening hours were super worth it, crazy low wait times, still had a lot of things available for rides and food.
Skyliner to epcot with our double stroller is so clutch. International gateway, france, the Rose & Crown, the food booths, connections. GUARDIANS. epcot is our favorite. Edit: Wanted to add, we found the new world celebration area very underwhelming. The nighttime lighting wasn't working when we were there. The communicore hall construction covered a bigger area than we expected. At least there is now a path to easily walk from the land to connections/guardians.
Hollywood studios, wait times were worse here. With Rock n Roller Coaster down, TT and slinky dog are just overrun. Hopefully Epic universe opening will increase our chances of getting some more star wars rides etc.
Animal Kingdom may have the best food, EE is awesome, our oldest was just tall enough to ride it and Avatar this trip. I think after they redo Dinoland it's going to be up there as a top park. GIVE US LATER HOURS.
Just got back from our second stay at our home resort, plus a couple quick stays at VB and AK. We had 1 night at Vero Beach ocean view studio, then 8 nights at Riviera standard view studio and 2 nights at Animal Kingdom Kidani 1 bedroom savanna view.
RESORTS
Vero Beach
Got to the resort around 11am and enjoyed the pools and beach all day. What an awesome setup for a resort. The underground parking with an elevator to your floor was so convenient, short walks to all the food, pools and beach. Totally met and or exceeded expectations. Quick service food was great, the spicy chicken sandwich was amazing. Drinks from the pool bar were also great. Didn't make it to the sit-down restaurants, if we go back without kids or have more time we definitely will. Room was ready early 2217, very large for a studio, believe they were just redone. Room and view were awesome.
Riviera Resort
We put a room request in for a high floor and bingoed with the 9th floor, great view of epcot and fireworks. Was more centrally located than our first stay. Almost in the middle between both elevators, was so convenient for refilling drinks/food, going to the pool and heading to the skyliner. Which by the way has continued to have 0 down time during our visits. Our two daughters freaking love the splash pad and pools, probably because they get gelato everyday.
AKL Kidani
Savana view was super worth it, our kids will remember that. We had 3-4 giraffes, and countless other animals outside all the time. First 1 bedroom stay, room was huge. Kidani hallways are no joke, we were to the right of the lobby when you walk in, in the middle of the horse shoe. The thing that saved it was the parking garage elevator, would highly recommend driving if you stay here. Kidani pool bar was closed down the day we went, that was odd. Our kids prefer the splash pad and pool at RR. We forgot a swim diaper in the room and walking back sucked, its a hike. Jambo pool was about the same distance, our oldest did the slide a bunch. The location of the Jambo pool, with the quick service and Jambo amenities makes it the one we would use, even if staying at Kidani.
RESTAURANTS
Raglan Road 5 stars, hamburgers and drinks were killer.
Topolinos breakfast 5 stars, very happy they now let you get a waffle side with any entree. Made ordering the steak and eggs easy. Breakfast old-fashioned is one of the best old fashions on property.
Primo and Bar Riva 2 stars, what happened! They freaking swapped the bbq chicken wings out for chicken tenders?! Hamburgers from Riva and primo also weren't very good. Bummer to see the food quality go down and the menus get smaller. Primo removed the french toast, but at least they still had the lemon blueberry pancakes which are a favorite. Had a conversation with one of the workers that led me to believe they've had a lot of complaints from members and they hope management listens to us, because they don't listen to the workers. At least Primo has the Coke Freestyle machines.
Le Petit Cafe 4 stars, service was a lot better than our first trip, they were much faster, iced coffees and beers were great. Would love to see them expand this with a full bar menu in the evenings, use the sitting room next door, and have an enchanted rose vibe. Missed opportunity.
Grand Floridian Cafe 5 stars, chicken and waffles enough said.
The Hollywood Brown Derby 5 stars, first time here, waiter was great, sounded like they just got a new menu. Best filet mignon we've had at Disney, the black garlic butter and the risotto were delicious. Got one of the nice booths, was just a great meal.
Sanaa just had a quick lunch here, should have ordered the bread service... Meals were great
The Mara 5 stars, hurts to say this, but I thought it smoked Primo as a quick service. More food options, the combination bowl is so freaking good, it reminded me of Satuli Canteen. Burger was noticeably better than the one at Primo
Boma breakfast 4 stars, man AKL has killer restaurants. My kids ate all the sticky buns and watermelon. The pork they slice for you and mustard are so good. Wish it was a little cheaper.
THE PARKS
Wow, huge difference in crowd levels compared to our trips last Oct, and May. There were times on Main Street we were shocked and talked about how many fewer people were there. We bought Genie 4 times and a couple ILL. Lots of 15-45 min wait times. Magic Kingdom Extended Evening hours were super worth it, crazy low wait times, still had a lot of things available for rides and food.
Skyliner to epcot with our double stroller is so clutch. International gateway, france, the Rose & Crown, the food booths, connections. GUARDIANS. epcot is our favorite. Edit: Wanted to add, we found the new world celebration area very underwhelming. The nighttime lighting wasn't working when we were there. The communicore hall construction covered a bigger area than we expected. At least there is now a path to easily walk from the land to connections/guardians.
Hollywood studios, wait times were worse here. With Rock n Roller Coaster down, TT and slinky dog are just overrun. Hopefully Epic universe opening will increase our chances of getting some more star wars rides etc.
Animal Kingdom may have the best food, EE is awesome, our oldest was just tall enough to ride it and Avatar this trip. I think after they redo Dinoland it's going to be up there as a top park. GIVE US LATER HOURS.
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