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Post by rwethereyet on Jul 20, 2023 14:37:50 GMT -5
I am here at the Riviera having my first stay in a Tower studio. I wasn't sure how I would feel about this room, but I am really enjoying it.
Got here Sunday. Flight down was a real headache--2.5 hours late for an hour and 20 minute flight--then no gate for us to pull up to when we got here so sat on the runway another 20 minutes or so. Baggage took forever. Should have been at the resort by 3:00 and finally made it by 7:00. In the meantime, they refused entry to the Instacart Delivery guy with all my groceries, so Instacart cancelled my order--would not redeliver. Riviera security said it was because they only had first name and no room number. Well, room number was not assigned until I checked in, even though I did on-line check in. All in all, they did me a favor because the drink chiller in this room is even smaller than what I thought it would be and there would not have been enough room. Disney did give me $30 credit to get some items from the gift shop, but you know how limited that is.
Monday I had a friend join me for breakfast at Garden Grill. Food was so good and we saw all the characters at least 3 times, maybe 4. I love that restaurant. We did some shopping and then she headed home--says it is just too hot for her, even though she lives here. I then went over to AK and picked up the set of AP magnets they were giving out. I already had one of them but they let me have the whole set anyway. It was a very quick and easy process. They were smart to do this at Chester and Hesters because it brought people into a shop that most people probably don't make it to--I know I don't and I usually hit every shop at least twice. That shop is adorable inside with all the theming and the train that runs around the perimeter of the shop. It was a little cooler that day because it had rained earlier, so I stayed and did Festival of the Lion King, then the Safari, grabbed an ear of roasted corn, and perused the shops. I also used my Landry's card and was seated right away at Yak and Yeti for dinner--no wait for me at all even though I did not have an ADR, and I did see them turn other people away that didn't have an ADR. Food was good and the AC was very, very cold.
More later, my friend is picking me up shortly to go see Indiana Jones at the theater over by Margaritaville.
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Post by rwethereyet on Jul 20, 2023 15:07:57 GMT -5
Tuesday --Topolino's for breakfast. Even though they have changed how much food you can get, there is still gracious plenty. I enjoyed everything I had, but was wishing I could have had waffles, etc., but I was good and stuck to eggs and bacon. The eggs were cooked just right--soft scrambled, but not runny. Characters came around at least 3 times and had great interaction with each table. I think Minnie has the greatest costume. Then off to Hollywood Studios where I enjoyed the Frozen Sing-a-Long and then Indiana Jones. My reader started telling me my sugar was dropping, so I went and had the grilled buffaloe chicken sandwish at ABC Commissary. No fries, but I thought the bread would bring my sugar up--it didn't, so after a while I went around and got a Num Num cookie. I ate about 1/4 of it and sugar was still dropping. I don't know if intense heat affects glucose readings or not, but that is the only thing I can think of that was different for me. While I was there - the characters were out in Pixar Place, so I took advantage of that--saw Sully, Edna Mode, Mr. & Mrs. Incredible and Frozone. Not a lot of people in the lines and it moved quickly--it is almost as if people don't know they are there yet because Toy Story Land was so packed that I didn't even try and get thru there and I guess they don't look down that way. They have it set up nicely so you can stand in the shade most of the time and the characters do switch out really often because of the heat--same ones come back though, not different ones. I was worried about my sugar still dropping and decided to head back to the room and check it with a finger prick. The rest of the park was not really that terribly busy, but because I got there late and then was worried about my glucose, that is all I got done and then headed back to the room. Sugar still low, so I had a sausage and pepperoni pizza (really good) at Primo Piatta.
Called it a night as I am not used to this much activity or this much heat either.
Wednesday -- Didn't set an alarm, but when my phone starting sending alerts I unplugged it and put it on the arm of the sofa part of the Murphy bed. I fell back asleep and then I heard this loud clang, clang, clang, and the phone had fallen down between the arm of the sofa and the mattress. I heard it hitting the metal as it went down. I had images of them having to take the mattress off and the bed apart in order to retrieve my phone. No one want to lose their phone, but mine is also my glucose reader, so it is particularly important to me. I called Maintenance and they got the nicest little maintenance lady to come help very quickly. She was the tiniest thing and I don't know how she held up that belt with all the tools on it. She ended up having to get a grabber, but after we raised the mattress up most of the way, she was able to retrieve it with no problem and there was no damage done. Crisis averted. I went down to Primo Piatto and grabbed a quick bite of breakfast and some hot tea and then went back to room and tried to get a little organized before leaving for the movie.
Thoroughly enjoyed Indiana Jones. I never ever recognized Antonio Banderas, but then I didn't know he was in the movie either. The theater over by Old Town is really nice--recliner seats and you push a button and they come to your seat and take your order--no concession stand. I could get used to that. You can tell he is getting older, but Harrison Ford still has it. I will enjoy seeing it again when ever it goes to streaming.
After the movie we headed over to O'Hana for our ADR. It was good, I enjoyed everything I had, but I am quickly realizing that now that I have Diabetes and have to watch what I eat, those types of meals should no longer be on my wish list--maybe breakfast--but not dinner. Dumplings were great, noodles were great, shrimp very tasty, chicken wings were super. I would be happy with just that. The place was busy and tables turned over very quickly.
Then my friend took me over to Dollar Tree to get a pool noodle to enjoy in the pool. At this point it was after 10:00 so my friend dropped me off at the Riviera and she headed home.
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Post by rwethereyet on Jul 20, 2023 15:15:06 GMT -5
Thursday--did not set an alarm for this morning either. Beautiful morning, so I decided today would be a pool day. Headed to Primo Piatto for some breakfast and then went out to the pool. The water is more warm than I would like and today was a very busy day at the pool. It is interesting while in the pool to overhear all the various conversations of people making their plans and discussing with one another the best way to set up their plans and what to ride, etc. and when to go.
I grabbed some chicken wings at Bar Riva for lunch and then went back to the pool for a little bit until the thunder became really loud and I headed back to the room. Now it is pouring rain. If it lets up, I will probably got to EPCOT in a bit and hit the shops.
More later.
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Post by Brian5581 on Jul 20, 2023 15:33:08 GMT -5
Thanks for the summary. Continue to enjoy!
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Post by disneyteach on Jul 20, 2023 15:48:43 GMT -5
Sounds like you're having a great time! I would like to try a tower studio if I ever go without the kids!
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Post by fuzzylogic on Jul 20, 2023 17:41:33 GMT -5
I then went over to AK and picked up the set of AP magnets they were giving out. GASP! What set were they giving out? We tried over July 4 weekend to get the Figment one... we asked at EPCOT Guest Services, DS Guest Services, the EPCOT big store where they gave them out last year and the DS art store where they gave them out a couple years ago... and they all told me they were out of the current one. If they lied to me.....  PS - We loved the time we tried the Tower Suite. Saw it available for a Fri-Sat so we booked it and flew down pretty spontaneously just to check it out. Really neat and fun! |
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Post by donalddork on Jul 20, 2023 20:07:27 GMT -5
Sounds like you're having fun! Thank you for taking the time to do this for our DVC community....we all appreciate it and can't wait for your next update.
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Post by dlwdwdvc on Jul 20, 2023 20:21:05 GMT -5
No the Figment was at Connections/Creations Gift Shop next to the Starbucks Restaurant at Epcot Entrance…
This is at Chester & Hester’s Dino Treasures and it includes a Dumbo refrigerator magnet ,Orange Bird, and Mickey design.
Sorry you missed Figment .
I always feels so relaxed walking around the Riviera Resort and love the music themed . Did you venture into to the Arts and Crafts Room ? It is fun and some items are free and others small fee for all ages . The Castmembers are very nice .
They always have a really nice selection during the holidays too and I think my grandchildren could make a gift for their parents .
It makes me happy to read your trip report.
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Post by rwethereyet on Jul 20, 2023 21:46:25 GMT -5
Back from EPCOT--didn't do much grabbed a burger at Cafe' Connection (hope that is the right name). Pretty descent burger-not great-not bad, served its purpose. I am using an ECV, so I scooted over to Spaceship Earth, which had been down earlier, got on, and it stopped 4 times while I was riding, not the few second stop to let someone on that needed assistance, I mean stopped for several minutes each time. I thought we might need to be evacuated at one point, but we finally started up again. I did not realize that tonight was an After hours ticketed event, so that made it a little more crowded than it normally would be this time of night. I scooted over to Soarin' to see if I could get in line to ride before 9:00 and made it with minutes to spare. For the first time in many, many rides, I was in the seat the farthest to the left of the screen. I had heard reports that some things look distorted from that angle, and those reports are true. The elephants walked leaning to the left, the eiffel tower was bent and so were the pyramids. It was kind of funny to see. If it had been my first time seeing it, I would have been disappointed. I left Soarin' hoping to get to the Skyliner before the fireworks were over, and I was happy to learn that they were actually delayed. But, when I got to the International Gateway, they announced there was lightening in the area (I had not seen it) and that the Skyliner was down so anyone going to the Riviera needed to go take the bus. I turned around and went right back to the direction I had come from. I was very lucky and made it to the bus stop just as a bus arrived. I am sure it did not make the many people waiting happy that they let a scooter on first as I am sure they had been waiting a while. Not everyone got on the bus and turns out it was going to both Riviera and Caribbean Beach. When Riviera passengers got off, the bus was still full. As we passed the Skyliner, I could see that it was running again, but you could not tell if anyone was on it yet. I think tomorrow will be Disney Springs--kind of winging it this trip as it is not hard to get any park reservation you might want, and it feels good to be able to do that again.  |
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Post by rwethereyet on Jul 20, 2023 21:55:46 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses and to those tagging along. I am having a wonderful time here by myself. I love having my family with me and wish it could be that way all the time, but I am retired and they work, so it makes it hard. I love being able to play it by ear or do absolutely nothing if I chose to.
No Figment magnet in the group. I would love one too as this was my sons first character that he fell in love with about 38 years ago, but nope, not a Figment in this group, just the ones stated above.
I went past the Arts and Crafts Center but have not been in yet. I thought I would on a rainy day or a day that I didn't want to go any where. There were quite a few people in there when I went by. I found it by accident, it is pretty well hidden.
I am loving this Tower Studio more and more each day. Perfect size for me. I only have two things that I don't like, that is the poor lighting and the beverage cooler is not big enough for anything. Other than that, I would not hesitate to book another stay in a Tower Studio. I can see the EPCOT fireworks from my room. I also hear some road noise now and then, but I did bring a white noise machine to leave in my Owners Locker and that has helped.
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Post by dlwdwdvc on Jul 21, 2023 3:31:25 GMT -5
If you monitor the availabilty for DVC Calendar…Tower Studio at Riviera Impossible…
Bungalows and Cabins so plentiful it is very …should not be ignored It’s a problem
But those Disney Villas in California with the DuoTower … better own for availabilty for every school holiday date and book at 11 months.
Riviera sold the fixed guaranteed week for Studios but NOT for the Tower . I assume this will be same for the duo towers in California.
Altho’ Californians like to screw up dates by booking a Saturday night stay only …
So arriving on a Friday til Sunday gets messed up including with the Harbor resorts nearby…. They should have a minimum 2 night booking for some dates on calendar …
I guess if I was going to buy those new villas I would buy a couple minimum ( 25 or 50 point contracts to work the year to my advantage .
I was surprised Best Western Park Place does not require a deposit recently. And for some weird reason Swan didn’t either.
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Post by Eeyorelover22 on Jul 21, 2023 8:46:56 GMT -5
I love the Tower Studio! I love Riviera too. I like knowing where my room will be with the Tower.
Thanks for sharing.
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Post by skywatcher1206 on Jul 21, 2023 10:11:46 GMT -5
I am currently on a waitlist for Tower studio for January for a solo trip but am not holding my breath. It would be great if I got it, but I can make do with any resort, currently booked for Jambo. Glad you are having a great time!
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Post by tomandrobin on Jul 21, 2023 10:33:12 GMT -5
Sounds like a great trip to me so far. I am really looking forward to when I can slow down from work and enjoy the parks more often. Riviera has become our favorite resort the past two years. I only have two complaints.....I wish the pool was a little deeper and the point costs were a little cheaper. We are staying there at the end of September.
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Post by raspus on Jul 21, 2023 11:17:31 GMT -5
Seems like you’re having a great trip. Glad you’re enjoying the tower studio.
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