Just wanted to post about my Riviera experience over the weekend. I flew in solo to run the Tower of Terror 10 Miler on Friday. I have a family member that lives in the Orlando area that I was able to stay with, since using my DVC points on a Riviera room for only myself felt like a selfish use of our family's points.
Saturday I drove to the expo and picked up my running packet. Since I was in Disney and my Uncle's house is a 30 minute drive, I figured I'd enjoy Epcot and the Riviera a bit. Walked through Flower & Garden and eventually hopped on the Skyliner to the Riviera. Had lunch at Bar Riva and was greeted by Ken and Marci who are fantastic. I've gotten to know them maybe a little too well over our stays, but it is just SO NICE to be able to show up and be greeted by people who remember you. The food is amazing as always. I finished up and headed out.
Sunday after the race, it was about 6:45AM. I wasn't ready to drive back to my uncle's house, I wanted to get my picture with my finisher medal in Hollywood. I hopped on the race bus taking runners back to RR/CB. By 7:10 I had arrived at RR and I walked through the resort and to the large bathroom by the quiet pool. I had used the gear check bag they give you for the race to pack a change of clothes and some toiletries. I knew there was a really nice shower in that bathroom I could use to get cleaned up. There were fresh towels and soap/shampoo pumps to use. I was able to get cleaned up quick and into some fresh clothes. It was so early in the morning, not a single person ever came into the bathroom while I was in there.
I was able to grab Primo Piato for breakfast and sit out enjoying my beautiful home resort. Relaxing and recovering from the 10 mile run. I love that they set out large cups for you to get water at the Coke machines. I must have drank about 3 full cups of water trying to rehydrate from the humid run. Then it was a quick coffee from Le Petit Cafe and I was on the Skyliner to Hollywood.
On Monday I was supposed to fly home. I had a quick stop in Disney Springs to buy my kids some gifts before I was to drive to the airport. While in DS, my flight was cancelled. I rebooked on a different airline but now my flight wouldn't leave until midnight. I had all day to kill. I left my car at DS and hopped on a bus to Poly, then grabbed the monorail to MK. After walking the park a bit, I grabbed the monorail to Epcot for a little more Flower & Garden. By now, it was only 3PM and I still had all day to kill. I took the Skyliner back to Riviera, had some coffee and some quick bites, then laid out in the sun for a while. A few of the lifeguards recognized me and came to chat with me, they were very sympathetic over what happened and were super excited I decided to hang out there. After long enough, I exchanged goodbyes with everyone and grabbed the bus back to DS for dinner.
I killed time in DS until around 10PM and then headed to the airport, eventually boarding my flight by 12:30AM and not arriving to my home until 6AM. The trip did not go as expected at all and despite not even staying at RR, I managed to spend a considerable amount of time there thoroughly enjoying the resort and cast members. In fact, I spent more time at RR than I did in all the other parks combined during the trip.
We go back for a full week in a month and cannot wait to see everyone again and more importantly, watch my children enjoy the resort.
