(Hmmm. Take a breath. Go into your zen relaxation mode. Breathe out. Good, boy.)
Okay, I don't mind the artist's rendering of the exterior if that's how it winds up looking. There is something rather. . .European looking about it. A nod to the Continent.
Now, random thoughts.
a. Is there a new Disney princess about to be unleashed since I don't get the whole Riviera concept? When I hear the word Riviera, my thoughts automatically go to a casino and Vegas or to the coastline of France or Italy so named. Disney? Not so much.
b. These are the first photos I've seen of the rooms--they call them models, so I assume these are actual shots vice renderings?
c. Anyone else think the layout of the 1BR and 2BR kitchen/living area looks an awful lot like those at Copper Creek? Same shotgun kitchen, same entry foyer, and we can assume for the 1BRs, the actual room is off the foyer to the left as you walk in. Given the door location near the balcony, that also looks like the entry to a lockoff or the second bedroom for a 2BR. Wonder if the square footabe will be the same?
d. Beyond Disney characters imposed on the TVs, are there any Disney touches and theming I'm missing? Maybe on the bench seating in the kitchen? Perhaps on the light fixtures?
e. "Hey, self?" Yes? "Is this a Disney resort or is it located over at Universal?" Disney? "Hmm. Okay, but I don't see anything that says Disney. Wait, maybe this is Miami?" Could be, could be.
f. So, this is the resort that may very well start right at $200 per point, and if you wind up having to unload it resale due to unforeseen circumstances, the resale buyer is stuck here?
g. "Hey, self?" Yes. "I wonder if Mickey plays blackjack?" I don't think Mickey plays blackjack. "Think Minnie will be singing
La Vie en rose down in the lounge after hours?" Sigh.
h. Wonder if Topolino's will feature Frollo, Esmeralda, Phoebus, and Quasimodo? A large bell rings, and the latter could climb in through the windows with Esmeralda on his shoulders.
I surely love my WL, in general, and VWL, in particular. Especially before the refurb a few years ago (and even still with it), it has a certain transformative nature about it. By that, I mean it puts me in a place of imagination, of lovely, meaningful architecture that hearkened to some of the earlier days of Disney lore. It has a theme, and not just any theme, but one with a story to tell and that keeps on telling through the architecture, music, smells, and sounds. Despite breaking my heart with AP, despite dumbing down RF, despite closing my nature trail, and despite denuding much of the wilderness in Wilderness Lodge, I still find myself longing to sit in a rocker in front of the fire place, to walk down the wooden walkway and hear the rollers on my luggage go chunkachunkachunka, to see the lanterns flickering while Copland majestically plays in the background. All that to say, I don't get Riviera. Perhaps once it opens the plan will be more evident, but I don't hold out much hope. While VWL got an upgrade during the last renovation (four years ago now?), it was less thematic and more homogeneous with other resorts after said refurb. Copper Creek, while pretty and new, was another indication that the rich tapestry of theming Disney was once known for had taken another step back. Yes, there were some nods to be sure, and at least the cabins are wilderness like in their concept and execution. However, I'm just not seeing it with this resort. If that's truly what the rooms look like, then I'm afraid I'd miss Disney there. Where's the magic? Where's the concept that involves Disney lore? If this is the next step in the evolution of Disney and DVC, then count me out. I hope I'm wrong. I'm afraid I'm not.
On a less critical note, it looks like we're in for round #9 (I've actually lost count at this point) with Ol' Man Winter. Winter weather advisory tonight for our area for icing. Sure makes our March trip a lot more enticing.