We are not DVC owners though we've stayed in 7 DVC resorts (mostly 1- and 2-bedrooms) and, among the 7, have stayed at BCV and BWV multiple times. We just stayed in a 1-bedroom, standard view at RIV and really enjoyed our stay though I will say we felt there were pros and cons to the resort (but we find there are pros and cons to all of the resorts).
Pros:
The 1-bedroom unit was quite large and very quiet! The biggest plus was the wall, pull-down murphy bed was SO much more comfortable than the pull-outs we are used to in the other 1-bedroom DVC units. This is enough to make me book again as we started booking 2-bedrooms as my DS12 got older simply so he could have a real bed to sleep on. The wall, pull-down at RIV will save us a ton of money over booking 2-bedrooms elsewhere
Location - we really liked it, but we are EP lovers, so I loved the quick Skyliner ride back and forth (it never went down when we were on it, so I know this only applies when it's working properly!). I was hugely impressed when it only took me about 20 minutes to get back to RIV after EP Forever on Dec. 30! I could not have done that by bus, boat or foot.
The staff was bending over backwards to make sure we enjoyed our stay.
The food - it was REALLY good, particularly the QS food!
The cafe - so cute and the coffee was good!
Standard view - we were on the 7th floor quite high up so I really didn't notice the parking lot. I had a direct view of Spaceship Earth, the EP fireworks and could see the MK fireworks as well. I will always book standard at RIV and request a high floor as I LOVE Spaceship Earth!
Cons:
The pool - it was quite boring and really not well-themed, IMHO. We did like the location of the QS, pool bar and gelato cart right by the pool, however, making grabbing lunch or dinner there really convenient
The lobby - too small, though pretty. We were there over the holidays, so the crowds might be thinner during different seasons.
The design of the QS cashier area. The QS just isn't well designed. The cashier area is pushed up close to the front of the restaurant and it means the line to order backs up into the hallway of the resort - it was a big of a strange set up. I don't think they thought through the traffic flow in this location. I did love that they give you a tracker so you can sit down and wait for them to bring your food to you.
We already have the same room booked for March. I will continue to monitor pricing for other resort villas, but as long as RIV prices out the same or less than some of our other favorites, I will always consider booking there. Again, the comfort of that larger murphy bed was a game-changer for our family.