The real default page view settings are under "Accessibility"

[Ruben24880106jirt]

I was super frustrated that when I changed my default page view to continuous, that it did absolutely nothing -- every time I opened a document it would open in single page view. 

Turns out that the "page layout" under "display settings" does not actually do anything, just ignore this (it probably does something, but clearly not what everyone expects it to). 

The real "default page layout" setting is under the accessibility tab, under "Override Page Display". 

Hope that helps everyone be less frustrated.