Add on at RIV or wait for POLY?

[mom2elle]

Since the moment we hear about the Poly tower, we have been talking about buying a contract there. We have 155 pts at Riv (direct) and we had 110 pts at SSR that we are in the process of selling. Now as we are getting closer to Poly points chart and pricing info coming out, I am second guessing our plan. We know we want a second direct contract with 155 pts. We absolutely love Riviera, and love the location (Epcot and DHS are our favorite parks). We also love the vibe at the Polynesian. We have been able to book the longhouse studies pretty much whenever we wanted at 7 months - and we have loved staying there primarily for the overall atmosphere. We don’t need the larger room categories in the tower, however we do Ike the idea of the new rooms, new decor, etc.

With current incentives on Riv, I expect new Poly pricing to come in significantly higher, and now I am really questioning the value of that added cost. We are currently leaning towards doubling down at Riv (fully aware of the resale implications). Anyone want to try to convince me not to? What might I not be thinking of?

-Kate

 

[Pinnochio]

We have been able to book the longhouse studies pretty much whenever we wanted at 7 months - and we have loved staying there primarily for the overall atmosphere. We don’t need the larger room categories in the tower.

-Kate

there's your answer....buy Riv, book Poly at 7 months when you're feeling it....

 

[supercarrie]

Are you able to fit into the tower studios as a family? Or do you need the longhouse studios?

Given the sheer number of studios already available at Poly (plus soon to be a lot more!), if you are flexible on category, definitely buy Riviera. Poly studios are already very available at 7 months as you note. Riviera standard view is a challenge.

If you absolutely need a longhouse studio, I'd consider Poly (but probably still buy Riviera). There is the long term question of whether longhouse studios will be preferred after the newness of the Island Tower runs out. (sleep 5, closer to TTC, much bigger, two bathrooms, etc.) - that being said, I'd probably still go with Riviera and just be flexible on when I go to Poly, if the longhouse studios end up being challenging to get.

One option - sign a Riviera contract before Sept. 30th (ideally in the ten days prior, or do a delayed close), and you can always rewrite it if the Poly incentives look good. It is widely rumored that Poly will go on sale on Oct. 1, and we may have an announcement of this on Tuesday if rumors are accurate.

Within ten days, you have the right to cancel and/or rewrite the contract to Poly. My DVC guide also told me that once you are outside the ten days, as long as you haven't closed on your contract, they will not cancel, but will rewrite to whatever you want - but this hasn't been tested, so I'd sign right before Sept. 30th for peace of mind. This will also allow you to rewrite if the Riv incentives get better next cycle (or protect you if they are worse!)

 

[DVCsloth]

It's nice having a home resort in MK and Epcot areas. I would tend to add on at Riviera and just try for the longhouses at 7 months. I also think it would be great to own at Polynesian for someone who really liked it there. Personally, I wouldn't want Poly because I would buy it for the tower only and I think the competition for it will be pretty fierce.

 

[Sandisw]

Since you are fine with current studios, and love RiV, I RIv is the way to go.

If or when we do more DVC it will be for RIv and take our chance for tower rooms at PVB at 7 months.

I definitely think the pricing will be better for RIV too!

 

[davidhr]

If you don’t need the larger rooms, get Riviera as the Poly has so many studios. You’ll be able to book there at 7 months most of the year easily. Only very high seasons might be an issue.

 

[kboo]

With current incentives on Riv, I expect new Poly pricing to come in significantly higher, and now I am really questioning the value of that added cost. We are currently leaning towards doubling down at Riv (fully aware of the resale implications). Anyone want to try to convince me not to? What might I not be thinking of?

Nothing! When we added on at VGF last year (was it only last year??) we were debating VGF or RIV (we own both direct). I slightly regret not adding on at RIV - it was a tiny bit less $$ per point (due to longer contract), but we wanted to have lots of points for winter break at VGF. If we'd bought RIV it would be to have more points for a grand villa because the GVs are amazing there. (We are just a few weeks off of a Riviera stay and DH and I confirmed it's our favorite DVC resort, still.)

We've also toyed with adding home resort points at other hard-to-get resorts, but so far we have done fine enough at 7 months. (Christmas break at VGC here we come...) If we were to add more, I'd add either RIV or BLT (resale) to have enough for a GV from time to time.

One option - sign a Riviera contract before Sept. 30th (ideally in the ten days prior, or do a delayed close), and you can always rewrite it if the Poly incentives look good. It is widely rumored that Poly will go on sale on Oct. 1, and we may have an announcement of this on Tuesday if rumors are accurate.

Within ten days, you have the right to cancel and/or rewrite the contract to Poly. My DVC guide also told me that once you are outside the ten days, as long as you haven't closed on your contract, they will not cancel, but will rewrite to whatever you want - but this hasn't been tested, so I'd sign right before Sept. 30th for peace of mind. This will also allow you to rewrite if the Riv incentives get better next cycle (or protect you if they are worse!)

I did this with VGF when we added on, because the deals kept getting better (and we wanted to change the # of points) I think we rewrote 2-3x ... we had a very patient guide.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

Never stayed at Riviera, but did visit and walk around for an hour. I was very underwhelmed. It was pretty, but the pool wash meh, and it was in the middle of nowhere. I do like the skyliner, but I really prefer resorts that have walking and/or boat capability to parks. Plus I am not thrilled with the resale restrictions. Hence why most of our points are at the Boardwalk and I am fully prepared for the ungodly price I am going to have to pay to buy back in 18 years from now.

We don't need more points, but my heart wants enough to add a week there every other year for just DH and me. We have stayed in the current studios and like them. Love the lounge at the poly for pot stickers and bananas foster. Easy access to the monorail and I can also walk or boat when the monorail is crazy to MK. Wished it was a separate resort, but we have decided on Poly over Riviera.

To each their own. Follow what your heart wants and buy there.

 

[Mouseforward]

I predict poly longhouse SV studios will continue to be available at 7 months. There are so many in inventory vs other resorts.

I think RIV SV studios will be much tougher at 7 months in future years.

RIV is just so much easier for seniors, and while I like the boat to MK the monorail can be a nightmare at times with little hope it will get better adding the tower rooms. I was surprised at how many fewer steps a weeks vacation had at RiV vs Poly. In addition you travel with friends you don’t have to worry about getting rooms near each other at RIV.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Since the moment we hear about the Poly tower, we have been talking about buying a contract there. We have 155 pts at Riv (direct) and we had 110 pts at SSR that we are in the process of selling. Now as we are getting closer to Poly points chart and pricing info coming out, I am second guessing our plan. We know we want a second direct contract with 155 pts. We absolutely love Riviera, and love the location (Epcot and DHS are our favorite parks). We also love the vibe at the Polynesian. We have been able to book the longhouse studies pretty much whenever we wanted at 7 months - and we have loved staying there primarily for the overall atmosphere. We don’t need the larger room categories in the tower, however we do Ike the idea of the new rooms, new decor, etc.

With current incentives on Riv, I expect new Poly pricing to come in significantly higher, and now I am really questioning the value of that added cost. We are currently leaning towards doubling down at Riv (fully aware of the resale implications). Anyone want to try to convince me not to? What might I not be thinking of?

-Kate

Just for fun, I’ll play devil’s advocate and say wait to see what the Poly pre-sale incentives are. MK is going to have $$$ poured into it over the next 5 years and that could make those resorts harder to book at 7m.

What would I do in your situation? Buy where I want to stay and then play the 7 month game from there.

 

[mom2elle]

Just for fun, I’ll play devil’s advocate and say wait to see what the Poly pre-sale incentives are. MK is going to have $$$ poured into it over the next 5 years and that could make those resorts harder to book at 7m.

What would I do in your situation? Buy where I want to stay and then play the 7 month game from there.

Thank you! That’s true that MK is going to change a lot over the coming years. I hadn’t thought about that. Hoping we get some price and points info tomorrow!

 

[abiksr]

I have a RIV contract (direct) with 90 days close in progress. I have time till Nov 5 to close this contract. I am waiting for Poly points info to come out. I did some napkin math and my break even point is $3000 for 150 points. if Poly is $3000 (I would go as high as 3.5K - 4K) more than what I have currently locked in for RIV, I will switch it to poly if not will stay with RIV. fingers crossed and hope to get more info for poly soon.