Buying Riviera Resale Yes, no, hell no?

[swaysui]

How low would the price have to be for most of you to seriously consider buying? Having AKL resale we can access the other resorts, so my FOMO is thinking a small contract at Riviera wouldnt be so bad. Such thoughtful members here on this board. Would love some input!

 

[Sandisw]

Well, I bought it for $152 on resale. When it first came out, I said there was no way I would buy the resort, and resale??? Not even for $50/point. Then I visited...then I fell in LOVE with the place.

Fast forward and bought 175 points direct in 2019, and just bought this past summer 125 resale points there because I knew I wanted to stay there at least a few nights every trip.

We have SSR points and of course the RIV direct to use everywhere, so the 125 good only at RIV will be fine because I will have no trouble using them up. I will say, we are a family who does not concern ourselves with resale value and figure we would be long time owners. Even if we had to sell tomorrow, and had to sell for half (or more) of what we paid, we would still be happy we made the choice to own DVC at the place that is at the top of the list!

So, if you love the resort..or just want to have points to stay there for a few nights here or there, then I say its worth it in the end!

 

[swaysui]

Well, I bought it for $152 on resale. When it first came out, I said there was no way I would buy the resort, and resale??? Not even for $50/point. Then I visited...then I fell in LOVE with the place.

Fast forward and bought 175 points direct in 2019, and just bought this past summer 125 resale points there because I knew I wanted to stay there at least a few nights every trip.

We have SSR points and of course the RIV direct to use everywhere, so the 125 good only at RIV will be fine because I will have no trouble using them up. I will say, we are a family who does not concern ourselves with resale value and figure we would be long time owners. Even if we had to sell tomorrow, and had to sell for half (or more) of what we paid, we would still be happy we made the choice to own DVC at the place that is at the top of the list!

So, if you love the resort..or just want to have points to stay there for a few nights here or there, then I say its worth it in the end!

Thanks. Really appreciate it!

 

[BruinEd03]

How low would the price have to be for most of you to seriously consider buying? Having AKL resale we can access the other resorts, so my FOMO is thinking a small contract at Riviera wouldnt be so bad. Such thoughtful members here on this board. Would love some input!

Each person's pricing would be different. If you're looking resale, I would suggest staying there first and determining if you love it. If you do, then go for it. Otherwise you're going to buy a contract that you can only use for a resort that you don't love.

If you're buying direct, just understand that if you want to sell, you'll take a bath on it (similar to any other direct purchase) if you need to sell in the near future. Though you can use it as SAP if you don't love the resort. In that case, just make sure that you don't mind staying there, even if you don't love the resort.

 

[davidl81]

Right now I would consider RIV at $80ish a point but that because I would have to buy enough points to make it worth wile and being locked in to just RIV is tough for us. We like Aulani every few years and it’s nice to use my own points for it.
For others the own RIV direct already then I can see spending more for resale since you would be adding to those direct points.

 

[zavandor]

Be aware that with RIV resale you're not buying Disney Vacation Club points, you're buying Riviera only points. So you need to be sure to really want to stay there for the next 48 years. Even more so than other resorts, I would strongly recommend to stay there before buying.

 

[AaronEuth]

Solid hell no for me, but the deal breaker isn't the usual. One of the small perks of DVC ownership for me, is I love the booking and planning process. Making my home resort reservation at 11 months, planning out possible 7 month alternatives and matching up the points so I don't over borrow if they come through. Then as 7 months approaches, stalking the availability to see what may be possible. Then from 7 months to 31 days, stalking to see if there is something just a tad bit better.


With a RIV resale.....that would all be gone for 10 months, 29 day, 23 hours, and 59 minutes. One minute of fun then disappointment. Booking my hotel and then just having nothing left to do until dining reservations would depress me.

 

[Royal Consort]

It really depends on your expectations. If you want to use the points across the DVC portfolio Riviera just won't work for you (but you have AKL for that). If you think you will get sick of staying at the same place, it won't work. If you buy a contract with the intent to use it exclusively at Riviera because you like it there, you're golden. I own VGF, VGC and Riviera and I don't use any of those contracts outside of the home resort. I am not interested in staying outside those resorts and that is exactly why I bought them. So I say yes dependent on you accepting the philosophy "buy where you want to stay". I also think $140-$150 range is a good price point for the more upscale accommodation that Riviera provides.

 

[DVCsloth]

Don't think you can go wrong with a small add on at Riviera. Not sure how many points you are looking for, but you can add 50 direct. That will give you a few nights at 11 months, no restrictions and I don't see any big loss selling it later if you decide it's not for you. I wouldn't buy resale unless I was sure it was for me. I personally love this resort but I would probably only buy small contracts direct. I have used my CCV and VGF points for some awesome stays at Riviera booked at 7 months but, not sure Standard rooms will have much availability in the future unless you own there. The preferred rooms tend to get expensive and I don't think there is much difference between the view, it is only a more expensive room. We had a Standard view 1br and had amazing firework views every night from Epcot and MK. Top floor all the way to the west of the main wing. I know there are some less than ideal standard views but I usually only choose SV.

 

[dvc lover 1970]

RIV is a great resort, but there are many things to consider before buying resale (or even direct). Resale - you are locked into RIV only. which is fine but if you need to change your plans in the 7 month window - it may be difficult. This will force RIV resale owners to use RCI if they cannot use their points. The point chart for standard rooms are not bad, but preferred is high. Direct also has its draw backs because of the cost $200 per point. In a buyers market where supply exceeds demand, i expect prices to be half on resale. I would probably purchase a small contract then.

 

[swaysui]

Everyone has brought up excellent points! For those that own Riv, how is the booking between 8 to 11 months out? Easy or limited? We personally like 1 bedrooms for the size. I understand that's not the most economical way of spending point but we like the extra room.

 

[peabody58]

Riv Point Chart alone makes it a big no for me.

 

[M:SpilotISTC12]

I’ve thought about adding on a small 75 point resale contract. The only thing that worries me is as time goes on it’ll be more difficult to book at exactly 11 months out. We like to go early December or September. With how few standard studios it became a hard no for me. I’d always be stuck in a preferred view studio if I’m able to get one at all. I’m a point miser and want the cheapest room possible for a family of 4.

 

[poofyo101]

I bought it. Would buy more if could get a good price

 

[Lorana]

Everyone is giving good advice here, and it really does come down to whether you’d be happy staying here and only here for the life of the contract. I’d that’s a yes, go for it. If it’s a no, a small direct add-on is the way to go: that’s what we did, though I was also adding on during the 2020 crazy incentives AND buying FWs at CCV, so I got Riviera for a steal (effectively $148/point).

My answer to your question is a “at no price point.” I like RIV, I own there, but I wouldn’t want points I can ONLY use there. However, there ARE resorts I’d be willing to own restricted points at - CCV/BRV, AKV, VGC - because I would be happy to stay there and only there with those points, and those are resorts we always want to stay at. In fact, I own FWs at CCV and we bought our VGC with the intent of only using them there. If that’s how you feel about RIV, then the savings and restrictions are right for you.

 

[kanerf]

I own 100 direct and would not mind at all adding to that resale. I like the resort and the Riviera stays only issue would not be a problem for me.

 

[Wakey]

I bought enough points for 1 beds at SSR and can usually book where I want. Staying Boardwalk at Xmas again, last time we were there in Xmas/ NY 2019 (been locked out for 2 years as in the UK) we got Beach Club 5 nights then BLT 5 nights. I can pretty much book Riviera when I want, but points are high. I booked RIV for a US friend.
Why when I have this flexibility with my points would I even consider buying RIV?

 

[Carol_]

No. We have CCV and SSR direct. I like Riv, would probably like staying there and using my tourist French at the CMs… but resale would force me to stay there and I’m a FREE BIRD DAGGUMIT.

 

[Dobermanns]

I am a firm believer in owning where I love, and dislike moving during a trip, we bought enough points (direct and resale) at seven resorts back in 2016, including VGC and Aulani. When RIV first came online, I said no way would I buy direct, maybe a small resale if price was really really low.
Then I had dinner at Topolino and loved the restaurant and the grounds! On a subsequent trip I stayed there with my Poly points (SV studio in May for a week) and fell in love with the resort. Everything, from the room to quick service restaurants (and I am a fine dining snob) and the pools…
Came home told hubby we would buying points there Compared direct and waited for resales… ended up with 150 points at $142/pt. With 4 trips a year to WDW, I am happy to have at least one stay being at RIV. If I can’t use the points I plan on renting them out. Looking at the current resale prices, I don’t think it is as bad/low as we all thought it would be.
As far as booking at 11 months. Just booked a SV studio and two tower studios for my friends for Sept of next year. I noticed someone was walking the SV studio. The towers were gone literally a min after window opened. Thankfully the start dates for our three rooms were different so I was able to book them all.

 

[Jimmy Geppetto]

Everyone has brought up excellent points! For those that own Riv, how is the booking between 8 to 11 months out? Easy or limited? We personally like 1 bedrooms for the size. I understand that's not the most economical way of spending point but we like the extra room.

We own RIV and have no regrets. Full disclosure, we bought direct with great incentives so we don't have restrictions. Tower Studios go very quickly at 11 month mark. They will stick around for a day or two, but after that they are gone. Most standard studios are gone by the 7 month mark. You can find a weekend here or there after 7 months, but its not common. One Bedrooms and upward are available after 7 months.

I will say this... the RIV rooms are gorgeous. I've stayed at a number of Four Seasons and Fairmont hotels for corporate travel and I'd say RIV gives them both a run for their money in terms of decor, usefulness, room amenities and overall spaciousness. The pool area is also fantastic.