Buying Riviera Resale Yes, no, hell no?

[Where'sPiglet?]

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.

I would be content to stay at Polynesian every trip. However, I have the ability to switch resorts if needed. Perhaps I need to adjust my trip dates - having the ability to use points at any DVC resort means my points are far more flexible than if I was stuck using them at one resort, even one I loved.

The problem will compound itself as more people are limited to using their points only at one resort.

Now, I say this, but I'm still considering buying at Disneyland Tower (direct) when it comes available. That resort will likely have the same restrictions, so it's admittedly a little hypocritical.

 

[crisi]

PERSONALLY...hell no. We have 150 BWV points which is plenty. When we are at WDW we use them for BWV - which is not skyliner dependent. We have gotten our value out of them over 20 years of ownership and have no need to chase resale value for them. We will be old when they expire. When we are at WDW, BWV is a fine resort to stay at and the desire to stay anywhere else is not overwhelming enough to own points anywhere else. And I have zero desire for Riviera as a location ever. Points per night is way to high (I am spoiled by the 2042 resort charts) and the theming and location does nothing for me.

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

I wouldn't buy resale if it was my only contract but could see getting a small one in the future at the right price. I really like being able to book multiple resorts.

 

[Paul Stupin]

I’d buy direct so I can use the points elsewhere. Initially I thought I would never consider it due to the resale restrictions, but it’s a beautiful resort, the pools are great, super fun slide, and we love the walk around the lake through Caribbean Beach. We’ve stayed there once and are converts. Love the coffee bar, though the quick service for us is just ok and we think Topolino’s has zero ambience and is way too expensive, and over rated.
But for us it doesn’t matter. The rooms are amazing. I’d be buying there now, but instead plan to add direct points to VGF when the new wing goes on sale. We’ll use some of those at Riviera.

 

[Minniemoo15]

I would be content to stay at Polynesian every trip. However, I have the ability to switch resorts if needed. Perhaps I need to adjust my trip dates - having the ability to use points at any DVC resort means my points are far more flexible than if I was stuck using them at one resort, even one I loved.

The problem will compound itself as more people are limited to using their points only at one resort.

Now, I say this, but I'm still considering buying at Disneyland Tower (direct) when it comes available. That resort will likely have the same restrictions, so it's admittedly a little hypocritical.

Agreed … we own Poly and stay there almost every trip - I love it there. But I want and need flexibility with DVC. Last year when Poly was under refurb I was sure happy I could book a BCV 2 bedroom instead and not have to stay in the middle of a construction zone. When we had extra points to rent out this year , I had a lot more options to get rid of them because I could snag any room on property that opened up. Renting RIV only points would be difficult unless you are doing it 11 Months in advance IMO.

 

[Spark65]

PERSONALLY...hell no. We have 150 BWV points which is plenty. When we are at WDW we use them for BWV - which is not skyliner dependent. We have gotten our value out of them over 20 years of ownership and have no need to chase resale value for them. We will be old when they expire. When we are at WDW, BWV is a fine resort to stay at and the desire to stay anywhere else is not overwhelming enough to own points anywhere else. And I have zero desire for Riviera as a location ever. Points per night is way to high (I am spoiled by the 2042 resort charts) and the theming and location does nothing for me.

You sound like your jealous you can't buy in at the RIV I really can't see the point in commenting about somewhere you've never stayed at or plan to stay at unless your jealous!

 

[Spark65]

This thread is a re-hash of many early threads about RIV with many critical people who ended up buying there (add facepalm). I can't wait for the next resort to open with the same restrictions, which will happen given RIV has done well, so the same people can come out of the woodwork all over.

RIV is here to stay and all these resorts have likes and dislikes and everyone here has the ability to approve or disapprove but it gets old after a while. You have choices for now make them work for you!

 

[jbreen2010]

I would love to own there it looks beautiful.
But I won’t buy it because of the resale restrictions.

I hope Disney reads these threads.
You hear that Disney, we don’t like resale restrictions. LOL

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

Not interested at this time at pretty much any price. We don't go that often and I like the variety of staying at different resorts. Locking ourselves into a single resort is a non-starter.

Yes, we could trade out but that's not a guarantee. Would much rather stick with a contract in the O14.

 

[TutuluvsDisney]

I would only buy Riviera direct from Disney as I want the flexibility to use the points elsewhere---if I were to buy Riviera.
I am waiting for the sales of the new VGF contracts. I prefer to have the ability to walk to the MK and love all the restaurants at GF and Poly. ( I already have contracts at the Boardwalk)

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I would only buy Riviera direct from Disney as I want the flexibility to use the points elsewhere---if I were to buy Riviera.
I am waiting for the sales of the new VGF contracts. I prefer to have the ability to walk to the MK and love all the restaurants at GF and Poly. ( I already have contracts at the Boardwalk)

This. Riviera is beautiful and I would like to stay there at some point. The resale restrictions don't seem to be impacting selling a contract as much as I expected in terms of price. I would be okay buying a direct contract there, but I would not buy a resale contract there unless it was a small add-on contract. Even then I would be hesitant just because of the lack of flexibility. I think the risk of losing points is higher, as compared to unrestricted points; if you have to modify you may be out of luck.

I think the points chart is higher than it should be, especially given the not-park-adjacent location, but I think that is just the way things are. Disneyland Tower will almost certainly be even higher in terms of points per night needed to book a room.

 

[gharter]

I like the resort, my wife loves it. BUT, compared to what we have paid for our other resorts, not buying. The grounds are beautiful and we LOVE Topolinos. But not being able to use the points at another resort is a deal killer for us. Being within walking distance of a moderate resort doesn't help. Can I get on the Skyline? Last time we dined there, had to wait a while until an open car arrives. Same reason we don't own at Grand Floridian. The Monorail is often full by the time it gets to you.

 

[Ruttangel]

I see the DVC show placed this resort as 5th favourite DVC resort. I was surprised but it is new and shiny and the food/rooms/transportation and art work all get positive reviews

I was a doommonger saying resale would struggle around $100 but that hasn't been the case so far so I'm happy to say I was wrong. Dues are now in a much better place but Im still put off by the restrictions and high point charts.

@DerekDeBoer said they always remind buyers of resale restrictions and this does mean certain people then rescind their offer after knowing this

Just for info I think the top 5 were AKV, BLT, BWV, PVB, RIV

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

We bought direct 2x Riviera and would definitely (and are mulling over) adding more Riviera resale points.

We have tried every room category except Tower studios and the 3-bedroom grand villa and love them all. It's a point-heavy chart (but I think the wave of the future, too,) and we enjoy it so much, now we want to go 2x a year; once at "low" season (early December or September) and once at peak-ish season (February vacation/Thanksgiving.). We have our direct Riviera points to sleep around elsewhere, which we're doing a night at Beach Club and hope to get into Copper Creek next December for a couple nights, and/or try Boulder Ridge after their renovations.

I don't see a problem with resale points. You can always rent them out for a year and do a cash stay somewhere else if you were really desperate to move around, but I am assuming anyone buying resale wants Riviera points to stay at Riviera. Everyone screaming the sky is falling because of the resale restrictions -- the resale contracts are going for $140-$150, which I think is totally a great value to buy or sell, if need be.

We've taken several trips on our points bought in 2019 and spent, as of now, over $25,000 if we were to pay cash for the Riviera trips, so that more than paid for our first 100 points direct and is eating into our next 200 points of trips.

To me, I look at the value in terms of recouping the trips cash cost (even with typical 25% discount frequently offered) once I have gone enough for the points to have paid for themselves in trips, I view it as basically "free" after that. If I had to sell in another few years, I'm sure the resale prices would be up to $170ish very soon, and we paid $188 and then $174pp. So, in the grand scheme of things, we'd have over five years of twice-yearly trips in stunning, convenient locations, and could sell for pretty close to what we paid in. Our intention is to keep the points and pass them to the kids, but yeah, stuff happens. If you can hold the points a decade, I think you'll easily break even on resale, and after that probably make some money if you so desired to sell.

Don't forget, we're at 20 years for the 2042 contacts. The BW incentives that were just posted, to me, are a canary in the coal mine. Test a good sale to offload/resell more points there, maybe seeing BW prices softening? There's a LOT of resorts coming offline in 2042. That's a crap of points and rooms lost, and DVC would be stupid to isolate Riviera as the only property with resale restrictions. Either they abandon the strategy or get cracking building DLT and Reflections 2.0 with restrictions to move the ball forward. Once people accept that this is the new reality going forward, I think it's an easier pill to swallow.

We love the compact (covered!) footprint, great dining, SKYLINER, (anticipated scooter needed and would rather do the Skyliner for scooters than a bus any day,) and HS and EP are our favorite parks, so we want to be closer to there anyway.

I also am of the belief that the Skyliner will be expanded upon sometime in the next 48 years to Disney Springs, possibly Typhoon Lagoon and OKW/SS, and maybe out to Coronado and Animal Kingdom as an outlier. They did a major renovation to OKW/SS lobbies and just did a nice refurbishment there. Are they thinking of putting a Skyliner hub there? Who knows? It would make sense to create Skyliner access over there and connect to Disney Springs and the (hopeful) Brightliner station. That would move the needle on selling OKW/SS direct at a much higher price, and sell more OKW-X contracts, giving more options to repackage points and sell them direct.

Grand Destino Tower is gorgeous and screams to be turned into a DVC wing, but it only has bus access, right now. What if you built the Skyliner over there with a new high end Spanish DVC wing? Coronado seems to have a lot of nice dining options that are under utilized with decreased conventions post Covid; get a DVC over there and you could have another Topolinos Spanish style.

Point being, yes, this is speculation on my part, but we're in it for the long haul. I think Covid has opened people's eyes to wanting their own space for germs, privacy, cooking, and Disney inflation is crazy on the rooms!

Once people stay at Riviera, they seem to be converted. Not all, and that's fine. I don't care for BLT, and my husband is totally anti AK. No biggie. We don't need to own there for theme park views or concierge level rooms. For those that try it and like it, especially if they want standard views or Tower studios for F&W, they'll need to own there. Why not get a resale contract there?

 

[RoseGold]

If the price were low enough, I think I'd lock myself into most of the WDW resorts. But RIV's chart is a dealbreaker for me. I don't see the appeal right now against the O14, which still has a lot of miles left on it and a lot of sweet spots if you get lucky.

If the price were low enough sure, but it would have to offset that chart, so I don't see that math happening.

 

[RoseGold]

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.

And then you try to use the website. RIV is a nice hotel, but comparing DVC to Four Seasons is silly. It's never been on the same level. No concierge, no bathrobes, the bedding, the toiletries, you can't get anyone on the phone. They can't even be bothered to put a Keurig in or give you some laundry soap. DVC is a penny-pinching experience. I'm cool with that, I have a robe in my Owner's Locker, but let's not pretend this is the Four Seasons.

I do think the Poly room service rivals Four Seasons though! Never heard anyone talk about RIV room service, now that I think about it...

 

[crisi]

You sound like your jealous you can't buy in at the RIV I really can't see the point in commenting about somewhere you've never stayed at or plan to stay at unless your jealous!

Why would I be jealous? I just got back from Peru. I'm going to Hawaii in a few months, and London next fall. Two of my last three WDW trips were in BWV Grand Villas. I haven't been to WDW in five years and don't have plans to go back currently - I've been using my points at HHI (and Aulani this year). If I wanted to stay at Riviera I'd just book it - my points are good there. I don't see the point in posting about my perceived emotional state at all, unless you are a busybody who likes to stir up trouble.

 

[crisi]

And then you try to use the website. RIV is a nice hotel, but comparing DVC to Four Seasons is silly. It's never been on the same level. No concierge, no bathrobes, the bedding, the toiletries, you can't get anyone on the phone. They can't even be bothered to put a Keurig in or give you some laundry soap. DVC is a penny-pinching experience. I'm cool with that, I have a robe in my Owner's Locker, but let's not pretend this is the Four Seasons.

I do think the Poly room service rivals Four Seasons though! Never heard anyone talk about RIV room service, now that I think about it...

Comparing ANY Disney hotel to a nice hotel off property is a joke. The thing DVC has going for it IMHO is the ability to get a multi room unit and spread out. But Four Seasons? Comparing DVC to a Four Seasons is like comparing a nice Days Inn to the Poly. Unless you have been in a badly managed Four Seasons.

With the exception of the Amazon Eco Lodge - every single hotel we stayed in during our Peru trip was nicer than any DVC room we've been in. All had bathrobes in the room, good toiletries. One had a four headed shower (honestly, frightening, I don't want that much water!). Two had separate living areas, one had a wood fireplace that staff would light for you. The other two were old mansions in Lima and Cusco - those each had old Peruvian art - not the mass produced hotel art normally in a hotel room (though I would have preferred NOT sleeping under a 17th century Madonna and Child). All included welcome cocktails and breakfast. And the Amazon Eco Lodge was a cabana with a view of the river - but a room that's highlights include a ceiling fan, hammocks, and mosquito netting are not to be compared with the Four Seasons.

 

[Jimmy Geppetto]

And then you try to use the website. RIV is a nice hotel, but comparing DVC to Four Seasons is silly. It's never been on the same level. No concierge, no bathrobes, the bedding, the toiletries, you can't get anyone on the phone. They can't even be bothered to put a Keurig in or give you some laundry soap. DVC is a penny-pinching experience. I'm cool with that, I have a robe in my Owner's Locker, but let's not pretend this is the Four Seasons.

I do think the Poly room service rivals Four Seasons though! Never heard anyone talk about RIV room service, now that I think about it...

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I respectfully disagree, but I’m sure others will value your perspective. Hopefully for others who may also disagree they are freed from their perspective being called “silly”.

 

[sndral]

I like the real Riviera (the one in Europe,) the faux Disney Riviera not so much, thus buying there direct or resale is a no for me. I like my home resorts & generally book them at 11 months & don’t switch at 7 months, so if I loved the DVC Riviera the resale restrictions wouldn’t stop me from buying there.
The DVC Riviera just seems to me like DVC threw a tower up on a small footprint & then put lipstick on that pig & labeled it upscale & it doesn’t feel upscale to me, since others love Riviera’s vibe I’m obviously not DVC’s target market for Riviera, now when VGF2 go on sale, that’ll be a different story & I’ll seriously consider adding some direct points to my VGF points.
I do like the Skyliner & Toppolinos, but if I wanted an Epcot/DHS focused trip I would pick BC or BWV over Riviera, I can easily Skyliner over to Toppolinos from both & I have the choice of boating or walking back to my villa from 2 parks. If I’m at VGF I can walk, boat, or monorail from the MK to my villa. At VGF I can eat at 5 different restaurants (Narcoossees, 1900, GF Cafe, Citricos, V&A-when open) on the grounds or easily get to the restaurants at the Contemporary or the Poly.
The other issue is that I used to love Epcot & want an ‘Epcot’ DVC resort - but Epcot’s such a construction mess right now & likely will be for a long time, so I don’t feel the desire to own near it ATM.