deliberating D-I-R-E-C-T purchase (Sept 29, 2021)

[Frugal Fairy Tales]

What did you end up doing? Did they have any 2020 points available or do you have to wait until tomorrow?

So far, I've decided to sit tight and be happy with the points I already have and do nothing and not spend a dime.

 

[Frugal Fairy Tales]

...until the addonitis returns!

 

[sethschroeder]

Many practising this policy actually prefer the 1 beds, and think the dues are well worth the extra space.

That's fine but it's a complete change.

If someone wants a 1BR all the time go for it but many who ask here are not looking to stay in 1BR and it's not that hard to get studios if you want them at 11 months outside of CCV certain times of the year.

Someone concerned can walk their studio a few days.

Theres nothing stopping anyone with 1 bed points booking a studio if they want one and get one, and then renting out the rest of the points to cover all dues.

Except not owning there is making it more likely you won't get a studio and there is another layer of complexity having to rent out left over points.

Additionally long term when SSR is worthless the other resorts will still have value left likely enough to recover whatever additional cost there was to have just purchased at your primary resort to start with.

Taking MF math from 2021 means by 2054 your VGF points would have saved you about $10/point and your contract would still have another 10 years left (likely worth more than whatever the SSR vs VGF gap in price is today).

Even if you sold in 2044 your VGF with 20 years left will likely have widened in price.

Plus you get 20/30/40 years of more simplistic booking as opposed to waiting until 7 months to left to lock in your actual dates (if you don't end up stuck at SSR)

 

[macman123]

...until the addonitis returns!

Thats what happened to me.

I wanted 555 and that was it.

I now have 2995 in less than 18 months

 

[Frugal Fairy Tales]

Honestly, I think you might have a problem. A good problem, but a problem

 

[scoobdoo]

Riviera Direct or Boardwalk Resale I wouldn't buy Boardwalk direct.

Agree. Absolutely RIV direct every single time.

 

[Frugal Fairy Tales]

Agree. Absolutely RIV direct every single time.

Thanks. Why Riviera? Convince me

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks. Why Riviera? Convince me

48 years for less money than 20 years. If you're buying with your head, nothing else needs to be said.

If you're buying with your heart, then do whatever you want and don't expect someone to convince you otherwise.

 

[sethschroeder]

Thanks. Why Riviera? Convince me

• Epcot resort (being next to the best food options and all the festivals and evening food options)
• 48 years means lower cost per point long term (in 2042/54/57 do you want to buy a new contract at then current prices just when the "deal" is kicking in)
• Top 3 in room size for Studios, 1BRs, 2BRs
• Dedicated 2BR which BWV does not have
• Properly balanced resort for room categories (no Cabins, Bungalows point pits)
• Epcot firework views
• DVC only resort (I was back and forth on it but it means Disney can't saddle DVC owners with issues from the hotel side)
• Condensed resort (not spread out like AKV, OKW OR not requirement to go outside between buildings like POLY)
• Last time I was there I really like the CBR walking trails which were quite and relaxing
• Food can change but best QS at a resort (IMO), one of the better sit downs, and next to CBR which seems to consistently be top rated for food among moderates (meaning lower priced options)
• Connected by skyliner to Boardwalk area so you can still get access easily to this area
• Back door entrance to Epcot (love being at BWV, RIV, or BCV so you are not going through the main entrance at EPCOT)
• Math has changed but when I compared adding on more points at BWV vs RIV there wasn't that much of a difference in total cost of a stay long term and the contract was much longer making up for that small difference (do your own math though since I bought RIV at $155)

You have some things like MFs which are higher but will likely come more in line. Additionally up in the air how often Skyliner goes down during Thunderstorm season (which is low season for DVC so its easier to book elsewhere in summer anyways).

There is the resale restrictions though so long term the resale value will be suppressed some. It also means you are unlikely to ever buy resale points to add to your direct points if you want the same flexibility.

If you plan on selling at some point then RIV might not be the right option but if you plan on holding 30/40/50 years then RIV might be the right fit for you.

 

[davidl81]

• Epcot resort (being next to the best food options and all the festivals and evening food options)
• 48 years means lower cost per point long term (in 2042/54/57 do you want to buy a new contract at then current prices just when the "deal" is kicking in)

I think you make pretty valid points for RIV, but I would say that to an extent length of contract can get overvalued to an extent. I personally would not buy a 2042 contract right now unless it was a steal, but a 2054/57 contract is still 30+ years into the future. I highly doubt that I will care at all about the value of my timeshare resale at that point in my life (FWIW I'm 40 so if you are 25 it could change things). I am not saying you are wrong, and compared to any 2042 resort I think RIV is a better value.

But if I was buying direct right now I would at least wait to see what VGF2 is priced at. If Disney does what it historically always done and prices VGF2 at the same base price as RIV then you may want to consider it. If it prices VGF2 out of this world then no big deal.

 

[sethschroeder]

2054/57 contract is still 30+ years into the future

Which is almost worse. It likely wont have a ton of resale value when kids are getting out of high school/college but will expire right before you get to retirement when many would likely be going to Disney more.

Thats just my personal take and why I didn't have an issue with 2042 or RIV.

 

[davidl81]

Which is almost worse. It likely wont have a ton of resale value when kids are getting out of high school/college but will expire right before you get to retirement when many would likely be going to Disney more.

Thats just my personal take and why I didn't have an issue with 2042 or RIV.

I’ll be 73 when my SSR contracts expire. I’m fairly confident I’ll have no concern about my dvc resale value at that point

 

[sethschroeder]

I’ll be 73 when my SSR contracts expire. I’m fairly confident I’ll have no concern about my dvc resale value at that point

That is in my mind when I likely have grandkids in the 5-12 year old age though.

Again just doesn't align to me to myself.

 

[brazzledazzler]

• Epcot resort (being next to the best food options and all the festivals and evening food options)
• 48 years means lower cost per point long term (in 2042/54/57 do you want to buy a new contract at then current prices just when the "deal" is kicking in)
• Top 3 in room size for Studios, 1BRs, 2BRs
• Dedicated 2BR which BWV does not have
• Properly balanced resort for room categories (no Cabins, Bungalows point pits)
• Epcot firework views
• DVC only resort (I was back and forth on it but it means Disney can't saddle DVC owners with issues from the hotel side)
• Condensed resort (not spread out like AKV, OKW OR not requirement to go outside between buildings like POLY)
• Last time I was there I really like the CBR walking trails which were quite and relaxing
• Food can change but best QS at a resort (IMO), one of the better sit downs, and next to CBR which seems to consistently be top rated for food among moderates (meaning lower priced options)
• Connected by skyliner to Boardwalk area so you can still get access easily to this area
• Back door entrance to Epcot (love being at BWV, RIV, or BCV so you are not going through the main entrance at EPCOT)
• Math has changed but when I compared adding on more points at BWV vs RIV there wasn't that much of a difference in total cost of a stay long term and the contract was much longer making up for that small difference (do your own math though since I bought RIV at $155)

You have some things like MFs which are higher but will likely come more in line. Additionally up in the air how often Skyliner goes down during Thunderstorm season (which is low season for DVC so its easier to book elsewhere in summer anyways).

There is the resale restrictions though so long term the resale value will be suppressed some. It also means you are unlikely to ever buy resale points to add to your direct points if you want the same flexibility.

If you plan on selling at some point then RIV might not be the right option but if you plan on holding 30/40/50 years then RIV might be the right fit for you.

I’m even more convinced we made a great choice buying at RIV! Great points.

I can’t wait until we actually stay there in February!

 

[sethschroeder]

I can’t wait until we actually stay there in February!

I will warm it up for you in January.

I think the reason things are a little sour towards RIV is because of the resale restrictions and the point charts are a tad high for some.

 

[brazzledazzler]

I’ll be 73 when my SSR contracts expire. I’m fairly confident I’ll have no concern about my dvc resale value at that point

My parents are 70 and just bought their first DVC contract! So…you never know!

 

[brazzledazzler]

I will warm it up for you in January.

I think the reason things are a little sour towards RIV is because of the resale restrictions and the point charts are a tad high for some.

You struck the nail on the head. I think the resale restrictions already put a sour taste in the mouth of some.

We didn’t really think much about the point charts when we bought. We love the resort and bought enough points for our needs at RIV. The fact that we can easily book SV studios makes a big difference to us.

Enjoy a January visit, neighbor! We are staying at BRV in January, but wish it was RIV, since everyone keeps complaining about how desperately it needs a refurb. Oh well!

 

[The Jackal]

I will warm it up for you in January.

I think the reason things are a little sour towards RIV is because of the resale restrictions and the point charts are a tad high for some.

Sky High MF’s, late start times for Skyliner for those who rope drop ( not sure if this has been resolved).

 

[sethschroeder]

Sky High MF’s, late start times for Skyliner for those who rope drop ( not sure if this has been resolved).

Below OKW and possibly AKV + BRV this year.

MFs go towards the resort so all higher MFs mean is higher input in to the resort in the end. Its even better for DVC stand along resorts because you don't need to worry as much about the Disney Cash side stealing the money since its all run by DVC.

Skyliner should start running about 1hr before early entry. Flip side I was at AKV (even before the pandemic) and was sitting out there from 1hr 30 mins before MK opening never saw a bus until 30 mins before opening (which means we missed park opening). You will want to walk to the CBR station though if you are trying to get a jump on the day for HS though to avoid the lines. Who knows though, things change, and if you don't get there early complain because its the only way things change.

Have to say though most rope drops for the week will be at MK and AK. I am at RIV so I have easy access to Epcot in the evening (never even go there first during the any day).