Direct Sales Feb 2025

[Disney_escape]

Highly likely the only reason RIV is not sold out is the pandemic happened. Imagine if it had the 2-3 years where it was the only active WDW resort. Remember
Reflections was going to be the next resort.

Look at some of the numbers when RIV was the only active resort.
July 2019 sales numbers
https://dvcnews.com/dvc-program/financial/news-34867/4548-direct-sales-report-for-july-2019
August 2019 sales numbers https://dvcnews.com/dvc-program/financial/news-34867/4577-direct-sales-report-for-august-2019

I believe RIV opened 4th quarter 2019. First reports of the disease occurred that same quarter. March 2020, WDW parks closed.

Unfortunate timing that no one could have predicted. It may also be the reason Disney cancelled Reflections and opted for VGF2, CFW before VLL, and PVB2.

Also RIV has a lot of points, I think it is almost twice the points of Poly Tower and triple GrndFlo add on.

 

[Sandisw]

Also RIV has a lot of points, I think it is almost twice the points of Poly Tower and triple GrndFlo add on.

I think this sometimes gets a bit forgotten. It’s 6.7 million vs BPk which was about 2,2 million

 

[maui22]

Also RIV has a lot of points, I think it is almost twice the points of Poly Tower and triple GrndFlo add on.

I think this sometimes gets a bit forgotten. It’s 6.7 million vs BPk which was about 2,2 million

This puts RIV at 1 million more points than BLT. I believe it’s also slightly smaller than the entire size of the combined PVB.

BLT was in active sales October 2008-roughly spring 2012. However, DVD shifted incentives toward AKV and SSR around summer 2011 when BLT was
90% sold out. They were content VGC sold out (hindsight 20/20 incentives as low as $85/pt). BLT at $96/pt most of 2009. Even $97/pt during Doorway To Dreams 2010 Black Friday sale. @Amy Krieger and @pkrieger2287 ask Derek (sp?) if he was at the Chicago location during this Black Friday weekend sale? People flew/drove from all over the place to get this deal (only valid that weekend).

We are at roughly 6 years for RIV, but sales were dead for several months in there. I stand by my belief that RIV would be sold out without the pandemic, but it’s only my belief. I am old enough to have used the expression that my opinion and a dime would get you a phone call. (For reference…pay phones used to cost a dime for a phone call).

 

[Sandisw]

This puts RIV at 1 million more points than BLT. I believe it’s also slightly smaller than the entire size of the combined PVB.

BLT was in active sales October 2008-roughly spring 2012. However, DVD shifted incentives toward AKV and SSR around summer 2011 when BLT was
90% sold out. They were content VGC sold out (hindsight 20/20 incentives as low as $85/pt). BLT at $96/pt most of 2009. Even $97/pt during Doorway To Dreams 2010 Black Friday sale. @Amy Krieger and @pkrieger2287 ask Derek (sp?) if he was at the Chicago location during this Black Friday weekend sale? People flew/drove from all over the place to get this deal (only valid that weekend).

We are at roughly 6 years for RIV, but sales were dead for several months in there. I stand by my belief that RIV would be sold out without the pandemic, but it’s only my belief. I am old enough to have used the expression that my opinion and a dime would get you a phone call. (For reference…pay phones used to cost a dime for a phone call).

Its my belief as well. I also have to believe that when DVD decided to go this route, they did expect some impact on how long it might take to sell given that restrictions was a new concept.....

The big question, IMO, has always been what did DVD consider an acceptable slower than average pace to account for it. The fact that we are just about 6 years in and they have not removed them, added them to both VDH and CFW...and I bet they go to VLL....means they are okay with whateverl level of impact they have had.

 

[radiodome21]

I bought 100 points at Poly direct. I already own 150 at VGF. I was looking between Riv and Poly for the 2nd contract. My family loves MK area, as do I l, but I wanted an Epcot area resort as well. I very well might end up buying Riv down the road, My son thought it was a little strange that we bought 2 resorts right next to each other. But they happen to be our 2 most favorite resorts and have studios that can sleep 5. And no restrictions. I’m good with that. For now

 

[maui22]

Without looking at deeds data for several months and examining the actual number of point purchased, we can compare total deeds for February vs March today. Today isn't over, so the county will likely record 0-100 more.

For only Deeds where Disney is the Grantor

• February (1-28) = 1043
• March (1- 28 11:05am) = 999

Knowing the county isn't done recording for the day, those numbers are close enough to indicate no significant changes. Disney should not care about the health of DVC sales, unless the total points sold for deeds dropped. There was a price increase somewhere in February that is showing up in some of these deeds, so DVD may have generated better revenue.

When putting in some different resorts, something seems to have happened. Riviera drop is roughly 25%. CFW numbers are so small, hard to consider the drop to be significant. Looking like minor increases at other properties.
Maybe Disney considers a better incentive for Riviera when current incentives end?

Obviously, county could have not entered something correctly or something else to cause the discrepancy. Could also be 100 more deeds with delayed closing than normal. Could also be 100s of deeds sitting waiting to be recorded. Rest of March data could catch up, but 28 days for February matches the exact days of the week for the first 28 days of March. I think February had a holiday in there for the county. Not sure if March did.

January 1-28 RIV showed 337, but by the end of January it was 389 (29-31 were Tuesday-Thursday so 3 days of county recording data).

	February	March
Riviera	382	283
Polynesian	489	506
CFW (searching with Fort)	58	42
AKV (searching with Animal)	18	38
VGF (searching with Floridian)	16	40
SSR (searching with Saratoga)	27	35

 

[Canchaser143]

I think it all depends on the people purchasing. My wife and I have no children so Riviera really speaks to us.

Things we like about Riviera:

1. Luxurious Rooms
2. Transportation to two theme parks
3. More upscale restaurants than Polynesian
4. Coffee Bar
5. Beautiful paintings
6. History with Walt Disney
7. Lounge area library that seems tucked away and quiet
8. Gelato
9. European upscale resort vibe
10. Less children everywhere than Poly lol


Now we do travel with extended family sometimes (1 teenager and 2 children) and we asked them to choose the hotel we were staying at for our first DVC vacation if were able to book a welcome home stay since we like them all and their faces lit up ,huge grins on their face and all three said Polynesian. They want nothing more than to go to the "Stitch restaurant" and be in Hawaii. If we had children I can guarantee we would buy Poly.

I love RIV for all these reasons and I have two children LOL The monorail resorts are just so crowded and busy! Trying to push a stroller around VGF and Poly was exhausting, felt like MK lol

 

[pkrieger2287]

This puts RIV at 1 million more points than BLT. I believe it’s also slightly smaller than the entire size of the combined PVB.

BLT was in active sales October 2008-roughly spring 2012. However, DVD shifted incentives toward AKV and SSR around summer 2011 when BLT was
90% sold out. They were content VGC sold out (hindsight 20/20 incentives as low as $85/pt). BLT at $96/pt most of 2009. Even $97/pt during Doorway To Dreams 2010 Black Friday sale. @Amy Krieger and @pkrieger2287 ask Derek (sp?) if he was at the Chicago location during this Black Friday weekend sale? People flew/drove from all over the place to get this deal (only valid that weekend).

We are at roughly 6 years for RIV, but sales were dead for several months in there. I stand by my belief that RIV would be sold out without the pandemic, but it’s only my belief. I am old enough to have used the expression that my opinion and a dime would get you a phone call. (For reference…pay phones used to cost a dime for a phone call).

From Derek: "Hahaha yes I was there for that blackFriday …and every sale as I never left the store hahah it was crazy people drove like 7-8 hours to get the deal"

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The analysis of the why's is always fun for those who get into the details of DVC but the group here is really not representative of the targeted buyer. Most who buy know little or nothing about DVC prior to the decision. They buy in the moment of a great trip.

My long standing comment on why one resort is selling better than another other still remains applicable IMO since sales are directed at those who are more spur of the moment buyers - DVC sells what DVC wants to sell. That's it but of course leaves out all the nuances that those who do really investigate DVC and consider their purchases. Having a couple of different ones to steer buyers towards based on what they learn from conversation makes a guides work a bit easier to do I'd guess.

Has anyone been thru a sales presentation recently to know what is being pushed? Is it Poly when touring there and Riviera when touring elsewhere or anything like that?

 

[Brian Noble]

My long standing comment on why one resort is selling better than another other still remains applicable IMO since sales are directed at those who are more spur of the moment buyers - DVC sells what DVC wants to sell.

I agree, 100%. Timeshare is a product that is sold, not bought. It is whatever the Guides, collectively, happen to be pushing at that moment, for whatever reason or no reason at all.

 

[tjkraz]

Friends of our recently engaged a DVC rep at one of the booths. Empty nesters with two children in their early 20s--one married, other in long term relationship.

When recapping the conversation, friends rather innocently said "they suggested we should really look into the Ft Wilderness Cabins." I didn't even get to the point of asking what the logic was behind that. They are not outdoorsy people in any sense of the word, prefer the 4 star hotel experience. Their favorite resorts are ones with easy transportation to theme parks (Poly, Riviera, Pop Century.) Can't think of a resort that's less accommodating for a couple who will soon want flexibility of being able to travel with adult children and grandchildren than the Cabins.

 

[MartyParty]

Always find these threads interesting about what is and isn't selling. I used to think along similar lines but at the end of the day all these resorts will sell out putting monies in Disney's pockets. Even the cabins.

There will be some variation in the budgeted vs actual rate of return but overall my guess is that the returns will actualize as double digits regardless.

 

[Girlstar30]

The analysis of the why's is always fun for those who get into the details of DVC but the group here is really not representative of the targeted buyer. Most who buy know little or nothing about DVC prior to the decision. They buy in the moment of a great trip.

My long standing comment on why one resort is selling better than another other still remains applicable IMO since sales are directed at those who are more spur of the moment buyers - DVC sells what DVC wants to sell. That's it but of course leaves out all the nuances that those who do really investigate DVC and consider their purchases. Having a couple of different ones to steer buyers towards based on what they learn from conversation makes a guides work a bit easier to do I'd guess.

Has anyone been thru a sales presentation recently to know what is being pushed? Is it Poly when touring there and Riviera when touring elsewhere or anything like that?

Well interestingly enough we booked a tour thru a phone call months in advance of us arriving. We were very clear that we were serious buyers that already decided to become members and we were staying at 5 different dvc resorts with the purpose to decide which one we wanted to be our home resort. They picked us up at our hotel in a van and took us to FW, but after us looking around the cabin quickly and sitting and talking, there was more of a push to take us to the other resorts.

I mentioned that on this trip, BLT was my favorite place we stayed at and we are leaning towards purchasing there and he told me that it was basically very expensive at $275 a point and subject changed. Ofc resale wasn't mentioned I also said we loved AKV and that was encouraged and pricing sent thru email.

Polyneisan island tower was pushed most heavily imo they took us there first after the initial cabin meeting and there were tons of people touring, we had to wait to see the rooms because of all the guides ahead of us. Also I believe there was some kind of open house for members so there was a lot of influencers with heavy equipment filming and narrarating and taking down the Murphy bed which was super annoying the availability of DVC guides on hand to take people to tour the rooms was plentiful at the kiosk at PIT. In contrast, We returned to Riviera after our guide took us and there was no one on hand to take us to see a room again at the kiosk. We even hung around and no one came. Definitely not the case at Poly when we returned someone happily took us.

I think they go off vibes because I told the guide poly was too crowded and at the time when I didn't know much about resale restrictions I told him I didn't like how it was part of poly og and expiring sooner, I thought that was a way to rip us off of more years So conversation turned towards Riviera and taking us there. I still think it wasn't pushed as hard but when he saw my interest he rode with that. After I found out about restrictions and told him my concerns it was back to why pit really would be the best choice for us. No push for FW at all.

 

[MartyParty]

Well interestingly enough we booked a tour thru a phone call months in advance of us arriving. We were very clear that we were serious buyers that already decided to become members and we were staying at 5 different dvc resorts with the purpose to decide which one we wanted to be our home resort. They picked us up at our hotel in a van and took us to FW, but after us looking around the cabin quickly and sitting and talking, there was more of a push to take us to the other resorts.

I mentioned that on this trip, BLT was my favorite place we stayed at and we are leaning towards purchasing there and he told me that it was basically very expensive at $275 a point and subject changed. Ofc resale wasn't mentioned I also said we loved AKV and that was encouraged and pricing sent thru email.

Polyneisan island tower was pushed most heavily imo they took us there first after the initial cabin meeting and there were tons of people touring, we had to wait to see the rooms because of all the guides ahead of us. Also I believe there was some kind of open house for members so there was a lot of influencers with heavy equipment filming and narrarating and taking down the Murphy bed which was super annoying the availability of DVC guides on hand to take people to tour the rooms was plentiful at the kiosk at PIT. In contrast, We returned to Riviera after our guide took us and there was no one on hand to take us to see a room again at the kiosk. We even hung around and no one came. Definitely not the case at Poly when we returned someone happily took us.

I think they go off vibes because I told the guide poly was too crowded and at the time when I didn't know much about resale restrictions I told him I didn't like how it was part of poly og and expiring sooner, I thought that was a way to rip us off of more years So conversation turned towards Riviera and taking us there. I still think it wasn't pushed as hard but when he saw my interest he rode with that. After I found out about restrictions and told him my concerns it was back to why pit really would be the best choice for us. No push for FW at all.

And the winner was? Which one did or are you going to buy? : )

 

[Girlstar30]

And the winner was? Which one did or are you going to buy? : )

Bought blt and akv resale. Was totally sold on riv until now we realize that with the points we have we actually can stay at pit theme park view with no issue and seeing those pictures people has posted has got us thinking

I am currently piecing together a Polynesian island tower stay in September and we already have riv booked. I think the smart thing to do would be to stay at both and then decide since we already have the points we need.

And then when I think I have that all figured out, a little voice in the back of my head reminds me that I can purchase 330 points Saratoga SAP resale for the same price as 150 points direct and ride off into the wind with nicer rooms and longer stays with family with the ability to sell points whenever I want to stay at newer resorts.

But then the devil on my shoulder tells me I'll never get to experience moonlight madness or a member cruise. And so the cycle continues and my guide thinks I'm insane

 

[supercarrie]

Just got off the Wish this morning and they were pushing Poly the most, although the Cabins did get a mention in the Member Celebration game show.

We checked into the Cabins today and for the points this cost, I am quite happy. FW seems great for a resorts focused trip (it is nice to have some quiet after the chaos of the Wish during a sold out spring break weekend). I would not like to stay here on a typical parks-heavy trip, and I have already formed this opinion after we have only been here all of two hours. We also rented a golf cart and already are grateful we did.

The cabin itself has multiple ads for the Cabins inside (one in both the living room and bedroom).

 

[VGCgroupie]

Just got off the Wish this morning and they were pushing Poly the most, although the Cabins did get a mention in the Member Celebration game show.

We checked into the Cabins today and for the points this cost, I am quite happy. FW seems great for a resorts focused trip (it is nice to have some quiet after the chaos of the Wish during a sold out spring break weekend). I would not like to stay here on a typical parks-heavy trip, and I have already formed this opinion after we have only been here all of two hours. We also rented a golf cart and already are grateful we did.

The cabin itself has multiple ads for the Cabins inside (one in both the living room and bedroom).

Any special cruise pricing?

I just booked our 1st cruise on the Wish

 

[supercarrie]

Any special cruise pricing?

I just booked our 1st cruise on the Wish

Nope, just a tote bag if you added on during the cruise.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Nope, just a tote bag if you added on during the cruise.

Hopefully thats all they offer when I cruise. I can resist a tote bag.

 

[MartyParty]

Bought blt and akv resale. Was totally sold on riv until now we realize that with the points we have we actually can stay at pit theme park view with no issue and seeing those pictures people has posted has got us thinking

I am currently piecing together a Polynesian island tower stay in September and we already have riv booked. I think the smart thing to do would be to stay at both and then decide since we already have the points we need.

And then when I think I have that all figured out, a little voice in the back of my head reminds me that I can purchase 330 points Saratoga SAP resale for the same price as 150 points direct and ride off into the wind with nicer rooms and longer stays with family with the ability to sell points whenever I want to stay at newer resorts.

But then the devil on my shoulder tells me I'll never get to experience moonlight madness or a member cruise. And so the cycle continues and my guide thinks I'm insane

Nice! BLT and AKV resale are fantastic! Congrats and welcome home. And good luck on shopping for more welcome home points.