Disney Riviera Resort

[MickeyMinnieMom]

If it's a good restaurant and I agree with the pricing, and we can go there-we will.

More so if it's exclusive to DVC members and/or those staying at DRR, though? That exclusivity would be an extra draw? That's the part I don't see.

But I agree on that about any restaurant, for sure.

 

[jade1]

More so if it's exclusive to DVC members and/or those staying at DRR, though? That exclusivity would be an extra draw? That's the part I don't see.

But I agree on that about any restaurant, for sure.

Completely irrelevant, if its good and we are allowed-we will go.

Now if somebody said it will be so packed you need to reserve at 6 months because "everyone" can use it and wants it, or 2) its always available even "night of" because its exclusive-that would make a difference.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Completely irrelevant, if its good and we are allowed-we will go.

Now if somebody said it will be so packed you need to reserve at 6 months because "everyone" can use it and wants it, or 2) its always available even "night of" because its exclusive-that would make a difference.

Got it. But if this was true, that would not be what Disney would want... part of why I don't think it makes the most business sense.

 

[jade1]

Got it. But if this was true, that would not be what Disney would want... part of why I don't think it makes the most business sense.

Agreed. They want C Grill busy probably. I would love C Grill avail every night though.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Agreed. They want C Grill busy probably. I would love C Grill avail every night though.

If it was California grille 15 years ago...sadly it fell victim to that "thing" like the others did with a "new menu" a few years ago.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

No, I said small contracts sell for more. This practice starting surfacing later as it became clear on the demand. I did not mention size on retail contracts-just that they were in the 40's and 50's (which you didn't believe) and now worth double.

Regardless, $44 for 190 BCV points just 5 years ago? Heck the 270 point BCV for 62.50 is an amazing deal (all of those are actually).

More power to you...I don't think you'll see that kind of firesale again. Can't get those these days.

Again...if anyone wants to sell me boardwalk or beach club for $50 a point...I'll pay fast...I'll even tell jokes and play the spoons for you if you want...

 

[Madonna3]

More power to you...I don't think you'll see that kind of firesale again. Can't get those these days.

Again...if anyone wants to sell me boardwalk or beach club for $50 a point...I'll pay fast...I'll even tell jokes and play the spoons for you if you want...

I'll fight ya for it

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I'll fight ya for it

Be careful...I'll pull hair, scratch, fake cry to create a diversion, etc...

 

[Madonna3]

Again -- if they have something exclusive wrt the gondola that is feasible (like some sort of "express gondola" to the parks from DRR), that would seem more of a selling point to me. And most of the cost there seems up front, so the economics seems more feasible (rather than having to constantly keep a restaurant booked). But perhaps the economics don't work out on the gondola idea either... or maybe it's not even feasible -- I'm totally ignorant on gondola feasibility.

They have the "express" monorail and that's not so great, so I doubt an express gondola is going to be any better. So the gondola access will be played up for sure, but I don't think it's going to be enough. There has to be something about the resort that makes people feel "special".

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

They have the "express" monorail and that's not so great, so I doubt an express gondola is going to be any better. So the gondola access will be played up for sure, but I don't think it's going to be enough. There has to be something about the resort that makes people feel "special".

The monorail might not be so great, but you only have to look at rack rates to see that they charge a premium for monorail MK resorts over non-monorail MK resorts. So, the monorail is proven to be something people will pay extra for.

I go back to there being no model that I'm aware of that suggests people will pay extra for exclusive access to restaurants/stores. If Four Seasons, Ritz, et al thought they'd rake in the dough, they'd be doing it.

Our tiny sample size in this thread hasn't said they'd actually be will to plunk down more $$ when it really comes down to it. They'd LIKE IT, but no one that I've heard willing to pay more for it yet (even those liking those posts) -- unless I missed them (totally possible).

And again... even the gondola thing comes with my disclaimer that it has to be AWESOME and efficient.

That said, I can't be the only one who likes to avoid buses like the plague while on vacation. Thus them building this gondola and adding the Minnie vans, I suspect. Anything is better than a bus to me, so I'd pay SOME premium... the question is how much.

And this all assumes a good TS onsite, etc -- all that other stuff I've rattled off a couple of times now.

 

[preemiemama]

The monorail might not be so great, but you only have to look at rack rates to see that they charge a premium for monorail MK resorts over non-monorail MK resorts. So, the monorail is proven to be something people will be extra for.

I go back to there being no model that I'm aware of that suggests people will pay extra for exclusive access to restaurants/stores. If Four Seasons, Ritz, et al thought they'd rake in the dough, they'd be doing it.

Our tiny sample size in this thread hasn't said they'd actually be will to plunk down more $$ when it really comes down to it. They'd LIKE IT, but no one that I've heard willing to pay more for it yet (even those liking those posts) -- unless I missed them (totally possible).

And again... even the gondola thing comes with my disclaimer that it has to be AWESOME and efficient.

That said, I can't be the only one who likes to avoid buses like the plague while on vacation. This them building this gondola and adding the Minnie vans, I suspect. Anything is better than a bus to me, so I'd pay SOME premium... the question is how much.

And this all assumes a good TS onsite, etc -- all that other stuff I've rattled off a couple of times now.

True, I would not personally pay extra for exclusivity, but I am a pretty frugal consumer in daily life as well. I am not doing anything without research and consideration. I may not be the target audience for this resort.

I agree that if people are willing to pay for the monorail access, there will be some who would pay for gondola access as well. In fact, I believe this is what Disney is banking on. While I would be enticed to stay at DRR if @Madonna3 's idea were to happen- or even the "bargain club level" idea did, I don't think either will because I'm convinced that Disney is still on their kick of trying to "trick" those of us who don't know any better into thinking we are getting something we're not. Case in point is the refurb at Pop. A brighter room, a bed that folds away, and "the first queen sized beds at a value resort". Now *that* is worth paying $200/night for. Just wait until the gondola access begins...

 

[Madonna3]

The monorail might not be so great, but you only have to look at rack rates to see that they charge a premium for monorail MK resorts over non-monorail MK resorts. So, the monorail is proven to be something people will be extra for.

I go back to there being no model that I'm aware of that suggests people will pay extra for exclusive access to restaurants/stores. If Four Seasons, Ritz, et al thought they'd rake in the dough, they'd be doing it.

Our tiny sample size in this thread hasn't said they'd actually be will to plunk down more $$ when it really comes down to it. They'd LIKE IT, but no one that I've heard willing to pay more for it yet (even those liking those posts) -- unless I missed them (totally possible).

And again... even the gondola thing comes with my disclaimer that it has to be AWESOME and efficient.

That said, I can't be the only one who likes to avoid buses like the plague while on vacation. This them building this gondola and adding the Minnie vans, I suspect. Anything is better than a bus to me, so I'd pay SOME premium... the question is how much.

And this all assumes a good TS onsite, etc -- all that other stuff I've rattled off a couple of times now.

Wrong argument. We're not asking if people would plunk down MORE money, we're asking them if they would make the initial investment to DRR IF this were something that was a perk.

You're bringing up a good point with the Minnie Vans, but you're also proving my point. Minnie Vans are $20 for up to 6 people. It's exclusive. You get to where you want to go and no one else. People are paying to avoid the crowds. I think DRR definitely will have some type of exclusive hook.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Wrong argument. We're not asking if people would plunk down MORE money, we're asking them if they would make the initial investment to DRR IF this were something that was a perk.

I think you're wrong about this, by definition of the proposition and how Disney (any business) functions. IF Disney provides it, they WILL charge more for it than if they DID NOT provide it. Unless you're saying they'll provide exclusive access to restaurants/resorts -- risking potential profit -- and NOT pass that risk onto buyers? I'm not the most cynical person on here by a stretch, but I don't see them offering that -- risking that -- for free. Do you?

You're bringing up a good point with the Minnie Vans, but you're also proving my point. Minnie Vans are $20 for up to 6 people. It's exclusive. You get to where you want to go and no one else. People are paying to avoid the crowds. I think DRR definitely will have some type of exclusive hook.

A Minnie Van that anyone can spring for if they REALLY want to is not an exclusive experience a la exclusive restaurants/shops -- it just isn't. It's Uber with a paint job -- that's not exclusive. Disney is "borrowing" a proven business model and replicating it. Totally different animal -- for them and for the consumer.

 

[Madonna3]

I think you're wrong about this, by definition of the proposition and how Disney (any business) functions. IF Disney provides it, they WILL charge more for it than if they DID NOT provide it. Unless you're saying they'll provide exclusive access to restaurants/resorts -- risking potential profit -- and NOT pass that risk onto buyers? I'm not the most cynical person on here by a stretch, but I don't see them offering that -- risking that -- for free. Do you?


A Minnie Van that anyone can spring for if they REALLY want to is not an exclusive experience a la exclusive restaurant shops -- it just isn't. It's Uber with a paint job -- that's not exclusive.

I just want to clarify that when I say exclusive, I mean exclusive to the resort or DVC membership. Meaning, anyone who pays to stay at DRR, whether it be cash or points, is part of the club as long as they're there. (edit to clarify, the restaurants shops would always be open to DVC members even if not staying at DRR) So just like anyone can buy a Minnie ride, anyone can stay at DRR.

And the argument of Disney won't do it because others don't do it, doesn't hold water. Disney creates its own business model. There's already an example of exclusive restaurants called Club 33. Anyone can join, if they pay. Same thing.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I just want to clarify that when I say exclusive, I mean exclusive to the resort or DVC membership. Meaning, anyone who pays to stay at DRR, whether it be cash or points, is part of the club as long as they're there. So just like anyone can buy a Minnie ride, anyone can stay at DRR.

I got ya'! I still think that to offer such an exclusive -- and take the obvious risk of keeping a restaurant full and shops profitable exclusively with DVC Members / DRR guests -- Disney will pass that risk (i.e. increased cost) onto consumers. In other words, if you want it, you WILL have to pay for it.

And so far no one in our tiny sample on here seems willing to pay for it. I'd suspect that would be true with a wider sample -- again, primarily because this isn't a model that exists.

I don't buy that there's money to be made with exclusive restaurants/shops and NO ONE industry-wide has figured it out. Not credible.

ETA: If they stick Club 33 from DL at the top of DRR (literally move it), you may have something. That has cachet built up for YEARS that no restaurant placed here will have.

 

[jsrowdon]

I doubt they would make the whole resort exclusive to DVC members but I might could see them making just the restaurant. Gives them one more marketing tool to use to sell it and it is basically no risk to them, if it is not profitable then cover the loses with dues. Once the resort sells out and they don't need the hook they open it up to everyone.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

True, I would not personally pay extra for exclusivity, but I am a pretty frugal consumer in daily life as well. I am not doing anything without research and consideration. I may not be the target audience for this resort.

For the sake of balance, I would say that our household is not as frugal, and we would pay $0 to dine next to ONLY DVC members and DRR guests. $0. We are a sample size of two -- dispositive!! I rest my case!

 

[Madonna3]

I got ya'! I still think that to offer such an exclusive -- and take the obvious risk of keeping a restaurant full and shops profitable exclusively with DVC Members / DRR guests -- Disney will pass that risk (i.e. increased cost) onto consumers. In other words, if you want it, you WILL have to pay for it.

And so far no one in our tiny sample on here seems willing to pay for it. I'd suspect that would be true with a wider sample -- again, primarily because this isn't a model that exists.

I don't buy that there's money to be made with exclusive restaurants/shops and NO ONE industry-wide has figured it out. Not credible.

Ok I get what you're saying with that argument, but here's the thing: how are they paying more? To establish that, we have to establish what points would be worth at DRR and what the initial offering us. They need to keep the points selling at a certain price point, correct? Otherwise, DRR points aren't as "valuable" as other DVC points.

Good example: I own at VGF. If I use my points to stay at SSR, I have not made a wise investment. I have paid "more" to stay at SSR because my VGF points cost more than points at SSR. So, to keep valuation fixed, they have to offer DRR points at a certain level. They can't offer them less than Copper Creek. It has to be at least at that level. So, now, we need to value DRR at $176/pp at least. If we don't then we cheapen the resort and no one buys. So, what's going to make people willing to pay $176 per point?

 

[Madonna3]

For the sake of balance, I would say that our household is not as frugal, and we would pay $0 to dine next to ONLY DVC members and DRR guests. $0. We are a sample size of two -- dispositive!! I rest my case!

We're a family of 4. If DRR was designed like Copper Creek, offered the same, if not better amenities, and offered me exclusivity, I'd buy it.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I doubt they would make the whole resort exclusive to DVC members but I might could see them making just the restaurant. Gives them one more marketing tool to use to sell it and it is basically no risk to them, if it is not profitable then cover the loses with dues. Once the resort sells out and they don't need the hook they open it up to everyone.

They would be taking a risk here -- risk of keeping a restaurant booked 365 days a year with a drastically reduced market.

This is still them taking a loss -- why would they do that?