Disney Riviera Resort

[lockedoutlogic]

I don't think the gondola system will stink (unless there is no AC, then it literally will).

But will it be better than walking to EPCOT?

What about to MK? The gondola wont be going there (maybe it will one day?).

And you can gondola back to POP. It's not some exclusive perk.

I guess the value of the gondola is more than I'm giving it.

I just don't get it. But apparently people are willing to buy a DVC with a themed pool and a gondola. Good for WDW's bottom line.

But I still have concerns that a shared gondola with POP will be enough to keep people booking there down the road.

I won't know til I'm 40, but initially I'm extremely skeptical.

On the bright side, if my concerns turn out to be valid, people will be scooping up more $40-50 pp resale contracts.....

I think the gondola will be "exclusive" because they will price them into exclusive.

This will result in massive rate increases for 7 different hotels...by my count. And the route of the gondola conveniently puts it in a useless spot for the swan and dolphin...almost like they planned it.

Just my hunch.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I don't think the gondola system will stink (unless there is no AC, then it literally will).

But will it be better than walking to EPCOT?

What about to MK? The gondola wont be going there (maybe it will one day?).

And you can gondola back to POP. It's not some exclusive perk.

I guess the value of the gondola is more than I'm giving it.

I just don't get it. But apparently people are willing to buy a DVC with a themed pool and a gondola. Good for WDW's bottom line.

But I still have concerns that a shared gondola with POP will be enough to keep people booking there down the road.

I won't know til I'm 40, but initially I'm extremely skeptical.

On the bright side, if my concerns turn out to be valid, people will be scooping up more $40-50 pp resale contracts.....

I have doubts about the gondola system and how many people will be using it as well. That's why I'm saying it'll be REALLY IMPORTANT for them to get that right.

I've said before: if there's a walking path to Epcot, WAY better. My #1 thing is proximity to parks with walking distance a HUGE plus. But gondola to/from 2 parks -- IF EFFICIENT AND A/C -- would be WAY BETTER than buses to me. A bus is a last resort to me when I'm on vacation.

And honestly, I couldn't care less if the gondola perk is not "exclusive" to DRR -- UNLESS it can't handle the volume from POP. It's a purely practical point for me.

 

[dlavender]

I have doubts about the gondola system and how many people will be using it as well. That's why I'm saying it'll be REALLY IMPORTANT for them to get that right.

I've said before: if there's a walking path to Epcot, WAY better. My #1 thing is proximity to parks with walking distance a HUGE plus. But gondola to/from 2 parks -- IF EFFICIENT AND A/C -- would be WAY BETTER than buses to me. A bus is a last resort to me when I'm on vacation.

And honestly, I couldn't care less if the gondola perk is not "exclusive" to DRR -- UNLESS it can't handle the volume from POP. It's a purely practical point for me.

That's why I bring up the walking point.

Can't you walk to two parks from BC/BW?

And as stated ad nauseam, BW as the boardwalk, BC has stormalong. What can they give CBR Villas Riviera to compare?

That will be the real question. Because transportation is at best a push.

 

[dlavender]

I think the gondola will be "exclusive" because they will price them into exclusive.

This will result in massive rate increases for 7 different hotels...by my count. And the route of the gondola conveniently puts it in a useless spot for the swan and dolphin...almost like they planned it.

Just my hunch.

I just know I'd have a hard time justifying cost if I'm using the gondola as my gauge.

Can't say, "well, It's worth $350/night since we can gondola over there" when you can do the exact same for $140/night.

I know, I'm still dreaming with those prices.........

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

That's why I bring up the walking point.

Can't you walk to two parks from BC/BW?

YES BUT THEY ARE TOO TINY!!

Have you ever tried to book one at 7mos for F&W?! This adds capacity to that general area. Not just-as-good-as-BC-BW capacity, but still capacity... IF the gondola doesn't stink (literally or figuratively).

And PS: I couldn't care less about stormalong bay. Stayed there once. Meh. And the clown at the BW pool is CREE-PY. Not my thing.

 

[dlavender]

YES BUT THEY ARE TOO TINY!!

Have you ever tried to book one at 7mos for F&W?! This adds capacity to that general area. Not just-as-good-as-BC-BW capacity, but still capacity... IF the gondola doesn't stink (literally or figuratively).

And PS: I couldn't care less about stormalong bay. Stayed there once. Meh. And the clown at the BW pool is CREE-PY. Not my thing.

I guess capacity is where I'm seeing the problem in the later years.

If CBR Villas Riviera doesn't have a stormalong/boardwalk type hook, wont they be looking at trying to use their points at BW/BC?

Doesn't that make the problem worse?

And if they cant get it either, and don't like staying at their shiny new resort anymore since the shininess is gone, and start dumping their contracts......

But it'll be fine, everyone will love it.

People will retire on DVC points alone

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

CBR Villas Riviera

Dude - "live in the now!!!" It's DRR.

I guess capacity is where I'm seeing the problem in the later years.

If CBR Villas Riviera doesn't have a stormalong/boardwalk type hook, wont they be looking at trying to use their points at BW/BC?

Doesn't that make the problem worse?

And if they cant get it either, and don't like staying at their shiny new resort anymore since the shininess is gone, and start dumping their contracts......

But it'll be fine, everyone will love it.

People will retire on DVC points alone

I think this presumes that the following are either not at DRR, or are not appealing enough to keep DRR buyers coming back to DRR:

• Wiz-bang-fantastic gondola access to 2 parks
• Beautiful resort with excellent views available
• Rooftop dining and views of fireworks
• Good-enough-pool (whatever that is to people -- I don't care at all about that)

And FYI, at many times of year there is already nothing available at BW and BC at 7 mos. -- not entirely sure how much "worse" that can be made.

 

[dlavender]

Dude - "live in the now!!!" It's DRR.


I think this presumes that the following are either not at DRR, or are not appealing enough to keep DRR buyers coming back to DRR:

• Wiz-bang-fantastic gondola access to 2 parks
• Beautiful resort with excellent views available
• Rooftop dining and views of fireworks
• Good-enough-pool (whatever that is to people -- I don't care at all about that)

And FYI, at many times of year there is already nothing available at BW and BC at 7 mos. -- not entirely sure how much "worse" that can be made.

In a vacuum all those things may be true.

Perhaps I'm being too analytical. But when I compare those bullet points property wide, they don't stack up against the field.

That to me is the problem. But perhaps its just me.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

In a vacuum all those things may be true.

Perhaps I'm being too analytical. But when I compare those bullet points property wide, they don't stack up against the field.

That to me is the problem. But perhaps its just me.

You can't out-analytical me -- sorry. This is not a case of being analytical or not -- it's a case of this being SUBJECTIVE. What I value may not be what you value. I would ditch a nice pool for a high-rise view ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. That sort of thing.

Presumably the kings-of-market-research think there is demand; I think they learned from SSR. Guess we'll see!!

ETA: I think it's important to remember that "the field" in that neighborhood is TOO CROWDED. This adds capacity. Not 1:1 capacity, but still better than not adding, IMO. Again -- if done "right".

 

[lockedoutlogic]

YES BUT THEY ARE TOO TINY!!

Have you ever tried to book one at 7mos for F&W?! This adds capacity to that general area. Not just-as-good-as-BC-BW capacity, but still capacity... IF the gondola doesn't stink (literally or figuratively).

And PS: I couldn't care less about stormalong bay. Stayed there once. Meh. And the clown at the BW pool is CREE-PY. Not my thing.

According to jade...you don't know how to use it right...that's not even an issue.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

According to jade...you don't know how to use it right...that's not even an issue.

Depends on time of year. Try F&W as an example. Nearly impossible. Unless I really am DVC-incompetant. Can't rule it out.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Depends on time of year. Try F&W as an example. Nearly impossible. Unless I really am DVC-incompetant. Can't rule it out.

Again...I was told that's not an issue...contrary to personal experience, employment experience, and general common sense..:

You must not be trying hard enough

 

[Andrew015]

There's lots of assumptions being made on both sides of the argument. "We've concluded demand will be strong..." A heck of a lot depends on that: is it truly separated from CBR, is it built with the necessary amenities, what is the price per point, point cost per night, will the gondola be the transportation savior that we are hoping for... If any one of these is not spot on, there could be big trouble in little Port Royale.

I truly am hoping for the best - a strong DVC is good for all of us as owners. Some feel that Disney can do no wrong and believe that whatever they put out into the market will be a success simply because of the name behind the product. I worry that short-sighted management might be doing what's right for this quarter's stock price, but at the risk of the future health of the program. Again, I hope for the best, but am cautiously optimistic knowing that the bean counters are calling the shots. A tremendous amount of capex has recently been announced in the past few weeks. As these projects drag on for the next 3-4 years, what happens when there's a slow quarter? What if the economy slips? Budgets are cut and shortcuts are taken. We're still a little foggy from the pixie dust of the new announcement and the pretty concept art, but we'll just have to see how this plays out over time. Fingers are crossed here.

If this does happen as planned and they truly hit the mark: we get a true deluxe, it justifies the asking price and everyone and their DVC brother is dying to stay in the Caribbean... Great for existing owners, but bad news for non-owners who are footing the bill for the increased prices at CBR, Pop and other gondola-adjacent resorts. And when they ask you to pay for resort parking on top of that, middle America vacationing to Disney continues to become a little more of a pipe dream with each passing day. I can live with price increases when you're getting something for the premium - and lots of good stuff will be coming down the pipe. What's hard to swallow is that we've been paying premiums for the past decade with little to show for it until now, so I feel like we've been conditioned to think that anytime something new is announced, it's automatically a home run... jump for joy. I'm a believer when I see shovels followed by actual results.

 

[sachilles]

Realistically what will be the view at the Riviera? On the Epcot side, will you be high enough to see over Germany(with enough landscaping to hide the ugly stuff) and have a good view of future world/space ship earth. Someone suggested clearing things out in epcot to allow for a projection shop on the spaceship earth. It's not the castle, but it's more straight shot at looking at the spaceship earth than looking at the castle from BLT. Certainly not as close. However, I bet you get a much clearer view of Illuminations.
For giggles. Google says just over 2000 ft from Riveria to center of the lake at epcot, and 3300 ft to SE. 2500 ft from the castle to bay lake tower.

While I'm not saying the view is the end all, be all for the Riviera, I do think it does have tangible value.

 

[dlavender]

Realistically what will be the view at the Riviera? On the Epcot side, will you be high enough to see over Germany(with enough landscaping to hide the ugly stuff) and have a good view of future world/space ship earth. Someone suggested clearing things out in epcot to allow for a projection shop on the spaceship earth. It's not the castle, but it's more straight shot at looking at the spaceship earth than looking at the castle from BLT. Certainly not as close. However, I bet you get a much clearer view of Illuminations.
For giggles. Google says just over 2000 ft from Riveria to center of the lake at epcot, and 3300 ft to SE. 2500 ft from the castle to bay lake tower.

While I'm not saying the view is the end all, be all for the Riviera, I do think it does have tangible value.

On the top 5 floors facing that side.

The rest get to watch the hustle and bustle at CBR.

 

[jade1]

According to jade...you don't know how to use it right...that's not even an issue.

Where did I say that? I said "own where you want to stay".

The key is "use it right" like you say.

ALL resorts (current and future) want BCV, that's why we own there. SSR is the biggest problem, DRR will help IMO, as will even more resorts in the future will as well.

Star Wars will make it (BCV) worse though..

 

[lockedoutlogic]

On the top 5 floors facing that side.

The rest get to watch the hustle and bustle at CBR.

People never seem to grasp this...you can't build 2 dimensional hotels. And even if you have 2 fireworks to look at (nobody will get more than one)...then somebody is gonna be low and staring at the dumpsters behind OPR or High an look at POP!...

Lol..."you have a view of the hippy dippy pool..." that's great.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Where did I say that? I said "own where you want to stay".

The key is "use it right" like you say.

ALL resorts (current and future) want BCV, that's why we own there. SSR is the biggest problem, DRR will help IMO, as will even more resorts in the future will as well.

Star Wars will make it (BCV) worse though..

"Buy where you want to stay"...you've dribble that 110 times on these discussions...

7 months isn't a problem...except it was just identified as a problem...and rightly so.

 

[Planogirl]

Wow! I agree that there is a lot of assuming going on. It might be best to wait until it all plays out and hopefully common sense will win out over time. Meanwhile I'll be at Port Orleans where this stuff will never happen. I can dream.

I can't imagine spending so much money to stay at CBR though. I still see it as the same place. However maybe it will all be a nice surprise once done. Right now it looks mediocre at best and very ugly at worst and prices will go up for everyone.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Wow! I agree that there is a lot of assuming going on. It might be best to wait until it all plays out and hopefully common sense will win out over time. Meanwhile I'll be at Port Orleans where this stuff will never happen. I can dream.

I can't imagine spending so much money to stay at CBR though. I still see it as the same place. However maybe it will all be a nice surprise once done. Right now it looks mediocre at best and very ugly at worst and prices will go up for everyone.

Sooner than later...you damn well know...