Future of Riveria

[MarkNC2Disney]

I've walked from RIV to the Skyliner, found it down, then had to turn around and walk to the front to get a bus.

It really shouldn't be a major ask to include Skyliner and monorail status on the App. And even to provide push notifications to guests of Skyliner resorts when the skyliner status changes.

Yes. Two opposite directions at the resort too. Walking out of EPCOT and seeing it’s down is an even bigger nightmare.

 

[BamaGuy44]

Agree. Also, let us not forget they actually labeled the Poly Tower as part of the original Poly at the DVC meeting in December. People seem to want to forget this and brush it off as a mistake, marketing does not make that kind of mistake.

If they've been going out of their way to be vague about new or existing association, but then reveal it on a power point slide without mentioning it during a presentation, wouldn't that be considered a mistake? Unless you believe that was the plan, to announce this crucial piece of info subliminally, on a throwaway slide without mentioning it? Doesn't sound like marketing geniuses at work to me?

 

[Sandisw]

I've walked from RIV to the Skyliner, found it down, then had to turn around and walk to the front to get a bus.

It really shouldn't be a major ask to include Skyliner and monorail status on the App. And even to provide push notifications to guests of Skyliner resorts when the skyliner status changes.

I hadn’t heard of that happening so didn’t realize…we were told there would always be a bus offered at BWV…but also why we wouldn’t even do thst…would call a ride-share from BCV.

 

[havoc315]

This is another reason why we have not purchased RIV. Transportation is two completely different park directions. I think its about 1.5 miles between the two entrances, that is not a ten minute walk.

It's not that far from the Skyliner to the bus stop but it isn't close and it isn't flat. It's about 1/4th of a mile, a 5-6 minute walk. Not the end of the world but it's not nothing.

Again, just wish there was better communication about it going down.

 

[tjkraz]

Yeah the number of people who are convinced it will be the same association is surprising to me. I don't know what possible incentive they would have to not make a new association and apply the resale restrictions to it.

The most obvious reason to bundle the tower with PVB is they would both share the 2066 end date. Making it a separate association means a 2074 end date based upon DVC's SOP for the past 20 years. Being able to re-sell the tower 8 years earlier certainly has appeal.

Not saying it will happen but yeah, there are reasons.

 

[EYL]

That would be pretty darn cool! Possibly just a tad longer than walking from BW.

I know it's not this easy (because it's just a dream! ), but connecting the path outside of the Skyliner Station at the Riviera to the Germany Service Road would be the shortest build with existing pavements. About a quarter mile walk to the front of the Germany pavilion.

 

[sethschroeder]

The long lines for the skyliner are horrendous at times.

Not sure you have been there since the start of covid. I can't say I have experienced more than a few minute wait.

I have had to wait for another boat/monorail/bus and even had a walking path from MK back to VGF closed.

Are you walking? That is a no though if that's important. Many though never walk and if the boats are not running from HS to BW/BC they would be riding the bus anyways.

If you put a Skyliner station in SSR that would entirely make me want to stay there instead of the Riv.

Which will never happen and if it did it would be like POP/AOA needing to switch at CBR to go anywhere. If they put one anywhere it would be at the Springs Bus Station area.

Disney isnt going to add skyliner to existing DVC resorts especially not until they start running it through things like lightning which they don't seem likely to anytime soon.

 

[sethschroeder]

It’s a long walk, perhaps about 2 miles.

Nah they do an entrance through an updated African area and it's .25 mile to the world showcase walking area in that section.

 

[sethschroeder]

Yes. Two opposite directions at the resort too. Walking out of EPCOT and seeing it’s down is an even bigger nightmare.

Disney just needs to get it together and have the permanent bus area somewhere between YC/BC. BW doesn't have the space because of the conference center otherwise there.

In reality if you get there and it's down take a boat/bus to HS and go from there. Otherwise take an Uber from front of BC or BW.

Need status in app though.

In the end been to WL, POLY, GF and none of them have boat status in app and are in opposite direction as well. The only issue is the Epcot pickup.

 

[scoobdoo]

Riviera and Skyliner discussion but really why are we years in since opening and Disney have yet to develop the network?!

 

[Phillie_Boy]

I love Topolino's and I think The Riviera is a fine resort, but it's direct sale price is comical, imo.

 

[Einstein509]

Not sure you have been there since the start of covid. I can't say I have experienced more than a few minute wait.

I have had to wait for another boat/monorail/bus and even had a walking path from MK back to VGF closed.

Are you walking? That is a no though if that's important. Many though never walk and if the boats are not running from HS to BW/BC they would be riding the bus anyways.

Been there during and post-COVID. Post-COVID the lines extended back to the BC after fireworks. Yes, they were moving, but you still had a long wait.

And yes, we walk to HS. It's not that long and good exercise.

 

[mz-s]

The issue with EPCOT is the park typically closes immediately after the fireworks. So everyone's leaving at the same time. Waits for buses, monorail, and skyliner can be upwards of an hour or more if you leave at that time.

 

[dvc lover 1970]

In the end been to WL, POLY, GF and none of them have boat status in app and are in opposite direction as well. The only issue is the Epcot pickup.

Yes, the Epcot pickup is a big issue because it is over a mile walk between the two epcot entrances

 

[AvidDisReader]

If they've been going out of their way to be vague about new or existing association, but then reveal it on a power point slide without mentioning it during a presentation, wouldn't that be considered a mistake? Unless you believe that was the plan, to announce this crucial piece of info subliminally, on a throwaway slide without mentioning it? Doesn't sound like marketing geniuses at work to me?

Could be that the answer is right in front of us, but since it does not match pre conceived opinions that we choose to make up reasons to not believe. Nothing to see here, move along. Anyway, we will know when they start to sell in probably just over a year.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I know very little but common sense would make it impossible for Disney to create alert message for weather related issues on SkyLiner.
They are monitoring the Weather for lightning within 10 miles ( guess ). and then they have to alert the cast SkyLiner operations to prepare for shutting down ..Skyliner guests already onboard are priority to safely deliver to a station. Then the empty go colas prob need to be sheltered within a station area or some type of covered area. then they have to wait for all clear and the entire SkyLiner has to make a complete loop for safety operating issues along line…
These are just my observations…
They can’t turn the weather on and off .

 

[BamaGuy44]

Could be that the answer is right in front of us, but since it does not match pre conceived opinions that we choose to make up reasons to not believe. Nothing to see here, move along. Anyway, we will know when they start to sell in probably just over a year.

Yeah I don’t care that much one way or another, certainly not enough to do anything so dramatic as “make up reasons to believe” something.

I just have a hard time with the logic that the marketing team is so brilliant they couldn’t make a mistake, so the association was revealed on this power point slide on purpose, contrary to all the official marketing they’ve released. Doesn’t track for me, but what do I know.

In my experience, Occam’s razor usually holds, that the simplest explanation is usually the right one. In this case it would be the power point had some basic boiler plate language on it that doesn't mean anything.

 

[Doberge]

I'm pasting my response about Poly 2 here from somewhere else. It's relevant enough because what Disney does with VDH and Poly 2 *could* effect Riviera restrictions if for some reason it's the only new inventory in years with restrictions that it could be rolled back. Unlikely, but possible. Anyway...

I think if it's a new association then it would follow the Riviera path and have the same restrictions and I think it'd be very difficult to avoid confusion between the two. Not that Disney needs to care about resale but resale buyers need to keep on top of which Poly to buy to avoid restrictions would be confusing.

I think Disney wants to be able to sell the bungalows as a feature for a single association. It'd be weird to tell people they need to buy into the *other* Poly if wanting to stay in bungalow, and then tell the person if they do that it's bungalow, studio, or bust. It worked at Poly for a long time because there were no other options, but expanded room types benefits everyone and making people choose "bungalow and studio" between "studio and 1, 2, 3 bedrooms" seems unnecessary when alternative is taking people that they can stay in any of the accommodations on property. People love studios and expansion into the existing association allows plenty of options for Poly 1 owners wanting bigger rooms to book expansion rooms and new owners more access to freed-up Poly 1 studios. Conjecture, but they could go lighter on expansion studios to make more 1, 2, and 3 bedroom rooms. More 1 bedrooms at twice the studio cost works because Disney gets the same points (revenue) per square foot as a studio, where they seem to make a lot of money. If any studios in the expansion and it's the same association I think they'll need to differentiate from Poly 1, perhaps by removing the half bath or otherwise keeping Poly 1 attractive for a different group, similar to some differences between Jambo and Kidani making them attractive for different reasons.

The only real reason to make it a new association is that they did it with Riviera but we've already seen them expand VGF and fold into existing an association so DVD is not beholden to forcing a new association.

A new association would have a 50 year life but folding into existing association it'd expire sooner. Unsure how Disney does its accounting but they'd make the same money either way (insignificant number of folks with balk solely on number of years when Poly is in the 2060s already), but then they could turn around and resell sooner with an earlier expiration date.

I don't see any reason to go against any of that.

On the other hand I think it's more likely that DLH ends up like Riviera. I think there's some sense behind resale restrictions slowing cost growth but even for me that's really going far the other way.

 

[Royal Consort]

I'm pasting my response about Poly 2 here from somewhere else. It's relevant enough because what Disney does with VDH and Poly 2 *could* effect Riviera restrictions if for some reason it's the only new inventory in years with restrictions that it could be rolled back. Unlikely, but possible. Anyway...

I think if it's a new association then it would follow the Riviera path and have the same restrictions and I think it'd be very difficult to avoid confusion between the two. Not that Disney needs to care about resale but resale buyers need to keep on top of which Poly to buy to avoid restrictions would be confusing.

I think Disney wants to be able to sell the bungalows as a feature for a single association. It'd be weird to tell people they need to buy into the *other* Poly if wanting to stay in bungalow, and then tell the person if they do that it's bungalow, studio, or bust. It worked at Poly for a long time because there were no other options, but expanded room types benefits everyone and making people choose "bungalow and studio" between "studio and 1, 2, 3 bedrooms" seems unnecessary when alternative is taking people that they can stay in any of the accommodations on property. People love studios and expansion into the existing association allows plenty of options for Poly 1 owners wanting bigger rooms to book expansion rooms and new owners more access to freed-up Poly 1 studios. Conjecture, but they could go lighter on expansion studios to make more 1, 2, and 3 bedroom rooms. More 1 bedrooms at twice the studio cost works because Disney gets the same points (revenue) per square foot as a studio, where they seem to make a lot of money. If any studios in the expansion and it's the same association I think they'll need to differentiate from Poly 1, perhaps by removing the half bath or otherwise keeping Poly 1 attractive for a different group, similar to some differences between Jambo and Kidani making them attractive for different reasons.

The only real reason to make it a new association is that they did it with Riviera but we've already seen them expand VGF and fold into existing an association so DVD is not beholden to forcing a new association.

A new association would have a 50 year life but folding into existing association it'd expire sooner. Unsure how Disney does its accounting but they'd make the same money either way (insignificant number of folks with balk solely on number of years when Poly is in the 2060s already), but then they could turn around and resell sooner with an earlier expiration date.

I don't see any reason to go against any of that.

On the other hand I think it's more likely that DLH ends up like Riviera. I think there's some sense behind resale restrictions slowing cost growth but even for me that's really going far the other way.

If Disney have one foot in with restrictions and one foot out, they blow up their initial intention. Any ongoing assimilation into existing associations delays the benefit Disney would achieve by imposing restrictions at the outset.

A new restricted association will reduce competition with cheaper resale points and differentiate a direct purchase from a resale purchase (initial intention of restrictions). If they decide not to do this then it speaks to Disney having absolutely no consistent business plan or direction. Which, to be honest, wouldn't surprise me greatly.

If they do decide to include it then Riviera owners have a right to become vocal about restrictions as this will be the second resort without them and Disney have acted in poor faith.

 

[Doberge]

Specifically on Riviera and it's future, I'm hoping there's eventually a reclassification of rooms. As has been discussed, standard rooms are popular not just for point savings but also because the view is often better.

Maybe something like value, standard, resort preferred, and Waterview preferred.

I think there needs to be a value category for rooms specifically in the lower NE corner rooms, maybe just the 2nd and 3rd floor. Attached is an example photo.

Many of standard view rooms could become "resort preferred" and be lumped with the skyliner only (non water view) rooms. The mid and upper floor standard views between the tower studios and lobby could be in this group. I'd also classify some of the SE corner rooms that face Bonnet Creek and/or the splash pad as resort preferred.

The pool facing rooms should be their own category, waterview preferred works. I think it needs to be a separate bookable category because preferred view now can be wildly different. Some have a great view of center lawn and skyliner and others are on the second floor with only the splash pad off in the distance, but both are preferred categories. I think splitting into separately bookable categories would better help expectation setting. If one wants a water view it'd be guaranteed. If one wants fireworks or skyliner only view, then that's a different category.

It does add more preferred view rooms and points would need to balance, so maybe the preferred view can also cost a bit less, like one point less on the studios. That might persuade some to upgrade standard to preferred if the requirement difference is reduced.