GF direct over Riviera direct is a no brainer

[Nabas]

I do agree on that. Grand Floridian is quite beautiful even though it's showing its age but in terms of owning there it's really a certain type of person who enjoys that same as any resort.

While we didn't stay at Riviera we did have a nice coffee break in the lobby and passed some hallways on our way out to the Skyliner and coming in passed by the pool. There was an understated luxury feel to Riviera. To some that's going to come across as bland and I can understand that but it still felt more of a subdued feel than an in your face Grand Floridian. From looking at the room photos there still a high end feel just pulled back a little. That may not be to some people's tastes especially if they liked the DVC theming of old.

The interior of the Riviera reminds me of some European and Montreal hotels I’ve stayed at. There’s a certain generic refinement to it. It’s nice without being particularly memorable.

Considering how over-the-top the theming is at most other Disney hotels, the Riviera is a distinct experience at WDW.

It really depends on what appeals to your palette.

 

[Nabas]

Have you seen AoA prices? They can and have added $100 to a value

I once calculated that Disney increased POP and AOA prices about 25% in the 2 years immediately after the Skyliner opened.

I’m sure it’s increased by even more since then.

 

[Nursemanit]

I once calculated that Disney increased POP and AOA prices about 25% in the 2 years immediately after the Skyliner opened.

I’m sure it’s increased by even more since then.

I actually checked a week in Sept just to be sure, AoA was $99 more for a standard room than AS-S (but totally worth it just for the better food court IMO)

 

[Nabas]

I actually checked a week in Sept just to be sure, AoA was $99 more for a standard room than AS-S (but totally worth it just for the better food court IMO)

AOA and POP cost more than the All Stars before the Skyliner.

The non-suite Little Mermaid rooms at AOA have been in-demand since AOA opened in 2012. My notes from 2014 (the earliest I have) show that these AOA rooms were selling for about 20% more than similar All Star rooms at that time.

The difference was still about 20% the year before the Skyliner opened in 2019.

Today, the difference is approaching 50%.

Disney has used the Skyliner to increase the prices at AOA, POP, and CBR.

 

[paults]

Can you really talk to your neighbors through the walls at the new GFV2 studios?

 

[Sandisw]

Can you really talk to your neighbors through the walls at the new GFV2 studios?

My friend was next door to me when we stayed this week. We were in rooms 9520 and 9522…dedicated SV rooms.

We could not hear what each other was trying to say..we tried…but I could hear when they flushed the toilet..but have Been places where I heard that so it wasn’t new.

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

I think that's way up the wrong tree, in the wrong forest. Or more precisely, wrong swamp, because it's exactly three miles, as the crow flies, from the northernmost terminus of the Skyliner at World Showcase to the center of the old Spirit of Aloha building. That's 3 miles of mostly swamp, with no clear or logical points to put in what would need to be at least 2 or 3 intermediate stations, as well as emergency vehicle access. If you routed it to follow World Drive and cross over the MK parking lot, it would be closer to 4 miles. And you'd still need intermediate stations.

I could MAYBE see them extending it to the TTC someday on a northward leg, and to DS and AK on an east-west leg sometime in the future, but with the Monorail serving Epcot already and the TTC being a "doable" walk from the new Poly tower, I'd think a northward extension really isn't a viable endeavor.

Aww, shoot! Bubble burst.

 

[Aussie RJ]

I’ll solve this for everyone. The skyliner is better than the monorail. BUT GF has better tomato soup than Riv. It’s very close to jolly holiday at DL. I feel that’s the most important thing.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I’ll solve this for everyone. The skyliner is better than the monorail. BUT GF has better tomato soup than Riv. It’s very close to jolly holiday at DL. I feel that’s the most important thing.

Close, but no one matches our tomato soup...

 

[rM3panno]

I’ve built our dvc holdings with the idea of hopefully being able to pass them on to our kids. Not sure if also adding an escrow account for dues is good. I see it as an awesome gift but worry about passing it on if the kids can’t afford that. What about the expenses of the trips and tickets? My hope is that they will be well on their way to building there own economic “empire” by the time they are ready to take these over and perhaps the pressure to afford a luxury like DVC dues will help incentivize them to push their progress on their careers or entrepreneurial endeavors.

Yes, by all means if they don’t want it they will not be required accept it. My hoes of establishing an escrow account for dues was to make the trip easier for them should travel and ticket prices continue to rise at recent rates. If one wants to sell I think both would work together to see if the other wants to buy it out instead of sell on the open market. I expect this transfer to happen while my wife and I are still alive so we can facilitate these questions. Our hopes are that their careers are well on their way but we are a traveling family and if this can afford them a trip when trying to make other first important purchases then that is a win in our book.

 

[JoeDisney247365]

This is the exact same thing we did. 300 points direct at RIV in 2 separate 150 point contracts. We plan to transfer the deed to our 3 and 6 year old sons later in life with an escrow account for annual dues.

I didn't think about an escrow account for the dues. That's a good idea.

 

[RebelScum]

Late to the party here, but we own direct points at both and love to stay at both. That said, RIV is our favorite of the two, after poly. Resale restrictions are not an issue for us, as our kids will likely be thrilled to take them off our hands when we are done. I have lost count of how many times we have stayed at these resorts, but our most enjoyable stays always seem to have at least a RIV component to them.

 

[scoobdoo]

I'm just thinking of the possibilities since you mentioned this. If they added on a spa to the west wing top floor, that would be amazing; not sure on if they can really add on to the existing building for more rooms though. However, I don't know the legality of it, but if they could build within the same association at the Seven Seas Lagoon, that would be a homerun. For example, Riviera at MK. Giving owners an Epcot location and MK location, within the same association. You'd see sales boom and resale definitely go up.

Any rumors of RIV getting a spa addition? It would make an already amazing hotel a perfect resort.

 

[sethschroeder]

I doubt Skyliner will expand to SSR/OKW/DS. People parking for free at DS and using the transport is already an issue, and it's complete pain right now.

Per a taped Doppelmayr employee the next expansion was DS + Typhoon lagoon.

1) They can put in magic band scanners at the entrance to make sure you are on site
2) Most people if trying to go to the parks would simply take a bus to BLT or BW (not a skyliner to CBR then to the parks)

 

[havoc315]

Per a taped Doppelmayr employee the next expansion was DS + Typhoon lagoon.

1) They can put in magic band scanners at the entrance to make sure you are on site
2) Most people if trying to go to the parks would simply take a bus to BLT or BW (not a skyliner to CBR then to the parks)

That was the credible rumor reported a few months ago.
I do wonder if that would mean expanding the Riviera station, or if it would come off the CBR hub...

As to fear of people seeking out "free parking" at Disney Springs -- They can already do that and take the bus. While the Skyliner is more convenient than the bus, is it THAT much more convenient that it would suddenly create an additional problem?

... And don't be surprised if, some day, parking isn't free at Disney Springs anymore. Or easily could do timed parking (parking free for up to 3 hours.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

This is a very random question but while we were at Riviera I went to the public bathroom and saw they had feminine products just in a basket. I don't remember if I noticed this when I went to the bathroom in Poly or even in Grand Californian Hotel in DL in 2019. Is this newer? normal? only certain resorts? I know random but it did make me think a nice touch

Some (all?) public bathrooms at Beach Club have had baskets with feminine products for years. It makes me think the decision is up to the manager of each resort.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Some (all?) public bathrooms at Beach Club have had baskets with feminine products for years. It makes me think the decision is up to the manager of each resort.

That would totally make sense, thanks for answering

 

[beamreach]

Buying Riviera over GFV direct is a foolish decision. There are too many advantages in buying GFV over Riviera.
No resale restrictions which means that if you have to sell at some point GFV will probably be twice the value of Riviera.
GFV dues are about $1.30 per point less.
Rooms are comparable / almost identical.
Views are much better at GFV.
GFV is walking distance to a park and a valuable Monorail resort.
Dining options and Shopping options far overtake Riviera.
You can always use your Direct points to stay at Riviera if you want.

Can anyone come up with a reason to buy Riviera over GFV ? Please dont say its on the skyliner .

I have stayed at the Riviera and its nice . But Im not giving DVC any money to condone the ridiculous and unnecessary restrictions they have put on that resort. If they are successful with selling out that resort quickly then whats to stop them from doing this to every resort in the future. It just devalues the whole product to current owners.

I hope it takes them 20 years to sell that resort out !

Totally agree with you. It's inexplicable how someone would choose RIV over VGF. In every category, VGF is more desirable (location, food, shopping, activities, pools, lobby, spa, etc). RIV is fine enough, and the only true European aspect is that tiny lobby lol. It's also easy to book at 7 months (we don't go for Tower or Studio anyway which sometimes are unavailable). Nevermind the financial piece...sure, RIV definitely cheaper than VGF with incentives, but the resale restrictions at the moment of closing buyers are under water (if financed, it's even worse, will have to bring money to close a sale). RIV 140s! VGF 190-200s still resale. RIV will be selling for a long time lol...soon DVC will be actively selling 4 resorts at once: Aulani, VCF, RIV, and new Disneyland Tower. Woot woot maybe that means more incentives on RIV (which will further devalue any resale), and force me to add on there

 

[Sandisw]

Totally agree with you. It's inexplicable how someone would choose RIV over VGF. In every category, VGF is more desirable (location, food, shopping, activities, pools, lobby, spa, etc). RIV is fine enough, and the only true European aspect is that tiny lobby lol. It's also easy to book at 7 months (we don't go for Tower or Studio anyway which sometimes are unavailable). Nevermind the financial piece...sure, RIV definitely cheaper than VGF with incentives, but the resale restrictions at the moment of closing buyers are under water (if financed, it's even worse, will have to bring money to close a sale). RIV 140s! VGF 190-200s still resale. RIV will be selling for a long time lol...soon DVC will be actively selling 4 resorts at once: Aulani, VCF, RIV, and new Disneyland Tower. Woot woot maybe that means more incentives on RIV (which will further devalue any resale), and force me to add on there

People have not been paying that much on resale for VGF. Most are much lower….$160s these days. Sellers asking more than that are not getting it.

I stay at both, and can say RIV exceeds in all areas for us. But buying direct will always see a reduction until sold out.

 

[BeachClub2014]

Totally agree with you. It's inexplicable how someone would choose RIV over VGF. In every category, VGF is more desirable (location, food, shopping, activities, pools, lobby, spa, etc). RIV is fine enough, and the only true European aspect is that tiny lobby lol. It's also easy to book at 7 months (we don't go for Tower or Studio anyway which sometimes are unavailable). Nevermind the financial piece...sure, RIV definitely cheaper than VGF with incentives, but the resale restrictions at the moment of closing buyers are under water (if financed, it's even worse, will have to bring money to close a sale). RIV 140s! VGF 190-200s still resale. RIV will be selling for a long time lol...soon DVC will be actively selling 4 resorts at once: Aulani, VCF, RIV, and new Disneyland Tower. Woot woot maybe that means more incentives on RIV (which will further devalue any resale), and force me to add on there

Setting aside the inane commentary on the Riviera, I am somewhat confused by your post. Why on earth would you even contemplate purchasing points at a resort you dislike this much? I bet that you're really a secret Riviera aficionado who's just afraid to publicly embrace the Riviera, aren't you? Come on now, admit it' You'll feel better for having come clean.