GF direct over Riviera direct is a no brainer

[NVDISFamily]

So which statement is more nonsense? Buying Riviera over GFV direct is a foolish decision. OR GFV is a dump?

I would say both are bad. We are all very lucky to be having a discussion over what DVC resort is the best and what luxury resorts are > others. I’ve liked the back and forth. I’m contributing to the conversation as I hope as a “outsider” with no history of trips to WDW I can give my .02 on why I happened to fall in love with RIV even though I really dislike the restrictions. I can still do this while saying VGF is nice and I hope to stay at the resort some day

Might want to do that sooner rather than later. I feel like that will booking 1br and up will be close to impossible once VGF2 is sold out.

Interesting. It just seems like DVC is so studio focused I would figure that many would use the studios and it would be not too crazy to ninja at 7 months for a 2BR. We didn’t like the GV at VGF, but we like the 2BR there. We also travel in June which doesn’t see like a crazy month to try and book at WDW? Not to busy?

 

[Sandisw]

I would say both are bad. We are all very lucky to be having a discussion over what DVC resort is the best and what luxury resorts are > others. I’ve liked the back and forth. I’m contributing to the conversation as I hope as a “outsider” with no history of trips to WDW I can give my .02 on why I happened to fall in love with RIV even though I really dislike the restrictions. I can still do this while saying VGF is nice and I hope to stay at the resort some day



Interesting. It just seems like DVC is so studio focused I would figure that many would use the studios and it would be not too crazy to ninja at 7 months for a 2BR. We didn’t like the GV at VGF, but we like the 2BR there. We also travel in June which doesn’t see like a crazy month to try and book at WDW? Not to busy?

We won’t know until it’s sold out but I do think that getting the larger units at 7 months will be tough.

It’s why we just bought 300 points there. I have been booking 1 bedrooms a lot for 1 or 2 nights at a time, sometimes 2 bedrooms, using my SSR points.

But, with all those studio points and no additional larger units, I didn’t want to chance it.

So now, instead of having to wait until 7 months, I am booking my room during the home resort period.

 

[pianomanzano]

Interesting. It just seems like DVC is so studio focused I would figure that many would use the studios and it would be not too crazy to ninja at 7 months for a 2BR. We didn’t like the GV at VGF, but we like the 2BR there. We also travel in June which doesn’t see like a crazy month to try and book at WDW? Not to busy?

DVC is marketing the 1BR and up categories while selling VGF2 direct and seeing lots of purchases of 200+ points of VGF2. Since they only added studios I could see demand for those other room types going up. Although should probably be okay in June? Just don't book July of 2023, I don't want to have to compete with you for a 2BR! haha

 

[havoc315]

<deleted comment>

This is something I frequently see on the internet -- The need for objective validation. For example, I read a lot of photography forums. And people need to rationalize having spent $$$ on a particular camera or lens, so they will insist it's objectively the best.
You get the same thing from some people here in a DVC forum -- "since I am smart and do the smartest things.... and I decided to buy VGF.. or decided to buy re-sale, or whatever.... that means buying VGF or buying re-sale or whatever is the smart thing to do!"
And then, you have people on the opposite extreme, "everything is totally subjective"
And in all this, objective vs subjective factors get lost. Whether one prefers to be near Magic Kingdom or Epcot is a subjective question, preference for theming is a subjective question. Which studios are larger, is an objective question. Which resorts are the closest to a particular park, is an objective question. Point cost and expiration date are objective questions. And then there are simply unknowable/unpredictable questions (what will resale value be in 20 years? How many new restricted resorts will be off limits to re-sale buyers in the next 10 years? 20 years?)

 

[Sandisw]

DVC is marketing the 1BR and up categories while selling VGF2 direct and seeing lots of purchases of 200+ points of VGF2. Since they only added studios I could see demand for those other room types going up. Although should probably be okay in June? Just don't book July of 2023, I don't want to have to compete with you for a 2BR! haha

Just to add that getting those larger units at 7 months for more than a few nights at a time has not been easy at VGF. I travel every summer and honestly had I needed more than the 1 or 2 nights, it would not have been easy.

Add on the new points and I think 7 month availability is going to be even harder, especially that summer has now gone down in 2023

 

[DonMacGregor]

This is something I frequently see on the internet -- The need for objective validation. For example, I read a lot of photography forums. And people need to rationalize having spent $$$ on a particular camera or lens, so they will insist it's objectively the best.
You get the same thing from some people here in a DVC forum -- "since I am smart and do the smartest things.... and I decided to buy VGF.. or decided to buy re-sale, or whatever.... that means buying VGF or buying re-sale or whatever is the smart thing to do!"
And then, you have people on the opposite extreme, "everything is totally subjective"
And in all this, objective vs subjective factors get lost. Whether one prefers to be near Magic Kingdom or Epcot is a subjective question, preference for theming is a subjective question. Which studios are larger, is an objective question. Which resorts are the closest to a particular park, is an objective question. Point cost and expiration date are objective questions. And then there are simply unknowable/unpredictable questions (what will resale value be in 20 years? How many new restricted resorts will be off limits to re-sale buyers in the next 10 years? 20 years?)

Whenever I see a "prove me wrong post" on the interwebs, it usually means someone in the poster's "real" life has already done exactly that, and now they're looking for anonymous validation from total strangers.

 

[UofMGuy423]

While I like VGF a lot (thinking of adding on there), we really love Riviera being one contained building and the compactness of the resort. It's relaxing and feels like a break from the chaos of the bigger and busier resorts. Have no regrets buying direct there. Plus, we prefer the Skyliner access to two parks. It's a huge plus for us. To each their own I guess!

 

[Sandisw]

While I like VGF a lot (thinking of adding on there), we really love Riviera being one contained building and the compactness of the resort. It's relaxing and feels like a break from the chaos of the bigger and busier resorts. Have no regrets buying direct there. Plus, we prefer the Skyliner access to two parks. It's a huge plus for us. To each their own I guess!

That is us and we do split stay between the both every trip so I have experience on how it works for us when at each.

Since Epcot is the one that we like to visit the most now, we do Mk and AK during our first two days when at VGF..assuming we will go to AK.. it doesn’t happen every trip..not doing it this week because my guests got there Sunday and did it today.

We then do Epcot and HS from RIV. So it’s a different feel at each but for sure I have had less hectic pool days at RIV than vGF and that coffee shop in the lobby is my go to the day we check in. Iced almond with a grown up addition to it! Lol

 

[RamblinWreck]

Please. GFV is a dump.

I think two things we can all agree on are that VGF is a dump, and RIV is basically a Ramada.

 

[sethschroeder]

I think two things we can all agree on are that VGF is a dump, and RIV is basically a Ramada.

I to think anything other than Ramada is not worthwhile for the Wyndham line of hotels. (joking although its been a long time since I stayed in any of their hotel brands)

So if Riviera is the Ramada then VGF is the Super 8?

CCV/VWL has to be LaQuinta right? Because its the closest to nature and LaQuinta is known for allowing you to bring your dog to stay there.

 

[pianomanzano]

I to think anything other than Ramada is not worthwhile for the Wyndham line of hotels. (joking although its been a long time since I stayed in any of their hotel brands)

So if Riviera is the Ramada then VGF is the Super 8?

CCV/VWL has to be LaQuinta right? Because its the closest to nature and LaQuinta is known for allowing you to bring your dog to stay there.

Saratoga is Residence Inn!

 

[RamblinWreck]

I to think anything other than Ramada is not worthwhile for the Wyndham line of hotels. (joking although its been a long time since I stayed in any of their hotel brands)

So if Riviera is the Ramada then VGF is the Super 8?

CCV/VWL has to be LaQuinta right? Because its the closest to nature and LaQuinta is known for allowing you to bring your dog to stay there.

The VGF is essentially a local motel with a broken elevator, catwalks with rusty handrails, and window A/C units built into the walls.

 

[dvc lover 1970]

I agree with OP. The restrictions will significantly impact resale value. Part of the robust resale prices are the value to ise points across resorts. Limiting to home resort only reduces its value. I fully expect resale on the new resorts to be very different than resale value on legacy resorts. Unless they start a DVC 2-- then that will equalize the value. The only other thing they can do is allow an exchange fee into the other dvc resorts. Otherwise people will be forced to deposit points into II or RCI -- whichever company dvc is with ( if they cannot get a reservation at their home resort). The only value in direct are the APs which i do think will return. I also wonder if dvc can strike a deal with ticketing to return the tickets sooner as that is a big selling point. If they disband aps all together we would most likely use our dvc resort as our base, but buy universal APs and go there for park days.
Back on track....I also hope it takes a long time to sell out RIV as dvc might rethink their restrictions. I think it would have been close to sold out by now if they did not have the restrictions in place. The resort itself is beautiful, but the skyliner can be close to an hour wait at park close.

 

[SL6827]

So DVC is marketing the 1 and 2 bedrooms heavily with the sale of VGF-2? That's wrong.

 

[havoc315]

The restrictions reduce the amount that your contract is worth on the open market. Are you saying that the value is the same to an owner for both of these resorts ? Because its not. Look at the resale values of GFV vs Riviera.

And the restrictions reduce the re-sale value of GFV (and all the other resorts) as they can't be used at RIV or future resorts.
And in a few years, those GFV re-sale values will be greatly affected, as there will be many resorts where they can't be used.

All DVC resorts, including RIV, currently have re-sale value of about 70% of direct pricing. That's pretty consistent. In fact, resale value of Riviera is actually a little better than several other DVC resorts.

https://www.*************.com/index.php/buying/direct-disney-prices

RIV resale value is 72% of direct
BLT is 63% of direct
AKL is 70% of direct
Polynesian is 68% of direct
Beach Club is 62% of direct
Aulani is 60% of direct

So, yes -- All resorts have re-sale restrictions. And they seem to affect the resorts evenly. Yes, Riviera is currently slightly more restricted than other resorts, but that isn't majorly impacting the resale values.

After 3 years on the market, there is absolutely no evidence of any major impairment of Riviera resale prices.

 

[havoc315]

The impact of weather on the Skyliner is an oft-mentioned reason for people not liking Riviera, which is certainly understandable. My question is how often does it really go down because of the weather? 1% of operating hours? 5%? 10%?

Really curious, not looking for a drawn-out debate on the vicissitudes of the Skyliner.

Depends on time of day and time of year.
I've now stayed a few days in February and a week in July.
During the week in July, I noticed a handful of short closures (30 minutes or less), and 1 lengthy closure (about an hour or 2). I didn't notice any closures in February.

In your typical summer thunderstorm closure.... Are you really rushing for the skyliner during the brief storm, or are you looking for a place to remain dry and let the storm pass? Once the storm passes, the skyliner re-opens.

So closures are an issue, but they really aren't a huge issue.

 

[Marionnette]

So DVC is marketing the 1 and 2 bedrooms heavily with the sale of VGF-2? That's wrong.

That's why VGF1 got a refurb ahead of schedule...so that DVC could market bright, shiny new rooms in the original building.

 

[sethschroeder]

Back on track....I also hope it takes a long time to sell out RIV as dvc might rethink their restrictions. I think it would have been close to sold out by now if they did not have the restrictions in place. The resort itself is beautiful, but the skyliner can be close to an hour wait at park close.

Thing is most of the numbers can be looked at as positive. Even the resale value for the most part.

You are taking a small hit compared to if it didn't have restrictions. People sometimes forget Riviera was doing really well as it opened in December 2019 through March 2020. What killed it was the pandemic.

VGF is not really comparable because the pricing was so high on both direct/resale, it was a known resort, and it was taken off the direct sales market for a number of months.

So while Riviera is slower its likely not even close to slow enough to get them to change their mind.

 

[Johtull12]

RIV is new construction. VGF is a decade old, VGF2 is more than 30 years old.

For many, the Grand Floridian comes across as rather stuffy.

RIV has the better food court.

It's easier to get chairs at the RIV pools than the VGF pools.

RIV has more parking.

RIV has a nice coffee shop in the lobby.

For me it's no the stuffiness but the aesthetic, I wish I did like it more because after visiting recently the Skyliner was down due to weather quite a bit. A five minute, no breeze from fwd momentum, pause in a skyliner when it's 100 degrees out is hot. Last time was a Feb 2020 visit seemed and it seemed much more reliable. So maybe Monorail in summer month and Skyliner at other times. Either beats a bus

 

[NVDISFamily]

DVC is marketing the 1BR and up categories while selling VGF2 direct and seeing lots of purchases of 200+ points of VGF2. Since they only added studios I could see demand for those other room types going up. Although should probably be okay in June? Just don't book July of 2023, I don't want to have to compete with you for a 2BR! haha

No worries there. We already booked our welcome home trip for May/June 2023. Doing a split stay at a CCV GV and then a RIV GV

Perhaps we’ll go for VGF in 2025 for our next trip…….