GF direct over Riviera direct is a no brainer

[Sandisw]

Exactly why I just added 70 more points at BRV. A 2042 resort!!!! Grab the straightjacket! Lock me up and throw away the key!

And pretty soon those rooms will be so pretty the loss of worth in 10 years won’t matter ..assuming renovations are done by then!!!…

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

I mean, you could do that from SSR for a lot less points. RIV is a hair under VGF’s point chart.

I hate the floor plan of SS with the triangular bathroom wedge jutting into the hallway — I just find it cramped and a huge waste of space. The micro cabinets on the side wall, too, add to a feeling of claustrophobia cooking in there. It’s too bad, because the remodel at Saratoga IS gorgeous, but we would rather spend the points at Riviera. If my husband and I were doing a couples trip in cooler months to walk to DS to eat, that’ll be great because I won’t be cooking, but for now I do simple meals for the kids to save money and wasted food. I prefer the alley kitchen at Riviera and Copper Creek.

 

[havoc315]

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 !

I'll totally disagree but ultimately, it is a subjective decision of which resort you like more.

First off, it's insane to state that GFV resale will be "twice" the value of Riviera. There is no evidence of this. With both currently on sale, GFV re-sale value is about 10-20% higher than Riviera. And GFV direct is also a bit higher than Riviera direct. So no surprise that re-sale would also be higher. So yes, I'd expect re-sale value of GFV to be *slightly* higher than Riviera for a while. Later in the contract, as Riviera has more years, Riviera resale value will be higher than GFV. GFV expires in 2064, Riviera has an additional 6 years. So which will have greater re-sale value in 2060? 4 years or GFV or 10 years or RIV? So absolutely, the "twice" the re-sale value is simply an entirely false statement.

Dues -- Yes, GFV dues are slightly less. While point cost is slightly more. Meanwhile, dues tend to converge over time. Notice, Riviera dues barely increased last year. In 2022, GFV dues increased by 2.88% while RIV dues increased by 0.01%. It is likely that GFV will continue to have lower dues, but for how long, by how much, really isn't clear at all. If you prefer GFV subjectively over RIV, you might get the added benefit of a slight dues saving.

Room comparable/identical? It's a subjective question. But RIV has a MUCH better balance of of larger and smaller units. And personally, I greatly prefer the RIV rooms. But it is a subjective question, certainly not a "no brainer" in either direction.

Views are BETTER at Riviera. Riviera STANDARD rooms get a fireworks view!!! Do GFV standard rooms get a fireworks view?

GFV is on a monorail. And yes, subjectively, that's fantastic! Umm, if you want a Magic Kingdom resort. But if you want a Epcot/DHS resort, RIV is on the skyliner! No brainer in favor of Riviera!!!

Dining and shopping options -- Yes, GFV has the most signature dining options of any DVC. But, I don't think it's a "no brainer" to pick a resort simply because it has 1 or 2 additional on-properly restaurants. Especially where Riviera has some of the absolute best dining.

And you can always use RIV points to stay at GFV.

So, objectively, why is RIV a "no brainer" over GFV?

1 -- Direct points are cheaper!
2 -- Contracts are 6 years longer!
3 -- Better balance of all room types!
4 -- Fireworks views in cheap Standard rooms!
5 -- Rooms are nicer while fewer points per night!
6 -- A compact resort where every amenity is easily walkable from every room, where the pools are luxurious and almost never over-crowded
7 -- Easy access to 2 parks... and for many people, it's easy access to the 2 best parks!

I'm certainly not saying "Riv is a no brainer objectively better than GFV" --- It's a heavily subjective question. There absolutely are reasons to prefer GFV -- primarily, if you prefer being by Magic Kingdom. And there are absolutely reasons to prefer RIV -- primarily if you prefer being by Epcot and DHS.

 

[havoc315]

I own DVC points at 4 resorts. They were purchased over a span of 15+ years at various price points. And today they all have different resale values. Some have appreciated more than others.

But you know what I've never done? I've never said "gosh, I really enjoy using my ___ points but I still regret buying because they didn't increase in 'value' as much as ___ resort."

I don't understand the logic of bypassing a preferred product over some perceived fear of diminished value should I someday decide to sell. Yes, the existence of a resale marketplace provides some comfort in any purchase. But it's not like I'm going to spend the next 30 years obsessing about how the resale value compares to Copper Creek or Grand Floridian. The points are for personal enjoyment, not an investment. And in the unlikely event that the value declines sharply, I'll happily keep the points and rent them for $20+ each with booking access to all resorts.

It would be one thing if we could say with high confidence that, "re-sale value of resort X is going to be triple the re-sale value of resort Y! I would much rather see my direct points purchased at $200 increase in value to $300 instead of seeing the value decrease to $100!"
But it's insane to say, "well... the direct points cost $200..... I project that Resort X value may increase to $250..... I prefer Resort Y, but I'm afraid there is a chance the re-sale value might only increase to $235... so I really should buy the Resort that might possibly increase in value a little more"

 

[tjkraz]

This feels like a topic that keeps getting raised by posters who are predisposed to dislike Riviera. If you don't like Riviera--or ANY DVC resort--don't buy there. If you simply like VGF better than RIV, it's an easy decision to go with Grand Floridian. Nobody will ever debate that.

But if you prefer Riviera--which many people do--I don't understand the logic behind opting for an admittedly lesser resort over fears of the direction values may go. Is that really worth 40+ years of limited access to Studios and Tower Studios? Is that worth paying higher Preferred View points whenever booking Riviera at 7 months?

 

[kanerf]

Never been a big GFV fan. I eat there occasionally, but don't much care for the resort otherwise. I do own RIV and I own BLT for my MK stays.

 

[TraderStitch]

OP is looking at DVC as an investment... which you shouldn't be.

I could careless if I don't get a huge sum of money if I need to resell my RIV contract. Right now, after 6 more stays it will have paid for itself; anything after that is gravy. MF are a write off in my opinion; a cost of owning DVC. If Disney ROFR's me for $100 a point, thats A'OK with me as when that time comes I will have gotten my money's worth a few times over.

Everyone has a reason for liking a specific resort.

 

[RoseGold]

Now for a Skyliner expansion announcement at D23 in September!

My bet is still Coronado. It's so big, and takes so many buses. That wouldn't help RIV much, but would set the stage for the next DVC+moderate expansion at Coronado 2.

 

[BeachClub2014]

This feels like a topic that keeps getting raised by posters who are predisposed to dislike Riviera. If you don't like Riviera--or ANY DVC resort--don't buy there. If you simply like VGF better than RIV, it's an easy decision to go with Grand Floridian. Nobody will ever debate that.

Yep. We should all agree that you're not allowed to disparage a resort unless you've actually stayed at the resort for a minimum of three nights. If after three nights, you still don't like the joint, then bash away.

But if you prefer Riviera--which many people do--I don't understand the logic behind opting for an admittedly lesser resort over fears of the direction values may go. Is that really worth 40+ years of limited access to Studios and Tower Studios? Is that worth paying higher Preferred View points whenever booking Riviera at 7 months?

Yep. It is a head-scratcher.

 

[RamblinWreck]

I own DVC points at 4 resorts. They were purchased over a span of 15+ years at various price points. And today they all have different resale values. Some have appreciated more than others.

But you know what I've never done? I've never said "gosh, I really enjoy using my ___ points but I still regret buying because they didn't increase in 'value' as much as ___ resort."

I don't understand the logic of bypassing a preferred product over some perceived fear of diminished value should I someday decide to sell. Yes, the existence of a resale marketplace provides some comfort in any purchase. But it's not like I'm going to spend the next 30 years obsessing about how the resale value compares to Copper Creek or Grand Floridian. The points are for personal enjoyment, not an investment. And in the unlikely event that the value declines sharply, I'll happily keep the points and rent them for $20+ each with booking access to all resorts.

People seem to always care way too much about this but also put very little actual thought into it.

It's part of why every car on the road is black, white, or gray... but no one actually likes those colors on cars. Somehow everyone seems to think they're protecting their resale value by buying these colors, when the exact opposite is true. Those colors depreciate faster than almost every other color because people who buy used cars are far less preoccupied with resale value down the line, so they just get the colors they actually want. And hardly anyone actually wants black/white/gray, at least in comparison to the number of them that are produced and sold new every year.

 

[Nursemanit]

I will argue that RR shows a troubled direction for disney hotel imagineering.
And that restrictions are bad for both sides.

But -
1. RR - has the best deluxe studio room layout - because they learn as they go what we want. The tower studio is also very ergonomic and usable for the size.

2. The decor / design of the rooms and hallways is clean and modern and much more relaxing than the wild colors of VGF /PVB

3. The pools and resort feel is much more intimate than any other resort.

No reason not to buy RR direct if you value the above over saving a few bucks when (and if ) you sell. RR has many happy members and it's customer satisfaction is at or above VGF for studios and one bedroom guests.

 

[sethschroeder]

There are too many advantages in buying GFV over Riviera.

Stayed at RIV and GF since January and have to say RIV is a much nice stay.

I found lots of little issues with VGF.

Then add in less points needed at RIV for the same reservation and you will come out ahead.

Yes you likely might get more for VGF on resale when you sell. That being said in 2042 more resorts will be locked down than open for resale buyers so who knows what happens.

I do know RIV is the only Epcot not expiring in 2042.

 

[sethschroeder]

Dining and shopping options -- Yes, GFV has the most signature dining options of any DVC. But, I don't think it's a "no brainer" to pick a resort simply because it has 1 or 2 additional on-properly restaurants. Especially where Riviera has some of the absolute best dining.

Except it's a no brainer for Riviera there.

VGF has a serious issue of lack of options IMO.

I was scratching my head what we would do if not going fairly out of the way to Epcot especially with Cali Grill locked down to the special menu.

Flip side Riviera has what's there and CBR but also adds in a plethora of options that are a skyliner ride to Crescent lake for resorts and Epcot.

There is just no comparing Epcot vs MK resorts. Only SSR/OKW come close for dining and would be better for shopping.

I want to add the only exception is VA which has no equal anywhere on property.

 

[EYL]

If the resale market takes the hit for restricted resorts,
like many predict, it’s very possible that owners at those resorts won’t sell at the same rate that current owners do and it takes that much longer to have enough resale owners to make any noticeable difference.

If we assume Poly tower is new, and that in 2042, those resorts become new, plus any other new resorts between now and then, there would still be plenty of options for trading amongst direct owners.

But, if that did happen, DVD could simply decide to implement a change to allow owners with restricted points a chance to exchange into other resorts by paying a fee each time, or by allowing someone to upgrade resale points by buying an equal amount of direct points, all the while leaving points restricted when sold on the resale market.

And, the biggest piece? They gave themselves the right to simply reverse course at any time.

What I am hoping is that in the future, when there are enough resale buyers of the new resorts that are locked into their home resort and when there are enough resale buyers of the original resorts who are locked out of the newer resorts, that someone will file a legal challenge to these 2019 restrictions. I truly question whether or not it's legal for DVD to create these restrictions without creating a DVC2 but there's just not enough resale purchasers currently affected for the momentum to become a legal challenge...

By then, even if reversed, these restrictions would have already served its purpose. A lot more people bought direct and gave money directly to the mouse rather than go resale.

 

[Sandisw]

What I am hoping is that in the future, when there are enough resale buyers of the new resorts that are locked into their home resort and when there are enough resale buyers of the original resorts who are locked out of the newer resorts, that someone will file a legal challenge to these 2019 restrictions. I truly question whether or not it's legal for DVD to create these restrictions without creating a DVC2 but there's just not enough resale purchasers currently affected for the momentum to become a legal challenge...

By then, even if reversed, these restrictions would have already served its purpose. A lot more people bought direct and gave money directly to the mouse rather than go resale.

I have studied it and since I am not a lawyer, it’s my opinion only but I haven’t found anything that I can say supports it’s not within the legal bounds.

The POS can be amended and I believe so can the DVC resort agreement, which is what covers the trades into BVTC.

Since everyone who owned prior to January 2019 was grandfathered in with the same terms and conditions of the resort agreement they bought under, the POS was not amended for them, so it would support that a vote was not needed.

Anyone who bought after that, became an owner with different terms in the multi site POS.

Now, obviously, some, like you do feel it should not have happened, so it would take a legal challenge to know for sure.

 

[havoc315]

Except it's a no brainer for Riviera there.

VGF has a serious issue of lack of options IMO.

I was scratching my head what we would do if not going fairly out of the way to Epcot especially with Cali Grill locked down to the special menu.

Flip side Riviera has what's there and CBR but also adds in a plethora of options that are a skyliner ride to Crescent lake for resorts and Epcot.

Depends how large a “zone” you are comfortable with for your dining. Only places under a 10 minute walk? 15 minute skyliner/monorail trip? And depends what you actually like — love steak and seafood? Being near Yachtsman and Flying Fish may be preferable to having Ohana and Kona Cafe.

There is just no comparing Epcot vs MK resorts. Only SSR/OKW come close for dining and would be better for shopping.

I want to add the only exception is VA which has no equal anywhere on property.

What’s great about DVC and non-DVC Disney resorts, each one really has some unique features without equal anywhere.

SSR is the only deluxe and only DVC from which you can really walk to Disney Springs. In a single resort, no other has as much signature and super signature dining as Grand Floridian. Only Animal Kingdom Lodge has a safari.

It’s part of the reason it’s silly to claim one resort/DVC is hands-down better than any other. Watching Animals from your balcony may be worth far more to you than a Stormalong Bay pool complex. A short walk to Epcot may be more valuable than having very large studios.

 

[MillauFr]

Buying Riviera over GFV direct is a foolish decision.

Please. GFV is a dump.

 

[NVDISFamily]

Please. GFV is a dump.

Although I liked RIV way more than VGF to say it was a dump would be a lie. The only thing that caught my eye as a flag was a lot of mineral deposits on the bronze statues in the lobby fountain. The guides said it was due for a cleaning soon. We liked the resort grounds a VGF and the pool looked lively.

Taking the boat/monorail over from CCV to try some more things at GF during our welcome home trip next year is on our bucket list.

I hope to try and ninja a 2BR unit there some day at 7months as we make our trips to WDW over the next 20+ years. I feel like it’s a game of “got to stay at them all”

 

[MillauFr]

Although I liked RIV way more than VGF to say it was a dump would be a lie. The only thing that caught my eye as a flag was a lot of mineral deposits on the bronze statues in the lobby fountain. The guides said it was due for a cleaning soon. We liked the resort grounds a VGF and the pool looked lively.

Taking the boat/monorail over from CCV to try some more things at GF during our welcome home trip next year is on our bucket list.

I hope to try and ninja a 2BR unit there some day at 7months as we make our trips to WDW over the next 20+ years. I feel like it’s a game of “got to stay at them all”

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

 

[pianomanzano]

I hope to try and ninja a 2BR unit there some day at 7months as we make our trips to WDW over the next 20+ years. I feel like it’s a game of “got to stay at them all”

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