Has DVC given up on RIV?

[The Jackal]

First they announced Reflections and then canceled it. Now with the quick flip at VGF2 and now PVB2 in the works and will be open in a little over 2 years. Where does RIV stand. It was supposed to be the VGF of Epcot. It was selling pretty good then the virus happened. Sales stalled and haven’t returned. Now VGF2 sales appear very strong, we have to wait a bit for real numbers. Now with PBV2 in the near future, how much will this effect RIV sales? Assuming VGF2 will sell out in less than 1 year, they will have about a year to push RIV sales before PVB2 goes on sale. PVB2 will probably go on sale in early 2024 if things stay on plan. Is this DVC’s way to work around the resale restrictions? Just add on at an existing resort. This is assuming PVB2 will be added to the original PVB association, we will have to wait for confirmation on this.

 

[theww228]

For me the resorts in the Epcot area (RIV, BWV & BCV) are different than the MK resorts (PBV, GFV, BLT & WL) so it is actual beneficial for them to have resorts in the different areas to attract different buyers or folks like me that want resorts in both areas. It looks like GFV2 will sell out before PBV2 is ready to sell. This gives them something in both areas to market. I don't see it as them giving up on RIV.

 

[lowlight]

For me, Riviera IS the GF of Epcot. Monorail resorts will always be more popular though, because MK is likely the most popular park. If they were worried about Riviera, they would have had a fire sale on points like Aulani.

 

[UofMGuy423]

They're different resorts in different areas. The more options they can provide to potential new members (and existing members) the more sales they can drive. Personally, I bought Riviera because I wanted to be in the Epcot/HS resort area. I imagine I'm not the only one who prefers one area over others.

Plus, as of January, about 40% of Riviera is sold, which is pretty good considering a global pandemic shut things down and we're facing inflation, etc. If sales continue to increase, it could be sold out in 3 years by the time PVB2 debuts.

 

[Zach197]

We just bought Riv direct yesterday for its location to Epcot/HS and the 2070 expiration. I think its about preference, monorail line or Epcot resort area.

 

[RoseGold]

40% sold three years in is not going as planned. If VGF sells out before RIV with 8 years off the contract, they'll have some thinking to do. VGF2 might sell through, and then they're back selling RIV still.

IMO "giving up" would be fire selling the points. That 133 Aulani I'd call a fire sale, but I never though RIV was priced at fire sale.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

40% sold three years in is not going as planned. If VGF sells out before RIV with 8 years off the contract, they'll have some thinking to do. VGF2 might sell through, and then they're back selling RIV still.

IMO "giving up" would be fire selling the points. That 133 Aulani I'd call a fire sale, but I never though RIV was priced at fire sale.

Aulani Direct was 133 at one point?

 

[RoseGold]

Aulani Direct was 133 at one point?

November 2021

https://www.disboards.com/threads/aulani-with-current-incentives.3859996/

 

[gregskellington]

Are VGF2 sales really strong or do we just think that based on our experiences here. Genuinely curious.

 

[kilik64]

Are VGF2 sales really strong or do we just think that based on our experiences here. Genuinely curious.

They sound strong, wont know for sure until month is over and points sold reports show up.

 

[Marionnette]

Are VGF2 sales really strong or do we just think that based on our experiences here. Genuinely curious.

Based on how quickly the luggage sets sold out (500 purchasers of 125 points or more), I'd say that initial sales were pretty strong.

 

[kilik64]

Its only existing owners too for the first month of sales right?

 

[Sandisw]

Are VGF2 sales really strong or do we just think that based on our experiences here. Genuinely curious.

They seem to be strong but remember, this is only with current owners. We have no idea how the strong sales compare with the RIV sales for the month among non owners who know VGF will be available soon.

I know it’s been almost 3 calendar years for RIV but I think you have to take a year off that for what happened.

Also, I don’t think you can look at just % sold because the more points you have, the longer it will take to sell out. 6 million points at 1 million a year…which would be a success based on prior numbers…would take it 6 years.

But VGF is going to be a real test in terms of the resort itself now that there is another option those new buyers have. If things really depress with RIV, then I think DVD will have data that they need to address.

We shall see what happens in a few months. In terms of how DVD views it? I don’t really know but they haven’t gone crazy with incentives and have raised the price so it must be in the realm of okay.

I posted elsewhere, but I think they knew the Poly expansion was happening once Reflections was scrapped and the VGF expansion may have been to help them have enough new things to sell while this is being built..so, by having both VGF and RIV, it won’t matter which one does better because they need points to last 2 years.

The announcement of whether the new Poly tower will have resale restrictions will be a big tell, IMO, on what they are thinking about choices made with RIV.

 

[Minniemoo15]

Last week we were down at WDW and debating our direct purchase decision...we didn't really want GFV because we already own a MK resort that we greatly prefer (Poly) and the new resort studios don't do much for us. RIV's location is appealing to us as a second home resort, but the restrictions are a total no go. We were very very close to purchasing GFV but ultimately held off because our heart wasn't fully in it. SO glad we did, as the PVB2.0 project is RIGHT up our alley. We will be first in line to purchase there.

 

[Her Dotness]

I think it's all too easy for us DVC veterans to presume that people who don't already own are interested in VGF at all.

That snooty/stuffy/too granny attitude is very widespread in my experience. Lots of people have no interest whatsoever in staying at the GF. Actively hate/fear it, in fact. (And no, I'm not exaggerating. Almost no other resort inspires such animosity.)

Not to mention that a ton of people have no clue at all what DVC is. We had to explain to relatives who've gone to WDW annually for years that it's not a special Disney vacation-planning division but a type of timeshare. They thought it was something like a Disney-based travel agent, a "club" you joined to get TA help and special rates on hotel rooms.

An acquaintance who said she wouldn't buy anywhere but VGF if it ever opened up again bought 200 RIV points direct at Christmastime. We suspect she was swayed by the usual guide sales pitch. "Oh, but I can get you into our newest resort today. It's gorgeous. You'll love it. Then, you'll be all set for your next trip."

I'll be somewhat surprised if VGF sales are strong once it opens to new owners. I could be wrong but just don't think there are that many people so interested in VGF that they can't be easily diverted to buying RIV like our acquaintance.

 

[wnielsen1]

That snooty/stuffy/too granny attitude is very widespread in my experience. Lots of people have no interest whatsoever in staying at the GF. Actively hate/fear it, in fact. (And no, I'm not exaggerating. Almost no other resort inspires such animosity.)

You are absolutely right. Although in my case, it's hate/fear of the points chart

 

[macman123]

Aulani Direct was 133 at one point?

I got 300

 

[BeachClub2014]

Has DVC given up on the RIV? Interesting question. I have no inside knowledge of the corporate thinking of DVC but it seems to me that the answer to the question is likely "no". The only evidence I have to support this belief is that DVC just raised the base price for the resort. That move wouldn't seem likely if there was a high level of dissatisfaction with RIV at this stage of sales.

 

[wnielsen1]

Has DVC given up on the RIV? Interesting question. I have no inside knowledge of the corporate thinking of DVC but it seems to me that the answer to the question is likely "no". The only evidence I have to support this belief is that DVC just raised the base price for the resort. That move wouldn't seem likely if there was a high level of dissatisfaction with RIV at this stage of sales.

I don't think they have given up either, but the base price always goes up. Just look at Aulani. The base price has been going up there every year. They boost incentives when they need a boost in sales. Even with incentives, I think RIV is doing fine. I believe that Disney does see that many people prefer to buy something other than RIV and they are attempting to capture that market. Just looking at how many points they sell at "sold out" resorts will tell them that.

 

[BeachClub2014]

I don't think they have given up either, but the base price always goes up. Just look at Aulani. The base price has been going up there every year. They boost incentives when they need a boost in sales. Even with incentives, I think RIV is doing fine. I believe that Disney does see that many people prefer to buy something other than RIV and they are attempting to capture that market. Just looking at how many points they sell at "sold out" resorts will tell them that.

Agreed. I don't think DVC has "given up" on Aulani, either. Truth be told, I'm not even sure what "giving up" on a resort would look like.