Help regarding VGF vs RR

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Will we see these discounts on Riviera again?

Generally, the price goes up gradually.

 

[RamblinWreck]

I’m not sure protection from rain is a real issue here.

The path to VGF1 from the main building is totally covered.


As a person made very uncomfortable by heights myself, I hate the skyliner. I use it, because I’m able to convince myself that I’m being irrational. But I hate it. Someone with a true fear that they can’t rationally cope with will not get on the skyliner a second time IMO.

 

[DianaMB333]

Btw Somebody opened today a thread to confirm the noise comments and so far doesn’t seem to be a true issue…

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Btw Somebody opened today a thread to confirm the noise comments and so far doesn’t seem to be a true issue…

Having had several stays on the hotel side, honestly it just depends on whether you have a loud family next to you. Most of the time that won't be the case. But when it does happen (and I know it does because it has happened to us also), the complaints are very vociferous so it makes it seem like it's the norm.

 

[Sandisw]

Buy BW resale. Resale market is going to be a wreck with this out of whack pricing. Put in some offers. You only need one.

BW has significant point advantage for priority, and a chart that looks quaint next to RR/VGF, which puts it in this ballpark. You need a lot less points, maybe a whole lot less, and you bought resale, which makes the whole thing less commitment too.

Also, relying on buses only at RIV sounds like a major drag.

Except You only rely on buses if Skyliner is down. And when it is..it’s happened only once in all my stays..they send a ton of buses.

We had like 3 come for Hollywood and and 2 for Epcot in the 15 minutes we waited for MK that day.

So honestly it would have been easy with how many were there and this was around 4 pm.

 

[kandlsutton]

Yeah, no, my husband is the sort who won't even get on an airplane. He will never get on the Skyliner.

There are no buses from RIV to HS or EP when the Skyliner is running. Assume would not stay at RIV if husband is coming.

RIV gas 6 more years than VGF but MFs are higher.

Will likely need home resort booking window to get standard views at either resort, definitely for studios at RIV. Standard 1 BRs at RIV are currently booked for fall frenzy and are waitlist only at 7 months. Just a guess, but standard view VGF1 DS and 1BR will likely be difficult at 7 months although VGF2 RSs will be easier. Really steep points for TPV.

 

[Frugal Fairy Tales]

I'm considering purchasing at either VGF or RR. I don't like the restrictions at Riviera or the higher annual dues, and my husband is afraid of heights, so the Skyliner is viewed as an issue rather than a benefit. However, the rooms are beautiful and less points, and the compact nature of the resort and protection from rain is great. I actually like Hollywood Studios and Epcot more than Magic Kingdom, and since I'm the one likely to be at Disney most often, that is a factor as well. I've also read many comments/reviews about how the walls in the main Grand Floridian buildings are very thin and noise is an issue, and since one of those buildings has been converted to DVC, I'm concerned that if we end up stuck in one of the new rooms that we won't get much sleep. The Grand Floridian does have better amenities imo, as well as lower annual dues, rooms that are almost as nice as Riviera, and potentially better value on the resale market. It's also the favorite resort of one of my kids. What's a girl to do?

I couldn’t have said this any better. This is what I’m thinking as well.

 

[RoseGold]

Except You only rely on buses if Skyliner is down. And when it is..it’s happened only once in all my stays..they send a ton of buses.

We had like 3 come for Hollywood and and 2 for Epcot in the 15 minutes we waited for MK that day.

So honestly it would have been easy with how many were there and this was around 4 pm.

OP said her husband is not willing to ride the skyliner. That takes away RIV’s coolest feature. Maybe RIV doesn’t even run buses when the skyliner is going?

 

[sethschroeder]

Except You only rely on buses if Skyliner is down. And when it is..it’s happened only once in all my stays..they send a ton of buses.

We had like 3 come for Hollywood and and 2 for Epcot in the 15 minutes we waited for MK that day.

So honestly it would have been easy with how many were there and this was around 4 pm.

There have been gaps at times but it's getting better also random shutdowns should hopefully be gone with the latest refurb in January to do some updates/fixes.

Also big thing IMO is just paying attention to weather. You can typically see when it's about to be a lightning storm and you decide do you get back to the resort or plan on wandering around the park longer maybe do shows like Canada or Beauty and the Beast HS.

OP said her husband is not willing to ride the skyliner. That takes away RIV’s coolest feature. Maybe RIV doesn’t even run buses when the skyliner is going?

I only took it as a fear of heights. It's hard to say what that means for the Skyliner since some people won't do it, others can do it, and some are completely fine with it.

If the Skyliner is out I would likely pivot to BWV for sure. It's my #2 behind BWV, will get updates in the next couple years, but has a shorter contract meaning it's resale value will likely dip a bit faster.

 

[laserpastry]

There have been gaps at times but it's getting better also random shutdowns should hopefully be gone with the latest refurb in January to do some updates/fixes.

Also big thing IMO is just paying attention to weather. You can typically see when it's about to be a lightning storm and you decide do you get back to the resort or plan on wandering around the park longer maybe do shows like Canada or Beauty and the Beast HS.




I only took it as a fear of heights. It's hard to say what that means for the Skyliner since some people won't do it, others can do it, and some are completely fine with it.

If the Skyliner is out I would likely pivot to BWV for sure. It's my #2 behind BWV, will get updates in the next couple years, but has a shorter contract meaning it's resale value will likely dip a bit faster.

My husband and I both don't like the vibe at Boardwalk. Beach Club is better, but we can't make the numbers work. That's why both were ruled out in favor of Riviera for an EP/HS resort.

 

[laserpastry]

OP said her husband is not willing to ride the skyliner. That takes away RIV’s coolest feature. Maybe RIV doesn’t even run buses when the skyliner is going?

I thought I read somewhere that there was still a bus every hour for EP and HS even with the Skyliner running. Definitely not ideal though.

 

[RoseGold]

An option on the table is to wait and see what cheap flip DVC announces in a few months. Yacht Club Resort Studios would be a reasonable choice and would be ideal for all of your considerations. Yacht Club is aging, and it has some rooms with bad views. And they could put the resale restrictions on it. I think it's more likely than Jambo (bad chart). Poly and Contemporary just got big, expensive remodels.

When DVC sells down a lot of VGF, they're going to have to announce something at WDW. And there's a good chance it's another small, cheap project like a small flip. Or, Vero 2, yuck.

Of course, if you buy resale now, you can always trade it in a couple years in if Yacht Club does come along. The problem with direct is that it is a longer commitment. It would be a shame to buy RIV now if Yacht Club is coming 2023. Your resale BW would be easy to sell and buy Yacht Club if that were to happen and you'd get to use BW points for a few years while you wait. I can really see BW/BC holding value for a while, as buyers intentionally look for starter contracts with less years on them. And now would be a time to get a good resale buy.

 

[laserpastry]

OP here. I think you guys have at least convinced me not to purchase at Riviera. With the Skyliner issue, it just wouldn't be good for my family. Thank you everyone for your replies!