IF I were shopping for resale RIV…

[Sandisw]

I was thinking 3 50 point contracts too, especially since they'll be sought after later. Masons closing costs for akv was $592, small price to pay if I can sell them for $23-$30 or even more pp down the line

Just remember if you split and ever sell one, and those were what made you eligible for membership extras , you’d fall below and lose them, unless you buy more direct contracts that keep you at the level required when those contracts were purchased.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Would it be wise to purchase two 75 point contracts in the same use year if you've never had direct points or is that a pain to deal with later?

As others have said, yes this would be a good plan! The only reason I didn’t do it is bc I opted for a Favorite Week instead. But the smaller contracts certainly seem to be holding their value.

 

[Girlstar30]

Just remember if you split and ever sell one, and those were what made you eligible for membership extras , you’d fall below and lose them, unless you buy more direct contracts that keep you at the level required when those contracts were purchased.

Grrr and I definitely don't want to buy more direct because $$$. Hopefully they won't raise that 150 point threshold again in the future. Definetely want to keep my options open in the future for small possible direct contracts than go all in over 150 points on one resort

 

[Cfabar1]

I have many counter-intuitive opinions....

So... here they are...

I don't think resale restrictions matter too much with DVC.... You're staying on property no matter what... I would be comfortable, for the right price, paying for a DVC RIV Resale Contract, which is a great bargain.

RIV has the unfortunate combination of a terrible points chart AND resale restrictions. For example, the room category thing was nothing but a money grab in my view, and even the standard points charts are the most aggressive for a non-monorail MK property... The skyliner does add tremendous convenience, when running, and especially for those in strollers... but back to the point....

So, while I can use my VGF points to stay at OKW for "less money" than OKW owners can use their OKW points at VGF, RIV offers no such respite. So you need many more points to have the same vacation at RIV than you could with an unrestricted resort where - theoretically - if you wanted a 2 BR or GV you could stay somewhere like OKW or SSR where the points are more favorable.

I also think that, if it is true that that DVC owners hold their contracts on average for about 10 years, we will see many more resale contracts enter the system over time. The 11 month window will get much more aggressive I feel, since the "less desirable" resorts can't relieve the pressure of folks getting their bookings... (though I think OKW is one of the most desirable resorts personally)... Plus, at 7 months, RIV resale owners will be competing with anyone else who has direct or grandfathered points... I'd imagine 6 month availability at RIV will be quite terrible.

I guess where I land is a resale RIV Favorite Week contract would probably be my best bet if I were buying... I'd probably buy a week I knew I could go every year, pay the extra point premium and be very happy with it for the right price....

Which I do think will continue to tank...

Which shouldn't matter, because I view the initial purchase price as a sunk cost...

 

[atthebeachclub]

I have many counter-intuitive opinions....

So... here they are...

I don't think resale restrictions matter too much with DVC.... You're staying on property no matter what... I would be comfortable, for the right price, paying for a DVC RIV Resale Contract, which is a great bargain.

RIV has the unfortunate combination of a terrible points chart AND resale restrictions. For example, the room category thing was nothing but a money grab in my view, and even the standard points charts are the most aggressive for a non-monorail MK property... The skyliner does add tremendous convenience, when running, and especially for those in strollers... but back to the point....

So, while I can use my VGF points to stay at OKW for "less money" than OKW owners can use their OKW points at VGF, RIV offers no such respite. So you need many more points to have the same vacation at RIV than you could with an unrestricted resort where - theoretically - if you wanted a 2 BR or GV you could stay somewhere like OKW or SSR where the points are more favorable.

I also think that, if it is true that that DVC owners hold their contracts on average for about 10 years, we will see many more resale contracts enter the system over time. The 11 month window will get much more aggressive I feel, since the "less desirable" resorts can't relieve the pressure of folks getting their bookings... (though I think OKW is one of the most desirable resorts personally)... Plus, at 7 months, RIV resale owners will be competing with anyone else who has direct or grandfathered points... I'd imagine 6 month availability at RIV will be quite terrible.

I guess where I land is a resale RIV Favorite Week contract would probably be my best bet if I were buying... I'd probably buy a week I knew I could go every year, pay the extra point premium and be very happy with it for the right price....

Which I do think will continue to tank...

Which shouldn't matter, because I view the initial purchase price as a sunk cost...

I think if I were buying Riviera direct (I’m not), I would STRONGLY consider the fixed week as an option.

 

[tx911]

I think if I were buying Riviera direct (I’m not), I would STRONGLY consider the fixed week as an option.

I guess the draw of a FW eludes me. Maybe it's just my personal circumstances.

I go to WDW at various weeks throughout the year, essentially never stay Sunday to Sunday (haven't yet), enjoy split stays, and like to try various room types and resorts. Therefore, the FW is of almost no benefit to me. And if I did happen to use it, I would have to spend more points for the room (except in rare instances) than it would cost if booked the usual way.

I understand the benefit if resort studios become impossible to get at 11 months, but only in a very specific narrow set of conditions for your visit. I'll be good just booking a preferred view or 1BR if that becomes the case.

Am I missing something?

 

[Cfabar1]

I guess the draw of a FW eludes me. Maybe it's just my personal circumstances.

I go to WDW at various weeks throughout the year, essentially never stay Sunday to Sunday (haven't yet), enjoy split stays, and like to try various room types and resorts. Therefore, the FW is of almost no benefit to me. And if I did happen to use it, I would have to spend more points for the room (except in rare instances) than it would cost if booked the usual way.


Am I missing something?

I don't think so... I think a lot of it depends on how you travel....

We personally use our points for a 6 night stay each year.... and we tend to go the same time....

I could see a FW making sense for us if we moved to 7 nights... except the time of year we go is not a competitive time, so, to pay the points premium doesn't make sense for us...

I think for the right use case it makes a lot of sense especially if you are in a resort that has intrinsic problems with points balance (i.e. CCV) or if you wanted a 1 BR at PIT for example....

 

[Girlstar30]

Do fixed weeks also include the room type you want and it stays the same every year or you are just guaranteed the week you're going?

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

I guess the draw of a FW eludes me. Maybe it's just my personal circumstances.

I go to WDW at various weeks throughout the year, essentially never stay Sunday to Sunday (haven't yet), enjoy split stays, and like to try various room types and resorts. Therefore, the FW is of almost no benefit to me. And if I did happen to use it, I would have to spend more points for the room (except in rare instances) than it would cost if booked the usual way.

I understand the benefit if resort studios become impossible to get at 11 months, but only in a very specific narrow set of conditions for your visit. I'll be good just booking a preferred view or 1BR if that becomes the case.

Am I missing something?

If you never see yourself traveling Sunday to Sunday, then I agree it’s probably not worth it for you. With the exception of FW 52 where Sunday to Sunday isn’t a problem, I don’t expect to use my others until I retire…which is still a ways off. But by then I’ll hopefully have the flexibility to have my travel align to the FW.

My two FWs at Riv were purchased for two completely different reasons:
FW 39 - in most years using the FW will save you points given the calendar/seasons

FW 44 - will never save me points but is already challenging to book and I want to know that I can always lock it in (potential race week, Food & Wine, MNSSH)

Who knows if it will end up working out this way, but it was worth it for me to have the option…and if I don’t use it, no downside.

 

[DVCsloth]

I guess the draw of a FW eludes me. Maybe it's just my personal circumstances.

I go to WDW at various weeks throughout the year, essentially never stay Sunday to Sunday (haven't yet), enjoy split stays, and like to try various room types and resorts. Therefore, the FW is of almost no benefit to me. And if I did happen to use it, I would have to spend more points for the room (except in rare instances) than it would cost if booked the usual way.

I understand the benefit if resort studios become impossible to get at 11 months, but only in a very specific narrow set of conditions for your visit. I'll be good just booking a preferred view or 1BR if that becomes the case.

Am I missing something?

I think families that go during school break or certain events or holidays that want a studio or 2BR would benefit the most with a FW.

 

[tx911]

If you never see yourself traveling Sunday to Sunday, then I agree it’s probably not worth it for you. With the exception of FW 52 where Sunday to Sunday isn’t a problem, I don’t expect to use my others until I retire…which is still a ways off. But by then I’ll hopefully have the flexibility to have my travel align to the FW.

My two FWs at Riv were purchased for two completely different reasons:
FW 39 - in most years using the FW will save you points given the calendar/seasons

FW 44 - will never save me points but is already challenging to book and I want to know that I can always lock it in (potential race week, Food & Wine, MNSSH)

Who knows if it will end up working out this way, but it was worth it for me to have the option…and if I don’t use it, no downside.

I am kind of intrigued by FW39 because it matches up roughly with my anniversary
I think if I were retired and could travel more freely a FW would make more sense for me.

 

[DVCsloth]

I am kind of intrigued by FW39 because it matches up roughly with my anniversary
I think if I were retired and could travel more freely a FW would make more sense for me.

Not much use for us because we generally avoid WDW on the weekends.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

I am kind of intrigued by FW39 because it matches up roughly with my anniversary
I think if I were retired and could travel more freely a FW would make more sense for me.

Eventually I will talk you into it

 

[atthebeachclub]

I guess the draw of a FW eludes me. Maybe it's just my personal circumstances.

I go to WDW at various weeks throughout the year, essentially never stay Sunday to Sunday (haven't yet), enjoy split stays, and like to try various room types and resorts. Therefore, the FW is of almost no benefit to me. And if I did happen to use it, I would have to spend more points for the room (except in rare instances) than it would cost if booked the usual way.

I understand the benefit if resort studios become impossible to get at 11 months, but only in a very specific narrow set of conditions for your visit. I'll be good just booking a preferred view or 1BR if that becomes the case.

Am I missing something?

It’s a hedge against point inflation and competition. But you don’t have to use it. I also like week long trips and want to go at the same time every year. And I don’t like split staying, and if I like a resort I will probably stay there often and go other places only sometimes.

 

[tx911]

Eventually I will talk you into it

Of that I have no doubt

 

[ShaneDJ]

I guess where I land is a resale RIV Favorite Week contract would probably be my best bet if I were buying...

Has there ever been a resale RIV fixed week sold?

I don’t recall ever seeing one.

 

[smileyanna]

I have a lot of faith that markets will “find a way.” RIV resale owners will find a way to swap stays with other resorts, *especially* the SAP+ resorts.
If the post 2042 landscape at seven months is as bleak as predicted here, the game will shift: instead of trying to switch resorts at seven months with my points, I start looking to swap my four night reservation at CCV for four nights somewhere else. Yes, there are points charts differences, etc etc. The market will find a way.

 

[Chili327]

I was thinking 3 50 point contracts too, especially since they'll be sought after later. Masons closing costs for akv was $592, small price to pay if I can sell them for $23-$30 or even more pp down the line

What does $23-$30/pp mean?
Do you mean rent? Hopefully you’ll sell them for $130-$150/pp down the road, if needed.

 

[Girlstar30]

What does $23-$30/pp mean?
Do you mean rent? Hopefully you’ll sell them for $130-$150/pp down the road, if needed.

Sorry I meant if i could sell it for that much more per point than a longer riv contract would sell (this is all hypothetical, I have no idea how much i could sell it for but that would be nice )

 

[Sandisw]

I have many counter-intuitive opinions....

So... here they are...

I don't think resale restrictions matter too much with DVC.... You're staying on property no matter what... I would be comfortable, for the right price, paying for a DVC RIV Resale Contract, which is a great bargain.

RIV has the unfortunate combination of a terrible points chart AND resale restrictions. For example, the room category thing was nothing but a money grab in my view, and even the standard points charts are the most aggressive for a non-monorail MK property... The skyliner does add tremendous convenience, when running, and especially for those in strollers... but back to the point....

So, while I can use my VGF points to stay at OKW for "less money" than OKW owners can use their OKW points at VGF, RIV offers no such respite. So you need many more points to have the same vacation at RIV than you could with an unrestricted resort where - theoretically - if you wanted a 2 BR or GV you could stay somewhere like OKW or SSR where the points are more favorable.

I also think that, if it is true that that DVC owners hold their contracts on average for about 10 years, we will see many more resale contracts enter the system over time. The 11 month window will get much more aggressive I feel, since the "less desirable" resorts can't relieve the pressure of folks getting their bookings... (though I think OKW is one of the most desirable resorts personally)... Plus, at 7 months, RIV resale owners will be competing with anyone else who has direct or grandfathered points... I'd imagine 6 month availability at RIV will be quite terrible.

I guess where I land is a resale RIV Favorite Week contract would probably be my best bet if I were buying... I'd probably buy a week I knew I could go every year, pay the extra point premium and be very happy with it for the right price....

Which I do think will continue to tank...

Which shouldn't matter, because I view the initial purchase price as a sunk cost...

The entire DVC holding only tens years is a bit misleading fact.

Out of the contracts that actually go for sale, that subset of owners have owned around 10 years.

It does not count those that are not selling. So, let’s pretend that 5% of owners are selling, the average time owned for those is around 10 years.

But the 95% who don’t sell aren’t even looked at for the average length of time they have been owners.

ETA: And some of the sellers are people like me who sold but bought other contracts.