IF I were shopping for resale RIV…

[mickeyshellbelle]

No thanks, keep overrunning the Grand

We only visited Riviera briefly during an Epcot break a few years ago. Neither my husband and I were interested in it. However, you all are making me think we need to do a split stay there. Epcot is our favorite park as well as HS. We own mostly at BLT and MK is probably my least favorite park lol. When we initially bought we were on the “younger side” so we hesitantly talked ourselves out of BC and BW points. My boys are also getting older so the monorail loop will become less important. I think Riviera deserves a second look

 

[intamin]

We only visited Riviera briefly during an Epcot break a few years ago. Neither my husband and I were interested in it. However, you all are making me think we need to do a split stay there. Epcot is our favorite park as well as HS. We own mostly at BLT and MK is probably my least favorite park lol. When we initially bought we were on the “younger side” so we hesitantly talked ourselves out of BC and BW points. My boys are also getting older so the monorail loop will become less important. I think Riviera deserves a second look

At least give it a shot, the resort doesn't look like much from the exterior but the skyliner is nice even though it suffers by comparison to walking from BC/BW. The resort definitely feels more mature and the Disney touches are subtle but the rooms themselves are fantastic and it sounds like it has the expiration date you want.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

We only visited Riviera briefly during an Epcot break a few years ago. Neither my husband and I were interested in it. However, you all are making me think we need to do a split stay there. Epcot is our favorite park as well as HS. We own mostly at BLT and MK is probably my least favorite park lol. When we initially bought we were on the “younger side” so we hesitantly talked ourselves out of BC and BW points. My boys are also getting older so the monorail loop will become less important. I think Riviera deserves a second look

It is serene!

 

[NVDISFamily]

No thanks, keep overrunning the Grand

Hey, if it could help alleviate some of the pressure on the lobby and monorail at that time of year….. I want to visit some day but I hear it’s not exactly a peaceful holiday vibe

Plus the best grand is a few miles west at the OG mouse house.

 

[Sandisw]

It is serene!

This is what I love about it! After hectic days in the park, I love that the resort is just peaceful and relaxing!

I don’t need more Disney and hustle and bustle at night!

 

[jolynne28]

Some nice long fountains to replace the bocci ball court would be really nice. I wish Disney made water features a part of resorts more often like how they used to have the waterfall in GCH at Poly. I was really disappointed that the island tower was lacking the water feature shown in the rendering.

I'd vote for that, or really anything that's quiet and relaxing.

 

[radiodome21]

This was a good topic to catch up on. We just got back from WDW 2 days ago after an 8 day trip there. We did 3 nights in a Deluxe studio at VGF, one of our home resorts, before finishing at the Riv. This was our first stay there. We did 3 nights in a 1 bedroom and 2 nights in a studio. And I absolutely loved it. The 1 bedroom was on the 3rd floor with a beautiful view of the loading dock below and the studio was an ADA room, which I think was given to us because we did have an ECV we left with guest services when we switched rooms. We did have a great view too. Since I already own 250 direct and have always wanted an Epcot resort I am keeping and eye out on a smallish contract, primarily for split stays or even future runDisney races. This was our second split stay trip, the first one 3 years ago when we stayed at Poly and BCH before we bought into DVC. This time we actually spent the transfer day at Typhoon Lagoon and the kids loved it. I am nursing a knee injury so I enjoyed from the sidelines. But discounted refillable beer cups were a nice surprise.

I bought direct Poly points in February, a decision I don’t regret at all. But if I really wanted a dedicated Epcot resort I don’t think a small resale contract here is a bad decision. I’m not a fan of the 2042 expiration and BCV is the only other Epcot resort my family likes. But who knows. Thanks for the insights!

 

[Mouseforward]

Oh god I wish this were true! I've been tracking RIV for 2025 and through March I'm getting an average across all brokers of $109 for 200+ pts. There was 1 contract for 85, so it's making their report look really good from a buyers perspective, not so much sellers!

Same boat here, I am getting no movement in the OCT use year ( other than a 300+ point contract that is too large for me) I have issues getting anyone to go below 110 and they are all somewhat stripped.

We only visited Riviera briefly during an Epcot break a few years ago. Neither my husband and I were interested in it. However, you all are making me think we need to do a split stay there. Epcot is our favorite park as well as HS. We own mostly at BLT and MK is probably my least favorite park lol. When we initially bought we were on the “younger side” so we hesitantly talked ourselves out of BC and BW points. My boys are also getting older so the monorail loop will become less important. I think Riviera deserves a second look

Either your Disney universe revolves around MK , or Epcot ( or 2,493 miles west for a few here) and that completely changes how you view the resorts. Let's face it, the studios are nearly interchangeable in most resorts. Its location and transportation.

 

[havoc315]

Either your Disney universe revolves around MK , or Epcot ( or 2,493 miles west for a few here) and that completely changes how you view the resorts. Let's face it, the studios are nearly interchangeable in most resorts. Its location and transportation.

I think the biggest factors for myself and most people are: location, transportation and room quality.
Then depending on the person, you get the theming of the resort itself, the dining, the pool quality.

On the fairly objective elements, Riviera does pretty well:
Location pro -- easy access to Epcot and DHS. Location con -- almost nothing walkable, except CBR
Transportation pro -- again, very easy access to Epcot, DHS and the Boardwalk area by the Skyliner. Direct buses to MK and AK
Room quality -- Among the biggest, newest rooms. In terms of studios, I believe Riviera has the second biggest studios on property, second to Poly. And much bigger than the other Epcot area resorts.

The theming is probably the most subjective judgments -- There are those who claim the Riviera looks like a Marriott box (which I personally think is far more true of BLT). There are those who think it actually covers a riviera vibe pretty well, and overall love the brightness and casual elegance of the resort.

 

[mommy2twingles]

Would you be concerned about matching UY with any other contracts if you buy resale or since you could only book at RIV with those points would you not care.

 

[intamin]

Would you be concerned about matching UY with any other contracts if you buy resale or since you could only book at RIV with those points would you not care.

Shouldn't matter assuming you never plan to purchase direct. If there's even a chance you would get direct Id buy it in the same UY.

 

[radiodome21]

I was just thinking the same thing last night. While I know I wouldn’t be able to use any resale points elsewhere would it be a problem if I wanted to use my direct points combined with any resale points. I have a February UY and haven’t seen a lot of attractive Riv contracts with that UY.

 

[Mouseforward]

I was just thinking the same thing last night. While I know I wouldn’t be able to use any resale points elsewhere would it be a problem if I wanted to use my direct points combined with any resale points. I have a February UY and haven’t seen a lot of attractive Riv contracts with that UY.

I am in the same bucket for Oct - the understanding I have from my agent is many RIV contracts have mortgages so when you see $140 and up they are usually trying to not bring cash to closing.

He also said they expect it to level out in the next year or so where the early buyers with 10 year loans will have enough equity to sell at market rate. Basically hold on, stick to your UY and keep looking.

 

[eticketplease]

Shouldn't matter assuming you never plan to purchase direct. If there's even a chance you would get direct Id buy it in the same UY.

Agreed. I'll also add even if you get a direct contract the only one imo would be RIV Direct to supplement a RIV resale.
Reason being that if you are RIV resale owner you are certainly going to want to book at the 11 month window as that is your only place to stay other than trading into II.
The direct points from other places can certainly be used at RIV but once everything is 100% declared I think it will be tougher to 7 month in even with a good chunk of studio rooms (186 with only 48 standard) and the higher point charts.

 

[Mouseforward]

but once everything is 100% declared I think it will be tougher to 7 month in even with a good chunk of studio rooms (186 with only 48 standard) and the higher point charts.

Just like I learned the hard way with BW, RIV owners who want studios need to add on to have enough points for PV "Penalty view" rooms. Buying 150 may not be enough to get a studio in 2030

 

[eticketplease]

Just like I learned the hard way with BW, RIV owners who want studios need to add on to have enough points for PV "Penalty view" rooms. Buying 150 may not be enough to get a studio in 2030

Very true.

I don't think I had heard of Preferred View described that one before but you are certainly spot on!!

Thanks for the laugh!!

 

[havoc315]

Would you be concerned about matching UY with any other contracts if you buy resale or since you could only book at RIV with those points would you not care.

I was lucky. Found the perfect resale contract with same use year as my direct.

Yes, it still matters.

When they aren’t the same use year, you can’t combine the points — you have to book 2 different reservations.
That means there is no guarantee of keeping the same room. It messes up the window for booking dining and lightning lanes.
It can even mess with your spread of points.
Imagine you have 2 contracts, 50 points each. Different use years — you’re trying to book 3 nights, in a room that is 33 points per night.
Though you have plenty of points, you don’t have enough points on either contract to book that middle night!

There is a workaround — you can transfer your own points to yourself. But you can only do 1 transfer per year. And it’s another call to guest services to do it.

Having the same use year just makes life easier.

 

[havoc315]

Agreed. I'll also add even if you get a direct contract the only one imo would be RIV Direct to supplement a RIV resale.
Reason being that if you are RIV resale owner you are certainly going to want to book at the 11 month window as that is your only place to stay other than trading into II.
The direct points from other places can certainly be used at RIV but once everything is 100% declared I think it will be tougher to 7 month in even with a good chunk of studio rooms (186 with only 48 standard) and the higher point charts.

7 months should actually be easier than other resorts. There are tons of resale owners who won’t be able to trade in to Riviera.

 

[eticketplease]

7 months should actually be easier than other resorts. There are tons of resale owners who won’t be able to trade in to Riviera.

You’re forgetting the fact that in order to trade into a resort, people usually have to trade out thus with resale at Riviera they are stuck and will be booking at 11 months to get something leaving folks like us who like to book at 7 months struggling to get in.

 

[havoc315]

You’re forgetting the fact that in order to trade into a resort, people usually have to trade out thus with resale at Riviera they are stuck and will be booking at 11 months to get something leaving folks like us who like to book at 7 months struggling to get in.

Not forgetting at all.
It’s a question of numbers. The overwhelming majority of Riviera owners are direct, given it’s only 6 years in. So the vast majority, likely 90-95%+, are fully eligible to trade in and out.

On the other hand, older resorts have a much higher proportion of resale owners. I can’t really take an educated guess, but solely for illustration purposes:
If 95% of Riviera owners are eligible to trade out, but only 50% of non-Riviera DVC owners can trade in, that will create a more favorable 7 month window.

Over time, of course, the number of Riviera resale owners will increase—- but by the time the numbers get really significant, by then all resorts will be heavily restricted for resale. Even the original resorts: For example, a BLT owner in 2045, likely will only be able to use their points at about 8 resorts, while there will be 10-15 resorts where they can’t use their points.

In other words, by the time there are a really significant number of resale owners, all the resorts will have the same issue. In the end, the biggest factor is the percentage of owners that are resale.