If you had to buy Direct, which resort to choose

[swaysui]

Looking to buy 150 points direct. I just passed ROFR recently for my first purchase recently (Copper Creek), but I must say, the whole waiting game is no fun. I think the next set of points might be through the direct route. Something about AKL resonates with me, but Riviera also looks very nice. AK obviously has 13 less years, but Riviera has the restrictions for resale. I'm 44 with a 6 year old and a 3 year old. Any advice from all the savvy people on this board.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Looking to buy 150 points direct. I just passed ROFR recently for my first purchase recently (Copper Creek), but I must say, the whole waiting game is no fun. I think the next set of points might be through the direct route. Something about AKL resonates with me, but Riviera also looks very nice. AK obviously has 13 less years, but Riviera has the restrictions for resale. I'm 44 with a 6 year old and a 3 year old. Any advice from all the savvy people on this board.

Depends on which park you like best. But considering Riviera has access to 2 parks (albeit via skyliner which can also be an experience to your young kids) and has a much longer contract length, I’d go with Riviera. I was in a similar situation as you, kinda. I bought CCV direct but wanted a second WDW contract. After much research, I ended up going with BLT resale for the low dues and walking distance to MK since my kids are still very young. But I kinda regret that I don’t have an Epcot/HS resort. Some may question that Riviera is even a Epcot/HS resort since you can’t walk to it like BCV or BWV. But the rooms are swanky and the amenities are nice, albeit with a steep points chart. And like you said, the resale restrictions. Sorry, I’m probably not helping much. I just recently convinced a friend of mine to buy AKV direct instead of Aulani. AKV is beautiful but for me, AK is not our favorite park and the transportation to the 3 other parks suck. Best of luck to you on your decision!

 

[gregskellington]

People mention resale restrictions with Riviera, but buying a sold out resort comes with different "resale restrictions", imo. AKL is currently selling for what, $45 more per point direct versus resale? How many years do you have to hold before you aren't taking a loss if you need to sell?

I'd buy Riveria or Aulani if I HAD to buy direct right now, but if I was dead set on getting direct points I'd wait for VGF2 or DLT.

 

[Sandisw]

I am not a fan of AKV at all but love RIV so I am biased. However, with little ones, you can not beat the animals for times at the resort. But, the only way to the parks is bus. At RIV, you do have easy access via Skyliner to 2 of the 4 parks. While we have never experienced an issue with it being down, others have. But even then, you have the same situation as AKV with all buses on those rare occasions.

 

[benedib99]

My feedback, is the same as you'll often find on these boards. First, figure out how many points you think you need or will use on an annual basis. Then, buy where you love. Buy at the resort where you'd be happy staying every visit. If you haven't explored all the resorts, use your points to stay at a number of resorts until you find another one you'd like to call home...

 

[JETSDAD]

I'm an AKV owner and love AKV.....being able to book value and club rooms really requires owning there and even then are not guaranteed. If you wouldn't book either of those room types then I would probably go with Riviera though for the longer contract. You'd still be able to book AKV most of the time in standard and savanna views with Riviera points and would have a longer contract.

 

[swaysui]

I am not a fan of AKV at all but love RIV so I am biased. However, with little ones, you can not beat the animals for times at the resort. But, the only way to the parks is bus. At RIV, you do have easy access via Skyliner to 2 of the 4 parks. While we have never experienced an issue with it being down, others have. But even then, you have the same situation as AKV with all buses on those rare occasions.

BTW love all your post on the boards. Super helpful, so thank you for that. I know you're not an AKL fan, but I know you're pretty objective too, is AKL better for non park visit stays than Riviera.

 

[Sandisw]

BTW love all your post on the boards. Super helpful, so thank you for that. I know you're not an AKL fan, but I know you're pretty objective too, is AKL better for non park visit stays than Riviera.

Thank you! I have only stayed at AKV, Jambo, twice. Once was a night after a cruise, and the other was a 3 night long weekend with my daughter. But, from others who I know have stayed there, they love it. I know my son and his wife have stayed a few times...their first Disney trip together was there and she loved it, even though they didn't do a lot of resort time.

The pool is amazing and I did enjoy the morning time I spent there before heading to the parks...my DD liked to sleep in!! But, I absolutely love resort time at RIV, with both the two pools...we enjoyed the walk over to CBR for extra drinks...and food options. We even used the Skyliner to stop at the resorts on it to get an "adult" drink, but in April when we take my grandchildren...which will be more about the resort than the parks...we plan to do the same and get them a "treat" at each place!

What I also like about it is that it can get you to the boardwalk area which opens up some extra fun...the bikes, the food, etc. There are so many people who love AKV, and they can give you a lot more about stays there, but I think for anyone who does enjoy it, it can be a great place, especially since you would have access to both Jambo and Kidani pools! Oh, and the Zebra domes!!!

 

[Vulnox]

Like I have noted in other threads, I wouldn't get too hung up on the Riviera resale restrictions unless you think you may actually put it on the resale market in the next 10 years. Riviera having resale restrictions isn't some unique characteristic of Riviera itself, it's Disney's new direction for DVC (for now at least, I am holding out hope they wise up) which means any new resorts are going to have the same restriction, including any reissue of existing resorts when they start hitting contract expiration. It is going to take a long time for all of them to be on that same restriction playing field, obviously, but we are going to start seeing new resorts or expansions to existing resorts with those restrictions. Right now Riviera is at a disadvantage for it, but it won't be alone for long.

Also if you look at actual resale values, RIV hasn't been hurt badly so far by the restriction. It may be a little different right now, but I did a comparison of 130-160 point contracts at BLT, RIV, AKV, SSR, and BLT and RIV were trading about equal (150-155/pt) on that level contract. AKV and SSR were trading around $120-130/pt. And those were contracts with either pending sales or already sold. So it seems despite the worrying here, the restrictions haven't so far shown significant impact on the resale values. That could change, of course, but I would have a hard time letting it influence your decision right now.

All that said, I am on board with others that say Riviera has high point costs for rooms. We started off looking at 175 point contracts, and then decided to not feel pinned down or having to go every three years (which going every three years really hurts your ability to get as good a value on DVC it seems), we went up to a 200 point contract. Even then I see the possibility of buying another 50 points or so if the kid's first stay there goes really well and it does become a once a year thing to go.

If I could only get 150 points, I will be the first to say I would have a hard time doing that at RIV. There are some good points calculators out there, for smartphone or online. Put in some dates you plan to travel and length of stay and room type, and see what is required for points. If you only intend to go every other year, and your stays keep coming out in the 230-270 point range, then you are golden and 150 points should be fine assuming no significant changes to point requirements for that travel window. If it keeps coming out at 290-340, well, that is tougher. If you have to keep borrowing ahead, eventually becoming an every 3 year trip, then we are back to being in a tough spot to make DVC valuable.

 

[kanerf]

They are also actively selling BWV right now as well as Riviera.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I'd wait on the DLH DVC. I would expect that 150 points to get me 20 minutes in the third floor bathroom, but I also think resale restrictions will be meaningless in SoCal.

Of course, I live in the midwest so going that way is fairly easy.

 

[swaysui]

Being in CT now, WDW would likely be my only choice. My parents live in SoCal so I probably would never stay at DLH when I visit. I actually worked at DL 20 years ago for 1 year Had a great time there.

 

[J-Dog]

I was just in a similar situation last month. I really wanted to buy AKV, but ultimately decided on RIV.

I love AKV, but I was worried that the theming would eventually not "make-up" for the distance from everything. Also, as mentioned by PP above, AKV is probably the third-easiest resort to book at 7 months. So it's less essential as a home resort advantage.

We love RIV's less "in your face" theming - assuming it will be less likely to get boring and played-out over decades of visits. And we love the understated "fanciness". We love the fact that RIV is on the skyliner. But mostly for us, we went with RIV for the guaranteed week, that is not available at AKV. We have not even used our week yet but it's already cheaper paying for our GW than paying for it in points (because our week point allotment is going up in 2023), and we never have to worry about making a reservation.

 

[Wedgeout]

Continue to enjoy your resale experience. Once that membership locks in, the direct purchase will be real easy. I used to say OKW but with all the price hikes, I now say just pick any of them. Actually seems with the contract lengths, RIV is top choice now if I “had to”.

 

[nuhusky123]

BTW love all your post on the boards. Super helpful, so thank you for that. I know you're not an AKL fan, but I know you're pretty objective too, is AKL better for non park visit stays than Riviera.

something to ask yourself. If wdw did Not exist and all these resort hotels were transported to the middle of no where swamp land. Where would you willingly spend money to spend the night

for me, the only hotel that would be a draw for me is akv.

all the other hotels are great given they are at Disney but i would not go out of my way to drive into a swamp and stay at gfv, riv or really any other Disney hotel. With one exception, akv. It has a savanna and for that alone as a hotel to get me to visit it wins

 

[HIRyeDVC]

something to ask yourself. If wdw did Not exist and all these resort hotels were transported to the middle of no where swamp land. Where would you willingly spend money to spend the night

for me, the only hotel that would be a draw for me is akv.

all the other hotels are great given they are at Disney but i would not go out of my way to drive into a swamp and stay at gfv, riv or really any other Disney hotel. With one exception, akv. It has a savanna and for that alone as a hotel to get me to visit it wins

I get your point but why would anyone visit Orlando if it wasn’t for WDW? AKV is a phenomenal resort. But most people would not buy into a decades long timeshare just to stay at a zoo. Just my opinion.

 

[swaysui]

something to ask yourself. If wdw did Not exist and all these resort hotels were transported to the middle of no where swamp land. Where would you willingly spend money to spend the night

for me, the only hotel that would be a draw for me is akv.

all the other hotels are great given they are at Disney but i would not go out of my way to drive into a swamp and stay at gfv, riv or really any other Disney hotel. With one exception, akv. It has a savanna and for that alone as a hotel to get me to visit it wins

Yes, that was the same sentiment Pete had on the YouTube channel.

 

[nuhusky123]

I get your point but why would anyone visit Orlando if it wasn’t for WDW? AKV is a phenomenal resort. But most people would not buy into a decades long timeshare just to stay at a zoo. Just my opinion.

yup agreed we are at Disney.my post was just in response to resort stay only. Riv is let’s face it a nice hotel. But walk out of the Disney bubble and is it a Marriott, Hilton? I’d bet Marriott could buy the hotel one day and no one would be able to tell. It’s just like any other hotel in Orlando except it’s on Disney property

another post I had was about my awesome impression of swan reserve. It’s on Disney property, luxury hotel. Great hotel. Very much similar to riv. But still a hotel and nothing special. Nothing that says wow I have to pick a week to just sit in my room or at the pool. I’d go bonkers staying at the swan for a week if I were not going To the parks

but a week at akv, no way I’m getting bored. I could spend hours if not days just sitting on my balcony watching the animals

 

[Carol_]

Have you stayed in the cabins yet? No? Get more CCV points.

 

[peabody58]

Buy where you want to stay. IMO, BLT and BWV are two great resorts to consider. However BWV is a 2042 resort so your years are limited. We just added on to our 160 pt BLT contract with a 100 pt BWV Direct. Yes it was pricey for the years remaining, but its a resort we have come to really enjoy (location, location, location) and has an excellent point chart compared to Rivera. At 64 years old, we plan on keeping BWV till the end, and will still have BLT to satisfy our Disney addiction.

Direct if you want a small contract and specific UY (we did). Resale if you're not picky and can be patient.