If you were to buy direct right now, where would you buy?

[travelfan33]

Relatively new DVC member here, bought a 100 pt. contract at AKL and of course I already have add-on-itis. Considering going for a 150 pt. direct contract so that I can take advantage of the (quickly-diminishing) perks. I have never booked more than 7 months out so I don't super care about the 11-month advantage. Apparently Riveria and GF have the incentives right now. Where would you buy direct right now, and why?

 

[Minniemoo15]

VGF because I am not a fan of the resale restrictions. I almost almost bought VGF2 this past March to compliment our PVB resale, but ultimately didn’t want another monorail resort. Shortly after they announced PVB2 so we are holding out for that !

 

[Her Dotness]

VGF is more likely to hold value, IMO. Location primarily, because it's a mere 10 minute monorail ride from MK. The boat route to MK is relaxing and pleasant as is the gorgeous new walkway.

If you buy RIV direct, ask MS to split it into smaller contracts. Even with the resale restrictions, those are more likely over time to earn you a better return on your initial outlay.

Where would I actually buy? VGF, of course. We have 125 direct points and just got a 150pt. resale not long ago. Love the GF, love VGF.

 

[RoseGold]

I wouldn't buy direct at all, with the current AP mess.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

VGF. That is where I bought direct. The dues for VGF are lower right now. Who knows what dues will look like in the future, but I went with the current information available.

Not having resale restrictions should also help if I need to sell.

 

[BruinEd03]

Relatively new DVC member here, bought a 100 pt. contract at AKL and of course I already have add-on-itis. Considering going for a 150 pt. direct contract so that I can take advantage of the (quickly-diminishing) perks. I have never booked more than 7 months out so I don't super care about the 11-month advantage. Apparently Riveria and GF have the incentives right now. Where would you buy direct right now, and why?

Grand Floridian. The spread between direct and resale are so low that even without any AP benefits, you would make up the difference between direct and resale just on merchandise and dining discounts. In addition, the annual dues are fairly low.

 

[PalmettoPath]

We just added on 200 more VGF in March (and sold off our AKL points to help support that purchase). We never used AKL so we're consolidating on BLT and VGF.

 

[DVCsloth]

If I were to buy direct right now it would be at Riviera. 150 points better incentive than VGF and more balanced room selection.

 

[CarolynFH]

We're too old to even think of adding on, but if we did I think it would be VGF, mainly for location, since we already own BWV. But I'd have to look at the points charts too. We spent a week in a VGF 1BR several years ago, and it took most of our points, which can get us a 2BR at BWV.

 

[DVCsloth]

We're too old to even think of adding on, but if we did I think it would be VGF, mainly for location, since we already own BWV. But I'd have to look at the points charts too. We spent a week in a VGF 1BR several years ago, and it took most of our points, which can get us a 2BR at BWV.

Kind of opposite for us. We own VGF and CCV so we added Riviera to be closer to Epcot and HS. Wish I would have know about DVC when BWV and BCV were first sold though!

 

[Sandisw]

RIV is our top choice and given that they incentives are slightly better and you may end up with 2021 points if you have an Aug to Dev UY, it makes it even nicer

But VGF is our second favorite resort, and dues are slightly less.

I don’t think you can go wrong either way.

 

[BruinEd03]

If I were to buy direct right now it would be at Riviera. 150 points better incentive than VGF and more balanced room selection.

Room selection shouldn’t matter to OP since he will be booking within 7 months. These are essentially for SAP and for the blue card.

 

[DVCsloth]

Room selection shouldn’t matter to OP since he will be booking within 7 months. These are essentially for SAP and for the blue card.

Good point, I would still choose Riviera for much better incentive and potential 2021 points.

 

[Bucketfoot]

We just went through this last month and opted for the Grand Floridian. The resistrictions that come with Riviera were a deal breaker.

 

[havoc315]

I'd only seriously consider VGF or RIV given their current pricing and long contracts. Financially, they are the 2 resorts that make sense. (Though I personally think it's silly to try to calculate the long term finances down to certainty, both RIV and VGF will almost certainly give far better value direct than any other WDW DVC bought under current direct pricing).

From there, it's subjective. First and foremost, do you prefer being near MK/monorail or DHS/Epcot/Skyliner. A close second question, just which resort vibe do you like more. And perhaps 3rd, is there something about room choices that works or doesn't work for you.
My own subjective answers:
When my kids were young, we preferred the MK area. But now, we really prefer both DHS and Epcot. And we love the skyliner 90% of the time. So location-- Riviera wins for us.
2-- Personally, I prefer the look and feel of Riviera. The resort and rooms have a "casual elegance vibe" that we like. I really like that it's a pretty compact resort, always easy to get from point A to point B. No long walks to the pool or dining. The pools are really big for such a smallish resort.
3 -- room types -- probably not a factor. Nice to have the Tower Studios at RIV, but not sure we will ever use them. I do worry a little about whether the addition of so many studios at GFV will make it very hard to get the 1 and 2 BR units.

So subjectively, for me, RIV wins. But I don't think you can really go wrong picking between GFV and RIV. All the other resorts can be wonderful too, but the "sold out" pricing at those resorts make them less of a value. And the 2042 resorts are a straight rip-off to buy direct.

 

[JoeyPeligroso]

VGF

The incentives are good, the location for Magic Kingdom is excellent, the food options are excellent and many, and it appears that this resort will be the focus of a major refurbishment (announcements incomplete at this time with respect to details).

The waking pathway to Magic Kingdom is plus for that resort. I like the many transportation options there. I also appreciate the decor there, though I recognize that it’s not for everyone. The pools are very nice there.

I don’t own any points with restrictions, this was a bit of a detractor to RIV when I bought VGF dorect.

 

[Greyhound22]

Just purchased 100 add-on at Riviera. Decision was based on better current incentives, 10 years longer expiration date and slightly less points per night. With that being said, I still go back and forth over the decision. You can't go wrong with either. But, those are the reasons why I decided RIV>VGF.

 

[GGGT]

VGF. Location and RIV restrictions being our determining factors.

 

[DSLRuser]

not Copper creek is all I can say. If you dont book at the 11 month window 8am...no chance at getting a studio....and 1 and 2 bar are gone the 1st week. the big waterfront villas totally skew the points in the wrong direction.

 

[BruinEd03]

not Copper creek is all I can say. If you dont book at the 11 month window 8am...no chance at getting a studio....and 1 and 2 bar are gone the 1st week. the big waterfront villas totally skew the points in the wrong direction.

The OP wouldn’t book before 7 months, so it would really be for SAP. Copper Creek actually isn’t bad for that with its low dues, but still higher than Grand Floridian. In addition still higher direct price, but only a few years longer for contract length.

However resale Copper Creek would be in the running for SAP.