Rethinking my entire DVC strategy...help!

[GrumpyInPhilly]

I am going to be the contrarian on this, but I think that since the refurb, the rooms at SSR are every bit as nice. I know I am in the minority on this, and that’s OK. We all like different things. However, I really really think that the rooms at Saratoga underwent a major upgrade in the last refurbishment.

Especially when I can get a Grand Villa at SSR for not too many more points than a preferred two bedroom at RIV. You are correct, it’s the value proposition of the rooms and the point chart in addition to the refurb that I think is a winning combination at SSR.

For that matter, the GV’s at Old Key West are stunning and also are an even more amazing value… (I just wish they all had elevators)…

I agree and that is why we recently purchased there.

 

[Chili327]

Congratulations! And remember, there are no "wrong" decisions, only the ones that are best for you! Hope you enjoy your purchase as much as we have enjoyed ours!

Yep, its all just personal preference, and whatever makes a buyer happy.!!

 

[SugarSweetLee]

Update: OP here - after much deliberation and many sleepless nights (literally), I've decided to move ahead with Riviera. Ultimately I decided that I value the longer expiration date + ability to book all resorts + relative proximity to IG. If I didn't already have a BWV contract, I may have leaned in this direction but Riviera gets me close enough to the park I love the most regardless of what happens post 2042. Plus - as my young DD pointed out - she wants to stay at Riviera for the pizza

I opted for two FWs, one of which is 153 points, so even down the road if I needed to/wanted to sell the other FW, I would still be able to maintain blue card.

I want to again thank everyone for helping me think through this decision. Since I joined these boards several months ago, I have been blown away by the generosity of you all in sharing your knowledge and experiences.

Woohoo! How many points did you end up with between the two FW?

 

[Royal Consort]

Update: OP here - after much deliberation and many sleepless nights (literally), I've decided to move ahead with Riviera. Ultimately I decided that I value the longer expiration date + ability to book all resorts + relative proximity to IG. If I didn't already have a BWV contract, I may have leaned in this direction but Riviera gets me close enough to the park I love the most regardless of what happens post 2042. Plus - as my young DD pointed out - she wants to stay at Riviera for the pizza

I opted for two FWs, one of which is 153 points, so even down the road if I needed to/wanted to sell the other FW, I would still be able to maintain blue card.

I want to again thank everyone for helping me think through this decision. Since I joined these boards several months ago, I have been blown away by the generosity of you all in sharing your knowledge and experiences.

This is a reasoned choice. Fellow fixed week owner at Riviera myself.

You talked about your intellectual reasoning but I'm interested in the emotional side. How did you process that, since the lack of love for Riviera seemed to give you sleepless nights?

If you bought a 2042 resort, it's worth would begin to decline alongside its diminishing years and you would eventually be left holding it with zero resale value ultimately. Even if Riviera resale is depressed, it lasts longer and won't be $0.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

This is a reasoned choice. Fellow fixed week owner at Riviera myself.

You talked about your intellectual reasoning but I'm interested in the emotional side. How did you process that, since the lack of love for Riviera seemed to give you sleepless nights?

If you bought a 2042 resort, it's worth would begin to decline alongside its diminishing years and you would eventually be left holding it with zero resale value ultimately. Even if Riviera resale is depressed, it lasts longer and won't be $0.

Good question! On the emotional side: it’s not that I don’t like Riviera - it was just that it doesn't have my heart the same way Boardwalk does.

But the more I sat with that, I had to acknowledge that it’s a bit unrealistic/ridiculous to think that it would considering I’ve been staying at Crescent Lake resorts for 25 years. That’s a lot of time to build up a reserve of core memories and develop an attachment.

I was joking about my daughter liking Riviera for Primo Piatto’s pizza but her comment reminded me that we’ve just started to make memories there (and really good ones!) and in time I could grow to love Riviera more than Boardwalk...though I’m not sure I’ll ever give Riviera the win for its pizza but don’t tell her that ...!!

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Welcome Home! It’s a beautiful resort and I wish your family many wonderful memories there and everywhere else your direct points take you.

Pro move with the fixed week!

Thank you!! At some point I need you to share your Aulani/DL tips as I'm thinking we may finally make it out that way next summer with these 'extra' points!

 

[tidefan]

Thank you!! At some point I need you to share your Aulani/DL tips as I'm thinking we may finally make it out that way next summer with these 'extra' points!

If an Island/Garden view, Ewa Tower, high floor!

 

[Instagramhusband]

I keep coming back to 2 scenarios:

Original scenario:

• Buy direct Riv now taking advantage of strong 300 pt incentives to lock in blue card benefits

Alternate Scenario:

• Buy 150 direct Poly (assuming this stays the minimum buy in) to lock in blue card benefits with no resale restrictions, and give us the extra points we need for next summer
• Invest the money saved by not buying Riv and buy at a CL property whenever it opens…5 years, 2043, and sell VGF since I will have already had a monorail resort in Poly.

Scenario 2 came to me at 2AM so maybe that in and of itself is a sign to hit pause…WWYD?

Its tough but I don't see the value in Riviera, and my wife loves Riviera

 

[holi easley]

It's so individual as many people are IN LOVE with the RIV, but I would personally not buy there. I stayed there once and while I enjoyed the Skyliner the rest of the resort was just "meh" to me and felt way too much like a nice hotel and less like a DVC resort. I'm also not fond of the additional restrictions on resales. I personally much prefer the Polynesian for theming, but I can't speak to the new tower.

I think that if you're looking to just get your foot into the direct door then maybe you should buy 150 points at the Polynesian or maybe replace your VGF points with Poly direct points and hang tight to see what the future will bring. You could also perhaps use the extra money you saved off of RIV to buy BWV/BCV points on the resale market even if they do have the 2042 expiry date to enjoy the 11-month window.

This. We were in the middle of RIV 3 weeks ago while on vacay. Towards the end of the trip, I was like lets go visit RIV. Well, we felt the same, meh. It was beautiful, loved the actual rooms. But the rest didn't seem "disney" to us.
I came to the boards to see what 'everyone' was saying about PVB. Long Story short, waiting to see the New PVB prices. Then decide that or resale BLT/GFV. I am torn also. Except I am looking for a small contract. My other points SS AUL carry our main trip. If anyone reads my ramble, does Blue Card mean the dvc perks?

 

[CarolynFH]

If anyone reads my ramble, does Blue Card mean the dvc perks?

Yes. When DVC first began distinguishing between direct & resale, the online membership cards for members who were eligible for perks were blue. Resale buyers’ cards were white. The DVC-Y and DVC-ND classifications weren’t used until MagicMobile came into being.

 

[SugarSweetLee]

This. We were in the middle of RIV 3 weeks ago while on vacay. Towards the end of the trip, I was like lets go visit RIV. Well, we felt the same, meh. It was beautiful, loved the actual rooms. But the rest didn't seem "disney" to us.
I came to the boards to see what 'everyone' was saying about PVB. Long Story short, waiting to see the New PVB prices. Then decide that or resale BLT/GFV. I am torn also. Except I am looking for a small contract. My other points SS AUL carry our main trip. If anyone reads my ramble, does Blue Card mean the dvc perks?

Just curious if you can pin down what "seems Disney" about other resorts that you don't feel at Riviera? I see this comment a lot but don't know what it means

 

[jolynne28]

Just curious if you can pin down what "seems Disney" about other resorts that you don't feel at Riviera? I see this comment a lot but don't know what it means

I will add my thoughts while you wait for a response. We've been to RIV, also eaten at Topolinos. The lobby alone was beyond boring to me, but my husband didn't mind it. I've read that the other food options are very good there, and we did love the rooms, very nice and big. But for us, theming is very important. We want to feel like we've been transported somewhere else, not just staying in a generic, allbeit pretty, hotel. I would never by RIV for the same reason I can't force myself to buy BLT. Meh is a good description.

Now if I somehow do end up with a small contract at one of those resorts later on, I hope someone calls me out and quotes this post!

 

[SugarSweetLee]

I will add my thoughts while you wait for a response. We've been to RIV, also eaten at Topolinos. The lobby alone was beyond boring to me, but my husband didn't mind it. I've read that the other food options are very good there, and we did love the rooms, very nice and big. But for us, theming is very important. We want to feel like we've been transported somewhere else, not just staying in a generic, allbeit pretty, hotel. I would never by RIV for the same reason I can't force myself to buy BLT. Meh is a good description.

Now if I somehow do end up with a small contract at one of those resorts later on, I hope someone calls me out and quotes this post!

I find it interesting people discuss the lobby so much! Sure, it can make a visual impact when you roll up, but I just don't see it impacting my stay that much, and we don't really hang out there (in any resort we stay at).

 

[Cfabar1]

Just curious if you can pin down what "seems Disney" about other resorts that you don't feel at Riviera? I see this comment a lot but don't know what it means

One thing my spouse struggles with is the exterior of the property... She really struggles with the exterior as well as the grounds at the front...

 

[Cfabar1]

I find it interesting people discuss the lobby so much! Sure, it can make a visual impact when you roll up, but I just don't see it impacting my stay that much, and we don't really hang out there (in any resort we stay at).

To us, there are some lobbies that really set a tone for the entire resort. We love entering the VGF building, and just sensing the calm and peaceful atmosphere of the resort upon entry.

Similarly we love visiting VB around the holidays, and there is nothing like seeing that majestic and beautiful Christmas tree they use to adorn the lobby, not to mention the scent they pipe into the lobby as well!

RIV is fine, but especially around check in time, it resembles more a Delta Skyclub than a Disney Resort.

 

[jolynne28]

I find it interesting people discuss the lobby so much! Sure, it can make a visual impact when you roll up, but I just don't see it impacting my stay that much, and we don't really hang out there (in any resort we stay at).

I could spend all day in the lobby at WL…oh wait, I have. Yeah it’s that good IMO. The secret fireplace? We stalk that area and claim it every chance we get. We’ve even brought a board game there just to hang out. IFYKYK.

 

[holi easley]

Just curious if you can pin down what "seems Disney" about other resorts that you don't feel at Riviera? I see this comment a lot but don't know what it means

Good Question. (sorry been behind on my reading) First, what I loved were the Rooms. Two bathing options and it was pretty. The building is gorgeous. My Mother & I toured with our guide we saw all the options. Duo, studio,1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom, only due to thinking about bringing the whole clan 11 of us.

When we went back to just visit on our own, we ate lunch down at Primo Piatto. It was fine for quick serve. Then we went up to Le Petit Cafe and sat for at least an hour and a half. It was comfy. The gift shop was cute & had helpful items. As we were leaving, I said look at the Lobby. Then on our way out of the front entrance, I stopped and told her to look at the entrance. While waiting down at the bus stop I said what do you think? She said she didn't like it. We agreed that it "feels like a moderate." It is of course more beautiful & has more amenities, but the vibe I felt was moderate. I do not have any issues with moderates. Port Orleans RIverside was our first try staying on property, years ago. I still book moderates for extending our trips. I have an issue spending DVC money on it though. Another worry was about reselling it later, due to the restrictions. Basically, we agreed to wait until Poly is released & deciding then. But resale/direct for GF, BL, PV is not out of the question. Depending on pricing direct could be the winner on PV of GF.
Not sure if this explains it, there was just something.....

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

I can appreciate the love for more themed lobbies, for sure -- and we toured AKJ/AKK/GF/WL to do just that during the holidays (all the resorts, really, but definitely excited to do the biggies.)

While they are gorgeous, only AKJ (to me!) is not busy with people so often. VGF is a tourist destination unto itself -- as it should be -- but after spending vacation surrounded by crowds and folks everywhere and lines -- we have come to REALLY appreciate the quiet lobby of Riviera.

We want to buy at IPT because we want a MK resort, love the Poly theming and amenities, but really enjoy the tower style of resort and not having to brave the elements to grab a bite. I don't think the new tower lobby will be that impressive, and I'm actually okay with that. The GCH has the busy lobby, and that's enough hubbub for us. I think a more sedate resort is appealing to folks like us who need that mental decompression, LOL.

 

[smileyanna]

The real "lobby" of BWV for me is that walk around Crescent Lake. ALL THE FEELS.

 

[intamin]

To us, there are some lobbies that really set a tone for the entire resort. We love entering the VGF building, and just sensing the calm and peaceful atmosphere of the resort upon entry.

Similarly we love visiting VB around the holidays, and there is nothing like seeing that majestic and beautiful Christmas tree they use to adorn the lobby, not to mention the scent they pipe into the lobby as well!

RIV is fine, but especially around check in time, it resembles more a Delta Skyclub than a Disney Resort.

I like the DVC lobby at VGF but I'm not sure if I would call the main lobby peaceful most times of the year. There is so much foot traffic going through that lobby just because it's on the monorail loop. Riviera feels more exclusive because most people who aren't staying there won't be visiting the resort and personally I enjoy it like that. I can appreciate a grand lobby because that's what gives the resort it's "wow" factor and admittedly, Riviera has one of the least impressive lobbies of a DVC resort but does it really need it?

Where Riviera shines is the backdrop it's set in, build quality and also the rooms. It's also nice to have everything in one building and not feel like you're leaving the main building and staying in a deluxe adjacent resort. Not to mention it's only one of 3 DVC resorts in the Epcot area compared to one of 6 in the MK area. Like @🍀TwinsMom though we also like Poly and when it came down to it, I knew I could get a good price on RIV when we first bought in and there would be more MK resorts down the line. I'm glad we waited for Poly instead of buying VGF and did not end up with 2 neighboring MK resorts.