Riveria

[princesscinderella]

When are your stays?

I was able to get a standard view one bedroom for a long weekend before thanksgiving and the long weekend of MLK in January. I actually have trips scheduled for once a month with the exceptions of May & Aug from now until February of next year. It’s our happy place and where we go to just get away from the daily stresses that build up. It’s so mentally nice having a trip to look forward too.

I am 99% sure they offer GF pasta (I have been there a few times for dinner now, and each time I seem to recall it being mentioned). This link looks promising too:
http://www.alexisgfadventures.com/2020/07/topolinos-terrace-disneys-riviera-resort.html
BTW _ when we bought in April 2019, we changed our UY from Feb to Aug because Feb was the only UY that didn't come with 2019 points. (And we were booking a Dec 2019 - Jan 2020 trip, so we didn't want to start our ownership by borrowing)

I will have to investigate this further our favorite restaurant is Sanaa because there are so many gluten free options there. Including the bread service. It just worked out the the Apr UY was already being added to our membership otherwise I’m not sure they would have given it to me. The 2020 points are such a nice bonus. We unfortunately had that situation with our VGF buy in. The Feb UY was the only ones who didn’t get the extra points when it was offered. I have the points in my account and they charged my cc but I haven’t gotten any documents yet. I’m having them break it up into three changes over 90 days.

 

[starfrenzy]

Oh wow! I didn’t know Sanaa has gluten-free bread service.

This is off-topic but while we’re talking about Sanaa, FYI one of the dips contains alcohol. If you are someone who abstains, ask your server about it and they’ll give you a substitute dip of your choice.

 

[Mkaiser1]

I was able to get a standard view one bedroom for a long weekend before thanksgiving and the long weekend of MLK in January. I actually have trips scheduled for once a month with the exceptions of May & Aug from now until February of next year. It’s our happy place and where we go to just get away from the daily stresses that build up. It’s so mentally nice having a trip to look forward too.

That’s so cool. We always refer to it as our happy place too and feel the same escapism!

 

[BigDaddyLaBouff]

Those who purchase a Riviera resale contract can only use those points at the Riviera or to trade into RCI. They cannot use them to stay at any other DVC resort. Many believe that restriction will negatively affect the value of those contracts & thus are hesitant to buy Riviera direct. They worry about losing too much if they have to sell.

Thanks! I have a resale quote for $135 per point on 300 points. DVC is offering $171 per point with incentives. Is it really worth an extra $11K for the right to use multiple resorts vs. a resale? Struggling to see the value in it. Thoughts?

 

[Ruttangel]

Thanks! I have a resale quote for $135 per point on 300 points. DVC is offering $171 per point with incentives. Is it really worth an extra $11K for the right to use multiple resorts vs. a resale? Struggling to see the value in it. Thoughts?

My very own personal opinion is don’t get resale at that value. There are no Disney buybacks and I’ve seen them go through under $120 for less points.
Do what is best for you though.

 

[BigDaddyLaBouff]

My very own personal opinion is don’t get resale at that value. There are no Disney buybacks and I’ve seen them go through under $120 for less points.
Do what is best for you though.

Appreciate the response... where do you find they lower priced resale units? It's really time consuming searching for a great deal and I've found on the main websites they are all tightly priced around $145 ish.

 

[princesscinderella]

Thanks! I have a resale quote for $135 per point on 300 points. DVC is offering $171 per point with incentives. Is it really worth an extra $11K for the right to use multiple resorts vs. a resale? Struggling to see the value in it. Thoughts?

For the difference in the point cost since the contract has so many years left I’d buy direct just because resale you are locked into only staying at RIV. I like having options it’s the difference of $255 a year over the life of the contract.

 

[Ruttangel]

Appreciate the response... where do you find they lower priced resale units? It's really time consuming searching for a great deal and I've found on the main websites they are all tightly priced around $145 ish.

Yeah, the market is out of step at the minute, due to low number of listings.
On the balance of risk I think you would be better just renting RIV than paying for resale over $120pp.
I would just lowball every listing and see if you get a bite.
Again, just my opinion.

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks! I have a resale quote for $135 per point on 300 points. DVC is offering $171 per point with incentives. Is it really worth an extra $11K for the right to use multiple resorts vs. a resale? Struggling to see the value in it. Thoughts?

It's a difficult choice and $135 pp is an attractive price! Here are some things that I suggest you factor into the decision:

* Will you go often enough to take advantage of the DVC annual passes? While WDW is not selling new ones right now, I strongly believe sales will resume when the parks' capacities return to normal levels. If your family would benefit from the specially-priced passes, it will make that extra $11k less onerous.

* 7 month availability can be an issue, especially for studios. Competition at 7 months can be fierce for space at the near-park resorts (BLT, PVB, VGF, CCV/BRV, BCV & BWV). It depends heavily on the time of the year & booking category. There are some booking categories that will not be available at 7 months. This really hasn't been much of a problem for 1 bedrooms, though. Do a search for availability to gather other opinions on this and know that the pandemic "point glut" is influencing 2021 and possibly 2022 availability. Bottom line on this one: You are buying direct for the opportunity to trade, nothing is guaranteed. (There are strategies to rent/trade/transfer that will allow you to book other resorts, but those will take time to master and will require some time/effort from you).

*Riviera is gorgeous, but it's not the only resort available directly from Disney.
If you want to buy direct, be sure you're getting the one you really want.

Good luck!

 

[Sandisw]

Appreciate the response... where do you find they lower priced resale units? It's really time consuming searching for a great deal and I've found on the main websites they are all tightly priced around $145 ish.

You can offer whatever you want. Some owners have loans so they can’t take less. A 300 point contract is priced that low already and for sale most likely because of a hardship.

I love RIV. It’s my top resort along with VGF. We split stay most ever trip so we have easier access to the parks without the buses

However, before jumping in to RIV resale, be sure you are good staying only there. Be sure you are going to be booking at 11 months. Especially if you want studios. There are no back ups.

Now, you plan to buy more down the road elsewhere? Maybe. Personally, I’d buy direct for that difference. Even over the course of 20 years, you paid an extra $600/year to stay at all abs future resorts.

You qualify for the DVC AP when it comes back which could save.

As a blue card holder, you qualify for membership magic which includes discounts on food and merchandise. Right now, they have a buy 4 get 2 day free ticket deal.

Now, there are other ways to get discounts. Having a DVC blue card is not the only way, but if you want to stay at RIV, then the extra is worth it to go direct and have trading rights.

You can also put it on a Disney Visa abs get 6 months of 0% interest plus earn rewards. DVD will even let you charge the card over 90 days to push it out even farther. We did this..well an extra 39 days and didn’t worry about paying until 6 months, even though we had cash.

 

[Anthony Vito]

* Will you go often enough to take advantage of the DVC annual passes? While WDW is not selling new ones right now, I strongly believe sales will resume when the parks' capacities return to normal levels. If your family would benefit from the specially-priced passes, it will make that extra $11k less onerous.

For example on that, for us the annual passes save us money, and the savings for our family of 4 to be able to get DVC Gold Passes vs. otherwise would have to get Platinum Passes (blockout dates don't affect when we travel) saves us at least $1500/year. So far in two years (purchase + one renewal), I think the math was that we saved about $4,000 on annual passes.

 

[CP3uhoh]

My very own personal opinion is don’t get resale at that value. There are no Disney buybacks and I’ve seen them go through under $120 for less points.
Do what is best for you though.

Buying direct for Riviera is a lot like buying a new car.You get all the fancy warranties and bonuses thrown in but it depreciates 10% the second you drive it off the lot. If you have other contracts that allow you to book other resorts, so like EVERY OTHER CONTRACT, it's pretty silly financially to buy direct. But for newcomcomers I understand why you would to be able to order off the entire menu. The good thing is at 300 points you don't'have to worry about walking a standard studio or something like that.

People get far too emotional about what property is worth what and why. If you like the resort, you buy there, but some things don't make a lot of sense. Buying GCF resale points for $220 is pretty dumb, but if you only ever use the points it makes a lot of sense because it's a nice discount to cash stays there. It's dumb because if you stay at almost every other resort with those points, you've paid X for points that could have been bought for 2/3 to 1/2 as much for that same resort. Setting money on fire.

You can buy BR or SS and stay there and have a great time and then anytime you book something else on property or GCF, you've really captured some value. Win, Win. If you want to stay at Riviera, buy the resale points. Also, we're coming up to a time whenI think booked reservations are going to become a big rental thing over just renting points.

I will say I saw someone say the other day they bough a fixed week for Riviera direct. That makes a lot of sense if you buy direct. That will get a nice bump in value on the resale market if it is a good week. That person had Christmas/New Years I think. Very clever on their part. Filed that away for Disneyland tower...lol

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

We are in the process of buy AKV and AUL but we would have seriously considered RIV resale if it was not for there resale restrictions. I like them being on the Skyliner system and I like longer contracts. But being stuck there is a no go for me and buying direct is just no worth it. Esp since I cannot even get a Gold AP and who knows if it will come back.

 

[crisi]

There isn't any reason for us to. We own BWV, we are older and when BWV expires will likely be done with out WDW lives (or will pay cash for a hotel room), we have plenty of points. If I were going to own another resort simply to own another resort it would be BRV.

 

[CP3uhoh]

the only other thing that I would mention is that I suspect plenty of people look at the "difference" in terms of monthly payments so the thousands you are saving by going resale don't "appear"if it equates to $40/month or something because of financing. But if you're paying cash, that $5,000 or whatever is real money even to people who can afford to pay cash. (which also bring down your closing costs a tiny bit)

 

[Lakegirl]

Oh wow! I didn’t know Sanaa has gluten-free bread service.

This is off-topic but while we’re talking about Sanaa, FYI one of the dips contains alcohol. If you are someone who abstains, ask your server about it and they’ll give you a substitute dip of your choice.

Thank you for mentioning that!

 

[BigDaddyLaBouff]

You can offer whatever you want. Some owners have loans so they can’t take less. A 300 point contract is priced that low already and for sale most likely because of a hardship.

I love RIV. It’s my top resort along with VGF. We split stay most ever trip so we have easier access to the parks without the buses

However, before jumping in to RIV resale, be sure you are good staying only there. Be sure you are going to be booking at 11 months. Especially if you want studios. There are no back ups.

Now, you plan to buy more down the road elsewhere? Maybe. Personally, I’d buy direct for that difference. Even over the course of 20 years, you paid an extra $600/year to stay at all abs future resorts.

You qualify for the DVC AP when it comes back which could save.

As a blue card holder, you qualify for membership magic which includes discounts on food and merchandise. Right now, they have a buy 4 get 2 day free ticket deal.

Now, there are other ways to get discounts. Having a DVC blue card is not the only way, but if you want to stay at RIV, then the extra is worth it to go direct and have trading rights.

You can also put it on a Disney Visa abs get 6 months of 0% interest plus earn rewards. DVD will even let you charge the card over 90 days to push it out even farther. We did this..well an extra 39 days and didn’t worry about paying until 6 months, even though we had cash.

Thanks for the advice. I ended up locking in a VGF resale contract for now which can still do the 14 resorts exchange. I have a blue card from an older SSR purchase.

 

[Sandisw]

I got my first stay finally and let me tell you, it did NOT disappoint. We were in a preferred studio and it was worth every single point!

I am working hard to convince DH to let me just add some resale RiV points. LOL. This was a no park trip and only did one night after 2 at VGF. But, it’s so great that DVC has a place for everyone!