SSR Resale or RIV FW

[emilymad]

I already own at SSR and have a blue card. I have been thinking about adding on points. I was originally planning on adding on SSR resale to get enough points to say in 1BRs at least on occasion.

I am now considering doing a FW for a standard studio at Riviera instead. The number of points for the FW gets me to about the number of points I was looking to add on. I would only consider buying RIV if I do the FW. I think it helps safeguard the potential issues about reduced availability and resale. I am concerned about the cost of the dues but I am hoping that levels out over time.

I like SSR but rarely stay there. I have almost always been able to book something we are happy with at 7 months. In 9 years of owning DVC I have never booked at 11 months. I will be booking for 2021 at 11 months since we want to go Thanksgiving weekend.

Pros for SSR:
Cheaper points and dues
Can use as SAP for 1BRs at 7 months

Pros for RIV:
FW will guarantee a reservation when I don't plan in advance and decide later that I want to visit
Can still use the points for 1BRs at other resorts
Longer contract
Being able to use all points to book at future resorts (assuming this happens)
Resort is our style even though we haven't stayed there yet
Access to Epcot/HS


I normally would like to stay at a resort first but we have no upcoming plans to visit WDW. I am not in rush to do either purchase but I am trying to budget as these are two very different options.

Thoughts? Am I missing an argument for one option over the other? I somehow got to two very different options.

 

[Lorana]

Personally, if you can afford it, then I would go for the FW, *especially* if you're talking about a popular time like Thanksgiving. This saves you from the hassle of booking, but also from point reallocations over time, and I imagine Fall Frenzy will only get more challenging as time goes on. I do also feel that dues may even out. I don't know if they will end up being less, but historically new resorts don't increase much in the first 3 years, so I feel that gap will be much less by the time RIV dues really start to increase. At least, I'm hoping so enough because I *did* buy some points there! I'm kinda kicking myself for not doing a fixed week, though, for much of the reasons you've listed here, but we didn't want to add on enough points to get a FW.

 

[Wedgeout]

Thinking the FW plan better since any resale SSR points currently won’t be able to add to your blue card SSR points for Riviera.

 

[Sandisw]

I would go with FW at RIV as it does give you something you know will be there if you don’t want to have to worry about 11 month bookings. And, you get an extra 26 years out of it.

 

[RoseGold]

I don’t understand buying a FW with the assumption it does anything to resale value in the future. That’s historically not true. The FW I bought was a screaming steal.

If you can always make your booking at 7 months, then I don’t see why you would pay so much more and into a worse point chart. Especially for 1BR! You know how that goes for anything non-peak.

If you want to go on a one off trip for thanksgiving, splurge some points this year and stay in a bad value room category at 7 mo, no big deal. That’s the advantage of cheap SSR points. Don’t lock yourself into a FW you don’t even want. If you plan to go for Thanksgiving every year, then yea, the FW makes more sense.

I guess it depends on how long you think you need this many points. I’m not really worried about all my SSR points because I can sell them for what I paid and SSR always has a lot coming and going. The commitment is low. But if you really want to go drink around Epcot in 2056, maybe RIV is for you.

If you have legacy SSR points, you should at least get to stay RIV without buying in. So maybe it's a split stay, I like that better anyway.

 

[JETSDAD]

I don’t understand buying a FW with the assumption it does anything to resale value in the future. That’s historically not true. The FW I bought was a screaming steal.

I think the idea of a FW with regards to the resale restriction is less to do with resale price (they didn't mention price) and more to do with a possible availability issue at 11 months when resale buyers are locked into one resort (forcing them to book right at 11 months or risking being locked out altogether).

 

[davidl81]

To me the issue is going to be how do you feel about staying in a studio at RIV every year when you seem to be used to 1BR? I had the same debate a few months ago and went with more SSR resale points since we normally don't book much earlier than 7 months out, and we normally book 1 BR that generally are the last to book at 7 months. My issue with RIV points were the high points chart, and the fees. The resale restrictions were less of an concern, but of course I wish they were not there. It really came down to I could buy significantly more resale SSR points (or save $60ish dollars a point) than buying RIV direct.

 

[RoseGold]

I think the idea of a FW with regards to the resale restriction is less to do with resale price (they didn't mention price) and more to do with a possible availability issue

That's literally what OP said.

I would only consider buying RIV if I do the FW. I think it helps safeguard the potential issues about reduced availability and resale.

If resale is an issue, RIV is a big nope for me.

 

[JETSDAD]

That's literally what OP said.

No, they said availability and resale, not resale pricing. I could be mistaken but most people who talk about a FW at Riviera are usually doing so to hedge against availability issues and not being able to get a room at 11 months as a result of the resale restriction.

 

[DebLovesPooh]

I’m would go with RIV. It sounds like you’ve enjoyed having your SAP and buying a FW will let you stay at RIV every year without needing to plan ahead, but also let you sleep around if you want to. If cost isn’t an issue, why not have the best of both worlds?

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I have FW 48 (starts the Sunday after Thanksgiving most years). This year I had no problem adding the Saturday before as well (we like to go 8 days).

I think with a FW and since it would be a small enough contract, you should be okay getting most of your money back if you need to sell later. But we didn't buy with the intention of selling (at least not for 20+ years), we wanted to have the FW for the booking peace of mind. You are likely not going to get a std view studio at RVA during popular times at 7 months (or maybe even anytime since there are more preferred than standard rooms at the resort).

Also, I think there aren't "bad value" room categories, it's in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Ruttangel]

If you have the blue card I can’t see a benefit to buying RIV at all.....you’d have to really love that hotel and location.
It just seems like an unnecessary financial risk to me

 

[emilymad]

Thank you all for your thoughts. You have given me lots to think about!

We were thinking of the FW for future availability reasons not as much resale price. We have no intention of selling. We would also never stay at RIV in a 1BR. The point chart is crazy. The only room that the points are ok to us is the standard studio which we would only have a chance of booking at 11 months which we never do so hence the FW.

We have mainly stayed in studios which are fine since we are only 2 adults. The times we have stayed in a 1BR we have enjoyed the extra space and I think we would like to do that more in the future depending on the trip.

We have visited WDW at all times of year. We don't have one particular time that we always go. Over the years we have done enough short trips on cash I probably should have added on years ago.

One of our favorite times to go is late November/early December which is why I had been thinking the FW. I would know we had that locked in for the years we want to go then and for years we go a different time we can use the points elsewhere. For those other times they would be expensive points to use at cheaper resorts which is where I start questioning. That and we never book more than 7 months out. Sometimes it is even less than 7 months.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Thank you all for your thoughts. You have given me lots to think about!

We were thinking of the FW for future availability reasons not as much resale price. We have no intention of selling. We would also never stay at RIV in a 1BR. The point chart is crazy. The only room that the points are ok to us is the standard studio which we would only have a chance of booking at 11 months which we never do so hence the FW.

We have mainly stayed in studios which are fine since we are only 2 adults. The times we have stayed in a 1BR we have enjoyed the extra space and I think we would like to do that more in the future depending on the trip.

We have visited WDW at all times of year. We don't have one particular time that we always go. Over the years we have done enough short trips on cash I probably should have added on years ago.

One of our favorite times to go is late November/early December which is why I had been thinking the FW. I would know we had that locked in for the years we want to go then and for years we go a different time we can use the points elsewhere. For those other times they would be expensive points to use at cheaper resorts which is where I start questioning. That and we never book more than 7 months out. Sometimes it is even less than 7 months.

So it sounds like you just need to figure out how much use you would get out of the fixed week / how often you want to go during those busy times in late Nov and early Dec. It seems it comes down to this. That seems to be the main factor, right?

I love to see the Xmas decorations and RVA was our jive, so that's why we got that FW 48.

 

[RoseGold]

One of our favorite times to go is late November/early December which is why I had been thinking the FW. I would know we had that locked in for the years we want to go then and for years we go a different time we can use the points elsewhere.

It's worth noting that FW is an all or nothing thing. You can't cancel everything but a day or two. So, if you are trying for short trips, FW might not be the solution you are looking for. RIV studio might really not be what you are looking for. RIV studios already show tightness at only 20% sold, with no real resale right now.

It's also worth noting that FW opting in/out different years can leave you with "orphan" points. So, if you have a few points left over one year and then want to FW the next year, the only way to fix this is to transfer them to another account. Something to consider.

Another solution might be a small BCV/BWV contract for studios at peak times. Then you get their charts and just use up their value and their valuable 11 month advantage. Or sounds like you are pro at using your SAP. You know how that goes for 1BR. Works for me, sounds like it is working for you.

 

[Sandisw]

It's worth noting that FW is an all or nothing thing. You can't cancel everything but a day or two. So, if you are trying for short trips, FW might not be the solution you are looking for. RIV studio might really not be what you are looking for. RIV studios already show tightness at only 20% sold, with no real resale right now.

It's also worth noting that FW opting in/out different years can leave you with "orphan" points. So, if you have a few points left over one year and then want to FW the next year, the only way to fix this is to transfer them to another account. Something to consider.

Another solution might be a small BCV/BWV contract for studios at peak times. Then you get their charts and just use up their value and their valuable 11 month advantage. Or sounds like you are pro at using your SAP. You know how that goes for 1BR. Works for me, sounds like it is working for you.

As long as the FW is in the same UY with other contracts, those points won’t be orphaned as they would be eligible for use at 7 months.

For the OP, wanting to travel late Nov/ early Dec, no matter what resort, needs booking at 11 months and FW is the best for those that don’t do that and don’t want to worry.

 

[Sandisw]

Thank you all for your thoughts. You have given me lots to think about!

We were thinking of the FW for future availability reasons not as much resale price. We have no intention of selling. We would also never stay at RIV in a 1BR. The point chart is crazy. The only room that the points are ok to us is the standard studio which we would only have a chance of booking at 11 months which we never do so hence the FW.

We have mainly stayed in studios which are fine since we are only 2 adults. The times we have stayed in a 1BR we have enjoyed the extra space and I think we would like to do that more in the future depending on the trip.

We have visited WDW at all times of year. We don't have one particular time that we always go. Over the years we have done enough short trips on cash I probably should have added on years ago.

One of our favorite times to go is late November/early December which is why I had been thinking the FW. I would know we had that locked in for the years we want to go then and for years we go a different time we can use the points elsewhere. For those other times they would be expensive points to use at cheaper resorts which is where I start questioning. That and we never book more than 7 months out. Sometimes it is even less than 7 months.

One way to maybe look at those expensive RIV points at cheaper resorts is the ability to use them for 1 bedrooms.

Of course, cheaper points will do that too, but they won’t get you RIV SV studios very often,

We bough RIV...not FW...because we liked it but also because i knew the best chance for SV studios was being an owner.

In the end, it’s about owning what will work best for you and as someone who does not plan 7 months or more..which means you really need to be sure DVC is right for you...you want to be happy with where you own because the chances are good you may be there more than not especially for trips Sept to Jan when it’s a very busy DVC time.

 

[RoseGold]

As long as the FW is in the same UY with other contracts, those points won’t be orphaned as they would be eligible for use at 7 months.

Yes, this. My FW is out on its own, so it's something I would need to be aware of, were I ever to actually use it, I guess.

 

[emilymad]

Good to know about the orphaned points. I would want a FW to match my current UY but good to keep in mind.

 

[WanderlustinFP]

Can someone explain what are orphan points? I currently have a Dec UY resale and I'm looking to buy direct also with a Dec UY for a FW (can't decide which FW).