Thinking of buying RIV direct, help me decide!

[RoseGold]

I respect that for some folks those are deal breakers, but I curious how some rank the resorts in terms of location and transportation.

Fast forward 10-15 years when you are trying to sell. Suddenly Reflections is looking a lot better and so is California tower. But VGF and Poly look better than any of these because they aren't locked down.

Or, maybe Epcot will be the next cool thing and RIV will be the hottest resale. If that happens, maybe I'll be a third-class DVC member with a green card that only can stay RIV.

No one knows what the lock down on resale will do the value of RIV contracts. That's enough to keep me away.

 

[ChipNdale8887]

Fast forward 10-15 years when you are trying to sell. Suddenly Reflections is looking a lot better and so is California tower. But VGF and Poly look better than any of these because they aren't locked down.

Or, maybe Epcot will be the next cool thing and RIV will be the hottest resale. If that happens, maybe I'll be a third-class DVC member with a green card that only can stay RIV.

No one knows what the lock down on resale will do the value of RIV contracts. That's enough to keep me away.

I imagine most who buy RIV plan on keeping it for a long time. As I am. at 30 years old it makes more sense than someone that is old does unless they plan on handing it down to kids. Plus if you are buying RIV direct with incentives that bring it down to $165 and you want the direct benefits its not that much worse than buying SSR or OKW direct at $165.

 

[Deb & Bill]

DVC will want to sell you the same UY as your GCV contract. If it is a different UY (to get the 2019 points as well as the 2020 points), it will be a separate member number. You'll need to transfer between the two contracts to combine points from both of them.

 

[pineapplepalms]

I imagine most who buy RIV plan on keeping it for a long time. As I am. at 30 years old it makes more sense than someone that is old does unless they plan on handing it down to kids. Plus if you are buying RIV direct with incentives that bring it down to $165 and you want the direct benefits its not that much worse than buying SSR or OKW direct at $165.

Same here. We're in our 30s with young kids and plan to hold onto our RIV contract for a long time. If you don't sell then resale restrictions don't really matter. If we do need to sell, we have contracts at four other home resorts we could sell. If it really got to the point that we need to sell everything, then I would have much more to worry about than losing some money.

 

[pineapplepalms]

OP, if you enjoy RIV as a resort and plan to keep it for the long haul then I think direct RIV can make a lot of sense, especially if you purchase enough for the current incentives. It's obviously not the cheapest home resort, but not everyone is looking for the cheapest resort to buy. We haven't stayed there yet (our April trip was canceled), but we've visited numerous times for dining and to tour all the room types and we're happy to own there. We're fans of the Skyliner too.

 

[Lorana]

Honestly, we were initially interested in RR, however, once the point chart, MF's and restrictions came out our interest bottomed out to zero. In terms of SSR, OKW, and CCV - the point charts are not outrageous. If RR had point charts in line with the other resorts it might be a contender. It is not the GF in my opinion. It has some nice options - the roof top dining - but you are still dependent on the gondola system or buses. Add in resale restrictions and in my opinion it is not a good value. I think resale will always be lower there. Who knows, covid could make disney rethink their resale restricitons- disney got greedy in my opinion. They were decimating what made DVC such a great timeshare purchase. We own close to 1000 points, most of the resale purchased prior to 2011 restrictions. I do not think we would purchase as many points today. - Still purchase -yes, but probably 250 SSR or AKV points - why - because I like both those resorts and the price per point is still decent resale there and if I could not change in 7 month window I would be perfectly happy at either of those resorts.

Oh, I agree with a lot of these assessments. The high point chart and MF worried me more than resale restrictions, though the resale restrictions do worry me about value should I decide to resell later on (though, yes, some of the monorail resorts have higher point charts; Poly's standard studios are more than Riv's standard studios). I was specifically asking around the comments of "moderate location" and "shares skyliner with value resorts," though, as I've seen that mentioned very frequently. Like, I hear the location of AKL mentioned a lot, but SSR actually has some longer bus times than AKL does. Is what makes RIV a "moderate location" its proximity to CBR, or is that it doesn't have direct access to a park? Do those who think of Riv as a moderate location, think similarly of the locations of CCV/BRV, AKL, SSR, OKW? If not, why not? Sorry, I just get super fascinated sometimes with the distinctions people make, and why or what matters to different people.

 

[FireflyTrance]

So I could buy 200 direct RVA points and split them up into smaller contracts and still get the lower price point? Did not know that, but that is something to consider! Thanks!

My UY at GCV is Feb, and we usually go WDW the same week in Feb each year, so I am partial to the Feb UY, but that is something to consider with the 2019 points.

building on your idea ...

1. buy 200 direct RVA points for 160 USD per point as an existing member Direct Sales Incentives - Summer 2020 - Expanded list!
2. sell 50 PVB for 150-170 USD per point DVCStore.com PVB
3. if you can, get direct use year of Aug, Sep, Oct, or Dec so that you get 2019 banked points for free (don't pay 2019 annual dues)
4. even the 2020 points you get you'll only pay fractional 2020 dues on (based on the date of purchase)
5. split RVA purchase it into two 100 point contracts (or four 50 point contracts) paying a bit more closing costs but giving you flexibility to sell partial lots

you've essentially only paid for ~150 points and received 200 annual dues free points (2019) and 200 partial annual dues points (2020)

resale restrictions exist but early 2020 re-sale contracts for RVA sold for ~130 USD per point so you're not talking about zero future value

PVB has a heavy point chart already so moving to RVA is staying flat or even improving on PVB's point chart; if you ever want your points to go further (extended trip) there is always SSR and AKV which have decent availability at 7 months

 

[FireflyTrance]

I'd say its a mix of BLT and the Grand Floridian. If they had a baby. lol.

Ha! This is a good way to describe it! I like the compact nature of BLT, but I am not a huge fan of the theme.

 

[FireflyTrance]

Thanks for all your input! I am in my mid-30s so I don't think I will plan to sell anytime soon. I am a life-long Disney fan, having gone to Disneyland almost every year for my entire life, with many visits to WDW and Aulani as well. Even when my kids are grown, I suspect I would still want to go to WDW, or I could let my kids use the contract. I like that Riviera offers the smaller 2 person Tower rooms, which would work great for if my Mom comes on the trip, or when my kids are grown.

 

[FireflyTrance]

Zero chance I would buy at RIV with the resale restrictions. I'd buy more Poly before I'd do that.

You might be a good candidate for the new California tower. That I would consider direct.

I already own VGC so I am not sure it would make sense for us to own two Disneyland resorts. However if you look at resale value, I think the new California Tower is likely to hold value even with resale restrictions. Those who go to Disneyland probably don't mind staying at the same resort each time. I certainly do not mind always staying at VGC.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

So I could buy 200 direct RVA points and split them up into smaller contracts and still get the lower price point? Did not know that, but that is something to consider! Thanks!

My UY at GCV is Feb, and we usually go WDW the same week in Feb each year, so I am partial to the Feb UY, but that is something to consider with the 2019 points.

I believe you'll pay higher closing costs if you split the contracts, but having smaller contracts that you could sell off if needed may be worth it to you (or not).

I'd keep the same use year - it makes everything easier, although I do know a lot of people on these boards manage multiple use years just fine.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thanks for all your input! I am in my mid-30s so I don't think I will plan to sell anytime soon. I am a life-long Disney fan, having gone to Disneyland almost every year for my entire life, with many visits to WDW and Aulani as well. Even when my kids are grown, I suspect I would still want to go to WDW, or I could let my kids use the contract. I like that Riviera offers the smaller 2 person Tower rooms, which would work great for if my Mom comes on the trip, or when my kids are grown.

The Tower studios actually require more points than studios at several other resorts. They are the bargain at Riviera but in the overall system they definitely are not the cheapest.

 

[dvc lover 1970]

Keep in mind, if you start traveling in one or two bedrooms, going down to a studio is tough, the tower studio - is really small, so I am not sure if that is worth it and the points are high. In the end if you are happy with RR then it is a good purchase. If you do buy there, I would break them into smaller contracts (either two 50's or one 75 and one 50) if you ever decide to sell, the smaller contracts will be an easier resale

 

[iflyjetzzz]

So I have been wanting to add onto DVC for a while now. We own 125 points at GCV, and mostly use those points at Disneyland only. We also own 50 points at Poly, which I am now finding to be effectively useless since I never have enough points to book anything that makes sense. I would like to own around 125-150 total points at a WDW resort. We could add on to Poly with resale, but honestly it is not our favorite resort. We could also sell our 50 points at Poly and buy a larger contract elsewhere. We visited Riviera when we were at WDW in Feb and loved it! We also loved the Skyliner, and it is now our favorite mode of transportation. The other resort we like is GFV, but the resale prices are almost as much as Riviera, and if we bought resale there we could never stay at Riviera or future resorts with those points. My favorite things about Riviera are the Skyliner, compactness of resort, theme, and variety of rooms. Thoughts?

It sounds like you really like RIV. I'm not a fan of direct but the current 200 pt pricing for existing members with incentives at $160/pt looks tempting to me. Given RIV's points chart, I'd stretch for 200 pts instead of 125-150.
Since you're not a huge fan of Poly, I'd go ahead and sell that contract along with the RIV purchase.

Finally, I'd wait and see what rumors come out of incentives after Sep 16. I'm expecting them to lower the cost of RIV.

 

[gkrykewy]

It sounds like you really like RIV. I'm not a fan of direct but the current 200 pt pricing for existing members with incentives at $160/pt looks tempting to me. Given RIV's points chart, I'd stretch for 200 pts instead of 125-150.
Since you're not a huge fan of Poly, I'd go ahead and sell that contract along with the RIV purchase.

Finally, I'd wait and see what rumors come out of incentives after Sep 16. I'm expecting them to lower the cost of RIV.

Timely thread for us. I am thinking of beginning an add-on this weekend as well- post Sept incentives may be good, but we are august use year so if I can sneak in 2019 points by purchasing in July, that probably beats any marginal improvement in incentives, I’m thinking. The summer deal is pretty good. We stayed in Riv in January, cash, and loved it. Skyliner is amazing.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Oh, I agree with a lot of these assessments. The high point chart and MF worried me more than resale restrictions, though the resale restrictions do worry me about value should I decide to resell later on (though, yes, some of the monorail resorts have higher point charts; Poly's standard studios are more than Riv's standard studios). I was specifically asking around the comments of "moderate location" and "shares skyliner with value resorts," though, as I've seen that mentioned very frequently. Like, I hear the location of AKL mentioned a lot, but SSR actually has some longer bus times than AKL does. Is what makes RIV a "moderate location" its proximity to CBR, or is that it doesn't have direct access to a park? Do those who think of Riv as a moderate location, think similarly of the locations of CCV/BRV, AKL, SSR, OKW? If not, why not? Sorry, I just get super fascinated sometimes with the distinctions people make, and why or what matters to different people.

I often wonder why it's so terrible that RIV is close to Caribbean Beach for some people. You have more area to walk/run/explore.

The shared Skyliner concern seems silly to me, too. Unless it's really crowded, you get a gondola for yourself/your party, so you don't have to share your actual gondola with AoA or Pop people (if that is really so horrible anyway?). Plus it's nice to be able to go to those value resorts: good food courts and nice theming. My dream is actually to have Skyliner everywhere!

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

So I have been wanting to add onto DVC for a while now. We own 125 points at GCV, and mostly use those points at Disneyland only. We also own 50 points at Poly, which I am now finding to be effectively useless since I never have enough points to book anything that makes sense. I would like to own around 125-150 total points at a WDW resort. We could add on to Poly with resale, but honestly it is not our favorite resort. We could also sell our 50 points at Poly and buy a larger contract elsewhere. We visited Riviera when we were at WDW in Feb and loved it! We also loved the Skyliner, and it is now our favorite mode of transportation. The other resort we like is GFV, but the resale prices are almost as much as Riviera, and if we bought resale there we could never stay at Riviera or future resorts with those points. My favorite things about Riviera are the Skyliner, compactness of resort, theme, and variety of rooms. Thoughts?

We got Riviera, 250 pts because of the incentives that brought it to a price we were willing to pay, and split into 2 contracts (120 pt fixed week and 130 regular pt contract). This was our first DVC purchase, and I know resale would have been less, but I plan to keep it a long time (I'm 31), so it was about being happy with the purchase.

I think one of the cool things about Riviera is the location because you have access to so many dining options between the resort itself, Caribbean Beach, or everywhere you can get to via Skyliner. Also, we just love the Skyliner (we stayed at Pop in January and my husband said it was his favorite ride lol)

 

[i<3riviera]

͏

 

[SG131]

Is what makes RIV a "moderate location" its proximity to CBR, or is that it doesn't have direct access to a park? Do those who think of Riv as a moderate location, think similarly of the locations of CCV/BRV, AKL, SSR, OKW? If not, why not?

Well it literally is on land from a moderate hotel so that’s part of it. You are looking right at a moderate hotel when you get on the skyliner. But yes to answer your questions I’m similarly not a fan of OKW, SSR and AKL though maybe if I went to DS more often that would change some of my views. At least those resorts have lower point chart to balance that out. CCV I’m fine with being a boat ride away from MK, especially since it’s centrally located and so peaceful. I’m pretty indifferent about Boulder Ridge.

I’m also in my early 30s, but I’m still not comfortable with the resale restrictions. There are just so many unknowns especially right now.

 

[Eric Smith]

So I have been wanting to add onto DVC for a while now. We own 125 points at GCV, and mostly use those points at Disneyland only. We also own 50 points at Poly, which I am now finding to be effectively useless since I never have enough points to book anything that makes sense. I would like to own around 125-150 total points at a WDW resort. We could add on to Poly with resale, but honestly it is not our favorite resort. We could also sell our 50 points at Poly and buy a larger contract elsewhere. We visited Riviera when we were at WDW in Feb and loved it! We also loved the Skyliner, and it is now our favorite mode of transportation. The other resort we like is GFV, but the resale prices are almost as much as Riviera, and if we bought resale there we could never stay at Riviera or future resorts with those points. My favorite things about Riviera are the Skyliner, compactness of resort, theme, and variety of rooms. Thoughts?

If you really love Riviera, you should go ahead and buy there. Might a good idea to wait a few months as I expect they’ll start releasing better incentives when direct sales don’t pick up.