RIV has use restrictions on resale but that’s it. If what you mean is that a place like Toppolinos was open to everyone from the start and not something taken away, it doesn’t really matter because the premise is the same.
Buying direct gets you more than perks. It does give you access to staying at RIV and all future resorts and that, IMO, is the important element.
So, for someone on the fence, spending more for direct gives you the option to take advantage of whatever extras DVD puts in place. Resale locks you out 100%.
Now, 270 points for BLT direct would never make sense with sold out pricing. But, it could if it was in active sales and priced like VGF and RIV…then the difference might make it worth it in the end.
In terms of RIV resale? It’s actually not that bad, on average…right now and if VDH and Poly tower come with them as well, then it will more than likely stabilize. I believe for May, it was $145 for contracts sold via
DVC Resale Market.
Again I do get the disappointment that this is no longer what it was, but with the way prices are…both direct and resale…DVD is going to find ways to make what they sell seem superior to the average new buyer coming in during those WDW vacations.