VGF2 vs RIV

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Good point. It's very hard to predict long term dues. But over time, we very generally can expect convergence of dues. Riviera may increase more slowly as other resorts "catch up." I suspect this is the nature of a new resort, it's been similar with CCV. To the extent dues were "overestimated" to launch, (or reflect costs of declared but unsold points), dues may increase more slowly at first.

I'll second this point. Dues outside the beach-front resorts tend to equalize over time. Deviation from average shrinks over time (there is analysis on this you can lookup online).

 

[perchy]

100 points at HHI will cost about $1000/year. 50 points at RIV = $419. so you will bay almost $600 more per year to try to book wdw at 7mo - if you are looking at studios, you will have a hard time at many of the more desirable resorts. At what point does the cost savings in the initial purchase get eaten up by higher dues?

I think it is a perfectly valid approach if you love HHI and plan to go there often, but that is not something I would consider if my main goal would be to go to WDW. There are plenty of good neighbor hotels around WDW that would cost you less, and give you more flexibility, even at RIV's $419/year dues price. (50 points gets you 2 nights in a studio, for purchase price + $419/year vs. deals on hotels at $200/nt, with easier booking and cancellation and without the initial purchase price.)

ETA: I see you already own at HHI and Poly. If you have had good experiences using HHI as sleeparound points, then 100 more sleeparound points (as opposed to 50 at a new home resort) may or may not be worth an additional $600/year in dues. If RIV tugs at you, and you haven't stayed there yet, try it out. Even if the owner incentives for VGF2 go away, or go up a little, it might be worth the wait to see which you'd prefer at 11 months.

Nice assessment. Thank you.

I do think I’d use the HH points mostly for HH. We live in NC so to go to SC is far easier than to go to FL. Going to FL generally implies a longer stay while HH is a nice weekend.

I hear what you’re saying about the dues savings.

I ended up calling today and bought 50 VGF SAP. Holy crap that was too easy. But I am 50 points in to being a direct member.

Anyone know if my direct points will be usable at Riviera, or whether I need 150 direct points before I can do that?

 

[CarolMN]

I ended up calling today and bought 50 VGF SAP. Holy crap that was too easy. But I am 50 points in to being a direct member.

Anyone know if my direct points will be usable at Riviera, or whether I need 150 direct points before I can do that?

Yes your direct points can be used for Riviera (or any other DVC resort), subject to avail & the booking rules.

The 150 point requirement is just the current number of direct points you need to qualify for Membership Extras.