What to do next? to get direct perks

[eticketplease]

Its refreshing to see someone come in, ask for advice, and actually consider what others are saying.
Compared to the posts you see now and then where people are just looking for an echo chamber and refuse to take the advice they are claiming to seek

Or ones that start a thread and never come back

 

[Add-On-Itis]

I still think it’s worth giving RIV a good look to decide whether you like it since you’ve only seen it on the Skyliner and you know you’re not a fan of the crowds at the Poly. You may ultimately decide you just want some direct SAP points, and Poly is clearly the better option for that. But, if planning to keep the points for the long-run, I’d rather have them at a resort I love than based on theoretical resale value 15-20 years from now if at all possible. You may well not really love RIV either, but worth a look to be sure.

I will definatelly check it out before making the purchase. Since you love it. Can you give me the high points so I can try and look at those and sell those to my wife? I did watch a few youtube, I didn't realize there is a walkway to the skyliner that's covered.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Me.

 

[eticketplease]

Me. View attachment 1023885

Wow it took awhile to stop laughing at that one. Is there one for reaching the comma club too?

 

[eticketplease]

I didn't realize there is a walkway to the skyliner that's covered.

True but unlike most (all?) resorts it does have a covered walk to the bus and that bus is not shared or have internal bus loops

 

[eticketplease]

Can you give me the high points so I can try and look at those and sell those to my wife?

The rooms are spacious and no matter which type of accomodation picked you will receive a nice shower with a bench. We have a suction cup thing in our Owners Locker that we have to attach to the showers in the 1 bedrooms in the 2042 resorts as there is no foot ledge for shaving. Certainly not an issue at RIV!

 

[airjay75]

I will definatelly check it out before making the purchase. Since you love it. Can you give me the high points so I can try and look at those and sell those to my wife? I did watch a few youtube, I didn't realize there is a walkway to the skyliner that's covered.

Well, I don't want to sell anything to anyone . I'll just share my experience.

Our first DVC tour and stay was at RIV. We really liked the tour and then decided to book a 1 night cash stay there to see what we thought. Returned again renting points before buying more points. Before both points purchases, we also toured the Poly Island Tower to make sure we didn't want points at Poly instead. I remember on our initial tour at RIV, as soon as I heard about the resale restrictions, I immediately was like, oh, I guess I better buy Poly then instead. But, I ultimately decided that the Poly just did not seem like our jam and if I was going to spend this amount of money, I was going to get what I want.

So, Riviera highlights.

I think what we like the most was that we have felt very relaxed and on vacation while there. Never had a tough time getting a chair at the pool. Never encountered a long line or wait for food or drinks. Before kids, my wife and I were big Caribbean all-inclusive people. RIV gives off similar vibes to us (minus the all-inclusive part) - relaxed, chill, and on vacation. We're at WDW, but when we're not at the parks, we don't want to have long lines or fight the crowds. Aside from the laundry room when we were staying in a studio (never again), we have never felt like that at RIV. RIV feels like a place we can vacation while our kids our little, once they get older, and once we're empty nesters. Personally, I much prefer an Epcot-adjacent resort for long-term ownership. Yes, the monorail and the OG WDW resorts will always have a certain level of magic, but for the long-term, I'd rather be close to more adult-oriented attractions.

I think RIV is a very nice sized and self-contained resort. You don't have to walk outside if not leaving the resort or not going to the pool. You want to pop back up to your room, easy. You want to pop down to Primo Piato for some food, easy. You're never going to be going very far for anything. Some people view that as a con and would prefer a much more expansive and sprawling resort. If you want more, CB is a very short walk, and BC/BW is a quick Skyliner ride away.

I like that RIV is not a destination the way monorail resorts can be - you're not getting people visiting MK popping over the GCH for a break in the a/c mid-day. You're not getting people making a dining reservation just to get free parking. You're not getting people trying to use the pool who aren't staying there. About all you get are a few CB guests using the RIV bus or QS. Hard to see any of that changing because RIV is just not the same sort of destination the way the monorail resorts are.

I love that you really aren't compromising with a resort view at RIV - many actually prefer it because it is the view that can have a fireworks view. I don't think you can say that about resort view at most DVC resorts. And, as between PIT and RIV, the RIV points chart is a lot easier to stomach. Poly dues are lower, but you need more points to stay there.

I like the Skyliner. It's got its horror stories like any other WDW transportation, but I think it is pretty efficient and an easy way to get to/from Epcot and HS. With young kids, it is probably a more fun way to get to/from parks than walking (although walking is certainly amazing).

Those are probably the major highlights that come to mind. But, just like all DVC resorts, there are opinions to the contrary - glorified Marriott, don't like the Skyliner, think the theming is boring, lobby is too small. I get all of those criticisms - I don't share them, but I can understand why someone might think those things.

Hope those are some helpful thoughts. But, again, because I don't want to sell anyone anything, I'll just stress that just because our family loves it doesn't mean yours will.

 

[kboo]

4) Buy 150 points at Riveria now, if we like staying there sell 160 poly and buy another 150 points down the road

This was my initial pick when I read your first post. After reading through all 4 pages, I may be sticking with this option still... explanations below...

What negatives do you have to add for Riv? 1 downside I read is skyliner going down due to weather, and that can be a mess.

The skyliner going down for weather is a possible issue, but in almost 6 years* and at least that many stays (!!), we've had to move to bus (from RIV) once due to weather, and we've avoided the Skyliner at Epcot close once just because we didn't want to wait. It was the holidays, it wasn't too late, so we walked to Beach Club, admired the gingerbread carousel in the lobby, and took a Lyft back to Riviera.

*yes, we bought Riviera sight unseen.

I also know owners who have tried to get back when the Skyliner was down and they said it was an awful experience.

If you don't have the time to wait it out or walk to the front of the park, I would suggest walking to one of the Crescent Lake hotels and getting a car.

They've gotten a lot better at the messaging about the skyliner, so if we are worried it might be a problem, we'll not commit to exiting at WS in case we want to walk to the front and take a bus. I don't think we've ever had to do that, though. We visit a lot in the late summer, and the thunderstorms are usually in the late afternoon, so we just try to be flexible with our time. (though there was the time last August (8./29) when all the electricity in the parks went down for a minute and the "system restart" process caused hours-long delays in some places - but that wasn't a skyliner-only issue)

Guides mentioned a special and some available direct points for Saratoga Springs. We weren't shopping for points so didn't inquire about pricing.

If you think you will use your direct points as SAP points, this is not a bad idea if the price point is good.
Our first contract was BLT resale, pre-2019, and I always wondered if I paid too much for resale BLT points which were $10-20 more per point than resale SSR at the time. Ah, feeling nostalgic for the old days...

RIV lobby feels busy, but in a much different way than how Poly feels busy. Poly feels like non guests there for the Poly experience. RIV feels like guests utilizing whats great about RIV, all the great food/coffee options.

^^ As a frequent Riviera guest, the only time we are in the lobby is upon arrival and departure and sometimes when we want to be. It can be bustling, like last August when 8 of us in 2 different rooms were checking in with a toddler. But it's well laid out and we checked in with a CM with an ipad. It felt much more like a boutique hotel check in - no waiting in line, we sat down on a couch to get checked in, the adults and my older kids (14, 10) took turns visiting Goofy with the toddler and taking pictures. It was really magical.

To go to the skyliner and the buses, you normally wouldn't walk through the lobby unless you are staying on the 2nd floor. And once you're in your room - it is heavenly quiet.

Thanks for all the helpful responses!

1. Wait till we visit Riv before making the decision
2. 150 Riv points might not be that useful, as it will require banking/borrowing in order to book 1-bedroom
3. 150 Poly points will be helpful, as they can be combined with the 160 resale points to book a 1-bedroom. Swap out at 7 months.
4. If we love Riv after the tour, buying 300 points and selling 160 poly might be a better idea
5. If we find ourselves with too many points, there is always the theme park view we can upgrade to. Or sell the 160 poly resale
6. @Brian Noble math is correct. But there is something about Disney math. And the fomo of not having the direct benefits. Going to lounges and tow at BLT for example.
7. We understand there is a risk that the AP benefit will be removed, but that is a risk worth taking

1. we bought RIV pre-opening - so we couldn't visit RIV. You don't have to stay -- if you want to tour the rooms, you should. I think the rooms are right off the lobby - we did tour a grand villa informally (we told them we already had points) and ... wow. Go have a drink at Topolino's, or just walk out onto the terrace. It is one of our favorite places at WDW.
2. Do a RIV trip every other year and see how you feel, you can certainly dip a toe in.
3. take a look at availability of the larger units at PIT - 32 1 br units... We also own at VGF which has 47-ish 1br and it is not always easy at peak times to get, even at 11 months. (of course, it's impossible at 7 mo unless you use wait lists)
4. you could do this later, and start with 150 RIV
5. there is no such thing as too many points. trust me. you will find a way to use them.

- They are not selling direct at where I want to stay now. I would like BC or BLT direct. I wouldn't pay $280 a point direct at BLT either.
- Yea I showed my wife this post and the main pro and cons of PVB / RIV.
- She does not like Riveria. Resale restriction (esp I would need 300 points instead of 150). If Riv and BC 1 bedroom are both available we will pick BC even if the point chart is the same. And most of the time BC 1 bedroom is available when we go.
- 1 bedroom even resort view at Riv is easy to get. (bank and borrow from direct points)
- 1 bedroom resort view is hard to get at PVB.
- So right now it's most likely PVB direct.

1. I don't think you need BLT direct. BCV direct is also not worth it! You have a lot of resale points that are good at most of the resorts, and your BLT points are a very good SAP option. We love BLT too, and I wish we'd bought more points when we first bought in. (too late now)
2, 3. DH wanted to sell our BLT points and buy BCV (resale) the first time we stayed there. My family really does like the BW/BC area for the boardwalk, the resorts' pools (even the formerly scary clown pool) and the proximity to EP and HS. But factoring in the newness of RIV, the price difference at the time, and the many more years of ownership, we opted for RIV. Even though our most frequent 7mo bookings are at BWV and BCV, we like RIV as a resort, overall, much more. The layouts and the space at RIV are really so much better.
4. I am not sure that resort view at RIV is so easy to get at 7 mo, even in a 1br. Preferred view is easier, for sure.

 

[eticketplease]

We love BLT too, and I wish we'd bought more points when we first bought in. (too late now)
2, 3. DH wanted to sell our BLT points and buy BCV (resale) the first time we stayed there.

Off topic but I just had to chime in that with 14, 10 and toddler DH must like that extra bathroom now

 

[kboo]

Also not selling anything, but I agree with all that @airjay75 has said!

To elaborate on a few things - I believe OP said they don't like split stays. RIV may make sense in your portfolio if you might consider split stay-ing. On longer trips, we do split stays and it's like having 2 vacations back to back. We will use our BLT or VGF points to stay near MK, and we walk or take the boat or monorail to MK, and we'll take the bus only to go to AK.

Then we move to RIV and take the Skyliner to EP/HS. We spend more time at the pools and resort when we are at RIV - it's like @airjay75 said, super chill and relaxed.

I don't think we could or would do a split stay in the opposite direction. The highlight has been a split stay during Christmas break - MVMCP fireworks, then move to Riviera and view EP and MK NYE fireworks from your room. (chef's kiss)

Here are the things specific to RIV that I like:

1. resort view = amazing fireworks views, very hard to get at 7mo. Last trip we booked at around 10 months out at the end of August/Labor Day/F&W - we waitlisted a resort studio for my niece's family and it never came through. We were in a 1br resort view. I messaged member services and they noted that we were traveling together, and they ended up across the hall on the 9th floor.

2. customer service - check in doesn't usually involve standing in line, requests usual and unusual are always dealt with kindly, CMs are so friendly.

3. atmosphere - I get really relaxed as soon as I am on property.

4. the pools - I *think* the Riviera quiet pool is the only true Disney resort where you can swim "real" 25yd or 25m laps. (The other is the Dolphin but that pool is usually too crowded)

 

[kboo]

Off topic but I just had to chime in that with 14, 10 and toddler DH must like that extra bathroom now

Had to LOL. The toddler (and 6 mo baby) belong to my niece. It was very handy to have separate rooms on their trip. And their preferred view was very peaceful and pretty. We managed to do MM at HS with the 8 of us - I think that should be a badge somewhere.

 

[RuntheMouse]

I will definatelly check it out before making the purchase. Since you love it. Can you give me the high points so I can try and look at those and sell those to my wife? I did watch a few youtube, I didn't realize there is a walkway to the skyliner that's covered.

I’ll add my $.02. We were in the never will we ever camp about RIV. We had resale points at other resorts and then took the tour…..3 direct and 1 resale contract later, here we are.

• RIV has an amazing calmness to it. Like people are actually relaxing there.
• The pools are easy to find chairs at and close to good food.
• The food choices are fantastic! We love to go to Topolino’s bar to grab dinner and drinks and enjoy the view. We love Bar Riva too, have met a lot of nice people there.
• The rooms are huge. This is the only resort that we skip 1 bedrooms at because I think they’re too big for us and I won’t use the kitchen at RIV, see above.
• Dedicated busses!
• Running trail
• Compact design
• The CMs there take their job seriously and go above and beyond. I left a compliment through the email the GM sends when you check in and he called me within 10 minutes thanking me for noticing their efforts.

 

[CarolynFH]

They've gotten a lot better at the messaging about the skyliner,

This statement made me realize I hadn't read a lot of complaints this summer about not knowing when the Skyliner was down. What's changed? Are they sending messages via MDE? Are they getting faster at sending buses? Are buses able to get close to the IG station, or do guests still have to walk all the way to the front?

 

[eticketplease]

The RIV 1-2 bedrooms also have a night light (Most others do as well I realize but this happened when we were staying at RIV).

Mouse Keeping had hit the light on the microwave and my friend couldn't figure out how to turn it off lol

 

[Orbiter_Fan]

Others have put what they like about RIV so well, I won't try to reinvent the wheel. I'll just add that we really appreciate that it doesn't take more than 5 minutes to get from any one spot at the resort to another. Pool, bus, skyliner, gym, food - all can be reached within 5 minutes*. As others have noted, if you like a sprawling, campus-like environment, RIV may not be for you. If you like ease, convenience and generally smaller crowds, RIV is the home you're looking for.

*If you have small children/strollers add a couple minutes - which is true at any resort.

 

[airjay75]

This statement made me realize I hadn't read a lot of complaints this summer about not knowing when the Skyliner was down. What's changed? Are they sending messages via MDE? Are they getting faster at sending buses? Are buses able to get close to the IG station, or do guests still have to walk all the way to the front?

I feel like I’ve read a few times that the Skyliner can actually run through more weather than WDW has been allowing it to. Maybe they are starting to push that line closer to what the Skyliner can actually do? Just speculation.

 

[Cfabar1]

Looking to buy direct contract for direct perks, what would you do?

Background:
Resale only with restrictions
520 points - 360 blt; 160 poly
Family of 4
1-bedroom only atm
Do not enjoy poly, feels too crowded
Have not visited Riveria
Would like the blue card for AP
Would like to buy the AP this coming April

Some thoughts:
- 1-bedroom is rather easy to get. Between Riveria and Beach Club. I would pick Beach Club for the points chart and location alone.
- Poly - have not stayed at the PIT, but did a tour there and really like it. But the crowd issue will still be there.
- So many Riv lovers on this board. There must be something special about it.

What would you do?
1) Buy 150 points at Riveria
2) Buy 200-300 points at Riveria - sell 160 poly
3) Buy 150 points at Poly
4) Buy 150 points at Riveria now, if we like staying there sell 160 poly and buy another 150 points down the road

I may change my mind after reading other people's opinions... this is my initial thought...

Slow down.... Figure out where you want to stay...

I feel like you are making your resort life way too complicated.... the 360 at BLT is a good amount of points for that resort. So, if you want the direct perks, I'd figure out if there is a second resort you want to stay at, and buy there direct.

If you can, I'd book a stay at PIT to figure out if Polynesian is for you... or at least spend some time at PIT.... I'd also spend some time at Riviera... You have a decent chunk of points already on the monorail... so Riviera is very tempting in that regard...

If Polynesian is not for you (I don't blame you, it isn't for me) I would sell the Polynesian contract and buy Riviera points...

I'd also figure out if Direct Perks really matter to you... We bought direct only when it was within a few dollars of resale prices at the resort we wanted to own... But, we are also FL based, which means we can get APs, so that skews the equation considerably...