What to do next? to get direct perks

[Add-On-Itis]

I don’t have access to see availability for Riv. Can anyone tell me how’s the 5-7 month window for Riv one bedroom looks like right now, both resort and preferred views?

thanks for your help

 

[Sandisw]

I don’t have access to see availability for Riv. Can anyone tell me how’s the 5-7 month window for Riv one bedroom looks like right now, both resort and preferred views?

thanks for your help

We do not allow people to share real time availability so many posts were deleted.

Reminder to everyone….please do not share what you see that is avialbe.

We do not allow it. General trends can be shared…ie: 1 bedrooms are typically available most of the time well into the window…

 

[airjay75]

Oops. Forget about that rule. Thanks for the reminder, @Sandisw!

 

[Sandisw]

Oops. Forget about that rule. Thanks for the reminder, @Sandisw!

No worries!

 

[atthebeachclub]

If you do want to have an idea of availability at restricted locations, the app DVC Toolkit is pretty accurate in my experience. It’s a paid app but I find it somewhat useful.

Also https://dvcfieldguide.com/availability-tables is helpful!

 

[airjay75]

I'll just add the other thoughts I had shared. Although I think RIV 1 BRs, both resort and preferred, and pretty easy at they 7 month mark most of the time currently, I don't think I'd bank on that always being true, especially for resort view - have a hard time seeing preferred view 1 BRs being hard to get given how many there are of them (65 resort, 112 preferred according to dvcfieldguide.com). Looks like 58 of those resort view 1 BRs can be booked as 2 BR lock-offs as well, and I know those are difficult to get simply because of the difficulty getting resort view studios (I've been paying attention recently, and they seem to be pretty constantly walked).

I also think there is a good chance PVB 1 BR availability will be a lot different once fully declared. I was thinking about this recently noting that the tower rooms were immediately available for 11-month bookings to the existing PVB owners, but the tower itself is only being declared as tower specific points are sold. That means there are many more owners able to book tower points at the 11-month mark than is typical with new resorts.

And, @VGCgroupie noted the uncertainty about restricted resorts and the fact that resale owners will only be able to book at RIV, which could further affect availability over time. Just don't know exactly how that will play out.

All of that would lead me to conclude, if you want to use points to stay at RIV regularly, I'd still buy there. PVB points, OTOH, are good both if you want to stay there regularly or if you just want to use them as SAP to stay at other resorts. And, if you're ok with preferred view RIV 1 BRs, and confident you aren't going to want to bump up to 2 BRs or 3 BRs at some point, I'd probably lean towards PVB too.

 

[juliebee]

This availability tool can be good too- https://dvcrentalstore.com/guests/c...In=2026-01-24&checkOut=2026-01-27&occupancy=1

 

[Patmcpsu]

Being a one bedroom villa type, you may not like Riviera's. I recommend that you rent points to visit Riviera, even if it's just a 1-2 day scouting trip in September while things are cheapest. I was expecting the Riviera one bedroom to blow me away, but it didn't; the kitchen layout is just a straight countertop which makes the space feel like an ordinary hotel room minus a bed (not homey at all). Also, the couch is not comfortable at all (not enough hate is given to this).

There is another option for you: wait until Lakeshore Lodge goes on sale and buy there.

 

[jcolvin5]

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 would suggest staying at any location you are considering a purchase, first and foremost. DVC resorts have their own vibe and it may or may not be YOUR vibe. That's important.

I'm less of a Poly fan due to the busier vibe I feel when I stay there, but I do enjoy the resort. On the other hand, I absolutely love Riviera. If memory serves me, the 1BRs are the 3rd largest sq footage of the WDW resorts (OKW/VGF). Unlike some, I love the layout of those rooms. Think elegant, sophisticated and modern design. Much less Disney than many other resorts. That can be a pro or a con based on perspective. I also REALLY enjoy the skyliner. Some do not. For me, it is a relaxing time to process before and after the next leg of our plans.

The incentives for RR are much better than Poly due to the resale restrictions one would have if they sold their contract. It's a factor, certainly. Which is why it is very important that you actually like the resort.

Good luck!

 

[PolyRob]

Being a one bedroom villa type, you may not like Riviera's. I recommend that you rent points to visit Riviera, even if it's just a 1-2 day scouting trip in September while things are cheapest. I was expecting the Riviera one bedroom to blow me away, but it didn't; the kitchen layout is just a straight countertop which makes the space feel like an ordinary hotel room minus a bed (not homey at all). Also, the couch is not comfortable at all (not enough hate is given to this).

There is another option for you: wait until Lakeshore Lodge goes on sale and buy there.

I am not trying to minimize your complaints of about the Riviera kitchen or murphy bed couch, but there is a very high chance Lakeshore Lodge suffers from these exact pain points.

DVC has been using this kitchen style since CCV. PVB and VDH have the same setup. Considering LL was announced as Reflections prior to both of these projects and looks like their wilderness themed variant I imagine it will be the same. The couch is also similar in all the one-bedrooms that received the updated murphy bed setup. Cushions are thin, shallow, and firm. The only noticeable difference at Riviera is the tufting.

 

[Patmcpsu]

I am not trying to minimize your complaints of about the Riviera kitchen or murphy bed couch, but there is a very high chance Lakeshore Lodge suffers from these exact pain points.

DVC has been using this kitchen style since CCV. PVB and VDH have the same setup. Considering LL was announced as Reflections prior to both of these projects and looks like their wilderness themed variant I imagine it will be the same. The couch is also similar in all the one-bedrooms that received the updated murphy bed setup. Cushions are thin, shallow, and firm. The only noticeable difference at Riviera is the tufting.

Yuck, I didn't realize that PIT's 1BR villas had the same kitchen layout. I was spoiled by the GF's layout where the L-shaped kitchen layout makes everything feel cozier. Straight kitchens make the villa feel like two adjoining hotel rooms instead of one cohesive living space. Yes it's purely psychological with no practical difference.

I should just buy a GF contract because their 1BR villas are perfection, in my book.