Which one would you choose

[tommygunn]

Hi fellow nerds. I’m considering buying a 300 point (ish) contract, either direct from the greedy rat at Riviera or resale at the Poly. I own at BLT and VGF both from resale but have the blue card at VGF since I bought some time ago.

We love the poly. If we can’t get access to poly2 I’d be somewhat disappointed but by no means devastated. The studios there are great.

We like the Riviera a lot but can’t say We love it. Rooms and skyliner are amazing but the location and the amenities (lobby, pool, etc) are very nice but not tremendous (to us anyway).

Can score a riviera at 172 a point with the current promotions. Maintenance fees are about $1pp higher than poly.

Guessing I can get a similar poly contract for around 150ish.

Very interested to see the comments as this is a Major purchase for me. What’s your advice?

 

[JoeyPeligroso]

I think I would wait in your circumstance. If you already have the number of points that you want to at VGF, and the blue card, it seems to me that waiting for Poly2 would be a good choice. many have speculated that Poly2 will be a separate entity. However, nobody really knows until a formal announcement is made.

Personally, I would choose not to purchase a resort if I wasn’t absolutely convinced that I love staying there on a regular basis. There are lots of people that really appreciate and love RIV. if you have stayed there and have a somewhat lesser feeling, I wouldn’t invest in something that you don’t love. (My Opinion)

The problem with waiting, is that it is hard!

 

[Spinster Travel]

I'd wait for Poly2....and am fully biased because I already own resale Poly points and am having to wait patiently until Poly2 goes on sale. I'm not convinced one way or the other about it being combined with the existing Poly association and/or resale restrictions, but I'm holding out on making any major point purchases until more clarity is announced. Good luck!

 

[RoseGold]

DVC is not ROFR Poly right now. Now is the time for low-ball offers on Poly. I'd take my times and really go low.

I do think Poly2 will come in low, like VGF2 did. But that's still 30ish$/point. If that's not worth it to you for direct points, then go resale.

The other option would be to sell the BLT and go all Poly2 with the incentives on huge purchases for really large buys. This wouldn't work as well with Poly resale. Like VGF right now, it will be tough to resell Poly while Poly2 is in active sales.

If you get a good buy right now, and you're happy with Poly1, I don't see the point in waiting. I could take or leave RIV. But I feel like Poly2 really might put the FOMO in me, LOL.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

If you love Poly1, then I’d buy Poly now. That’s (maybe) two years worth of points and vacations not taken if you wait for Poly2!

If they’re the same association, awesome! If not, you’re able to stay where you love anyways and can use your non-restricted points at the 7 month mark.

 

[DVCsloth]

I would personally buy at Riviera to have a home resort in the Epcot/HS area since you already own 2 in the MK area and Polynesian is usually available at 7 months. I don't think I would consider Poly right now, I would most likely wait until they offer the new resort and use your VGF and BLT points to book Poly at 7 months.

 

[Huskerpaul]

DVC is not ROFR Poly right now. Now is the time for low-ball offers on Poly. I'd take my times and really go low.

I do think Poly2 will come in low, like VGF2 did. But that's still 30ish$/point. If that's not worth it to you for direct points, then go resale.

The other option would be to sell the BLT and go all Poly2 with the incentives on huge purchases for really large buys. This wouldn't work as well with Poly resale. Like VGF right now, it will be tough to resell Poly while Poly2 is in active sales.

If you get a good buy right now, and you're happy with Poly1, I don't see the point in waiting. I could take or leave RIV. But I feel like Poly2 really might put the FOMO in me, LOL.

For sure good time to buy Poly resale with no ROFR for months now. I'm in the camp the new tower will be added to the old association, one reason is they seem to be treating current resales like it is already in active sales, with no contracts taken back at any price point for some time now. I also think Disney will like how easy it is to make new Poly2 contracts good for only 42 years by adding it to the existing association.

 

[NVDISFamily]

Waiting for Poly2 might be a good choice as that adds a lot more info/options into the mix. We have already locked in CCV as our MK area resort of choice. If we were still looking, Poly2 would really tempt us

I see that you own at two other MK area resorts. If getting some rooms near EPCOT/HS is what you are looking for, Riviera is awesome. Did you happen to start negotiations with a guide and can perhaps sneak into those good early July promotions? If not, perhaps the promotions in a few days will be awesome.

Best of luck to you

 

[DVCsloth]

For sure good time to buy Poly resale with no ROFR for months now. I'm in the camp the new tower will be added to the old association, one reason is they seem to be treating current resales like it is already in active sales, with no contracts taken back at any price point for some time now. I also think Disney will like how easy it is to make new Poly2 contracts good for only 42 years by adding it to the existing association.

Really doubt DVC will make the new resort part of the current association. There is no benefit to them and it would not be a good selling point.
Oh BTW, when you sign the resale acknowledgement please sign this as well, 6million current points will be able to book at 11 months just like new purchases. Do not think they are going to have any issue selling out this resort.

 

[Sandisw]

For sure good time to buy Poly resale with no ROFR for months now. I'm in the camp the new tower will be added to the old association, one reason is they seem to be treating current resales like it is already in active sales, with no contracts taken back at any price point for some time now. I also think Disney will like how easy it is to make new Poly2 contracts good for only 42 years by adding it to the existing association.

DVD hasn't done a lot of ROFR'ing on Poly over the years, even before the announcement so I don't think that means much yet. I think we are way far out from their actions to be a sign. I will say that once BPK was announced, they did start gobbling up VGF points, even with it being the same association...so if you go by that, not taking them could mean they know those won't be good at the tower.

 

[Sandisw]

I think no matter the decision, unless you wait for more info on Poly tower, you should assume those resale points will be blocked out and be comfortable with that. I love RIV and of course, would say that is a great choice.

However, you don't sound like its at the top of your list so it sounds like waiting for more Poly tower info could be a good decision...though its most likely at least a year away from us knowing. The only thing for sure is that regardless of what happens with Poly tower, your direct RIV points will be good there because they have already announced it to be part of DVC....

Good luck!

 

[Nursemanit]

The strongest argument is that there are no Epcot resorts where you can book reasonably priced (points) studios for a week at 7 months. You will be stuck with maybe pool/garden BW or the "Penalty View" rooms at RR. No studio is ever open at BC for more than 2 consecutive days at 7 months. Other than Xmas / Spring Break Poly is open now at 7 months and we have no reason to believe that it won't be open when they add more rooms. Poly is huge with 300+ studios now.

I am on the fence with the whole association thing at Poly. In reality, the add-on of 5-6 million points may concern some on this forum - but Disney had no issue screwing over VgF 1/2BR loving owners by adding on to the same association, and the gap in years is exactly the same. Why go through the issue of creating a separate association when you can sell the points faster if they get access to all of the rooms? I think 90% of the purchasing market has no clue about point pools and their effect on booking rooms. This forum represents the most DVC-educated 1% and not the market as a whole.

I think Disney has seen that restrictions hurt sales more than they helped. DVC ended up jacking the price up on sold-out resorts to a level that choked off almost all sales. That worked to sell the new contracts at RR and VGF more than the restrictions. They could have restricted VGF2 even if it was the same association as they made a new group of points, with a new room class and could have written that one paragraph into the new contracts. It would have been a lot easier than the OKW differing use years mess that they created.

 

[Micca]

The problem with waiting, is that it is hard

To quote the late, great Tom Petty "The Waiting is the hardest part."

But I would wait or go with Poly. RIV is beautiful, but it's not to my taste.

 

[Dotluvsdisney]

These are fun decisions to make. If I were in your shoes I’d consider a direct with Riviera. I just bought a 100 point Poly resale but our budget wouldn’t allow for any direct purchase. I am happy with my purchase but, having a direct purchase done and done in just a few days plus having all of the benefits sounds like a win. From what I’ve heard hear, Poly studios are not super hard to book at the 7 month point. You could also split the difference and buy some at Riviera and a small resale at Poly! God luck!

 

[DVCsloth]

The strongest argument is that there are no Epcot resorts where you can book reasonably priced (points) studios for a week at 7 months. You will be stuck with maybe pool/garden BW or the "Penalty View" rooms at RR. No studio is ever open at BC for more than 2 consecutive days at 7 months. Other than Xmas / Spring Break Poly is open now at 7 months and we have no reason to believe that it won't be open when they add more rooms. Poly is huge with 300+ studios now.

I am on the fence with the whole association thing at Poly. In reality, the add-on of 5-6 million points may concern some on this forum - but Disney had no issue screwing over VgF 1/2BR loving owners by adding on to the same association, and the gap in years is exactly the same. Why go through the issue of creating a separate association when you can sell the points faster if they get access to all of the rooms? I think 90% of the purchasing market has no clue about point pools and their effect on booking rooms. This forum represents the most DVC-educated 1% and not the market as a whole.

I think Disney has seen that restrictions hurt sales more than they helped. DVC ended up jacking the price up on sold-out resorts to a level that choked off almost all sales. That worked to sell the new contracts at RR and VGF more than the restrictions. They could have restricted VGF2 even if it was the same association as they made a new group of points, with a new room class and could have written that one paragraph into the new contracts. It would have been a lot easier than the OKW differing use years mess that they created.

I think DVC needed to include the new VGF into the same association to offer more than just Studios (Hotel Rooms). This is not the case with Polynesian, they are adding a brand new resort with a variety of room choices. I believe this will be a pretty spectacular addition with a excellent location. Kind of sad that it will replace Luau Cove though.

 

[Nursemanit]

I think DVC needed to include the new VGF into the same association to offer more than just Studios (Hotel Rooms). This is not the case with Polynesian, they are adding a brand new resort with a variety of room choices. I believe this will be a pretty spectacular addition with a excellent location. Kind of sad that it will replace Luau Cove though.

They released poly with just studios and it sold out quickly- Studios are the bulk of DVC business.

 

[Sandisw]

They released poly with just studios and it sold out quickly- Studios are the bulk of DVC business.

It did sell, but I remember reading that even Disney realized it wasn't something to repeat and they didn't. Look at CCV...it was built with the cabins and far too few studios...which is now an issue for even those who own there.

RIV also didn't come in with studio heavy rooms and it certainly looks like Poly tower will be the same...a good mix. There is a reason that Poly studios are pretty easy to get at 7 months and that is because many owners are trading out to other places, especially when they want the larger villas.

I think the VGF decision was about speed and to give them something to add to selling RIV...and the quickest way to do it was flip the BPK....and remember, these are not real studios. At least Poly had the full kitchenette, and the split bath area...the resort studios do not...that helped them to sell the way they did.

They have already had to adjust the resort studios from original plan by adding the microwave because it wasn't well received. They also wanted to be able to advertise VGF1 and all the room sizes in order to get people to buy it.

I do agree that DVD has made a shift to push studios to new buyers in the last 10 years, with the lowering of the minimum buy in..it has crept back up...and of course, this has put a strain on studios system wide. But, when I bought in 2009, it was not about those...it was about the home away from home and the larger units...but as with everything, things evolve and so do the goals of DVD.

 

[macman123]

I own RIV and POLY

I can say RIV is a beautiful resort - well worth owning there

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

If you’re meh on Riviera, I hate to see you spend money to buy there. However, all your points are MK. Do you want an EP/HS home base? Would the Tower Studios fit your need for maybe just a weekend for F&W? Do you have a need for being near EP/HS for specific times, or more as a nice-to-have?

Riviera standard views get booked up pretty quickly, which leaves the very expensive rooms for non members. That would be one nudge to owning some points there. If you’re not feeling the love for the resort though, I would wait for Poly 2.0.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

If you’re meh on Riviera, I hate to see you spend money to buy there. However, all your points are MK. Do you want an EP/HS home base? Would the Tower Studios fit your need for maybe just a weekend for F&W? Do you have a need for being near EP/HS for specific times, or more as a nice-to-have?

Riviera standard views get booked up pretty quickly, which leaves the very expensive rooms for non members. That would be one nudge to owning some points there. If you’re not feeling the love for the resort though, I would wait for Poly 2.0.

You’re right about the standard views. Every Riv standard view + dedicated 2BR above the first couple floors has a great view of EPCOT. Many of the standard views are arguably better than preferred there.

I like it when I have very good odds of getting a great view irrespective of a room request. To me, putting in a room request sets me up for disappointment.

Examples of disappointing room outcomes that are simply intrinsic to the building layout, etc.
- 1st floor lake view Moorea at Poly
- TPV at BPK that’s blocked by a giant tree
- low floor TPV at BLT
- Kidani Savannah view that doesn’t see zebras (or giraffes?!)
- dumpsters at boulder ridge
I’m sure there are others…

Point is, SV Dedicated 2BR’s are all located on the N/NW side of RR and your only chance of snagging those is owning there. We also love the tower studios for couple’s trips and those obviously have a great view of EPCOT as well and are tough to book otherwise.