Which should I buy? AKV vs Riviera

[Gizmo74]

Just curious why you're buying AKV direct if you already own direct points?

I messed up when I bought Poly direct 200 points. I put the points in one contract instead of splitting into two contracts. I have two kids and thought I would pass down contracts to them. I would want both kids to have to have access to any perks. The new contract only be 75-100 points so the kids who gets Poly contract will have to transfer some points each year or however they decide to be fair. Or who knows, maybe as we all get older and no one but be wants to go to Disney, I can sell Poly and keep my 75-100 direct contract. Just will give me options for the future.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

I messed up when I bought Poly direct 200 points. I put the points in one contract instead of splitting into two contracts. I have two kids and thought I would pass down contracts to them. I would want both kids to have to have access to any perks. The new contract only be 75-100 points so the kids who gets Poly contract will have to transfer some points each year or however they decide to be fair. Or who knows, maybe as we all get older and no one but be wants to go to Disney, I can sell Poly and keep my 75-100 direct contract. Just will give me options for the future.

Oh, wow. I missed this. I assumed you were buying akv resale. Do you know if you buy old resorts direct now, they have the points right away? But if both are direct, I would do Riviera. But be aware that those resale restrictions on Riviera are awful. If you are willing to go resale on akv, I'd still do that option first. Major savings. Put the difference in stock market and leave that to your kids . Those perks might not even be there down the line for your kids anyway.

 

[disneynutz]

Buy where you love to stay, have you stayed at the Riviera yet? Don't think that your kids will want to own a DVC timeshare. When they get older, you and they may be done with Disney. Our adult children don't really care about Disney, they have other things going on.

Bill

 

[Gizmo74]

Buy where you love to stay, have you stayed at the Riviera yet? Don't think that your kids will want to own a DVC timeshare. When they get older, you and they may be done with Disney. Our adult children don't really care about Disney, they have other things going on.

Bill

That is very true about my kids maybe not even wanting to own DVC. But at that point they can decide to sell or rent out the points. Since they are direct points, renting would be easier because the points would qualify at 7 months at all resorts.

My kids are 11 and 13 and already tired of Disney. My husband and I love it and make sure each time we go is a little different for the kids. I think my kids are at the age where they would rather stay at home with wi-fi. But knowing one day that I can pass something to my kids that meant so much to my husband and me is priceless to me, even if they sold it.

 

[rg35]

That is very true about my kids maybe not even wanting to own DVC. But at that point they can decide to sell or rent out the points. Since they are direct points, renting would be easier because the points would qualify at 7 months at all resorts.

My kids are 11 and 13 and already tired of Disney. My husband and I love it and make sure each time we go is a little different for the kids. I think my kids are at the age where they would rather stay at home with wi-fi. But knowing one day that I can pass something to my kids that meant so much to my husband and me is priceless to me, even if they sold it.

My triplets are 10 (turning 11 later this fall). I'm interested to see what their thoughts are this year on our trip. Prior to taking a break from Disney last year (we did an NCL cruise), we had been to Disney each year from 2012-2017. Being in 5th grade now they have to deal w/ kids at school who say stuff like "Disney is for babies" and that kind of stuff (although it's usually from kids who have never been, so I'm sure there's a hint of jealousy to it too. I repeatedly remind my kids that they are more privileged than a lot of their friends). We're also going to Universal this year for the first time with them so I'm curious to see what their thoughts are as far as comparing/contrasting to WDW. Perhaps it will reach the point where we are just going down and spending our entire trip relaxing at the pool (not that I would complain about that either) and doing some half park days here and there.

 

[MickeyTrooper]

Universal is Disney off steroids.. slower, less jammed, less pressure to monitor your cell phone, and overall pace staying in the park is SUPER... but ... you better be ready for headaches...because almost all the rides are computer screen.... after a while it's like watching a YouTube video

 

[Gizmo74]

My triplets are 10 (turning 11 later this fall). I'm interested to see what their thoughts are this year on our trip. Prior to taking a break from Disney last year (we did an NCL cruise), we had been to Disney each year from 2012-2017. Being in 5th grade now they have to deal w/ kids at school who say stuff like "Disney is for babies" and that kind of stuff (although it's usually from kids who have never been, so I'm sure there's a hint of jealousy to it too. I repeatedly remind my kids that they are more privileged than a lot of their friends). We're also going to Universal this year for the first time with them so I'm curious to see what their thoughts are as far as comparing/contrasting to WDW. Perhaps it will reach the point where we are just going down and spending our entire trip relaxing at the pool (not that I would complain about that either) and doing some half park days here and there.

Our trips have changed alot since buying DVC. We do a lot more resort time and less park time. We still do a park each day but once fast passes run out we will usually head back to the room. We love hanging out on the balcony or by the pool. Next time we drive instead of flying I am sure we will explore Orlando and go to Universal for the day. We took them to Universal the first year Harry Potter opened mainly for my husband and need to take them back. We are very spoiled staying in a one bedroom villa because when we start pricing out other vacations in a normal hotel room and have to share a small space we decide to go back to Disney. We are doing Aulani again in February and excited about that trip. We also did a Disney Cruise last November and found we are not a cruising family.

 

[Gizmo74]

Universal is Disney off steroids.. slower, less jammed, less pressure to monitor your cell phone, and overall pace staying in the park is SUPER... but ... you better be ready for headaches...because almost all the rides are computer screen.... after a while it's like watching a YouTube video

Hard for me to do rides that are computer screens. I have a hard enough time getting on FOP wearing the 3D glasses.

 

[MickeyTrooper]

I've stayed with my 3 kids at Universal in the park three times .... loved each trip... everything food, hotel, pace, overall scale.... but we also said WOW is your head a bit dizzy after each ride that was on a screen.... I would recommend going... just be ready to be surprised on the upside and downside some

 

[Drewferin]

Well my decision about direct RIV vs AKV direct may have derailed seeing how i have an offer in for 50 AKV points resale. Part of me want to own RIV since I want to stay there but my economical side wants to hoard AKV points. See what happens with my offer I guess.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

This thread has me wondering about a couple things:

1) Is it possible to will one contract down to two adult siblings living at different addresses?

2) If you transfer direct purchased points to someone who only owns resale points, do you inherent any direct-owned benefits on those transferred points?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

This thread has me wondering about a couple things:

1) Is it possible to will one contract down to two adult siblings living at different addresses?

2) If you transfer direct purchased points to someone who only owns resale points, do you inherent any direct-owned benefits on those transferred points?

Yes, more than one person can be on a contract. Common ownership will require working together in use of that contract though and could get complicated.

What points can be used for will follow the points. The incidental benefits like lounge access or getting AP discounts are with the membership ownership qualification not points. So using to stay at all resorts or for the Disney collection would follow with a qualified points transfer. Incidentals would not.

 

[FinnFogg]

I have (soon to be) 5 resale contracts.

Our first was purchased in 2015, so we got the blue card and all of the benefits (incl booking at all resorts)

The next one was pre-April 2016 and different use year. We also got (a separate) blue card for that membership.

The third was pre-Jan 2019, so we can use those points at any present and future DVC resorts.

The last one (and the one currently in ROFR) are post Jan 2019, so carry the additional restrictions.

The question is whether or not the blue card privileges re the first two contract will transfer to my children? Obviously they don’t transfer through resale, but what about estate planning and/or gratuitous transfers?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

No

 

[princesscinderella]

I have (soon to be) 5 resale contracts.

Our first was purchased in 2015, so we got the blue card and all of the benefits (incl booking at all resorts)

The next one was pre-April 2016 and different use year. We also got (a separate) blue card for that membership.

The third was pre-Jan 2019, so we can use those points at any present and future DVC resorts.

The last one (and the one currently in ROFR) are post Jan 2019, so carry the additional restrictions.

The question is whether or not the blue card privileges re the first two contract will transfer to my children? Obviously they don’t transfer through resale, but what about estate planning and/or gratuitous transfers?

We are in the process right now of doing a gratuitous transfer and there is no language in the new deed that adds any of the restrictions that have been put in place starting in 2012 as this contract was purchased in 1999. The benefits will transfer as long as it’s gratuitous, they will not if money is changing hands.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

We own resale at AKV and if we decide to buy any direct points, we're leaning toward buying them at AKV instead of Riviera. Here are some of the reasons:
1. Ability to combine the direct points at 11 months with our resale points for reservations at AKV. If we go with a second home resort, we can't combine those points until 7 months out (resale points can never be combined at Riviera and Riviera points can only be combined at 7 months anywhere else).
2. Having 125 direct AKV points would give us enough points to book a 1BR at Riviera (or other future resorts) every 2-3 years at the 7-month mark (despite some thinking Riviera will be hard to get at 7 months, I think it will be much less difficult to get a 1BR). We would have plenty of resale points to use in the intervening years at the other resorts.
3. It doesn't matter which resort the direct points are at to qualify for "perks" and AKV costs less for the same direct benefits (although that savings might be negligible depending on the amount of Riviera incentives).
4. Although AKV contract expires sooner than RIV, the length of the AKV contract is just right for us. We don't want to be saddled with MFs for another 50 years (far too old for that). 35ish more years is plenty.
5. We don't anticipate having to sell (intend to use our points until the contracts expire), but resale restrictions are still a concern. At least if we have to sell our AKV points in the future, even if some of the resorts have expired by then, there are many options for where the points can used vs. ONLY Riviera if we buy there and end up selling.

 

[dvc lover 1970]

Tough decision...maybe instead of 75 points buy 100 50 RIV and 50 AK. Then pick up more resale.

 

[Mkaiser1]

We own resale at AKV and if we decide to buy any direct points, we're leaning toward buying them at AKV instead of Riviera. Here are some of the reasons:
1. Ability to combine the direct points at 11 months with our resale points for reservations at AKV. If we go with a second home resort, we can't combine those points until 7 months out (resale points can never be combined at Riviera and Riviera points can only be combined at 7 months anywhere else).
2. Having 125 direct AKV points would give us enough points to book a 1BR at Riviera (or other future resorts) every 2-3 years at the 7-month mark (despite some thinking Riviera will be hard to get at 7 months, I think it will be much less difficult to get a 1BR). We would have plenty of resale points to use in the intervening years at the other resorts.
3. It doesn't matter which resort the direct points are at to qualify for "perks" and AKV costs less for the same direct benefits (although that savings might be negligible depending on the amount of Riviera incentives).
4. Although AKV contract expires sooner than RIV, the length of the AKV contract is just right for us. We don't want to be saddled with MFs for another 50 years (far too old for that). 35ish more years is plenty.
5. We don't anticipate having to sell (intend to use our points until the contracts expire), but resale restrictions are still a concern. At least if we have to sell our AKV points in the future, even if some of the resorts have expired by then, there are many options for where the points can used vs. ONLY Riviera if we buy there and end up selling.

Re point 1 - I had this exact thought for a while. But some highlighted to me that I can bank and borrow to allow the 11 month bookings. IE for a trip in 2022 I could use the points from resort 1 in the 2022 UY and borrow from the 2023 UY to book at 11 months out whilst banking the 2022 points from resort 2. Then in 2023 go to resort 2 using the 2023 points and the banked ones from 2022. Just a thought.

Re point 5 - Every situation is different, but if it helps we did LOADS of sums of potential sale values in the future and still opted to buy direct at Riviera. What we're actually now thinking though is that we will hand them down to our children (and they will possibly hand to their grandchildren too given they last so long). My eldest (about to turn 10 will be almost 60 years old when our contract expires. We split our purchase into 4 smaller contracts (we have 4 kids) and handing on in the future should be straight forward.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

Re point 1 - I had this exact thought for a while. But some highlighted to me that I can bank and borrow to allow the 11 month bookings. IE for a trip in 2022 I could use the points from resort 1 in the 2022 UY and borrow from the 2023 UY to book at 11 months out whilst banking the 2022 points from resort 2. Then in 2023 go to resort 2 using the 2023 points and the banked ones from 2022. Just a thought.

But if I wanted to book a room at AKV that required more points (even with banking and borrowing), I would have to wait until 7 months to combine points from the other contract to make that booking. Keeping all the points at the same home resort means ALL of my points are available at 11 months.

Also, I just noticed that this is a zombie thread from two years ago. I imagine the OP made their decision a long time ago.

 

[HNElle]

I’d buy Riviera, but I’m biased. We already purchased Riviera.

You will get the 2019 points for Riviera (unless you purchase a Feb UY) and only have to pay 2 weeks worth of dues on them for a total of less than $100. That’s pretty nice.

We’re strongly considering buying direct at RIV. Could you please explain what you mean about getting 2019 points? When you buy, don’t you just get immediate access to that year’s points (in this case, 2021 points)? Thanks!