Are there any new statistics available on how RIV is selling?

[jerseyduke]

Exactly. It doesn't matter how the company is doing as a whole, if your division is not pulling its weight you're in trouble. Just ask Catherine Powell.

I was at WDW all last week. Toy Story land was more crowded than SWGE. Slink Dog, TSM, RRC, TOT all had longer waits than smugglers run almost all day. If you took advantage of the early morning EMH (6 am to 9 am), you almost had the park to yourself. Then again, when a large majority of the population has to save a long time to afford a trip to Disney, why would you expect any one in that group that was excited about SWGE to go BEFORE Rise of the Resistance opens?

 

[wdrl]

Due to various time share scandals in the past, there are restrictions on when a resort can be sold, and it has to be pretty close to completion

Well, depending on how you define the term 'close to completion', this really isn't true in Florida. Disney was granted a timeshare license to market the Riviera to the general public on July 17, 2018, almost 17 months before the resort's scheduled opening date. There are several requirements that have to be satisfied before a timeshare license is granted by the State of Florida, but there is nothing in those requirements relating to the percentage of a resort that must be completed before a license is granted.

 

[kcall13]

I booked Riv the traditional way for next December and then changed to Beach Club then went back to Riv and the price went up $2000 for my room choice in just two weeks. I am getting married at Disney so I have to have something booked. Now I am tossing whether to buy resale or direct and just join DVC. My issue is that I really don't want Riviera for a home resort (we prefer Polly) but I need to be able to book a suite for next December so poly is not going to do. My options now are to but Boardwalk direct at $165 or resale at $130 pp. It is a small difference in price to lose member perks over. That said my points expire in 2042 vs 2070 if I buy Riviera. I want Poly for my home resort but also want to book my first strip at Boardwalk or Beach Club as I need the 2 bed suite. Any suggestions for the best way to go about this -- ie resale vs direct? I could also rent points but I am worried about doing that and not getting what I need.

 

[CanadaDisney05]

My options now are to but Boardwalk direct at $165 or resale at $130 pp. It is a small difference in price to lose member perks over.

Boardwalk direct is not $165. It's $190

 

[kcall13]

I got a quote yesterday for $165

 

[kcall13]

Perhaps that has been adjusted given Riviera is only at $188 pp with a much longer lifespan and it is a more ritzy place ...... VGF is only 210pp

 

[crvetter]

I got a quote yesterday for $165

Perhaps that has been adjusted given Riviera is only at $188 pp with a much longer lifespan and it is a more ritzy place ...... VGF is only 210pp

Perhaps your guide was mistaken. Here are the current prices, there have been no reports of price cuts, nor is it something DVC has ever done for a sold out resort (aside from SSR but that went back to active sales when the treehouses were added):

https://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/financial/pricing-a-promotions
VGF is 245 also.

 

[kcall13]

Thanks! More likely I have my numbers mixed up from looking at resale and getting direct sale prices. Given these prices would you recommend resale vs direct for the bulk of my points and then picking up the 75 direct points at OKW to get the member benefits?

 

[CanadaDisney05]

Given these prices would you recommend resale vs direct for the bulk of my points and then picking up the 75 direct points at OKW to get the member benefits?

That's the general advice. Doesn't have to be OKW though. Just keep in mind that a couple of weeks ago, they bumped the minimum amount to 100 direct points in order to qualify for the "membership benefits"

 

[ELMC]

Perhaps that has been adjusted given Riviera is only at $188 pp with a much longer lifespan and it is a more ritzy place ...... VGF is only 210pp

Please tell me that "only" is sarcastic.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

What exactly are the amenities at RIV. It seems like just the pool. I wouldn’t call the gondolas an amenity any more than I would call the bus an amenity. Not exactly a deluxe resort IMO.

 

[zavandor]

What exactly are the amenities at RIV. It seems like just the pool. I wouldn’t call the gondolas an amenity any more than I would call the bus an amenity. Not exactly a deluxe resort IMO.

A water play area with the coolest name ever (S'il vous play) and a signature rooftop restaurant for dinner and character breakfast.
The Skyliner is an amenity as much as the Monorail is an Amenity for Poly or VGF. YMMV, but those are called "Monorail resorts" because it is seen as an important feature.

 

[kboo]

What exactly are the amenities at RIV. It seems like just the pool. I wouldn’t call the gondolas an amenity any more than I would call the bus an amenity. Not exactly a deluxe resort IMO.

Topolino's is probably going to be California Grill-like, and with fireworks views at 2 parks. So perhaps the lounge or patio will be TOTWL-like. Most likely on the actual holidays there will be private events (like the TOTWL debacle for 4th of July; but at least with Topolino's they started out with annoucing the private event on NYE).

Some rooms, though I can't tell which, will have fireworks views.

In the rooms, the murphy bed is a queen, not a double, and it's a murphy, which is more comfortable than a sofa bed.

2br - dedicated sleep 9 and 2br - lockoffs sleep 10. (not that I would want to cram 10 people in there, but it is possible)

The split bath layout in the 2nd bedroom is much friendlier for groups, and you have 2 toilets and 3 showers and a soaking tub. The 3rd bath in Kidani and BLT 2br is still arguably better, because you have 3 toilets, but the split bath in the 2br is better for flow.

 

[anomamatt]

What exactly are the amenities at RIV. It seems like just the pool. I wouldn’t call the gondolas an amenity any more than I would call the bus an amenity. Not exactly a deluxe resort IMO.

What amenities do other deluxe resorts have that RVA is missing? The rooms look very nice (assuming you like the style). The pools look good (they are not SAB, but that is a unique one-off). To me, it looks comparable to other deluxes.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

A water play area with the coolest name ever (S'il vous play) and a signature rooftop restaurant for dinner and character breakfast.
The Skyliner is an amenity as much as the Monorail is an Amenity for Poly or VGF. YMMV, but those are called "Monorail resorts" because it is seen as an important feature.

I am sure it will be cool, but don’t other resorts have more amenities than this? Community halls, spas, more restaurant options, educational opportunities and “museums” like at Kidani and boulder ridge, bikes, unique entertainment like at poly, boardwalk, and fort wilderness? The riviera seems like a glorified Coronado to me or any nice hotel anywhere. Take the Mickey decor out and the riviera is a run of the mill almost luxury hotel. I do not think Disney “plussed” it with this resort. I think they did the bare minimum to call it luxury.

 

[AvidDisReader]

Not going to agree or disagree. There were many who said same thing about Bay Tower, but bought there and after 10 years still love it. This goes under the heading of to each his own on what they like or dislike.

 

[Minniesgal]

Thanks for posting this link! So by the looks of it RIV is going to open with a massive amount of points still available for purchase. I’m sure we will see an uptick once guests can see the resort in person...? At what point do we determine that the there is a massive cost/value disconnect with this property?

No real surprise there given the poor product.

 

[Minniesgal]

Perhaps that has been adjusted given Riviera is only at $188 pp with a much longer lifespan and it is a more ritzy place ...... VGF is only 210pp

ONLY??????????

 

[Matty B13]

Actually, VGF is $245/point direct now!!!!

 

[CLE2WDW]

Actually, VGF is $245/point direct now!!!!

Geeze. I think we have officially reached the “frothy” levels of direct pricing. I can purchase a VGF contract resale for about $180/point and yet I’m going to pay $65/point just to have some minor benefits that I will never in my lifetime breakeven on? Absurd.