Riviera Standard View Studios

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Preferred VIew sees 'into' the resort, which means seeing other balconies and one or more pools.

• I think my family is at the extreme end here, but we'd much rather see out of a reseort instead of seeing other rooms andwould also rather see parking lot instead of a pool. In short, we don't really want to see other people or be seen. Fireworks are a small bonus, but overall SV is significantly preferred for us over PV at RIV. We might be at the extreme end but I suspect some of our sentiment is shared more widely.

I am with you , I hate lower floors that look into the pools ( BW is the worst) - its not fun to have that much noise all day, or worse kids walking up to your window on the first floor.

 

[eticketplease]

I was just going to post that 2BR lockoffs SV for Nov/ Dec this year are brutal. Lucky I can use dedicated 2BR since I am going with my parents.

I think there is a real advantage to having dedicated 2BR at Riv unlike BWV where you're kind of screwed.

I’m with you I’m dedicated, but there are some people that want to squeeze in that 10th person so two bedroom lock off do the trick for them

 

[muppets3d]

Another pressure point that will continue to increase with RIV is a growing number of resale owners who, as a result of restrictions, must book only at RIV. Without any other options, resale owners will be more inclined to do whatever it takes to book the reservation they need. So I expect that booking at exactly 8AM eleven months out or walking reservations will become more and more common as time goes on.

Every Riviera owner can only book at Riviera in the 7-11 month window, just like every other DVC resort. So I don’t think this makes any difference at all with what we’re talking about here.

 

[muppets3d]

I wonder how many rooms there are left to declare into the association. That might help

 

[eticketplease]

Every Riviera owner can only book at Riviera in the 7-11 month window, just like every other DVC resort. So I don’t think this makes any difference at all with what we’re talking about here.

I’m with @T00dles as while that is true about 7-11 months those with RIV resale will be walking to ensure they get their reservation as they can’t stay anywhere else. If a direct owner doesn’t get their reservation then they can book at SSR if they have to hence putting more pressure at exactly 11 months if you want to stay at RIV

 

[Sandisw]

I’m with @T00dles as while that is true about 7-11 months those with RIV resale will be walking to ensure they get their reservation as they can’t stay anywhere else. If a direct owner doesn’t get their reservation then they can book at SSR if they have to hence putting more pressure at exactly 11 months if you want to stay at RIV

I have RIV resale and have no plans on walking my reservations because I can grab PV if need be to start, and then stalk/waitlist....today, I got extremely lucky....got my RV studio for 3 nights for a check in Dec 2nd!!!

So, resale RIV owners do not need to walk to use their points. They certainly should book as soon as the windows open to ensure they get something booked for their dates...it may not be exactly the room size/view they want, but no RIV owner is ever going to get shut out of booking RIV if they book when the window opens.

If a RIV resale owner waits to book? That is on them because they know they bought points that are good only one place.

But I have owned them for 3 years and have yet to have any trouble using them to book.

 

[eticketplease]

I have RIV resale and have no plans on walking my reservations because I can grab PV if need be to start, and then stalk/waitlist....today, I got extremely lucky....got my RV studio for 3 nights for a check in Dec 2nd!!!

So, resale RIV owners do not need to walk to use their points. They certainly should book as soon as the windows open to ensure they get something booked for their dates...it may not be exactly the room size/view they want, but no RIV owner is ever going to get shut out of booking RIV if they book when the window opens.

If a RIV resale owner waits to book? That is on them because they know they bought points that are good only one place.

Yes but you have enough points for that.

Some of these people are buying just a few resale RIV points and only have enough for standards.

It is certainly on them to book at 11 months I agree, but I think they will start to walk to ensure they get their reservation as they have no other option.

 

[muppets3d]

I’m with @T00dles as while that is true about 7-11 months those with RIV resale will be walking to ensure they get their reservation as they can’t stay anywhere else. If a direct owner doesn’t get their reservation then they can book at SSR if they have to hence putting more pressure at exactly 11 months if you want to stay at RIV

Direct owners can book at SSR at 11 months with RIV points?

 

[Sandisw]

Yes but you have enough points for that.

Some of these people are buying just a few resale RIV points and only have enough for standards.

It is certainly on them to book at 11 months I agree, but I think they will start to walk to ensure they get their reservation as they have no other option.

I am only talking about my using my resale RIV points. I have yet to have any trouble using them to book.

Regardless, if an owner buys resale RIV and has to get Resort view, then they bought DVC wothiur understanding it and that is on them.

But, let’s say that DVC gets rid of walking by going to day by day booking, how is that resale RiV owner in a better position?

Right now, these rooms are very tough and the number of resale points is minuscule. That’s my point.

 

[ehh]

it may not be exactly the room size/view they want, but no RIV owner is ever going to get shut out of booking RIV if they book when the window opens.

I think this is one of the more irksome things I see posted on these boards (not just by you). While it's 100% true, I think it's insensitive to the budgeting and planning process that goes into a DVC vacation.

People have limited points budgets.

At RIV, missing out on a SV/RV Deluxe Studio at 11m means either shortening the trip by 20% for a PV Studio, or by 50% for a SV/RV 1BR. Depending on the original planned trip length, it could be shortened even more (e.g., if originally planning 6 nights, it might mean only having the budget for 4 nights in a PV). Those are material changes to vacation plans, and not in a good way.

Rooms that can only be booked for a few seconds or minutes at exactly the right time, or not at all, lead to walking next time. People don't want to leave their vacation plans to chance.

I'm with @T00dles on this, resale owners have a narrower range of alternative options, increasing the likelihood of resorting to walking. Doesn't mean every resale owner will, though.

 

[Sandisw]

I think this is one of the more irksome things I see posted on these boards (not just by you). While it's 100% true, I think it's insensitive to the budgeting and planning process that goes into a DVC vacation.

People have limited points budgets.

At RIV, missing out on a SV/RV Deluxe Studio at 11m means either shortening the trip by 20% for a PV Studio, or by 50% for a SV/RV 1BR. Depending on the original planned trip length, it could be shortened even more (e.g., if originally planning 6 nights, it might mean only having the budget for 4 nights in a PV). Those are material changes to vacation plans, and not in a good way.

Rooms that can only be booked for a few seconds or minutes at exactly the right time, or not at all, lead to walking next time. People don't want to leave their vacation plans to chance.

I'm with @T00dles on this, resale owners have a narrower range of alternative options, increasing the likelihood of resorting to walking. Doesn't mean every resale owner will, though.

But then someone should not be buying a restricted resort. I don’t mean to be insensitive but if one is buying DVC, they should understand the product.

And, if you buy a contract that only works in very specific circumstances, then you really bought something that wasn’t a good idea.

As I mentioned, walking can be stopped tomorrow..the 4 month window can be reduced to one…lots of things can change in the product to make booking different.

No matter what, all points are equal during the current 7 to 11 month window.

 

[muppets3d]

If somebody bought only enough points for this one particular situation and are disappointed when it doesn’t work out every time, then whose fault is that?

 

[kboo]

I think this is one of the more irksome things I see posted on these boards (not just by you). While it's 100% true, I think it's insensitive to the budgeting and planning process that goes into a DVC vacation.

People have limited points budgets.

At RIV, missing out on a SV/RV Deluxe Studio at 11m means either shortening the trip by 20% for a PV Studio, or by 50% for a SV/RV 1BR. Depending on the original planned trip length, it could be shortened even more (e.g., if originally planning 6 nights, it might mean only having the budget for 4 nights in a PV). Those are material changes to vacation plans, and not in a good way.

I generally agree with you, but wanted to add that booking at 11mo at 8am is a snapshot of availability. I wouldn't cast it as "fault" but rather flexibility and being aware of one's own limitations and preferences. I've slept on bookings before and had to book a shorter stay in a preferred view at RIV, and yet, I have never stayed in a preferred view at RIV, because I've never not had a waitlist come through (for RIV or any other resort). Now I know that's not the certainty that everyone is comfortable with, but waitlists + stalking have worked for me 100% of the time. RIV resale points have always been more $ than OKW, SSR, AKV resale (and maybe BLT if you're looking for a good deal). So the people who are buying RIV resale are presumably making a choice that they'd rather be stuck at RIV with no other options than stay at a different resort (or be unable to book RIV with their own points). But there's a lot of options for RIV resale even if you can't book the exact date you want at 11 months:

- waitlist
- stalk
- pick different dates/time of year
- rent out RIV points and use cash/rent other DVC points

 

[eticketplease]

Direct owners can book at SSR at 11 months with RIV points?

No but they can at 7 months if they are not able to get RIV during the 7-11 month window where the resale owners can not.

 

[Brian Noble]

I think both of the following statements can be true:

• A resale buyer on a very tight point budget should think hard before buying Riviera.
• Riviera resale at the current price point can be a very good value for many potential buyers.

I do think the Sky Will Fall predictions are probably overblown, because (a) not everyone is going to be diligent about getting the room they want and (b) the very nature of a resale purchase is to trade cost for the need to be flexible, and so most resale buyers are going to know what they are getting themselves into.

But yes, if the plan is: "I want to buy only enough points to stay at a Resort/Standard studio for a week every September" then you probably ought not buy a small resale at Riviera.

 

[eticketplease]

But, let’s say that DVC gets rid of walking by going to day by day booking, how is that resale RiV owner in a better position?

I'm confused. I never said a resale owner was in a better position but was pointing out how they are in a worse position than direct RIV owners or O14 resale owners who have choices if they can not take advantage of the 7-11 month window.

Right now, these rooms are very tough and the number of resale points is minuscule. That’s my point.

Correct and the future the resale points will grow and the rooms will be tougher to book by the resale owners limited to one resort.

Regardless, if an owner buys resale RIV and has to get Resort view, then they bought DVC wothiur understanding it and that is on them.

100% agree but it will also affect other RIV owners as they will now be under more pressure at 8 am to book at 11 months to grab the popular rooms.

 

[Brian Noble]

"This will certainly fail spectacularly" is one of the favorite discussion topics on DIS. It almost never turns out to be as bad as Most People Think. But, even if it does, there are a few ways to play this.

The first is for direct purchasers to buy a Favorite Week rather than straight points. This serves as a hedge against disaster. I don't think disaster is going to happen, but if it does, you have what you want at a small premium. If it doesn't, you can use the points as is. In other words: a Favorite Week can be viewed as insurance.

The second is to view RIV as a cheaper way to build over time into nicer units. I did not get into timesharing to stay in glorified hotel rooms. I strongly prefer the larger villas, even if I am traveling as just a couple. RIV allows me to build that portfolio over time at a lower price point than I would pay at many of the other resorts---and certainly at the other existing resorts with a similar time horizon.

 

[eticketplease]

RIV resale points have always been more $ than OKW, SSR, AKV resale (and maybe BLT if you're looking for a good deal). So the people who are buying RIV resale are presumably making a choice that they'd rather be stuck at RIV with no other options than stay at a different resort (or be unable to book RIV with their own points).

I have absolutely no proof but I assume a lot of the resale contracts are going to people that love RIV and already own there to help book longer stays/larger accommodations.

My SO loves RIV but I'm not comfortable being stuck there for 40+ years and would rather have flexibility of taking advantage of lower point charts elsewhere while they still exist in the system.

 

[kboo]

I have absolutely no proof but I assume a lot of the resale contracts are going to people that love RIV and already own there to help book longer stays/larger accommodations.

My SO loves RIV but I'm not comfortable being stuck there for 40+ years and would rather have flexibility of taking advantage of lower point charts elsewhere while they still exist in the system.

All our prior resale points were grandfathered, so I was very much an "add Riviera resale for RIV only stays" but then we took a tour and bought direct before the resort even opened. Riviera is now our (the grownups') favorite home resort and I could once again look at Riviera resale points to get larger units. But we also just got back from VGC and we want to go back!

 

[eticketplease]

If somebody bought only enough points for this one particular situation and are disappointed when it doesn’t work out every time, then whose fault is that?

I don't think anybody is arguing who's fault it is.

We are just pointing out that the resale restrictions at RIV will affect all RIV owners making it very competitive to get standard rooms as those with RIV Resale only owners only have one location to book, at RIV.