Just my two cents but wouldn't RIV be considered an Epcot resort? With the skyliner right there it would take maybe 5 minutes to be in the France Pavilion as long as it doesn't break down. HS maybe 10 minutes away with the stop at the Caribbean hub
Except as I understand it its longer than that (25 mins from HS to Epcot so RIV going to both from the Skyliner would be at least that long). It's like 15 mins from CBR to Epcot.
You also need to realize the Skyliner terminal is a ways away from a good portion of the rooms. The terminal is on the side of the resort not the middle.
Done all the breakdowns before but it's like 1/4 to 1/2 mile extra of walking for BWV to the parks and getting to skip the Skyliner all together. (most people walk comfortably 1 mile in 20 mins)
It is an Epcot resort just doesn't have the proximity to the park like the other two DVC which can walk.
They are not for several reasons.
1) Ease of transaction
2) Ability to stay at "new" resorts
3) prorated maintenance fees in first year
4) Ability to pay by credit card and earn reward points
5) Access to Membership benefits (which if you don't get an AP, is still 10% off food and 20% off merchandise)
6) Buying late in the use year essentially gets you double points in year 1
7) Points being available quicker
8) Lower closing costs
9) Ability to book cruises/Disney Concierge
10) etc....
I'm not suggesting any of these are worth the price of direct. I'm just saying that its not an apples to apples comparison.
Many of these are offset by dramatically lower price of resale or can be negotiated in to your purchase or based on the contract you select.
Just want to say the discounts without the AP are basically the same as the Disney Visa.
I am really lost with " the location is not optimal" line and I am not singling anyone out either because a lot of people use it. Please clarify what is optimal CCV- hardly, SSR - beyond hardly, AKV- so far off the beaten path can't even use the term hardly.
It's not optimal.
CCV and RIV are in the same boat. Relying on transportation which gets you from door to park in 20-25 mins likely.
BWV, BCV, BLT are the most optimal with very short walks to the parks.
AKV is in the RIV boat specific to AK Park.
The continued posts about the downfalls of a resort that hasn't even opened boggles the mind given that other resorts have their share. I have taken the Gondola to the Riviera pretty easy and drops you at Epcot's back door so pretty good location if you ask me.
I mean it's pretty easy to see talking the Skyliner is not as convenient as walking for many of us.
Then you have another group where RIV doesn't have direct access to MK.
You can also easily see about 1/5 to 1/3 of CBR rooms are going to be using the RIV Skyliner as it's actually closer for them. This is a station that is a Midway point which relies on empty cars being sent on the line.
What gets many revved up is the resale restriction though and points chart that points to it being a "prime" resort.