DVCsince2002
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2019
We are owners at BCV since 2002 and have researched topics on this forum off and on through the years, but decided to register and post to share our thought process on our plan to buy at Riviera. Three teenagers, one in college. Started with 150 points and added another 150 later, in 2008. Lucky enough to have stumbled upon DVC when they were selling BCV, and wouldn’t want to have any other home resort. But as we look ahead at our empty-nest future, and hopefully continuing our family tradition of vacations and holidays at Disney, we are looking at buying at Riviera. Kind of viewing this as a “bridge” contract to open up more flexibility for us between now and BCV’s expiration in 2042, as our kids will want their own space, or maybe use on their own, and we are always borrowing from future UY’s to get our Disney fix as it is. And maybe buy again at BCV in 2042? (Who knows!). Anyway, we like being at an Epcot / HS resort and we also happen to like the theming at Riviera more than any resort since BCV. And even though we might miss being in the immediate walkable “Epcot bubble”, we think the Skyliner is going to be a big plus and that we will still feel the immediacy of the two parks via gondola.
We were able to take one of the DVC-only group tours last month during our spring break trip, and liked what we saw. And with the discounts on member-pricing through the end of April, thinking that now is the time to do it. Well aware of the resale vs direct discussions that have gone on here. I remember thinking it was a lot buying direct when we did back in 2002, and couldn’t have imagined where the prices are now. Adding on at BCV 10 years ago via resale has worked out great too. I have looked but have not been able to find, a history of how resale prices have fared over the years at BCV in particular. And I am not sure how many years it will be before there is a mature resale market for Riviera. Assuming ROFR will keep the prices somewhat elevated while they are still selling Riviera direct. Lots of good points both ways on what will happen to resale later on given the new restrictions, but honestly just not interested in waiting around to find out. We would plan on staying at our home resorts with 11 month booking, so I wouldn’t be opposed to adding on at Riviera again in the future if family circumstances justified it.
Probably will break our purchase out into 3 contracts, one for each of the kids. And using Disney Visa card to get the 6 month interest free period, so that we are not taking on any additional financing costs.
Our bottom line is this. Riviera has more appeal to us than any DVC resort since BCV. Theming, gondola, and proximity to Epcot hit all of our sweet spots. Don’t see anything in the DVC pipeline that will give check all the boxes, so ready to take the plunge. And if we need to, we can always rent our points out. Again, gives us flexibility.
Appreciate all of the great information from everyone on here and interested in your thoughts!
We were able to take one of the DVC-only group tours last month during our spring break trip, and liked what we saw. And with the discounts on member-pricing through the end of April, thinking that now is the time to do it. Well aware of the resale vs direct discussions that have gone on here. I remember thinking it was a lot buying direct when we did back in 2002, and couldn’t have imagined where the prices are now. Adding on at BCV 10 years ago via resale has worked out great too. I have looked but have not been able to find, a history of how resale prices have fared over the years at BCV in particular. And I am not sure how many years it will be before there is a mature resale market for Riviera. Assuming ROFR will keep the prices somewhat elevated while they are still selling Riviera direct. Lots of good points both ways on what will happen to resale later on given the new restrictions, but honestly just not interested in waiting around to find out. We would plan on staying at our home resorts with 11 month booking, so I wouldn’t be opposed to adding on at Riviera again in the future if family circumstances justified it.
Probably will break our purchase out into 3 contracts, one for each of the kids. And using Disney Visa card to get the 6 month interest free period, so that we are not taking on any additional financing costs.
Our bottom line is this. Riviera has more appeal to us than any DVC resort since BCV. Theming, gondola, and proximity to Epcot hit all of our sweet spots. Don’t see anything in the DVC pipeline that will give check all the boxes, so ready to take the plunge. And if we need to, we can always rent our points out. Again, gives us flexibility.
Appreciate all of the great information from everyone on here and interested in your thoughts!
