News Disney Riviera Resort announced

[MisterPenguin]

Riviera aerial...

 

[surfsupdon]

Aren’t the Bonnet Creek resorts visible from CBR anyway?

Those resorts destroyed the lush, isolated, jungle or island feel that at one time permeated from Caribbean Beach. We often stay here on Senior Class Trips, and i hate lounging at the Jamaica pool and seeing the towers looming over Trinidad. Just doesn't work.

 

[Maccabee18]

I really hope this is not as much as the current cost of DVC points. The cost per point vs amenities doesn't seem to be matching lately. If they don't add amenities to match the newest locations and try to consider a moderate style resort its a waste of money. As it is at almost 200 dollars a point its starting to look more like a 2nd mortgage than a timeshare rental.

There was no mention of this being anything other than a regular DVC resort. I would be very surprised if the price per point was any cheaper than what they are selling now and I wouldn't expect the points per night to be much less either. I do think they need to address dining and amenities at the resort in order to sell it out. People will expect to have at least a QS and a TS at the resort plus an elaborate pool area and there's no neighboring deluxe resort to share amenities with. They could maybe add 2 TS restaurants if they assume they can get some guests from the other gondola resorts in to help fill the seats.

 

[HauntedPirate]

I really hope this is not as much as the current cost of DVC points. The cost per point vs amenities doesn't seem to be matching lately. If they don't add amenities to match the newest locations and try to consider a moderate style resort its a waste of money. As it is at almost 200 dollars a point its starting to look more like a 2nd mortgage than a timeshare rental.

I'm afraid $200/point will be in the rear view mirror by the time this opens.

 

[Maccabee18]

I'm afraid $200/point will be in the rear view mirror by the time this opens.

Yes, this is true. I really don't understand the "Disney" craze, I love Disney and the aspect of keeping your childhood memory alive, and sharing it with family. But I would not spend some of the insanity that Disney charges.

I also think its outrageous that Bob Iger stands to make almost half a billion dollars with his contract extension yet living wages cannot be made for the bulk of its employees. Thats also ridiculous and makes me not want to support a company whose value is driven by family when they don't want to support its employees. I would gladly spend/buy more money if Iger made less and employees made more, they'd be better employees who pride where they work. Not dread. ::Side mini rant:::

 

[Biff215]

I really hope this is not as much as the current cost of DVC points. The cost per point vs amenities doesn't seem to be matching lately. If they don't add amenities to match the newest locations and try to consider a moderate style resort its a waste of money. As it is at almost 200 dollars a point its starting to look more like a 2nd mortgage than a timeshare rental.

I certainly agree, but they’re not going to market this as a moderate resort. As far as Disney is concerned, it’s a separate resort entirely. What it may lack compared to the most recent DVC add-on resorts, they’re hoping the gondola and location make up for. We’ll see if it sells as quickly as the others at $200+, but it’s hard to imagine they’ll have any major issues based on recent sales.

I personally bought in direct at SSR for $86 and couldn’t be happier. I wouldn’t pay much more than that if I ever bought more points. No way you’re really saving anything at today’s prices. I’m staying in an identical Poly room with my “cheap” SSR points as the guy who paid $180 for 11 months booking and an extra few years on the contract. Just doesn’t make any sense to me, but to each their own.

 

[GoofGoof]

I really hope this is not as much as the current cost of DVC points. The cost per point vs amenities doesn't seem to be matching lately. If they don't add amenities to match the newest locations and try to consider a moderate style resort its a waste of money. As it is at almost 200 dollars a point its starting to look more like a 2nd mortgage than a timeshare rental.

Everything I have heard is that it will not sell at any type of discount. It’s definitely not a moderate DVC.

We don’t know all the details on amenities so it’s hard to say they don’t match a deluxe resort yet. We do know that this resort will be on the gondola route with its own stop and that means direct non-bus transport to both EPCOT and DHS which will have most of the hot new editions with Star Wars, Great Mickey ride, GoTG and rat ride. That and the rooftop lounge will be the big selling features.

100% agree that $200 a point is insane, but somebody keeps paying it.

 

[TeriofTerror]

Everything I have heard is that it will not sell at any type of discount. It’s definitely not a moderate DVC.

We don’t know all the details on amenities so it’s hard to say they don’t match a deluxe resort yet. We do know that this resort will be on the gondola route with its own stop and that means direct non-bus transport to both EPCOT and DHS which will have most of the hot new editions with Star Wars, Great Mickey ride, GoTG and rat ride. That and the rooftop lounge will be the big selling features.

100% agree that $200 a point is insane, but somebody keeps paying it.

I get that the price per point would not be discounted, but in my completely uninformed and unimportant opinion, this resort should require fewer points per night, similar to OKW. I don't imagine that's very likely, however.

 

[GoofGoof]

I get that the price per point would not be discounted, but in my completely uninformed and unimportant opinion, this resort should require fewer points per night, similar to OKW. I don't imagine that's very likely, however.

I doubt it. That would limit the total number of points sold and so decrease the profits. It may be less points per night than the monorail resorts but I doubt the points per night will be significantly less than the other EPCOT resorts. OKW does have lower points per night but it also lacks unique transportation to any of the parks. I would expect it to be in line with Copper Creek.

 

[HauntedPirate]

I doubt it. That would limit the total number of points sold and so decrease the profits. It may be less points per night than the monorail resorts but I doubt the points per night will be significantly less than the other EPCOT resorts. OKW does have lower points per night but it also lacks unique transportation to any of the parks. I would expect it to be in line with Copper Creek.

Totally agree. They aren't going to decrease profits on DVC sales, not by any stretch of the imagination.

I expect per night points at Riviera to come in below BCV/BWV, but by not much. I have a feeling they are going to sell the hell out of the Skyliner aspect.

 

[aprincessatlasst]

Totally agree. They aren't going to decrease profits on DVC sales, not by any stretch of the imagination.

I expect per night points at Riviera to come in below BCV/BWV, but by not much. I have a feeling they are going to sell the hell out of the Skyliner aspect.

Yep! It will be like the ski in ski out sales pitch at ski resorts. Look You have that direct access....lol

 

[TeriofTerror]

I doubt it. That would limit the total number of points sold and so decrease the profits. It may be less points per night than the monorail resorts but I doubt the points per night will be significantly less than the other EPCOT resorts. OKW does have lower points per night but it also lacks unique transportation to any of the parks. I would expect it to be in line with Copper Creek.

Oh, I'm not saying I think they will, just that I wish they would.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Construction aerial from @bioreconstruct...

 

[Biff215]

Totally agree. They aren't going to decrease profits on DVC sales, not by any stretch of the imagination.

I expect per night points at Riviera to come in below BCV/BWV, but by not much. I have a feeling they are going to sell the hell out of the Skyliner aspect.

Below or same as BLT/GF/Poly...maybe. Definitely more than BW/BCV. IMO.

Even though DVC seemingly ran out of deluxe resorts to add onto, I don’t think it’s any coincidence that Riviera is so close to DHS with SW opening at the same time. I’d also guess that DVC is footing much of the gondola cost. Who knows, they might not have even happened without Riviera.

Very interested to see how this resort comes out. Doesn’t tempt me to add on to my membership, but nothing has at the insane prices. Think I’ll prefer to continue using my “cheap” SSR points at the deluxe resorts. Same reason I avoid OKW and SSR, just enjoy the amenities and locations much more.

I’m sure DVC is hoping the gondola is the equalizer so they don’t have to lower prices or points.

 

[nickys]

Below or same as BLT/GF/Poly...maybe. Definitely more than BW/BCV. IMO.

Even though DVC seemingly ran out of deluxe resorts to add onto, I don’t think it’s any coincidence that Riviera is so close to DHS with SW opening at the same time. I’d also guess that DVC is footing much of the gondola cost. Who knows, they might not have even happened without Riviera.

Very interested to see how this resort comes out. Doesn’t tempt me to add on to my membership, but nothing has at the insane prices. Think I’ll prefer to continue using my “cheap” SSR points at the deluxe resorts. Same reason I avoid OKW and SSR, just enjoy the amenities and locations much more.

I’m sure DVC is hoping the gondola is the equalizer so they don’t have to lower prices or points.

I really don't think DVC is footing "much of the gondola cost". The MFs would have rocketed to come close to even 5-10% of the cost.

 

[Biff215]

I really don't think DVC is footing "much of the gondola cost". The MFs would have rocketed to come close to even 5-10% of the cost.

Sorry, didn’t mean the member side (DVC), but rather the construction side (DVD). Same money that has been paying for the many upgrades at the deluxe resorts and even Caribbean Beach where DVC has been added lately. Members at Riviera will pay fees for a portion of the operation of the gondola, not construction.

 

[GoofGoof]

Oh, I'm not saying I think they will, just that I wish they would.

You are not alone. I think some day in the future we could see a true “moderate” DVC resort but it won’t happen as long as people continue to pay the deluxe prices. When that well runs dry maybe they attempt something different. Less profit has to be still better than no profit.

 

[GoofGoof]

I really don't think DVC is footing "much of the gondola cost". The MFs would have rocketed to come close to even 5-10% of the cost.

DVC maintenance fees will definitely cover a portion of the operating costs of the gondolas, just like BLT, Poly and GF MFs now cover a portion of the monorail cost and every DVC that is part of a deluxe resort shares the bus costs. The actual fixed asset cost to build the gondola system is probably not allocated to DVC, probably just the station at Riviera. That’s accounting geography anyway for the different divisions within overall P&R segment that doesn’t really impact owners or other guests...just different manager’s bonuses.

 

[GoofGoof]

Yep! It will be like the ski in ski out sales pitch at ski resorts. Look You have that direct access....lol

It’s a pretty compelling sales pitch too. People tend to buy based on current needs and with most of the “action” on property at DHS and EPCOT it’s no coincidence this resort is being built now to be sold in a few years. Very smart approach. I think it would have been a much tougher sell 5 years ago.

 

[nickys]

You are not alone. I think some day in the future we could see a true “moderate” DVC resort but it won’t happen as long as people continue to pay the deluxe prices. When that well runs dry maybe they attempt something different. Less profit has to be still better than no profit.

The big problem is, how would this work? You have a moderate DVC, costing much less than the deluxe DVC resorts. New buyers get far cheaper points, and then use them to stay at the Poly. But existing buyers can also sell their existing points and snap up huge numbers of cheaper points.

If you make the points a similar price but with less points per room, people still have to fork out crazy prices.
And you exacerbate the problem we have now, where a lot of people have only enough points to stay in a studio for a few days, thus making studio availability scarce all year round by the 7 month window.

The only way this truly works is to create a whole new tier of DVC points for moderate resorts. And then you have the headache of member perks....