Ready to buy, push me over the edge

[havoc315]

Except for Beach Club, those people are insane. Who's with me!?

lol..... Beach Club pricing isn't really very rational for a 20 year contract.
That said -- It's the "best" resort for walking to Epcot and for a "family pool."

[I find Stormalong Bay to indeed be the best pool for active 7-12 year-olds, approximately. For younger families, it's too busy and too active. For adults, just hectic and busy]

 

[CaptainAmerica]

lol..... Beach Club pricing isn't really very rational for a 20 year contract.
That said -- It's the "best" resort for walking to Epcot and for a "family pool."

[I find Stormalong Bay to indeed be the best pool for active 7-12 year-olds, approximately. For younger families, it's too busy and too active. For adults, just hectic and busy]

The weird part to me is that those things seem to be mutually exclusive. People say "you can walk to Epcot" and get all excited, but is it really valuable for a family with kids to be able to enter Epcot via the International Gateway? "Oh, you like Epcot but you really want to be as far as possible from Frozen, Soarin', Test Track, and Guardians? You're going to love the International Gateway."

 

[nickys]

Wire transfer is in and my closing documents are all signed. Now waiting for the sellers to sign everything. I don't know why they've been dragging their feet. I'm trying to give them $21,000 and they don't seem to be in any rush to get it.

You said they’re international sellers? I believe they have to get things witnessed by a notary, which in many cases means someone in the American embassy, and right now I guess that’s hard impossible to do. Only appointments will be virtually, for those in dire need. Not timeshare sellers.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I also wouldn’t buy those. I have my analyses done. I know what I’m interested in. What’s great is that we can disagree and there’s something for us all.

point charts are more and more out of whack after being reasonable for 20 years...so i don’t get that “benefit” either?

 

[nickys]

I’m not going to tell him he’s wrong.

Can’t love this enough.

I wish some others here would stop doing just that. Just stop raining on other people’s parade. It’s really none of their business and they’re heading for that button under their avatar if they keep it going (not that they haven’t been before, and given another chance). Sick and tired of the negativity just because they think they’re the only ones with a valid opinion.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Yup..... there is no universally "right" or "wrong" resort, or everyone would be buying the same one!

but people never seem to make a “wrong choice” when throwing it at Disney, do they? If you’ve been around...you’ll notice the trend.

I usually can tell when the red herring “loads of people like it!” Is presented as evidence when it’s anecdotal and not appropriate.

opinions vary...but they can’t be quantified to make a point. My hunch is “a lot” of people don’t want riviera...to buy or stay in....
But i can’t use an assumption to build and argument.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Boardwalk is by far the best value in terms of points-cost-per-night-per-dollar-of-rack-rate. Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek are the worst. Everything else is sort of clumped up in the middle.

I don't have enough data to factor Riviera into the same analysis yet.

“Boulder ridge” sold out in 2001 for about $70 a point...

so you can’t make that claim.

“copper creek” is and will be a terrible idea. But I will be shouted down on that. It’s my role.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I know the criticisms aren’t yours alone — but recognize you’re in an echo chamber.

There are tons of people who love Riviera as well.

Yes, I’ve done Marriott and Hyatt for both business and pleasure. I’ve done authentic European hotels, I’ve done small inns and large mega resorts.
Riviera certainly isn’t my favorite resort in the universe, but it’s my favorite at Disney World.

Tell me... how many nights have you actually stayed at Riviera?

Fair...

and the answer is zero. But I have used both the food choices, the coffee bar, toured the sample rooms and pool area extensively.

it is what it is. Disney doesn’t do “little things” perks in its hotels. Never really did...but not even close in a DVC.

and here we are.

the food quality was good...for now...that’s a plus.

 

[nickys]

to each their own...

To each their own...but you’re in your own echo chamber here...

the criticisms - not just by me on this thread - are out there.

I wonder how many people with experience with Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt in a business setting would share my opinion? Or yours?

So why not let people have their own opinion, why jump down their throat every opportunity?

Yup..... there is no universally "right" or "wrong" resort, or everyone would be buying the same one!

True.

But some people just think they are right and anyone else is wrong. I have no objection to people disagreeing, but I do have a problem with those that feel that they need to “educate” anyone who disagrees with them. Repeatedly, for months, years even.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

“Boulder ridge” sold out in 2001 for about $70 a point...

so you can’t make that claim.

“copper creek” is and will be a terrible idea. But I will be shouted down on that. It’s my role.

I'm talking only about the cost in points to stay in the room versus the cost in dollars to stay in the same room. I'm not including the cost to buy the contract in the first place.

In other words, I'm talking about how current members can get the most bang-for-their-point rather than how prospective members can get the most bang-for-their-buck.

 

[havoc315]

The weird part to me is that those things seem to be mutually exclusive. People say "you can walk to Epcot" and get all excited, but is it really valuable for a family with kids to be able to enter Epcot via the International Gateway? "Oh, you like Epcot but you really want to be as far as possible from Frozen, Soarin', Test Track, and Guardians? You're going to love the International Gateway."

Having done Beach Club with kids those ages -- yes, it's valuable. Lots of easy to access sit-down restaurants for families of all ages.
Yes, it's a hike to Future World. But Epcot is always a hike to get from spot to spot. But look at it this way: Let's say you're at Test Track and want to go back to your hotel afterwards. Which is going to be faster... walk through the international gateway back to your room, about 15-20 minutes total.
Or walk out to the front of the park, wait for the bus, take the bus back to your hotel, etc.

Still faster to take the walk through the International gateway. Which also just makes it incredibly easy to come and go.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Having done Beach Club with kids those ages -- yes, it's valuable. Lots of easy to access sit-down restaurants for families of all ages.
Yes, it's a hike to Future World. But Epcot is always a hike to get from spot to spot. But look at it this way: Let's say you're at Test Track and want to go back to your hotel afterwards. Which is going to be faster... walk through the international gateway back to your room, about 15-20 minutes total.
Or walk out to the front of the park, wait for the bus, take the bus back to your hotel, etc.

Still faster to take the walk through the International gateway. Which also just makes it incredibly easy to come and go.

One thing I think they need to fix is to consider the Crescent Lake resorts to be "Skyliner resorts." I'd be ed if I was staying at YC/BC/BW and couldn't take the Skyliner to rope drop Studios just because that's technically an "Epcot" line doesn't start running until 10am. Huge operational failure there. We wanted to eat breakfast at Trattoria al Forno coming from Caribbean Beach, but we couldn't get there because the Skyliner was subject to Epcot hours.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I'm talking only about the cost in points to stay in the room versus the cost in dollars to stay in the same room. I'm not including the cost to buy the contract in the first place.

In other words, I'm talking about how current members can get the most bang-for-their-point rather than how prospective members can get the most bang-for-their-buck.

it’s hard to assign “cost value” without including the costs, isn’t it?

 

[havoc315]

but people never seem to make a “wrong choice” when throwing it at Disney, do they? If you’ve been around...you’ll notice the trend.

I usually can tell when the red herring “loads of people like it!” Is presented as evidence when it’s anecdotal and not appropriate.

opinions vary...but they can’t be quantified to make a point. My hunch is “a lot” of people don’t want riviera...to buy or stay in....
But i can’t use an assumption to build and argument.

Yet, you made that very argument above.

You said: "the criticisms - not just by me on this thread - are out there."

I was merely pointing out that you were citing anecdotal evidence that people criticize it, by pointing out that lot's of people love it.

It is heavily subjective. There are objective factors -- some in Riviera's favor (the rooms are among the biggest on property), some in Riviera's disfavor (the point chart is among the more expensive). But there are lots of subjective factors. And lots of subjective priorities among the objective factors. You seem to think that your subjective criticisms, shared by a few other people, are the "correct" over-riding valuation over everyone else.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Having done Beach Club with kids those ages -- yes, it's valuable. Lots of easy to access sit-down restaurants for families of all ages.
Yes, it's a hike to Future World. But Epcot is always a hike to get from spot to spot. But look at it this way: Let's say you're at Test Track and want to go back to your hotel afterwards. Which is going to be faster... walk through the international gateway back to your room, about 15-20 minutes total.
Or walk out to the front of the park, wait for the bus, take the bus back to your hotel, etc.

Still faster to take the walk through the International gateway. Which also just makes it incredibly easy to come and go.

not disputing the usefulness of the skyliner...

but it is connected to two of the “cheaper” hotels and the worst “moderate”

and they are selling $195 points on the grounds of that moderate...which turns out to be exactly where they said it would be.

i’ll go now...no need to go back over it.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

One thing I think they need to fix is to consider the Crescent Lake resorts to be "Skyliner resorts." I'd be ****ed if I was staying at YC/BC/BW and couldn't take the Skyliner to rope drop Studios just because that's technically an "Epcot" line doesn't start running until 10am. Huge operational failure there. We wanted to eat breakfast at Trattoria al Forno coming from Caribbean Beach, but we couldn't get there because the Skyliner was subject to Epcot hours.

the skyliner is essentially useless to yacht and boardwalk...

...but just like their boats: it was always easier to walk to mgm anyway.

still more efficient than the ski lift from anywhere but Caribbean

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

So why not let people have their own opinion, why jump down their throat every opportunity?

True.

But some people just think they are right and anyone else is wrong. I have no objection to people disagreeing, but I do have a problem with those that feel that they need to “educate” anyone who disagrees with them. Repeatedly, for months, years even.

I do let others have their own opinions. That’s why I like these types of discussions.

all opinions are not “facts”...however...which is something we all tend to believe. Myself included.

 

[havoc315]

One thing I think they need to fix is to consider the Crescent Lake resorts to be "Skyliner resorts." I'd be ****ed if I was staying at YC/BC/BW and couldn't take the Skyliner to rope drop Studios just because that's technically an "Epcot" line doesn't start running until 10am. Huge operational failure there. We wanted to eat breakfast at Trattoria al Forno coming from Caribbean Beach, but we couldn't get there because the Skyliner was subject to Epcot hours.

Agreed. I'd also like to see the Skyliner run longer into the night if Epcot closes early. Skyliner should run until at least 11pm every night, so that people can dine across the Crescent lake and Skyliner resorts.

not disputing the usefulness of the skyliner...

but it is connected to two of the “cheaper” hotels and the worst “moderate”

lol, once against the subjective -- Caribbean Beach is my favorite among the mods, and Skyliner elevates it to probably be the best cash room value at WDW.

Yes, values use the skyliner too, elevating their value. But they really don't have the same access as Caribbean Beach (which has the best access) and Riviera. They can't walk to the hub, so they always have to transfer. And they tend to have longer pre-open early morning lines since they are serving more guests.

and they are selling $195 points on the grounds of that moderate...which turns out to be exactly where they said it would be.

i’ll go now...no need to go back over it.

 

[nickys]

One thing I think they need to fix is to consider the Crescent Lake resorts to be "Skyliner resorts." I'd be ****ed if I was staying at YC/BC/BW and couldn't take the Skyliner to rope drop Studios just because that's technically an "Epcot" line doesn't start running until 10am. Huge operational failure there. We wanted to eat breakfast at Trattoria al Forno coming from Caribbean Beach, but we couldn't get there because the Skyliner was subject to Epcot hours.

Did they actually refuse to let you board? Because I thought the Skyliner should have been running to get Riviera guests to CBR, and I understood they allowed people to use it if they had a reservation. I know some people have done so, which is why I’m surprised they didn’t let you through with an ADR.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Caribbean Beach is my favorite among the mods, and Skyliner elevates it to probably be the best cash room value at WDW.

The Caribbean Beach rooms are in rough shape right now. Maintenance problems all over the place, and it's not that far from their last refurb. The lobby, pools, and grounds are looking fantastic, but the guest buildings need work both interior and exterior.

On the plus side, management was very responsive when we raised some concerns and the place was absolutely flooded with landscaping and maintenance workers, so it's definitely getting some attention.

I'd say best cash room value is Animal Kingdom Lodge Standard View.

Did they actually refuse to let you board? Because I thought the Skyliner should have been running to get Riviera guests to CBR, and I understood they allowed people to use it if they had a reservation. I know some people have done so, which is why I’m surprised they didn’t let you through with an ADR.

I didn't try, I had cancelled the reservation ahead of time because a cast member told me it wouldn't have worked. Maybe I should have given it a shot, but my understanding was that the International Gateway station wouldn't have even been staffed at that time.