Video review of DVC Riviera Beach

[simpsontruckdriver]

I always heard the most expensive resort was Grand Floridian, not Riviera, but I guess it's all about opinions. Like the "tower" rooms are not for a family staying a long time. But, one thing one of my trainers said, he loves Old Key West (OKW) because their suites are larger.

 

[DanCali]

I watched the video and I am not quite sure I agree with most of it.

Cost-wise, rack rates are irrelevant to the DVC owner. While some may use rack rates to justify a direct purchase, once you own it's all about the points charts.

I have not stayed in a resort studio and it would not be feasible for us to do so as a family with kids. The regular sized studios are a lot more functional , and have the two shower setup like the Deluxe studios at VGF. That's almost as good as 2 bathrooms and great for a family of 4. I do find the regular rooms most comparable to VGF in terms of luxury and amenities, as well as the sleeping capacity (the only two resorts where both studios and 1BR units sleep 5). Having the Skyliner there with easy access to 2 separate resorts is a huge benefit.

Full disclosure - I'm a DVC owner with multiple home resorts but Riviera is not one of them. I would not buy it direct because the resale restrictions decimate the resale value. And I would not buy it resale because I expect that resale values will be further decimated over the next few years as more sellers come into the market (resort is just 4 years old). I would consider a resale purchase if prices went down "enough" to reflect the limited functionality of the resale product (unlike the "Original 14" can only be used at Riviera and traded via II). But putting the ownership arguments aside, we're very happy to stay at this resort when Epcot or/or HS are in our plans, and fortunately getting in at 7 months out is not too hard, albeit it's the more pricy views.

 

[Janann]

You have a typo in the title -- its called Riviera Resort.

 

[dioxide45]

I watched the video and I am not quite sure I agree with most of it.

Cost-wise, rack rates are irrelevant to the DVC owner. While some may use rack rates to justify a direct purchase, once you own it's all about the points charts.

I have not stayed in a resort studio and it would not be feasible for us to do so as a family with kids. The regular sized studios are a lot more functional , and have the two shower setup like the Deluxe studios at VGF. That's almost as good as 2 bathrooms and great for a family of 4. I do find the regular rooms most comparable to VGF in terms of luxury and amenities, as well as the sleeping capacity (the only two resorts where both studios and 1BR units sleep 5). Having the Skyliner there with easy access to 2 separate resorts is a huge benefit.

Full disclosure - I'm a DVC owner with multiple home resorts but Riviera is not one of them. I would not buy it direct because the resale restrictions decimate the resale value. And I would not buy it resale because I expect that resale values will be further decimated over the next few years as more sellers come into the market (resort is just 4 years old). I would consider a resale purchase if prices went down "enough" to reflect the limited functionality of the resale product (unlike the "Original 14" can only be used at Riviera and traded via II). But putting the ownership arguments aside, we're very happy to stay at this resort when Epcot or/or HS are in our plans, and fortunately getting in at 7 months out is not too hard, albeit it's the more pricy views.

I hadn't watched this video till now, but have seen a few others from the channel. Negativity tends to get more views. Certainly the Tower Studios aren't the best and I agree that the resort looks kind of drab from the outside. It kind of reminds me of a prison. We've stayed once, in a Tower Studio, and it was fine for a night. I don't think the marble is fake, at least that wasn't the impression I got. I simply wouldn't book any Deluxe Disney resort with cash. Even a moderate or value resort is above our price range. We'll stick to exchanging in through II. That does limit our resorts to about five (we have or will have done three of them by April 2024), but that will do for now.