@@TheMagicInTheMusic My wish list is for Bay Lake Tower. Eventually 400 points. By my math it’s the number to bank/ borrow enough every 3 years to get the extended family into the 3 bedroom theme park view suite for a week, plus the Saturday before that week. Until then, I’d be happy to get enough for a week in the studio for me and a worthy companion.
Wow! This video was meant for me! We stayed in a one bedroom at Riviera a week ago and loved it! Then, we popped on over to Grand Flo to check it out… ended up loving it even more! We couldn’t decide which DVC to purchase, but now we are totally 💯 purchasing at Grand Flo. 400 points because we don’t want to stay in anything smaller than a 1 bedroom (even if it’s just my husband & I). Thank you!
I'm so glad that you found this video helpful. I know it can be a tough decision and anything that can help you weigh the options can be good. 👍 Congrats on your upcoming purchase! 🍾👏
congrats on your decision. i chose to buy at VGF. Make sure you buy multiple contracts and not one giant 400 point contract!!! This will make a huge difference if you ever want to sell ( please no) or transfer ownership to children.
As a fellow Riviera owner, I approve this message. And my fingers are crossed for the new Poly expansion to be part of the current association so I can use my resale point to book there. Big bonus if they are actually adding new room categories to that resort!!
Yes! I would LOVE to see them change course on the new Poly tower... I might even consider adding on more points there if they did! Thanks so much for watching!
Hello Jenn and Randall My wife and I just passed ROFR on a small Riviera contract. We will take Randall's advice on the POLY after the new tower is finished. Thanks for the quality information that you share with everyone.
Congrats on passing ROFR! That's great! Also very smart of you to buy a smaller contract with those restrictions. Sounds like you've got a good plan! 👍 Thanks for watching!
My face when i learned about renting dvc points from current owners when i recently stayed off site for only like 25% less than what i would have paid renting the points 😮
I love this! GF and Riv are my two favorite DVC resorts. I am giving a slight edge to Riv because it has the most unexpected and un-Disneylike sense of ease and relaxation. Everything is so upscale and top notch, but without the...what's the word?...work...involved in accomplishing anything in WDW. Walking from my room to the Skyliner, La Boutique, Primo Piatto is all such a pleasure. The Beau Soleil pool is so elegant and quiet. GF is a marvel, but it's very much a public place and you have to be prepared to share it with people who aren't staying there. Riv feels like it's just for me! I also think the merchandise is superior at Riv and, like you said, Primo Paitto is the best QS. It's the best place to have lunch when you're at Epcot. I'm so glad to hear you opine that taking away the restrictions is something we can even dream of. I wonder if Disney will be forced into it as resale contracts become more common. If people can't book at 8 a.m. at 11 months, that will show that the restrictions are keeping people away from their rightful point use. I would imagine there would be a legal implication if people did not have access to their deeded property?
I absolutely agree about the more relaxed feeling at RIV. On the other hand, I enjoyed staying at GF more than I thought I would. But yes, for me the difference is the restrictions. You also made a great point about the RIV merch. It's really good! It's hard to top that awesome art!
great show. I love how you look at the details and make comparisons in many of your videos. No matter which one you choose, you will need to buy more points to stay at these DVC locations than at others. Make sure you dont buy one HUGE contract but spend the little extra money to split the contracts in smaller pieces. You can still get all the discount points for the bigger purchase if you buy them at the same time. I just purchased 3 direct contracts contracts for VGF and got a great price. Since they opened up the walkway to the MK from GF it has been a game changers for me. Either way you will be happy with the Villas you choose.
Congrats on your new contracts! I think you made a REALLY good choice to split them up. I totally agree that it's the best strategy and gives you the greatest flexibility. Have fun with your new points! 😎
What's my Disney guess: the queue in Star Tours Thoughts: I love the style of both of these places so much and ever since the GF rooms came out, I'm thinking the best way to purchase is some at both of these places. I think Riviera is more of the vibe of a vacation I'm looking for but would love to be super close to MK at the holidays, for example, to be close to the magical decorations and party. I'd do the minimum number at Riviera as you recommend and get some at GF too. It would be the best of both worlds! Thanks so much!
I feel the same about Riviera. It appeals to me more than GF (although GF is still a wonderful resort!), but those resale restrictions are a major turn-off. Thanks for playing the game... I'll give the answer in another day or two!
We love Riviera and own there but those resale restrictions. Ugh. That being said, we love Epcot and the Skyliner, so we do really enjoy staying there. Also, Topolino’s is our current favorite restaurant on property. My guess for What’s that Disney is Cosmic Ray’s.
In regards to pools. Grand Floridian pools are super crowded and not big at all. Grand Floridian is in great need of a pool near convention center AND another pool next to DVC tower. Also they do not check to see if you are staying at the hotel so anyone walking back along the path or monorail from the Magic Kingdom could stop and use the pool, hence often hard to find a seat there.
We never had a problem finding space at the GF pools, but I could see how that might be an issue sometimes. I agree that it seems like there should be another pool on the other side of the resort. Thanks for watching!
Recently bought GF (I closed before incentives just changed), for us it was all about being close to MK with younger ones, the way I figure, when I eventually add more points (we started at 200), and kids are older, we can book 7 months out at other properties that aren't all about MK. I will say about booking, and maybe I am a weird one, but 11 months out (Just booked for May) we had plenty of availability.
Congrats on your new contract! MK is a great choice with young kids, especially when the kids use a stroller. The 11 month availability can vary quite a bit, depending upon the time of year, but I'm glad to hear that it worked out well for you. Best wishes!
I love both… but man those resale restrictions really are a kind of deal breaker for any big point purchase of Riviera. That is for me, but at the same time we do own a small Riviera contract, just because the resort and location are great.
In addition to the inconvenience of the resale restrictions, it damaged some of the goodwill that DVC had with members. So many of us tell everyone that DVC is "not like" other timeshares. The restrictions eroded that a little bit. Hopefully they're done with this ridiculous rule.
As a fellow Riviera owner I am like @JaszyB and approve of this message - tee hee. I LOVE Riviera and am glad I have points there but... If I had it to do over again AND Grand Flo were on sale at the same time I think we may have split our purchase. Especially if they will still give you a total points deal on incentives. I do worry about (like you said) it getting increasingly more difficult to book at Rivera as more and there become more resale people (who can ONLY use their points there). But... at the same time, anyone with newer resale points won't be able to book there so it will at least somewhat even out and as much as those of us in the know embrace resale... it's a pretty small percentage of DVC owners who are resale if I remember correctly. It's like you were reading my mind about all things when comparing the two of them! VGF used to seem too stuffy to us but now think it's pretty grand (tee hee). The one thing to note (as much as I LOVE Skyliner) is that when there's thunderstorms (so... like every day for several hours in the afternoon during the summer), it shuts down and you get a bit chaotic bus service. And... I do wonder how much dues will be impacted by Skyliner costs. Loved this video, Love you. Good luck heading back to the classroom! Steve has kids on Thursday (if there's not a strike). 90 degree weather with no A/C on Aug 25th. Crazy I say. Haha. XO
Hey!!! You made a great point about there being more resale contracts at OTHER resorts over time and that hopefully will balance out the Riviera resale contracts. I agree that it's frustrating when the Skyliner has to shut down with inclement weather, but I still love Riviera. Thank you SO MUCH for watching! Best wishes for a fantastic year! 👋😎❤
Not a tough choice Grand Floridian it’s closer to magic kingdom and I’ve stayed at the Caribbean beach resort in the past and most parks are a decent bus ride
We've also stayed at CBR and we weren't especially fond of it. Riviera, on the other hand, is a much better experience than CBR. On the other hand, we enjoyed staying at GF more than we thought we would as well! Thanks for watching!
When we added on at Riviera, it was the only choice. Even though I ADORE Riviera, the idea of being able to get points that wouldn't be restricted if we resold them is VERY appealing, so I would have taken a good look at GF.
I am new to the dvc community Just got my AK waiting for Rofr to pass Like Jenn I also want the best of both world so I am thinking getting the min. direct with Disney but couldn't decide in between Riviera and Grand Floridian... Luckily Jenn made this video for ppl like us so I have decided to go in with both Riviera and Grand Floridian at 75 pts a piece Can anyone or Jenn confirm if this strategy works so that I get both as home resort?
Congrats! Sounds like a great plan! One thing that you'll want to check is what the minimum buy-in is for Riviera and GF. I know that current members usually have lower buy-in thresholds than new members. There will be a minimum number of points that are required to purchase at new resorts. Check with your guide to find out what that number is. I do think it's a good idea to split it up, though if you can. If you buy at two different resorts, you can book with THOSE points at the 11 month window - only at the home resort for the points. Then at the 7 month window, you could combine the contracts for booking.
Here’s the truth the grand Floridian is impossible to ever make reservations for. The Riviera is so packed in and so tight that it feels like there’s more people in there then actually are.
We've stayed at Grand Floridian several times and we don't own there. I wouldn't say it's easy to book there, but it's definitely possible. We've never felt crowded at Riviera. Maybe we travel at less busy times of year, but it's always felt very relaxed there.
Do you own one of these resorts or do you plan on buying one? ✨ More DVC videos here: czcams.com/play/PL1oGx7aOVSWonZw9QaL-JIFJt3BF6Voc0.html
I can’t agree more with your conclusion!! We own some Riviera but I think it is best to kind of thread the needle on this and not own too much of it.
100%!
@@TheMagicInTheMusic My wish list is for Bay Lake Tower. Eventually 400 points. By my math it’s the number to bank/ borrow enough every 3 years to get the extended family into the 3 bedroom theme park view suite for a week, plus the Saturday before that week. Until then, I’d be happy to get enough for a week in the studio for me and a worthy companion.
Wow! This video was meant for me! We stayed in a one bedroom at Riviera a week ago and loved it! Then, we popped on over to Grand Flo to check it out… ended up loving it even more! We couldn’t decide which DVC to purchase, but now we are totally 💯 purchasing at Grand Flo. 400 points because we don’t want to stay in anything smaller than a 1 bedroom (even if it’s just my husband & I). Thank you!
I'm so glad that you found this video helpful. I know it can be a tough decision and anything that can help you weigh the options can be good. 👍 Congrats on your upcoming purchase! 🍾👏
congrats on your decision. i chose to buy at VGF. Make sure you buy multiple contracts and not one giant 400 point contract!!! This will make a huge difference if you ever want to sell ( please no) or transfer ownership to children.
As a fellow Riviera owner, I approve this message. And my fingers are crossed for the new Poly expansion to be part of the current association so I can use my resale point to book there. Big bonus if they are actually adding new room categories to that resort!!
Yes! I would LOVE to see them change course on the new Poly tower... I might even consider adding on more points there if they did! Thanks so much for watching!
Hello Jenn and Randall
My wife and I just passed ROFR on a small Riviera contract. We will take Randall's advice on the POLY after the new tower is finished. Thanks for the quality information that you share with everyone.
Congrats on passing ROFR! That's great! Also very smart of you to buy a smaller contract with those restrictions. Sounds like you've got a good plan! 👍 Thanks for watching!
My face when i learned about renting dvc points from current owners when i recently stayed off site for only like 25% less than what i would have paid renting the points 😮
I love this! GF and Riv are my two favorite DVC resorts. I am giving a slight edge to Riv because it has the most unexpected and un-Disneylike sense of ease and relaxation. Everything is so upscale and top notch, but without the...what's the word?...work...involved in accomplishing anything in WDW. Walking from my room to the Skyliner, La Boutique, Primo Piatto is all such a pleasure. The Beau Soleil pool is so elegant and quiet. GF is a marvel, but it's very much a public place and you have to be prepared to share it with people who aren't staying there. Riv feels like it's just for me! I also think the merchandise is superior at Riv and, like you said, Primo Paitto is the best QS. It's the best place to have lunch when you're at Epcot. I'm so glad to hear you opine that taking away the restrictions is something we can even dream of. I wonder if Disney will be forced into it as resale contracts become more common. If people can't book at 8 a.m. at 11 months, that will show that the restrictions are keeping people away from their rightful point use. I would imagine there would be a legal implication if people did not have access to their deeded property?
I absolutely agree about the more relaxed feeling at RIV. On the other hand, I enjoyed staying at GF more than I thought I would. But yes, for me the difference is the restrictions. You also made a great point about the RIV merch. It's really good! It's hard to top that awesome art!
great show. I love how you look at the details and make comparisons in many of your videos. No matter which one you choose, you will need to buy more points to stay at these DVC locations than at others. Make sure you dont buy one HUGE contract but spend the little extra money to split the contracts in smaller pieces. You can still get all the discount points for the bigger purchase if you buy them at the same time.
I just purchased 3 direct contracts contracts for VGF and got a great price. Since they opened up the walkway to the MK from GF it has been a game changers for me.
Either way you will be happy with the Villas you choose.
Congrats on your new contracts! I think you made a REALLY good choice to split them up. I totally agree that it's the best strategy and gives you the greatest flexibility. Have fun with your new points! 😎
What's my Disney guess: the queue in Star Tours
Thoughts: I love the style of both of these places so much and ever since the GF rooms came out, I'm thinking the best way to purchase is some at both of these places. I think Riviera is more of the vibe of a vacation I'm looking for but would love to be super close to MK at the holidays, for example, to be close to the magical decorations and party. I'd do the minimum number at Riviera as you recommend and get some at GF too. It would be the best of both worlds! Thanks so much!
I feel the same about Riviera. It appeals to me more than GF (although GF is still a wonderful resort!), but those resale restrictions are a major turn-off. Thanks for playing the game... I'll give the answer in another day or two!
We love Riviera and own there but those resale restrictions. Ugh. That being said, we love Epcot and the Skyliner, so we do really enjoy staying there. Also, Topolino’s is our current favorite restaurant on property. My guess for What’s that Disney is Cosmic Ray’s.
Topolino's is awesome! Every time I eat there, I'm like "Yep! Still awesome!" 😃
What’s that Disney answer: It’s from the “new” section of the queue for Space Mountain in Disneyland.
Thanks for playing! I'll give the answer in a couple of days. 👍
In regards to pools. Grand Floridian pools are super crowded and not big at all. Grand Floridian is in great need of a pool near convention center AND another pool next to DVC tower. Also they do not check to see if you are staying at the hotel so anyone walking back along the path or monorail from the Magic Kingdom could stop and use the pool, hence often hard to find a seat there.
We never had a problem finding space at the GF pools, but I could see how that might be an issue sometimes. I agree that it seems like there should be another pool on the other side of the resort. Thanks for watching!
Recently bought GF (I closed before incentives just changed), for us it was all about being close to MK with younger ones, the way I figure, when I eventually add more points (we started at 200), and kids are older, we can book 7 months out at other properties that aren't all about MK. I will say about booking, and maybe I am a weird one, but 11 months out (Just booked for May) we had plenty of availability.
Congrats on your new contract! MK is a great choice with young kids, especially when the kids use a stroller. The 11 month availability can vary quite a bit, depending upon the time of year, but I'm glad to hear that it worked out well for you. Best wishes!
I love both… but man those resale restrictions really are a kind of deal breaker for any big point purchase of Riviera. That is for me, but at the same time we do own a small Riviera contract, just because the resort and location are great.
In addition to the inconvenience of the resale restrictions, it damaged some of the goodwill that DVC had with members. So many of us tell everyone that DVC is "not like" other timeshares. The restrictions eroded that a little bit. Hopefully they're done with this ridiculous rule.
Wife and I solved this problem by buying points at both...
Sounds like a good solution to me! 😆
As a fellow Riviera owner I am like @JaszyB and approve of this message - tee hee. I LOVE Riviera and am glad I have points there but... If I had it to do over again AND Grand Flo were on sale at the same time I think we may have split our purchase. Especially if they will still give you a total points deal on incentives. I do worry about (like you said) it getting increasingly more difficult to book at Rivera as more and there become more resale people (who can ONLY use their points there). But... at the same time, anyone with newer resale points won't be able to book there so it will at least somewhat even out and as much as those of us in the know embrace resale... it's a pretty small percentage of DVC owners who are resale if I remember correctly. It's like you were reading my mind about all things when comparing the two of them! VGF used to seem too stuffy to us but now think it's pretty grand (tee hee). The one thing to note (as much as I LOVE Skyliner) is that when there's thunderstorms (so... like every day for several hours in the afternoon during the summer), it shuts down and you get a bit chaotic bus service. And... I do wonder how much dues will be impacted by Skyliner costs. Loved this video, Love you. Good luck heading back to the classroom! Steve has kids on Thursday (if there's not a strike). 90 degree weather with no A/C on Aug 25th. Crazy I say. Haha. XO
Hey!!! You made a great point about there being more resale contracts at OTHER resorts over time and that hopefully will balance out the Riviera resale contracts. I agree that it's frustrating when the Skyliner has to shut down with inclement weather, but I still love Riviera. Thank you SO MUCH for watching! Best wishes for a fantastic year! 👋😎❤
Not a tough choice Grand Floridian it’s closer to magic kingdom and I’ve stayed at the Caribbean beach resort in the past and most parks are a decent bus ride
We've also stayed at CBR and we weren't especially fond of it. Riviera, on the other hand, is a much better experience than CBR. On the other hand, we enjoyed staying at GF more than we thought we would as well! Thanks for watching!
Skyliner
@@isoar4781 last time I was at cbr was 2014 before skyliners
As long as the new building basically pays for itself, GF will have one of the best due/cost ration.
Yeah, you make an excellent point. Thanks for watching!
That’s a tough choice!
When we added on at Riviera, it was the only choice. Even though I ADORE Riviera, the idea of being able to get points that wouldn't be restricted if we resold them is VERY appealing, so I would have taken a good look at GF.
If I had to choose …., I bought Polynesian . The resort studios were a disappointment to me and the resale restriction turned me away as well.
Are you excited about the new Polynesian tower?
@@TheMagicInTheMusic , no, I’d like clarity on the association before I even think about it.
That's only if you don't buy direct.
This video was geared more toward those purchasing direct. If you buy resale, you'll definitely want to consider other resorts as well.
GF has easy access to MK & EPCOT! 😉
Yes, good point!
We bought both. Oh, and BLT.
Sounds like a great option! 😃👍
@@TheMagicInTheMusic It is, Getting lined up for each year is the management problem for us. Bank/Use/Borrow...
Topolino’s Terrace has zero ambiance. Maybe the food is great, but no white tablecloths?!?
We love everything about Topolino's - we can't wait to go back. Thanks so much for watching.
I am new to the dvc community
Just got my AK waiting for Rofr to pass
Like Jenn I also want the best of both world so I am thinking getting the min. direct with Disney but couldn't decide in between Riviera and Grand Floridian...
Luckily Jenn made this video for ppl like us so I have decided to go in with both Riviera and Grand Floridian at 75 pts a piece
Can anyone or Jenn confirm if this strategy works so that I get both as home resort?
Congrats! Sounds like a great plan! One thing that you'll want to check is what the minimum buy-in is for Riviera and GF. I know that current members usually have lower buy-in thresholds than new members. There will be a minimum number of points that are required to purchase at new resorts. Check with your guide to find out what that number is. I do think it's a good idea to split it up, though if you can. If you buy at two different resorts, you can book with THOSE points at the 11 month window - only at the home resort for the points. Then at the 7 month window, you could combine the contracts for booking.
We are going to gf in feb Whatt QS restaurants are there i c Gasparilla grill is that it
Yes, Gasparilla Island grill is the quick service there. You can also walk over to Captain Cook’s at the Polynesian.
If you are choosing between those two, you can probably afford both.
You make a very good point! 😆
Here’s the truth the grand Floridian is impossible to ever make reservations for. The Riviera is so packed in and so tight that it feels like there’s more people in there then actually are.
We've stayed at Grand Floridian several times and we don't own there. I wouldn't say it's easy to book there, but it's definitely possible. We've never felt crowded at Riviera. Maybe we travel at less busy times of year, but it's always felt very relaxed there.
@@TheMagicInTheMusic it’s amazing on how your trips are always perfect. I’ve been a member since day one stop selling.