...
-(and a fun one) opinion on CCV vs Riviera now that that is an option?
Here is a link to the
point charts for all the DVC resorts
https://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/copper-creek-point-charts.htm
Compare how many points it would take to stay at CCV v. Riviera for your planned ‘typical’ stay at the time you would usually go:
A week in a CCV studio during the cheapest season is 107 points v. Riviera studios 109/134 depending on view.
A week in a CCV studio during the second most expensive season is 127 points v. Riviera Studios 160/190.
Generally it will take more points to stay at Riviera than to stay at CCV, thus the same number of points will ‘go further’ at CCV than at Riviera, unless as mentioned you are a travel party of 5, in which case at CCV you’ll need a 2 br., whereas at Riviera you would fit in a studio or 1 br..
If the guide pushes the cheap pointwise 2 person studios at Riviera realize that there are very few of them and that more than likely they will be very hard to book even at 11 months - I own at AKV and the point saving value villas are very hard to get even at 11 months, I expect that the tower 2 person studios will ultimately follow the same pattern as Riviera sells more contracts.
The advice here is usually to not finance a DVC purchase, that said, many people don’t have a spare $20,000+ just laying around and opt to finance. In the past, while not ideal, there’s been some safety from the knowledge that historically new DVC resorts that hit the resale market early have sold for fairly high prices shielding buyers who need/want to sell from a severe financial hit. There is a very high likelihood that Riviera will not follow that pattern given the new restriction on resale buyers there being only able to stay at Riviera. If someone finances Riviera and needs to resell early they may find themselves upside down on the loan. Do ask your guide about the loss of resale value caused by the new rule - and if the guide responds with DVC’s Right of First Refusal ROFR, realize that during the most recent recession DVC did not support the resale prices via ROFR so prices dipped.
DVC in the past has been unlike many timeshares which are worth pennies on the dollar when it comes time to resell them. Part of the reason for this is that DVC has not been run like many other timeshares, the recent changes DVC has made has made it much more like other timeshares, thus there is more uncertainty about future resale value w/ both Riviera and CCV given the new resale restrictions than has historically been the case w/ DVC. We won’t know for a couple of years how it will all play out, but the risk of a financial loss is higher than in the past IMO.
Finally, compare maintenance fees, CCV is at $7.43 per point v. Riviera at $8.31 per point, so at present the same number of points will cost more annually at Riviera.
Ultimately, however, purchasing DVC is not based on economics, it’s based on what you ‘want’ thus visit both resorts before you take the DVC tour, and you will most likely know which resort appeals the most to you - Riviera with it’s gondola access to Epcot & DHS or CCV with it’s boat/bus access to MK. Riviera w/ its’ ‘European’ feel or CCV with it grand wilderness lodge feel, etc.. To me with what you will be paying for DVC it’s wisest to spend a few dollars more and get your favorite resort rather than being stuck with your second choice just to save a little.
