NEWS: DVC Amends Waiver Again, Removes Riviera Access

For the second time in as many months, DVC revised a sentence in its Right of First Refusal paperwork which addressed access to Disney’s Riviera Resort. Dating back to January 2019, new resale buyers have been barred from using point for stays at Riviera, while Riviera points later sold to a third party are similarly blocked from accessing all prior resorts.

As reported that one of the terms was altered in mid-August, seemingly grouping Riviera in with the prior 14 (or 15, depending on how one counts) properties. However, beginning with documents issued October 1, 2020, DVC again cites the 14 resorts, all of which precede the opening of Riviera.

The new line reads:

Effective January 19, 2019, only Members who purchase directly from Disney will be able to use their Vacation points at the 14 existing Disney Vacation Club Resorts or future Resorts–such as Reflections–A Disney Lakeside Lodge. Resale contracts purchased for the existing 14 Disney Vacation Club Resorts will only be able to exchange Points into those 14 Disney Vacation Club Resorts.

The passage is still somewhat vague, failing to acknowledge the 14 resorts by name. But the January 19, 2019 date, which precedes Riviera’s debut, seems to indicate that only the 14 locations operating at that time are available to resale buyers.

Similar resale restrictions have been used by other timeshare developers for many years. They are designed to encourage buyers to purchase ownership directly from the developer rather than on the resale market. However, they also have the potential to reduce resale value should the owner choose to sell their holdings at a later date. Riviera points purchased direct from Disney Vacation Club can be used at all properties throughout the system. However, if the contract is later sold to another individual, the points will only be eligible for use at Disney’s Riviera Resort, along with trades into RCI and other non-Disney destinations. This limits the marketability to buyers who will be content with recurring stays at Riviera for the full duration of their ownership.

About the Author: DBTN - FOUNDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF DBTN

My enthusiasm for all things Disney all started when my parents took our family to WDW for a vacation. My first trip was at age 13. Since that first time, I have made a trip to WDW almost every year from age 13. As far as I knew there was only one place to vacation! My fascination with WDW began on that first trip. I wanted to know how things at WDW operated and what made it so magical. I wanted to know details like how many people worked there and the length of the monorail track. It is that fascination that fueled my interest in WDW. Each year that my family vacationed at WDW, I learned more about WDW as they built more parks and added more attractions. I am not the average fan; I want to know all the details and I love researching the facts of WDW. I research facts through the Internet, books and DVDs. To me, the best part is to conduct research trip at WDW. After college, my father was transferred to Orlando and I moved with my parents. Seeking employment, I applied for a job at WDW. I passed the first rounds of interviews and was proud to join the Disney family as a security cast member! The job was great. It included Disney-specific training and security training before assuming four duties: driving a security vehicle, standing a post, working in a resort or walking a park or other area. Sometimes I even had special duties like working the Epcot Christmas Processional. I would escort the celebrity guests from backstage to onstage. Interestingly, every cast member is given a WDW fact book monthly to aid in answering guest questions. The pocket book contained great Disney facts that added more fuel for my thirst of Disney facts. Well, all-good things must come to end so we moved back to NJ. In the summer of 2010 I moved back to Florida I am now living in Orlando less then 15 minutes from WDW and living the dream and have fun along the way. Favorite Park – Magic Kingdom Favorite Character – Mickey Mouse Favorite restaurant – California Grill Favorite attraction – Toy Story Mania Favorite resort – Bay Lake Tower / Contempoary First time at a disney park – 1976 & have been every year since Who was on your first disney trip – My entire family Favorite disney memory – My first trip and my first trip with my kids How far do you live from disney now – 15 minutes When is your next Disney trip? – every weekend Favorite Disney Movie – Jungle Book & Toy Story