The new DVC Riviera Resort??

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'm thinking of the haunted mansion loading situation. When was the last time anyone went through the entire ride without "your doombuggy will restart momentarily"? Even when separate loading is available, people decide to join the main line for whatever reason…

They have no "detachable doombuggies" for the HM. That is why they have to stop it.

 

[Mumof4mice]

They have no "detachable doombuggies" for the HM. That is why they have to stop it.

Hmm, could have sworn I saw a wheelchair accessible buggy parked parallel to the right of the tracks at DLR HM.

That was my point anyway. The main line has to be designed to be easy enough to navigate for the majority of people. AND a cast member has to direct anyone who might have trouble loading in the main area to a separate line, for the gondolas to realize the 4000/hour capacity. Not to mention gondola cabins that are constantly stopping and starting, swinging as they do so, would not be popular/help sell Riviera at all.

 

[Bing Showei]

The first filing suggests it will be pretty big. Unit definition is a weird thing, but based on the declaration, it won't be small.

Passed by this thing on the DME a few weeks ago... OK, I've seen the construction pictures and I've read the filing numbers, but it really hit home to see this thing in real life. It's enormous.

Every owner should pray that: one, the gondolas are a huge success, and two, that this DVC resort is a huge draw, because if this building fails, we'll have a **** ton of points dumped into the system, and 7-months is going to get even worse than it is now, because you can believe every last direct buyer who three-free-fastpasses their way into the SSR viewing center and walks out with a shiny new deed, and only enough points for a standard studio, will have been told, "You can stay at any DVC at 7-months." And we all know how that story goes.

ETA: Oh and you can be sure the 3BR Penthouse Villas with personal elevators to the rooftop pool, private gonola lines, and wall of glass to see fireworks will be a bajillion points sold in easy to digest 100 point increments.

 

[Frederic Civish]

I'm thinking of the haunted mansion loading situation. When was the last time anyone went through the entire ride without "your doombuggy will restart momentarily"? Even when separate loading is available, people decide to join the main line for whatever reason…

Maybe they will need to station a cast member at the entrance (if there are two side by side entrances), or at the division point, if they start at one line and separate. The CM could direct people to the right area.

I agree that, if it is starting and stopping all the time, that would not be good. And so many people who are kind of uncomfortable with it anyway, would start to panic if they were out “swinging in the breeze” when it stopped.

 

[Frederic Civish]

Passed by this thing on the DME a few weeks ago... OK, I've seen the construction pictures and I've read the filing numbers, but it really hit home to see this thing in real life. It's enormous.

Every owner should pray that: one, the gondolas are a huge success, and two, that this DVC resort is a huge draw, because if this building fails, we'll have a **** ton of points dumped into the system, and 7-months is going to get even worse than it is now, because you can believe every last direct buyer who three-free-fastpasses their way into the SSR viewing center and walks out with a shiny new deed, and only enough points for a standard studio, will have been told, "You can stay at any DVC at 7-months." And we all know how that story goes.

ETA: Oh and you can be sure the 3BR Penthouse Villas with personal elevators to the rooftop pool, private gonola lines, and wall of glass to see fireworks will be a bajillion points sold in easy to digest 100 point increments.

There is no way it will “fail”. The Riviera OR the gondolas. Gondolas are a VERY proven technology, and Disney has chosen one of the best. AND, they can still have buses as backup.

 

[Spork24]

Imo, the gondola will be a huge success. The latest rumors are that not only will the gondolas have room for 16 people per gondola, but they will all come off the line for load unload. They will also have AC.

My big question is can I go from Epcot to HS without changing gondolas? Will they be able to route my gondola to my final destination at the hub or will I have to get out to change lines?

I think riviera will be a very popular resort but may sell slowly due to number of rooms and price per point. But I see it as being a resort people try to get into at 7 months, not the other way around. (Especially with Sw land and the Epcot refresh coming up)

I can’t wait to stay at riviera and ride the monorail. I may not ever buy there because I’m opposed to paying over $100pp resale.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The latest rumors are that not only will the gondolas have room for 16 people per gondola, but they will all come off the line for load unload.

Not a rumor. The tech in confirmed use does this.

They will also have AC.

But no AC. AC is not part of the confirmed units being delivered, which are a stock Doppeayr product

 

[Spork24]

Not a rumor. The tech in confirmed use does this.



But no AC. AC is not part of the confirmed units being delivered, which are a stock Doppeayr product

Confirmed where?

 

[Dean]

Passed by this thing on the DME a few weeks ago... OK, I've seen the construction pictures and I've read the filing numbers, but it really hit home to see this thing in real life. It's enormous.

Every owner should pray that: one, the gondolas are a huge success, and two, that this DVC resort is a huge draw, because if this building fails, we'll have a **** ton of points dumped into the system, and 7-months is going to get even worse than it is now, because you can believe every last direct buyer who three-free-fastpasses their way into the SSR viewing center and walks out with a shiny new deed, and only enough points for a standard studio, will have been told, "You can stay at any DVC at 7-months." And we all know how that story goes.

ETA: Oh and you can be sure the 3BR Penthouse Villas with personal elevators to the rooftop pool, private gonola lines, and wall of glass to see fireworks will be a bajillion points sold in easy to digest 100 point increments.

Certainly if the overall demand is lower than average it'll have a huge impact on the 7 month window. My suspicion is it'll be a higher demand than SSR/OKW in the range of AKV and lower than the other EPCOT resorts. This situation would certainly impact the 7 month window noticeably. But a few tweaks her or there, a slightly lower vs higher points table, etc could make a huge difference in actual demand. Personally I hope it's either real high or real low. If it's a super high demand it'll slightly help the 7 month window. If it's demand is along that of SSR, I'll exchange in. Just realize that if the demand is super high that means those buying there will mostly stay there so it won't have a large positive influence on the 7 month window.

 

[DVC Fanatic]

I will try to find the link today, but my wife read yesterday that the units will not have AC and they will shut down when lighting is within 15 miles. Our two week trip at the end of August, we had pool interruptions almost every day for lighting within 6 miles. There will be certain times of the year that the gondolas will be severely impacted if the radius is 15 miles for lighting.

 

[Frederic Civish]

I will try to find the link today, but my wife read yesterday that the units will not have AC and they will shut down when lighting is within 15 miles. Our two week trip at the end of August, we had pool interruptions almost every day for lighting within 6 miles. There will be certain times of the year that the gondolas will be severely impacted if the radius is 15 miles for lighting.

Why would they shut down if there is lightning around them occasionally? I could see during a major storm, but because of “lighting in the area?” The entire system is a conductor of lightning, functioning essentially as a super lightning rod. The point is, the lightning rod is designed to conduct lightning around you and away from you rather than having the lightning hit you. Lightning rods on buildings are struck very frequently, and if they are properly installed, there is NO damage or danger. Lightning rods PREVENT damage and danger. And that is how it will be here.

If, by some chance, they cannot be used with moderate lightning around, then Disney has made a great mistake. There is lightning in the area almost every day in summer, and many days during the rest of the year. If the system just stops running for an hour or two per day in the summer, then people won’t trust it. Why get on something near Epcot, to go to HS, when you are likely to end up stranded at Caribbean Beach? Buses run during lightning storms. Why not the “shielded” gondolas?

 

[Bing Showei]

Just realize that if the demand is super high that means those buying there will mostly stay there so it won't have a large positive influence on the 7 month window.

Absolutely. But if demand is high, at least it won’t make it worse.

I was actually pulling for it to be a VGF level Epcot resort, but those hopes/expectations were tempered when I spoke to a guide at the BWV model room. While I understand they’re pretty low-level front-liners with not much more information than what we get here, the conversation was not encouraging.

M: So I hear people are excited about this new Riviera business.
G: Yeah, it should be really popular with the new gondolas!
M: There were rumors it’s going to be like anotger VGF in terms of amenities and finishings. Like a high end Epcot version of this. Have you heard that?
G: I’m not sure it’ll be like the Grand Floridian. I think it may be more like Bay Lake.
Me: Really? Is that what they’re telling you?
G: They haven’t told us anything except showing us the artist drawings. In fact, they haven’t even said WHICH Riviera it is.
M: What? I thought it was pretty much given that it was the Mexican Riviera.
G: No. Think about it. All they’ve given us is a name and a a picture.
M: You’re not really making me excited about this.
[Guide laughs.]
M: No, I’m serious. I was hoping VGF.
G: It may be, but I heard it’ll be more like Bay Lake.

I understand not everyone wants a VGF style resort and that a favorable point chart and buy-in price would more likely determine the resort’s success, but if it’s a VGF point chart with a $200/pt buy-in, and BLT style “theming,” those gondolas better be the best thing since sliced bread, because if they shut down as often as the pools and friendship boats did when I was there because of lightening, that’s going to be a challenging proposition with zero walking options.

 

[Bing Showei]

If the system just stops running for an hour or two per day in the summer, then people won’t trust it.

It doesn’t need to be an hour or two. Policy at the pools was 15 minutes since the last strike within 5 miles. Friendship boat was 30 minutes within the last strike within 5 miles. Assuming they would need to pause loading a and clear the current riders, that radius may be even bigger for the gondolas. It doesn’t need to be shut down for hours to be a PITA. It took only once being dumped at Swolphin for my family to vow never to ride that Frenemy Boat thing again.

Why get on something near Epcot, to go to HS, when you are likely to end up stranded at Caribbean Beach?

I don’t know, FRED. Maybe you can ask one of the thousands of chumps who take the Friendship boats every day. Oh wait, I’m one. IT’S BECAUSE IT’S THE ONLY OPTION FROM BCV/BWV BESIDES WALKING. Riviera won’t even have that alternative.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Confirmed where?

Confirmed based on the build, and delivered gondolas.

All the "oh no lightning!" is ridiculous. It has been considered. Doppelmayr are not amateurs. Nor is Disney's I nsurance company!

 

[zavandor]

My worthless prediction: Riviera will be available at 7 month outside fall frenzy but wil disapear shortly after.

 

[Bing Showei]

Confirmed based on the build, and delivered gondolas.

All the "oh no lightning!" is ridiculous. It has been considered. Doppelmayr are not amateurs. Nor is Disney's I nsurance company!

I’m not suggesting it will be down for hours, but you seem quite confident about the gondola system.

Are you suggesting there will be no stoppage through lightening (as in the monorail/bus) or that the pauses will not be disruptive?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I’m not suggesting it will be down for hours, but you seem quite confident about the gondola system.

Are you suggesting there will be no stoppage through lightening (as in the monorail/bus) or that the pauses will not be disruptive?

There is stoppage, but it is not long. Rain and wind is not a big issue. People will be uncomfortable before it is unsafe.

 

[DVC Fanatic]

There is stoppage, but it is not long. Rain and wind is not a big issue. People will be uncomfortable before it is unsafe.

I think what people are saying, it does not matter how long the stoppage is, it will be annoying regardless. The larger radius, opposed to the pool, is because Disney understands it will take longer to clear every passenger from the system. The moment they shut it down, they will not allow any more guests to board. Theoretically, you will be forced to get off at the closest disembarking point. The only time they will allow guests to re-board will be when lighting is clear of the 15 mile radius. The entire two weeks I was there in August, it would have shut down at some point every day. We sat through a 4 hour delay at BCV one day waiting for the pools to reopen, and another 3 hour delay at VGF. I would think Disney will have to have a contingency plan to redirect busses to pick up the slack if the system is not running.

 

[Bing Showei]

There is stoppage, but it is not long. Rain and wind is not a big issue. People will be uncomfortable before it is unsafe.

I guess that’s my point. I was never worried about people being unsafe.

If the Friendship Boat policies about shutting down and waiting for x minutes since the last strike is any indicator, the system could be a lot more challenging to navigate and rely on reasonably.

Complete paralysis was never my concern. A system with repeated disruption will frustrate. The question is will it be to a point that one questions its value... as with the Frenemy Boat.

Friendship Boats Unreliable Summer Afternoons

 

[Spork24]

Confirmed based on the build, and delivered gondolas.

All the "oh no lightning!" is ridiculous. It has been considered. Doppelmayr are not amateurs. Nor is Disney's I nsurance company!

So you have personally inspected them looking for AC? If not what is your source? Not trying to be combative, I did see a pic of them the other day, but haven’t seen the info you are referring to confirmed anywhere.