A few things there. First people here on Disboard are for the most part pro resale purchase. So we look at resale value very hard and many of us think (although no real proof to back this up yet) that resale value for RIV is going to be very bad (some think sub $100 to maybe lower etc). Thus since resale is so prevalent here we most likely view the resale restriction much harder than the average DVC direct buyer. I was the same as you and we bought into DVC at first not even understanding or thinking about resale, so our cost was a true sunk cost. Since then we have added on one resale contract and I am in ROFR for another, but I would do direct again if the cost delta was not huge.
Your second point to me is much more valid about the downsides of RIV. the fees are crazy high but you can maybe talk yourself into that, but the points chart makes no sense to me. Of course as we have seen point requirements for newer DVC rooms have been creeping up over time. And to an extent some make sense (ie I think VGF can demand a premium over SSR in points needed, it is a superior resort in almost every way). But RIV is not really in the same prestige league as VGF, and I equate it to a tad bit less than BLT (you can argue this depending on if you really like MK or if you are more of an Epcot/DHS fan). And for a 1BD at RIV to be 10% or so more in points than a 1BD MK view at BLT is insane to me. So what does RIV really have going for it? It is a nice resort, with very high point demand, high buy in right now (direct versus resale at BLT etc), and fees that are substantially higher than other on site resorts. I just think its a tough sell. The current incentives are just low enough that I looked into it, but once I started weighing
point chart, dues, resale restrictions etc I quickly took it off of my list.