Now that a sales license has been issued for Disney's Riviera Resort, let's compare progress on the building to other Disney Vacation Club resorts when they were a little more than a year away from opening.
Disney's Riviera Resort - June 2018
In mid-July, Disney Vacation Club was granted a license to begin selling points at its fifteenth timeshare destination. The timeline for this licensure appears more aggressive than prior resorts. Licensing for recent projects including Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows was obtained about 9-10 months before opening to guests.
Riviera currently has a vague "fall 2019" opening timeframe. If accurate, its licensing was completed 14-17 months before anticipated opening. This raises the question of whether construction on Riviera may be running ahead of schedule. With that in mind, we have combed our archives for photos of other Disney Vacation Club resorts when they were about 14 months away from opening.
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village
March 2008, approximately 14 months before May 2009 opening
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort
March 2008, approximately 16 months before August 2009 opening
Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel
August 2008, approximately 14 months before October 2009 opening
Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
August 2012, approximately 14 months before October 2013 opening
Disney's Riviera Resort
June 2018, approximately 15-18 months before anticipated "fall 2019" opening?
So what do you think?
In comparison to these other Disney Vacation Club resorts, does a "fall 2019" opening still seem likely for Riviera? That would put these June photos about 15-18 months before its debut. Or does construction progress combined with the early licensing suggest that the resort could open before September 2019?
Thanks to Wil Lovato for photo contributions!
