Disney’s Riviera Resort is hands-down my family’s favorite Walt Disney World Resort. I mean, we love staying anywhere on property, but there is something about Disney’s Riviera Resort that makes us feel like we are on vacation.
The Atmosphere
The Riviera has a wonderful European and Mediterranean atmosphere with Disney touches. It’s not over-the-top with Disney theming, but as you stroll down the hallways, there are fun pictures to look at of Walt Disney or different paintings of princesses or castles that you can purchase your own copy of. The resort itself was built in 2019, so it’s one of Disney’s newer resort hotels.
Location
Located on the Disney Skyliner, guests can easily get to Epcot and Hollywood Studios via the Skyliner. The Riviera has it’s own Skyliner station that takes guests directly to Epcot. To get to Hollywood Studios, guests transfer Skyliner lines at Caribbean Beach Resort. Disney resort buses are available to take guests to Magic Kingdom Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs. In the event that the Skyliner is closed, due to weather or other events, Disney Resort buses will be available to take guests to and from Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It is located close to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. The two resorts are across from each other on Barefoot Bay. As you walk to the Disney Skyliner Station at Riviera, you can walk through the mosaic tunnel on your way. There are two arches that are done in mosaic tile work. One is themed after Tangled and the other is Peter Pan. It is such a neat addition to this area. Always worth the walk through.
Rooms
The Riviera Resort is a Deluxe Villa Resort and part of the Disney Vacation Club. When you enter the resort from the main entrance, you enter into the lobby and then there are a few wings to the resort. If you go to the right from the lobby, you will go towards the wing where the guest villas are located closer to the Skyliner Station. If you head left from the lobby, you will go towards the guest villas located closer to the main pool, Topolino’s Terrace and Promo Piatto, along with Bar Riva. The resort itself, is not a huge resort, so it is easy to get around no matter where your villa is located. There are over 300 guest rooms at The Riviera Resort and there are several different villa types.
Tower Studios
The Tower Studios at Disney’s Riviera Resort are perfect for parties or two people or less. There is not a dedicated bed in the Tower Studios, but a two-person couch that is murphy-style and the bed pulls out from the wall where the couch is located.
Deluxe Studios
The Deluxe Studios at Disney’s Riviera Resort are your traditional set-up for Disney Deluxe Studios. They sleep up to 5 people with a Queen-sized bed, a Queen-sized pull-down bed and one single pull-down bed that is under the television. There is a small kitchenette area that has a microwave, sink and mini fridge. The bathroom has a bathtub/shower combo, vanity in one section of the bathroom and the toilet and stand-up shower in the other section of the bathroom.
One and Two Bedroom Villas
The one and two bedroom villas at Disney’s Riviera Resort are like a wonderful home away from home. My family personally loves staying in either one of these types of villas. They have a full kitchen, that includes an oven, stove, full-size refrigerator, dishwasher and is fully stocked with all the pots, pans and cooking utensils plus dishes and other kitchen needs. We like to put in an Instacart order when we arrive to have some snacks, breakfast foods and drinks to stock our kitchen with while we are there. The villas also have a nice family room area with a queen-size murphy bed that pulls out of the wall where the sofa is located. There is also a single pull-down bed under the television. One of our favorite features of the one and two bedroom villas is the washer and dryer. It is nice to have a dedicated washer and dryer and not worry about using one of the community laundry rooms.
The master bedroom has a king-sized bed and the master bathroom has a nice soaking tub with a vanity in one room and the toilet, walk-in shower and another vanity in the other half of the master bathroom.
With the two-bedroom villas, the villas have a split bedroom plan. The Master bedroom is on one side of the kitchen and family room and the second bedroom is on the other side. The second bedroom has 2 queen-sized beds and it’s own bathroom that features a tub/shower combo.
The one bedroom villa sleeps up to 5 adults. The two bedroom villa sleeps up to nine adults.
Three Bedroom Villas
If your family or travel group is really looking for a space to stretch out or if you are traveling with a party of up to 12 adults, the Three Bedroom Grand Villa is the space you want. This villa has a large kitchen and dining room with enough space for everyone. The Master Bedroom has a king-size bed. The two other bedrooms have 2 queen-sized beds each. There is also a queen-size sleeper sofa.
Dining
One of the more popular character breakfasts is located at DIsney’s Riviera Resort. Topolino’s Restaurant serves breakfast and dinner. At Breakfast à la Art, guests can meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck. They are all wearing costumes inspired by art. Mickey is an artist, Minnie is a poet, Donald Duck is a sculptor and Daisy Duck is a ballet dancer. Breakfast à la Art takes place every morning from 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. This restaurant is very popular, so advanced reservations are strongly encouraged.
Topolino Terrace is also open for dinner. Guests can enjoy Italian and French cuisine from 5 to 9:30 p.m. each evening. Dinner is a Signature Dining Experience and a dress code is required. Characters do not appear at dinner.
RIviera is also home to Primo Piatto, which is the resort’s quick-service restaurant. Along with Bar Riva, the open-air pool bar, and Le Petit Cafe.
Pools and Activities
The Riviera Resort has two pools and a fun splash area for kids. The main pool is a zero-entry pool with a fun, twisty tower slide. There is also a quiet pool that is very nice if you are wanting to relax by the pool with a little less pool noise. The kids splash area is called S’il Vous Play and is inspired by the Fantasia. In the courtyard area by the pools, there are fun lawn games that include a giant chess board area, a bocce area and relaxing porch swings. Right inside, guests will find a really nice gym if they need to get a quick workout in before hitting the parks. There is also a nice jogging trail around the lake.
Disney’s Riviera Resort is a wonderful resort. It is beautiful and is Disney without being overpowered with the Disney theming. Perfect for adult-only vacations and family vacations. The location is amazing. So close to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Being on the Skyliner, it makes it so easy to get to those two parks. You can walk to The Caribbean Beach Resort if you want to explore that resort or have dinner there. When you are ready to stay at Disney’s Riviera Resort, let me know. I would love to help plan your vacation. [email protected]