The Riviera Resort is one of Disney World’s newest deluxe hotels, opening at the end of 2019. While it is one of Disney’s pricier hotels, it has a lot to offer regarding amenities, dining, and decor.
The elegant archways, towers, and terraces of Europe serve as the inspiration for the Riviera. With its beautiful gardens and water features, The Riviera will always meet you with gorgeous views at this villa resort. When inside, you’ll have unique artwork to admire at every corner. Prints of this artwork are even available for purchase if you’d like to add some to your walls at home for a touch of Disney magic.
If you love Europe as much as Walt Disney did, the Riviera may be the perfect stay for your next Disney vacation.
Types of Rooms
The Riviera offers two different styles of rooms: studios and villas. As with most Disney resorts, you can pay for a standard or preferred view.
Unfortunately, the tower studio rooms are small, so keep that in mind while booking your stay here. Despite the lack of space, you can still expect a small fridge, coffee maker, toaster, and microwave. Only one bed pulls down from the wall to allow for more room when not sleeping. Even then, this may not be the room for an extended stay if you’re worried about having your own space.
The deluxe studios are a little more spacious and better for families of 4-5. These rooms also come with a small kitchenette, complete with a microwave, minifridge, toaster, sink, and coffee maker.
The villas may be a better option for those planning to stay longer and need a full kitchen. These rooms have a full kitchen, washer, and dryer. They can sleep between 5-12 guests, depending on how many bedrooms you’re willing to pay for.
2 Bedroom Villa sleeps up to 9 adults.
3 Bedroom Grand Villa sleeps up to 12 adults.
Tower Studio sleeps up to 2 adults.
Deluxe Studio sleeps up to 5 adults.
1 Bedroom Villa sleeps up to 5 adults.
2 Bedroom Villa sleeps up to 9 adults.
Amenities
Like other Disney resorts, the Riviera offers complimentary amenities such as wifi, parking, and housekeeping services.
As mentioned above, some rooms have a washer and dryer unit. A public laundry facility is available on the 4th floor for those staying in a studio.
Activities and Recreation
The Riviera has two swimming areas: The Riviera Pool and the Beau Soleil Pool. The Riviera Pool is perfect for families and children to enjoy a break from the parks on a hot Florida day. For younger ones, S’il Vous Play is a fun and interactive water play area with Fantasia decorations.
For a more tranquil swim, the Beau Soleil Pool offers a calmer swimming experience. Guests can enjoy a quiet dip in the pool or a moment in the sun as they listen to the relaxing sounds of their favorite classic Disney songs in French.
The Riviera also offers fun family activities such as nightly campfires and movies under the stars. Campfires are offered seven nights a week from 6:30-7:30 with complimentary marshmallows. At 8:30 pm, guests can make their way over to the movie lawn for a classic Disney film. You can check with the front desk to find out what movies are playing. Both of these activities are subject to cancellation based on weather.
The Athlétique Fitness Center is open 24/7 for guests staying at the Riviera and offers opportunities for jogging and weightlifting. A gym is also available for those looking to get in more exercise than just the walk around the theme parks. You will not be able to find this particular amenity at a majority of value and moderate hotels on Disney property.
Transportation to the Parks, Disney Springs
One of the best perks of the Riviera is its access to the Disney Skyliner. This quick method of transportation can get you to either Epcot or Hollywood Studios without having to drive through Disney traffic or wait on a crowded bus. The lines can be long in the morning, but they move quickly. If you leave Epcot or Hollywood Studios at closing, you can expect up to a half-hour wait for the Skyliner.
If you’re traveling to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, or one of Disney’s water parks, complimentary bus transportation is available. During high winds or thunderstorms, buses are also available to Epcot and Hollywood studios, as the Skyliner will close during these times.
Riviera Resort Dining options
This poolside bar is perfect for a quick lunch or refreshing drink and offers more than you can expect from a value or moderate Disney pool bar. From grilled chicken sandwiches to vegetable skewers, Bar Riva offers new dining options and various cocktails and beverages.
Another fantastic benefit of staying at the Riviera is having access to a character dining experience right on the property. While anyone can dine at Disney resort restaurants, there is something special about being able to eat a sit-down meal that’s only a few minutes away from your room. As you dine, characters from the European Renaissance will meet you: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck. During breakfast hours, Topolino’s offers delicious entrees such as sour cream waffles or a wild mushroom scramble, while children can enjoy artistic Mickey waffle dippers or scrambled eggs.
No character dining is offered at dinner, but you can still eat at Topolino’s between 5:00-9:30 pm for a beautiful rooftop view of the surrounding property.
Whether you want to grab a coffee before the parks or a cocktail at the end of the night, Le Petit Café is a quaint venue to stop and pick something up. They also have a delicious selection of desserts.
For a quick-service option, Primo Piatto is perfect for a relaxing breakfast that you can enjoy while watching the Skyliner gondolas riding by. They offer simple bakery options for breakfast and entrées such as blueberry-lemon pancakes and French Toast bread pudding. You can order pizza and various hot and cold sandwiches for lunch and dinner. They also have a late-night dining menu for those looking for a quick snack or dessert on their way back from the theme parks.
Overall Thoughts on Riviera Resort
While it is one of the more expensive hotels, this Skyliner resort is one of my favorites to visit when at Disney World. Whether you’re booking a room or just stopping by to eat at one of their restaurants and admire the artwork, be sure to check out the Riviera during your next Disney stay.
Whether you’re traveling with young children, teens, or adults, we’ve got you covered. From the whimsical fun of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort to the luxurious elegance of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, we’ve got something for everyone. So look at our resort reviews and start planning your dream Disney vacation today!
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