Disney’s Riviera Resort is one of my home resorts. It is my absolute favorite and make a point to visit even when I am not staying there. I love the smells in the lobby, the amazing food and gorgeous art. The biggest issue is how expensive it can be since it is both a DVC property (Disney’s time share program) and a Deluxe property (most expensive resort option). It is a real conversation to have if the price is worth it particularly if you are not a resort day person. For me, it is worth saving up to stay there because it is just so special and I am obsessed with Disney’s Riviera Resort. If this short blurb hasn’t convinced you to stay then make sure to read the complete review below for Disney’s Riviera Resort. Keep scrolling for the complete review of Disney’s Riviera Resort for 2024.
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Walt Disney World’s Riviera Resort
Basic Information on Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Riviera Resort is the newest DVC and Deluxe property. This means rooms have either a kitchenette or full kitchen. Deluxe properties are the most expensive with rooms reaching over $500 a night. Deluxe hotels will also have slides attached to resort pools and guests have access to early morning magic in the parks. You will also be able to book Individual Lighting Lanes before non-resort guests.
The Riviera Resort has a Mediterranean theme based on Walt Disney’s love for the area. This means the resort is filled with lush gardens, art and fountains. It has multiple restaurants with great coffee and food. You have access to both buses to the parks and the Skyliner. There are a variety of rooms ranging from studios to 2 bedroom villas. For more information check out the DVC website on Disney’s Riviera Resort.
Getting to Disney’s Riviera Resort
It is very easy to get to Disney’s Riviera Resort. I have taken two different ways which you can found below.
- Mears Buses: Long gone are the days of the free Magical Express to your resort. Say hello to Mears Buses. On my latest trip to Disney, we took the Mears buses. We didn’t book the bus in advance and since it was cheaper then an Uber we took a chance on it. We had no issue getting on a bus as it was very late. It took us over an hour with multiple stops to get to our hotel. Which was a bit annoying since we were both exhausted. Not a huge deal. It was easy and affordable. We paid $30 total for one way. Here is the Mears website for pricing details.
- Disney Pro Tip: Book the bus in advance if you have a large group or are visiting during the busy season (basically anytime there is a school holiday).
- Uber: Uber is a great option for easy and direct access to your resort. It sometimes takes less then 30 minutes. I have found that arriving in the middle of the day means Uber is much more affordable then the buses. This is my preferred method of getting to any Disney resort. It is just a bit more relaxing.
Check in
Check in was a breeze. Incredibly quick with someone coming up to you with a tablet, sitting you down on a comfy chair and getting you all squared away. With the My Disney Experience App, you don’t really need to check in as your phone will unlock the door. I didn’t mind checking in, as I got to smell that beautiful lobby smell.
Lobby
The lobby at Disney’s Resort Riviera is not a grand blow you away lobby like in Animal Kingdom Lodge. It is small and intimate with a coffee shop, store and beautiful views of the lake and property. It smells so good. For as small as it is, I really like it. I know some might be disappointed though, with the price you are paying and how small it is.
Rooms
There are a variety of rooms to choose from. From a studio with a murphy bed to a two bedroom villa. We stayed in a deluxe studio with a preferred view of the lake. This room was stunning and large. The artwork had a very Mediterranean flare and the kitchenette was perfect for prepping some lox and bagels before heading to the parks. The bathroom was spacious and clean. And really quite beautiful. I really loved this room. It was so pretty and comfortable! Also, there was a murphy bed over the couch and under the TV so you could fit a family of five or four adults. When you pull down the beds, you will find beautiful paintings that keep with the theme of the resort.
I would recommend this room however I am not sure about the preferred view. We got a sliver of the lake. It really didn’t live up to the price we were paying. I would have much rather saved a few dollars with a view of the parking lot.
Also, I am not sure how I feel about the Tower Studio Rooms. I haven’t stayed in them but I don’t like the idea of paying a lot of money for a room with only a murphy bed. Just something to think about.
Food and Drinks
Two words: Topolino’s Terrace. The top floor of this resort is the best restaurant in all of Disney World: Topolino’s Terrace. The restaurant focuses on French and Italian cuisine and serves both breakfast and dinner. I haven’t experienced the character breakfast but have eaten dinner there multiple times. IT IS STUPID GOOD. My sister’s exact words about this restaurant were, “I didn’t know Disney made food like this.” With that said, order the chicken rigatoni. JUST DO IT. Sorry, but I feel strongly about this chicken rigatoni. Not only is the food ridiculous, the cocktails are amazing. PLUS the restaurant is beautiful and has this amazing outdoor lounge overlooking the property, lake and Caribbean Beach Resort. This is an amazing spot for dinner! I highly recommend it.
- Disney Pro Tip: Book your reservations as early as possible. This place books out early. If you can’t find a reservation, use Mouse Dining where it will send you alerts when a reservation becomes available.
- Disney Pro Tip…Again: Grab a cocktail and sit out in the outdoor lounge during the Epcot fireworks. It has a wonderful view and you get to have an amazing cocktail.
Vivoli il Gelato Cart: You might recognize the name from the amazing gelato spot in Disney Springs. This is the same gelato only in a cart by the main pool area. Delicious little treat. You must try it as the main Vivoli is based in Florence, Italy which I have visited and it was amazing.
Bar Riva: Ok, so often in Disney resorts I avoid the pool bar. It’s usually just fine and nothing special. But I really really like Bar Riva. It is set a bit away from the pool so it is quieter. The food like the Spicy Italian Sandwich is delicious and the cocktails are super good. (Looking at you La Petite Fleur!) I highly recommend enjoying some time here even if you are not staying at the resort. It is a nice break from the parks
Primo Piatto: Primo Piatto is the main quick service option at Disney’s Riviera Resort. It is surprising how delicious the food is. I thoroughly enjoyed my pizza and salad. I still got drinks from Bar Riva (because they were that good) to enjoy with my lunch.
Disney Pro Tip: If it is not too hot, eat outside by the lake. It was so peaceful!
Disney’s Riviera Resort: The Property
Riviera Resort: Inside
The interior of Riviera Resort is classically beautifully, so clean, elegant and stays true to Mediterranean influences. It is both adult and family friendly with muted tones which allow a break from the, at times, overstimulating world of the parks. The way Disney has incorporated characters is pure Disney Magic. As you walk around the resort, you will see paintings that feature Disney characters painted in the style of famous artists and/or paintings. (haha A bit repetitive!) For example, in the café there is a painting that features the Goose Sisters from The Aristocrats in the style of Vincent Van Gogh. It is so adorable and amazing. The entire resort is filled with art like this. It is an absolute joy to walk around and admire the art. Honestly, it was a huge reason why I fell in love with this resort.
Next to the café is a quiet library that features artifacts and pictures of Walt Disney’s time traveling around the Mediterranean. It is so nostalgic, classic and really just fills this old Disney heart up!
Riviera Resort: Outside
Ok so yes, the paintings won me over but the outside wowed me. It is so gorgeous. The flower beds are perfectly manicured with stunning roses and other flowers. (The roses stick out in my memory because they smelt so good.) The beautiful fountains at the entrance of the hotel with mosaic tiles as you walk really sets the scene. The entire property is just stunning.
But the real showstopper is the mosaics by the Skyliner. There are two towering mosaics that go up and over a fountain that showcase Tangled and Peter Pan. They are absolutely incredible. I could sit there for hours just admiring this beautiful work of art. If you are not staying, make it a point to take a ride on the Skyliner, get off and admire this.
Pools and Outdoor Seating
The Riviera Resort has two pools and a splash area. All are beautiful and wonderfully fit into the overall theme of the hotel. Plus they are all incredibly close to Bar Riva and Primo Piatto.
- Beau Soleil: This is the quieter pool area. There are no slides or other features that entice children. This is definitely aimed at adults. It is more larger then other resort’s quiet areas. I spent the majority of my pool time there and really loved it. There were plenty of lounge chairs. It was incredibly peaceful. (This does change when people bring their kids to this pool.)
- Riviera Pool: This is the main attraction. A beautiful, large pool with exciting water slide and plenty of loungers. Your kids (and your inner kid) will love it! The pool is large enough that people can spread out. There is a zero entry zone as well.
- S’il Vous Play: Truly adorable splash pad area for children under 48 inches. This Fantasia themed area has plenty of interactive water features. There are also loungers so the grown ups can rest.
- Sand and Loungers: Just to the left of the pool area is a sandy beach with loungers and adirondacks overlooking the lake or Barefoot Bay. This area was always quiet but not enough shade for a midday layout.
- General outdoor seating: When it isn’t raining or sweltering hot, there are so many places to enjoy resting outside at the resort. There are several tables/chairs that overlook the lake. There are swings along the yard game area. Plenty of benches to rest in. Just a whole lot of options to enjoy!
Check out Resorts’ Gal and her post on thepools at the Riviera. She provides a great amount of pictures to help with your travel planning!
Getting to the Parks (Disney Transportation)
It is so easy to get to the parks from Disney’s Riviera Resort. You can use the Minnie Taxi service and Uber as well but I prefer the free transportation. See below.
Take the Disney buses for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom which are located just outside of the main entrance. Easy. I also suggest going as early as you can with the buses to avoid waiting in line for them.
For Hollywood Studios and Epcot, use the Skyliner (Gondolas. You can’t miss them.) If they are not running due to weather, then buses will be made available to you. For Hollywood, you will have to get off at Caribbean Beach Resort then hop onto the Hollywood Studios Skyliner. Very quick and easy. Maybe 15 mins to both parks (If there is no line). It will be a long wait when the park closes to get onto any transportation and the Skyliner is no exception.
Disney Pro Tip: For Hollywood Studios, if you want to be on the first Skyliners to the park walk to the Skyliner station at Caribbean. It is about a 25 minute walk. This way you can line up way before the Skyliner starts running. If you wait at the Riviera station, you will be behind the curve becasue you will have to wait for it to start running then ride it to Caribbean then get off then get into line at Hollywood. Which means you will be waiting in much longer lines.
The Disney Skyliner
I love staying on a property that has the Skyliner. Not only does it provide a fun and unique way to get to Epcot and Hollywood it also opens up easy transportation to all of the resorts on the Skyliner. You could visit the Boardwalk area with just a quick ride and walk from Epcot. You could dine over at the Yacht Club and so on It just makes resort hopping so much easier!
Service
I mean it’s Disney. So the service at the hotel was excellent. Everyone was friendly and so helpful. I loved the baristas at the coffee shop.
Recreation
There are few fun activities that I enjoyed while at Disney’s Riviera Resort. You and your kids might love it as well!
- Movies on the lawn. Each night they show a Disney movie outdoors. This is free and a fun/relaxing way to end the day.
- Have some smores by the lake from 6:30-7:30 each night. (They do charge for their Smores so I usually order cheap gear from a local grocery store.)
- Go on an art scavenger hunt. At the store, ask for the scavenger hunt. They will give you stickers and each time you find the designated art you put a sticker down on the page they gave you. Wonderful way to enjoy some AC and art with the whole family.
- Play some yard games like Connect 4, Chess and Boccia!
- There is a gym. I saw it. It looks nice as I walked by it. haha. Not much help I know.
- Go for a jog or a walk along the designated 1.4 mile path. I am not exactly sure where it starts. I know there are signs showing you the way or a cast member will show you. I walked around the lake and Caribbean Beach Resort. It was lovely!
The Big Problem with Disney’s Riviera Resort
I know I have gushed over this property…alot but there is one large problem with it. And that is the price. It is an incredibly expensive place to stay. If you are someone who is at the parks from open to close this might not be the best option. It is a very big price tag for something you barely spend any time at. If you are planning on resort days then this would be a good fit and worthy of your money.
Best Things to do at Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Rest with a great book on one of the many lounge chairs and seating options.
- Enjoy some time at the pool soaking up the sun with sunscreen of course.
- Have a great (and I mean great) meal at one their restaurants.
- Then have a great drink with amazing views or by the pool.
- Watch the Epcot fireworks from Topolinos.
- Explore the property and admire the amazing artwork.
- Play a round of Boccia.
- Enjoy a relaxing ride on the Skyliner.
- Slooowwww down and enjoy the resort.
Pros and Cons of Disney’s Riviera Resort
Pros:
- Access to the Skyliner
- Amazing food and drinks
- Gorgeous property, pools and rooms
- Access to kitchenettes and kitchens
Cons:
- The price!!!!
- Price for the Tower Studio rooms that have a murphy bed.
- Expensive rooms for ok views.
Final Thoughts
Listen, I freakin’ love this hotel. Even now I am homesick for it. I love staying there and love just visiting it. I am sure you would love it too! HOWEVER, it is so expensive so really think through if this works for you. If you are not spending that much time at the resort, is it worth the money? It’s up to you. And again, if you choose not to stay please visit it and enjoy. It is one of my favorite places.
Some Disney Planning Tools…
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- Best rides at Animal Kingdom
Your Thoughts…
What is your home resort while in Disney World? Where do you love to stay? What is on your bucket list for resorts? I would love to hear your thoughts, questions and ideas! Leave a comment below.
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