We had a quick stay this spring at Disney’s Riviera Resort, and it quickly shot up my list of favorite places to stay at Walt Disney World. Disney World’s newest resort hotel, the Riviera is absolutely stunning with lots of amenities and perks. There are some really unique things about this Disney resort, so I thought I’d share a little photo tour and the things I loved the most about staying here!
If you’re curious about Disney’s Riviera Resort, I hope this answers any questions you have! You can always leave a comment below if I don’t cover anything you’re wondering about. Find me on Instagram @accidentaldisneyfam for more photos and video of the Riviera.
Vibes
This was our fourth stay at a Disney Vacation Club resort. We are not DVC members (yet!) but have been lucky enough to be guests of a DVC member in our family and have rented DVC points (which you can read more about in my post about The Grand Floridian).
We’ve also visited Disney’s Riviera Resort a couple times (it’s easy to get to if you’re staying at another resort that’s on the Skyliner, like Pop Century!). But arriving at the Riviera to stay at the Riviera was a totally different experience! This resort is stunning but feels so cozy at the same time. It is absolutely fancy and upscale, but it doesn’t feel stuffy at all.
The cast members at this hotel are incredibly friendly and helpful. We were greeted multiple times just walking into the lobby. Every cast member you pass walking down the hallway will tell you “welcome home.” It just really makes the vibe here so welcoming.
From the smell of the lobby to the music they play throughout the resort, the coffee shop in the lobby to the lawn games outside, the whole place exudes an elegant yet relaxing vibe. I absolutely loved it.
Another thing I love about the Riviera is that it’s all one building. It poured rain on the first night of our stay, and we had a reservation at Topolino’s Terrace for dinner. It was amazing to not have to go out in the rain! All the restaurants, the lobby, everything is in the same building as your room. Additionally, the walkways to both the Skyliner and the busses are covered, so if you get caught in a storm you’re good until you get back to your room.
Room
We stayed in a Tower Studio room. These can be difficult to book because there aren’t a lot of them, and they’re the most affordable way to stay at this resort (whether you’re using cash or DVC points). This room was perfect for our stay. It only sleeps two with a couch/murphy bed combination. It also has a desk with one chair; a TV; a microwave, fridge, and keurig; a balcony; and a very nice bathroom. That’s it! But it was perfect for our two-person, three-night stay. I would not hesitate to stay in one of these rooms again.
My favorite part was our view! We requested to by close to the Skyliner, and we got it. I loved watching the Skyliner from our balcony at all times of the day. And we were also able to see some of Epcot’s fireworks around the corner! If we had been on a higher floor, we probably would have had an even better view of the fireworks!
Dining
The dining options at Disney’s Riviera Resort are simply outstanding. From coffee at Le Petit Cafe to dinner at Topolino’s Terrace, we enjoyed every meal we had here.
Riviera has dining options at every level. The coffee shop, Le Petit Cafe, is right off the lobby. They serve coffee and pastries beginning at 7:00am, and in the evening they also serve wine and specialty cocktails. (And you can also get your coffee spiked!) We loved the coffee here—the Cafe Glace and the Cinnamon Cold Brew are both delicious. And we stopped for after-dinner drinks here one night, too, and enjoyed them in the Voyageur’s Lounge, which is located behind the cafe. I loved this lounge! It’s pretty secluded and quiet, and it’s decorated with pictures of Walt’s travels in Europe and original Disney memorabilia. I found it to be such a unique place that you can’t find at other Disney deluxe resorts!
Primo Piatto is Riviera’s quick service restaurant. We had breakfast and lunch here, and both were outstanding. The blueberry lemon pancakes (pictured above, middle) and the margherita pizza were our favorites! The menu here has some really unique offerings. Highly recommend using mobile order here when you can as the line can get a little long at peak meal times. We never had trouble finding an empty table, however. I love the decor of this restaurant (more pictures of Walt!) and the open brightness it gets from its two walls of windows. It’s a great place to enjoy a quick meal!
There’s also Bar Riva, the pool bar. We didn’t have a chance to eat here during our stay, but it is on our list for the next time we stop by the Riviera!
Signature Dining
We had dinner at Topolino’s Terrace on our first night, to celebrate our anniversary, and it was the best meal I’ve ever had at Disney World, if not the best meal I’ve ever had period. Topolino’s Terrace is Riviera’s only table service restaurant, and it’s a Disney Signature dining experience, which means it’s expensive. But it is absolutely worth it, especially for a celebration or a special occasion. The restaurant is gorgeous and the food was magnificent. The best steak I’ve ever had!
We, unfortunately, didn’t get a chance to experience the actual terrace at Topolino’s Terrace because it was pouring rain the night we ate there. But even the view out the windows in the rain is gorgeous!
Topolino’s also serves breakfast, and it’s a character meal! It features Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy in special artistic outfits—so cute! We haven’t had a chance to experience this character meal yet, but it’s certainly on our list.
Transportation
One huge perk of Disney’s Riviera Resort is the Skyliner! If you’ve read my post on the Skyliner, you know how much we love it. It is such a quick and easy way to get to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. While it can gather long lines before park opening and at park close, the line is always moving so it goes quite quickly! It takes less than 10 minutes to get to either park from Riviera, which is pretty centrally located.
There is bus transportation available from the Riviera to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs. There is one central bus station outside the front entrance of the Riviera and down a path to the right. Busses run quite frequently, even in the middle of the day, and I don’t think we ever had to wait more than 10 minutes. We preferred this bus station to the one at The Grand Floridian—it’s bigger with more seating and a designated stop for each destination, which works well.
Amenities
In addition to all the things mentioned above, Disney’s Riviera Resort has even more great amenities. There are two pools—one quiet pool that also has a hot tub, and another family-friendly pool area with a water slide. The larger pool is right outside of Bar Riva and Primo Piatto—a great location.
Additionally there are lawn games available outside in the back, between the two pool areas. This is unique to this resort! Beyond the pools, you’ll find some sandy beach areas and a walking/running trail that takes you around a loop through Caribbean Beach Resort.
There’s also a good size workout room and a community room where kids can do crafts (usually for an additional fee, depending on the craft) or watch cartoons.
Overall
I love so many things about Disney’s Riviera Resort. It’s elegant, relaxing, and very well appointed. My favorite perks are the Skyliner, Le Petit Cafe, the views of Epcot’s fireworks, and the friendliness of the cast members. Comparing it to my previous favorite—which is the Contemporary—it has a lot of the same amenities that I love. It’s hard for me to make a choice, but I think the Riviera is definitely giving the Contemporary a run for its money. The rooms and finishes are much nicer at the Riviera since it’s newer (the DVC rooms at the Contemporary, which are in Bay Lake Tower, are in desperate need of a refurb), and the ease of use of the Skyliner is tough to beat!
I think Riviera might be my new favorite! I can’t wait to stay here again someday!
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