Towering over Disney’s Caribbean Resort lies the newcomer to the deluxe resort category, Disney’s Riviera Resort. Opened in December of 2019, Disney’s Riviera Resort is the 15th Disney Vacation Club property built in Walt Disney World. Known for its touch of Mediterranean style, this resort will have you feeling as if you’ve been transported to Italy or France.
Location
Disney’s Riviera Resort is located in the Epcot area, next to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. While it is considered to be in the Epcot area, it is also extremely close to Hollywood Studios. Thanks to its close proximity to these parks, guests can take the Disney Skyliner to both of these parks. The Skyliner is a transportation option we will discuss later.
Theme
As I mentioned, Disney’s Riviera Resort is inspired by Walt and Lillian Disney’s travels in the Mediterranean. Touches of Italy and France are in every corner of the Riviera, whether you’re walking down a hall or sitting by the pool. You can find photos of Walt’s travels as you walk around and there are movie posters on the 1st floor that line the halls. These posters are quite special as they are not in English, but in French and Italian, lending to this theme even further. Food options, which will be discussed later, also have a Mediterranean flair.
Room
The room that I stayed in during my trip was a 1 Bedroom Villa with a Standard View. The rooms at Disney’s Riviera Resort are quite modern, with a Mediterranean flair. In terms of accents in the room, you can find a lot of different artwork that fits the theme of the Riviera, one of my favorites being the Beauty & the Beast painting over the sofa. The bench of the dining table features some fun Riviera inspired accents. On the upholstery, you can find pictures of the resort, palm trees and umbrellas.
Besides the typical king size bed that DVC rooms have, this room features unique 2nd and 3rd bed options. Guests can pull down the Murphy bed that is secretly hidden as a sofa or reveal another bed with a pull under the TV. Both of these options are located in the kitchen/living room section of the 1-Bedroom.
In terms of the amenities of the room, the 1 Bedroom Villa features a full kitchen with dining room, complete with a refrigerator, oven, dishwasher and coffee maker. The bedroom is a separate room with a walk-in closet and access to the spacious bathroom, which has a tub, shower with rainfall shower head and regular shower head and two vanities. DVC Guests can also enjoy the convenience of a washer/dryer and vacuum cleaner, which is perfect for these pandemic times, when you want to wash your face mask.
Another great perk of these rooms are the wonderful balconies. They are spacious and have enough room for the two provided chairs and table.
Room Views
Let me tell you, we had a standard view room but our view was anything but standard. We had an amazing view of Spaceship Earth, Test Track and the different Pavilions of the World Showcase. Of course, this isn’t the only amazing view available at the Riviera. Some fellow Disney lovers that I know also stayed at the Riviera and had an amazing view of the pool and Caribbean Beach, which is a preferred view. I highly recommend a room on a higher floor.
Dining
Disney’s Riviera Resort offers many different dining options for guests. Whether you’re looking for a quick service option, a fun drink or a complete sit-down meal, there is something for you.
Primo Piatto is a great place for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Thanks to the pandemic, guests are encouraged to place their order through the My Disney Experience App and head to the restaurant for pickup. Breakfast options include the Blueberry-Lemon Pancakes, the Croque Madame and the Primo Piatto Breakfast. For lunch and dinner, guests can enjoy fresh baked pizza, sandwiches and salads.
If you’re looking for a quick drink and some delicious snacks, head to Bar Riva, right next door to Primo Piatto. In addition to delicious drinks, Bar Riva is home to sandwiches, bar favorites like Wings and salads. Plus, you can even get some favorites from Primo Piatto at Bar Riva.
Whether you’re looking for a delicious morning coffee or scrumptious snack, Le Petit Cafe is the place to be. Le Petit Cafe is a popular spot located in the Riviera Resorts main lobby. From all of your favorite fancy drinks like a Riviera Cold Brew or a delicious Cappuccino, Le Petit Cafe is a must-do spot. In addition to these yummy drinks, Le Petit Cafe has a dessert case with some delicious snacks.
Finally, if a sit-down meal is what you’re looking for, head to Topolino’s Terrace. Offering both breakfast and dinner, Topolino’s has some delicious options and beautiful views. Breakfast offers a character experience, where you can see your favorites, Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy in their Mediterranean best. They offer options like Two Eggs Any Style, Sour Cream Waffles and Quiche Gruyere. At breakfast, you are able to order as many entrees as you’d like. Dinner at Topolino’s is not a character experience, but offers some unique dishes like fresh made pastas, fish and steaks. Plus, be sure to head onto the balcony outside to see some amazing views of the Riviera, Caribbean Beach, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
Transportation
Like many deluxe resorts, Disney’s Riviera Resort offers a staple transportation option for guests, the Disney Skyliner. Guests can hop aboard the Skyliner at the Riviera and take it straight to Epcot. If you’re looking to head to Hollywood Studios, guests can take the Skyliner to the Caribbean Beach Resort and transfer to Hollywood Studios. In addition to the Skyliner, guests are also offered complimentary bus transportation to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach/Typhoon Lagoon and Disney Springs. These stations are located at the front of the resort.
Amenities & Activities
In addition to the perks you receive for staying on Disney property, such as the Magical Express service, which will end in January 2022, complimentary transportation to the parks and complimentary wifi among others, guests of Disney’s Riviera Resort have lots of different amenities at their fingertips. The resort offers two pools for guests, the Beau Soleil Pool for adults and the Riviera Pool for families. You can also watch Movies Under the Stars, run on the Jogging Track and sit by the Fire Pit. Also, since the Riviera is only a Skyliner ride away from Epcot, guests can head over to Epcot and enjoy the fun activities that are available there.
Disney’s Riviera Resort is also home to some beautiful murals as you head to the Skyliner Station. These murals are themed after Tangled and Peter Pan and are popular Instagram photo spots that extend around the ceiling.. If you are visiting, be sure to take a quick picture in front of these beautiful murals.
Shopping
Disney’s Riviera Resort is home to a Gift Shop called La Boutique. La Boutique offers apparel, gifts, groceries, snacks and sundries. They have beautiful Riviera themed merchandise as well as Disney Vacation Club merchandise and Skyliner merchandise, among other popular merchandise offerings.
Other Property Photos
There you have it, a look at Disney’s Riviera Resort. If you think it’s amazing after reading this, you have to visit and just see in person how amazing it is!
Have you visited Disney’s Riviera Resort? If so, did you enjoy it? Let me know!
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