Review: Riviera Resort

The Riviera Resort offers several room categories to choose from including studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom villa selections. The most compact and inexpensive are tower studios, which only sleep two guests but still include a kitchenette. No matter which room type is chosen, the result is the same – stunning finishes and beautiful decor. We booked a spacious one-bedroom and found it offered many amenities beyond the standard hotel stay. 

As the Riviera is a DVC resort, rooms here include offerings beyond the typical resort room setup. In villas, the kitchen offers a comfy banquette seating area around a large dining table and plenty of counter space. We don’t typically cook during our stays, but the access to silverware and drinkware along with a full-size refrigerator is incredibly convenient. Any room category above a studio provides a stacked washer/dryer laundry machine in the villa and a master bedroom separate from the rest of the hotel space, which is great for larger groups or families with kids wanting or needing their own space. 

There is a very large foyer and open floorplan when you enter the room. It’s perfect for storing your stroller – yes, even a double – tucked out of the way. If you book adjoining rooms, the connecting doors open into the foyer so your stroller may be in the way there, but with the open floor plan there is still plenty of room to put your stroller elsewhere.

Something that is both awesome and dangerous: everywhere you turn there is storage! There are shelves and drawers all over and it feels great to have so many places to be able to put your stuff – and the things you accumulate throughout the trip. Just be sure you check all those spots and nooks when you’re packing up to leave so you don’t leave anything behind! Families with little ones will want to be sure to check the storage ottoman, coffee table/chest, shelves next to the large Murphy bed, and the crevice by the hinges of the small fold-down bed. If your kids are anything like ours, they will tuck things away without you realizing! Be aware that stuffed friends have been known to fall into the gap where the beds fold down.

The bathroom here is gorgeous and divided into two rooms with a pocket door between them. Off the master bedroom you will find a jetted soaker tub and a large vanity with dual sinks. Beyond the pocket door (and accessed primarily by a second door off the main living space) is the main bathroom space which includes a huge shower with a bench and rainfall showerhead, toilet, and single sink. While these bathrooms are stunning, they can be difficult for little ones. The sinks are all very high and almost impossible for preschoolers to reach, which means you will want to pack a step stool. Additionally, while pocket doors are fantastic and space-saving, the latch on them is hard for children to operate and we actually found the door didn’t latch properly regardless. The pocket door locks from only one of the sides, which can be odd and may lead to your child getting locked into the bathroom. 

The biggest topic at the Riviera is the room view category. What Disney considers the best view has a higher price tag, and at the Riviera that view is the side that overlooks the Caribbean Beach Resort, Skyliner, lake, and courtyard. The preferred view is quite beautiful and serene. However, the lower price category, or standard view, has EPCOT on the horizon. From a standard room you can watch the EPCOT fireworks, which feels like it should be preferred! The standard view does come with a view of a parking lot, bus stop, and the fountains at the entrance. When you compare this to the Contemporary Resort, the theme park view there is preferred (and includes a parking lot) while their standard view overlooks the lagoon. At the Riviera, I don’t feel the added cost of a preferred room is worth it. I would rather have an EPCOT view that truly immerses me in the Disney magic. However, if you’re looking for a relaxing or subtle Disney vacation, the preferred room may be your pick.

What I love about this resort is the theming. It strikes a perfect balance between celebrating the art and the history of Disney while providing a sense of luxury that isn’t stuffy. If the Art of Animation and the Grand Floridian had a baby, it would be the Riviera. The decor throughout is exceptionally fun if you’re an art aficionado! However, even those not familiar with art history will find joy and familiarity in the decor. While my children may not yet know the works of Cezanne and Van Gogh, they were incredibly excited to see beloved characters in the decorations throughout the resort. 

Beyond the theming you will find beautifully manicured lawns with fun outdoor activities, breathtaking mosaic murals, and numerous fountains. The resort is compact, which means it is only a few minutes to get anywhere. Refilling your mug or getting to transportation is mere minutes, which is a stark contrast to many other Disney resorts. Additionally, almost all of the walkways are covered, which is extremely handy during the regular Florida rainstorms. The Riviera is smaller and has fewer guests so when you’re walking around you will notice that it feels less crowded than other Disney resorts. Overall, the experience of being at the Riviera feels really well-thought out. 

As beautiful as the Riviera is, there are a few missteps. Upon arrival you will discover two issues very quickly – the brick entrance and the lobby. Brick pathways are found throughout the resort, including the entrance walkway spanning from the drop-off zone to the main doors. If you roll your own suitcase this will be the longest and most frustrating experience of your trip. The grout between the bricks is wide and inset deep – the perfect size to trap your luggage wheels. I recommend getting the luggage cart or carrying your suitcase. We did not experience any issues with our stroller wheels getting caught, but it’s possible the thin wheels of an umbrella stroller may struggle. Once you make it past the brick gauntlet you will arrive at the lobby – blink and you will miss it. At almost every other Disney resort guests arrive and enter an impressive hall with high ceilings for a grand welcoming experience that sets the tone for your stay. However, the lobby at the Riviera feels like a lounge and is so minimal that you could easily miss the reception desks entirely! Even the gift shop is a misstep. While the DVC and resort specific merchandise is wonderful (especially the art kiosk), the gift shop is a fraction of the size of those at most other resorts. Due to the petite size, the offerings are also limited. It seems strange that the Value resorts have larger and better setups! 

Dining at the Riviera is a key component to this resort experience. Topolino’s Terrace, the signature dining offering here, is currently reigning in many Disney circles as the “best table service” – and I have to agree. Whether for breakfast or dinner, the food at Topolino’s is incredible. Breakfast is a character meal with visits from Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy in artistically themed outfits. Daisy fans will not want to miss this one as the character interactions with her are always memorable! An added benefit of dining at Topolino’s is the access to the outdoor balcony which provides phenomenal views of some of the parks, several resorts, and the Skyliner. Guests who dine at Topolino’s can return later that evening with their receipt to be granted access to view the EPCOT fireworks and enjoy drinks on the terrace – a prime viewing location and experience only open to restaurant patrons. Topolino’s is a coveted dining reservation, which means getting a table here can be difficult and there is no preference given to Riviera guests. Staying at Riviera will have a potential advantage for the walk-up list, so you may be able to snag a last minute spot! 

Primo Piatto and Bar Riva are the quick service dining options, both offering unique and popular dishes. The menus have a great assortment that will appease every member of your party from the adventurous to the picky eater! Le Petit Café offers gourmet snacks and coffee and features a cozy library nearby filled with Disney history. While the dining is phenomenal, what is missing at the Riviera is a mid-range option. Currently, guests can either grab fast food or sit down for a long $100+ meal. It would be great if there was a casual table service option. You could venture next door to the Caribbean Beach resort for other dining options, but it is a long walk and not truly part of the Riviera experience.

One of my favorite areas at the Riviera is the manicured lawns nestled at the heart of the resort. Here guests can find lawn games including oversized chess, cornhole, and bocce plus gliders and benches to relax upon. Other features include two pools and a beach area, all of which are very lovely. My family particularly loved the ledge around the pool that allowed you to sit in the pool without being fully submerged. For children, the Fantasia themed splash area is cute but during our stay had many broken features that didn’t work and appeared to be in a state of disrepair – which is strange with how new this resort is. Unlike many other Disney resorts, the Riviera does not have a playground. If your kids are truly in need of a chance to climb and get their wiggles out, you can visit the Caribbean Beach Resort nearby or one of the many options inside the parks like EPCOT or Magic Kingdom!

At Riviera, transportation can be both fantastic and frustrating. The Skyliner offers a quick and relaxing ride to the parks that can often get you there ahead of the crowd, but it can be temperamental. Weather can greatly impact whether the Skyliner runs and technical issues have been known to happen as well. During our recent weeklong stay, the Skyliner was down at least twice when we were trying to utilize it – both were external forces beyond Disney’s control such as weather and a Verizon/AT&T walkie service issue. When this happens, guests must rely on bus transportation. 

If the Skyliner experiences a shutdown, pivoting can be difficult as the Riviera bus station is not nearby. The bus stop is located at the front of the resort while the Skyliner station is on the side. The closest bus station is at the neighboring Caribbean Beach Resort, but involves walking through some parking lots. Disney will dispatch a recovery bus when the Skyliner goes down, but it may not arrive in time for rope drop or you may see a regular park bus instead. What is great about the recovery bus is that when you are going to EPCOT it will drop you off at Beach Club, still allowing you the coveted access to the back entrance at the International Gateway. A regular EPCOT bus will take you to the main gate entrance at the front of the park. 

The Skyliner station has two entrances, one for each direction the line is going. To access the Hollywood Studios line, you’ll need to walk to the far side of the station, around and under the Skyliner. While not a far walk, with the whole resort being well thought out and having so many covered walkways, it seems odd that the area to the Hollywood line is not covered – not even the ramp walkway – but the EPCOT one is. 

Bus transportation is reliable and smooth. We never had to wait more than 20 minutes for a bus from the resort and did not experience any capacity issues. The biggest issue with bus transportation is the location of the bus stop. With parking lots, water features, and a drive-up area all around the front of the Riviera, the bus stop is pushed out down a long walkway. When you’re in a hurry to catch a bus before it leaves, this walkway can feel like a mile. It’s also downhill or uphill depending on whether you’re coming or going. At the parks, you will find the Riviera Resort has a closer bus stop than the values and moderate resort tiers, which means you will have a shorter walk at the end of a long day.

Bienvenue! The Riviera offers Disney theming with style and panache in a convenient compact layout. One of my big complaints about Disney resorts is the lack of actual Disney theming, but the Riviera provides a tasteful balance of elevated deluxe design with classic characters and history. The Riviera is perfect for guests who want a little more than a few hidden Mickeys in their decor! It’s a compact resort and is easy to get anywhere on the property and the Skyliner transportation is phenomenal when it works, which is most of the time. This resort provides access to the International Gateway, which is incredibly valuable for guests interested in getting early access to EPCOT rides Ratatouille and Frozen Ever After. There are beautiful views all around – from the terrace, the rooms, and the grounds – truly making you feel like you are on vacation!

— Jennelle