Disney’s Riviera Resort, which opened in December 2019, is a Disney Vacation Club Resort at Walt Disney World!
Riviera Resort offers 1-, 2- and 3-Bedroom Villas as well as Tower and Deluxe Studios.
Riviera Resort is home to one of the stations for the Disney Skyliner – a gondola connecting EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios with four Disney Resorts (including Riviera).
Inspired by Europe — and, in fact, by Walt Disney and his wife Lillian’s own travels along the French Riviera — deluxe amenities, memorable Resort activities, a wide range of fantastic and flavorful dining (including Character Dining), lovely and relaxing pools, and much more are all part of the Riviera Resort experience.
And so, in the spirit of Walt and Lillian’s own journey which inspired this Resort… let’s EXPLORE!
If you’d like to jump to a specific topic, simply click on any of the links below:
- Riviera Resort Atmosphere
- Riviera Resort Dining
- Riviera Resort Guest Rooms
- Riviera Resort Amenities and Activities
- Riviera Resort Shopping
- Disney World Resort Hotel Guest Benefits
- Riviera Resort Transportation
Disney’s Riviera Resort Atmosphere
Disney shares that “Disney’s Riviera Resort is designed to capture the magic of Europe that Walt Disney fell in love with once upon a time.”
The European Riviera inspires the architectural design and decorative touches.
The theme translates into a refined and elegant space that is simultaneously bright and airy.
Of course, Riviera Resort is not without touches of Disney whimsy!
The overall effect is stunning while also being relaxing and welcoming.
Disney’s Riviera Resort Dining
Riviera Resort boasts rooftop and Character Dining, along with casual counter service and pool bar eats and drinks served in upscale settings.
Table Service Restaurants
Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera is a rooftop Signature Dining restaurant and lounge.
In addition to fine dining, Topolino’s also offers sweeping views of EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including views of the nighttime fireworks.
In the mornings, Topolino’s presents a TERRIFIC Character Breakfast featuring Mickey Mouse and friends: Breakfast à la Art!
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck (dressed in costumes unique to Topolino’s!) join guests as they enjoy a delicious meal.
Quick Restaurants
Primo Piatto is Riviera’s Quick Service restaurant and grab-and-go location.
That said, with dishes like Blueberry-Lemon Pancakes and a Croque Madame sandwich for Breakfast, and Hearth-Baked Pizzas and Spicy Italian Sandwiches for Lunch and Dinner, Primo Piatto is Counter Service… elevated!
Le Petit Cafe is located just off the lobby of the resort and serves up specialty coffee and artisan pastries in the morning, and transforms into a wine bar in the evening.
Voyageurs Lounge is also off the lobby, offering a unique spot for guests to enjoy items from Le Petit Cafe or relax while playing a game or reading a book.
Bars and Lounges
Bar Riva is the Resort’s poolside bar.
Chef-crafted sandwiches and specialty cocktails are served in a covered, open-air setting.
Find our COMPLETE GUIDE TO EATING at Disney’s Riviera Resort HERE.
Riviera Resort Amenities and Recreation
Water and Play Areas
Guests can enjoy the heated Riviera Pool (complete with a waterslide) and the heated Beau Soleil Pool.
Each are accompanied by a whirlpool spa.
And the S’il Vous Play is especially made for the kiddos to make a splash!
The Activity Lawn features a large chess lawn, a bocce ball court, and more.
Voyageurs’ Lounge
Voyageurs’ Lounge is also located in Disney’s Riviera Resort! This stylish lounge reflects Walt Disney’s travels through Europe, including decor inspired by the books Walt Disney collected and his 1935 “Grand Tour” through the continent.
Since the entire resort is inspired by Disney’s connections to Europe, Voyageurs’ Lounge encourages guests to share stories of their own travels. Guests can relax and enjoy food and beverage offerings from the adjacent Le Petit Cafe in this cozy, welcoming spot.
Additional Amenities
Guests looking to get a workout in during their vacation can visit the Athlétique Fitness Center, and walk or run around the Resort’s Jogging Trail, which takes guests on a 1.2 mile-loop around Barefoot Bay.
Additional amenities for Resort guests also include lobby concierge service, daily housekeeping, complimentary Wi-Fi, currency exchange, self-service laundry rooms, mail services, and online check-in.
Resort Activities and Experiences
The Front Desk will provide you with information about current Resort Activities which may include options like Movies Under the Stars, Pool Parties, evening Campfires, and additional activities for a nominal fee such as Arts and Crafts that you can take home!
You will also see signs alerting to the day’s and week’s activities around the Resort so you don’t miss any of the fun!
Painting on the Riviera
Painting on the Riviera invites guests to create their own work of art on select dates!
This experience is typically offered at the Eventi Room on Mondays and Thursdays at 1PM for a fee. Stop by the Eventi Room to inquire about openings!
Riviera Resort Guest Rooms
Disney’s Riviera Resort is Disney Vacation Club Resort offering 1-, 2- and 3-Bedroom Villas as well as Tower and Deluxe Studios. The various room categories can sleep anywhere from 2 Adult guests (Tower Studios) to 12 Adult guests (3-Bedroom Villas)!
Tower Studio
A Tower Studio offers 1 Queen-Size pull down bed and sleeps up to 2 adults.
The bed pulls down from the wall over the couch, and reveals not only the sleeping space, but also a lovely Peter Pan mural is revealed showing Wendy, John, Michael, and Peter flying over London.
On one side of the couch, you’ll find shelving as well as a microwave and a mini fridge.
The other side presents a small desk area, a Keurig and coffee.
The ottomans placed in between the couch and the TV serve to offer additional storage.
And though the space is small, large windows provide light flow and lovely views.
The door next to the wall-mounted smart television leads to a small, yet lovely, outdoor patio (or balcony, on higher floors).
Here is the patio we enjoyed:
And here is a glimpse-from-below of the balconies above!
The bathroom is unique (as compared to the Villas and other Resort bathrooms) in that it is one entire room (as opposed to a bathroom that is sectioned off so two guests may get ready at the same time and still have privacy).
That said, in and of itself it is roomy, bright, and gorgeous.
The large walk-in shower is complete with a bench and provided hair products and body wash.
The single closet is also tucked inside the bathroom, packed with amenities such as a safe, extra shelving, hangars, an ironing board, a bin, and a luggage rack.
You can take a “walk-around” tour of this Tower Studio in our DFB YouTube video!
You can take a complete Photo Tour showing EVERY detail of a Tower Studio HERE!
Deluxe Studio
Deluxe Studios (available with a Standard or Preferred View) can sleep up to five. They feature a Queen-size bed, a pull-down Queen-size bed, and a single pull-down bed.
The studio also has a kitchenette and a private patio or balcony!
A pull-out bed can be found beneath the TV.
The other Queen size pull-out is positioned behind the couch and comes down from the wall.
Note that the couch is able to fold, allowing the bed to rest on top of it!
The room also has a standard Queen-size bed, with nightstands for convenience.
You’ll find a good bit of space beneath the bed for storage options.
The room also has a small seating area.
In the restroom, you will find a shower and tub combo, a single sink, and the toilet.
The kitchenette offers a microwave, mini-fridge, coffee maker, and sink!
Disney also provides hand dish soap, towels, a sponge…
…a toaster…
…and an ice bucket.
You can also find charming Disney and Riviera-inspired artwork in your room.
You can see even more Deluxe Studio details in our complete Photo Tour.
Click HERE to see even more of a Riviera Resort Deluxe Studio!
One-Bedroom Villa
The One-Bedroom Villa has separate sleeping areas to offer more comfort. These Villas can sleep up to five people and includes 1 King bed, 1 Queen-size pull-down bed, and 1 single pull-down bed.
There is a single pull-down bed beneath the television, with some whimsical Disney surprises!
The second bed in the living room area literally comes down from the wall and rests on top of the living room’s sofa!
Once you pull the bed down, you will have a nice Queen-size bed complete with a presentation of stunning Disney artwork.
Next to the bed you will find cubbies AND outlets complete with USB’s!
The main bedroom offers a King-size bed.
Though the living area features its own balcony, you will ALSO find one outside the main bedroom. This will give parents the freedom to relax on the patio after the little ones have gone to sleep!
A full kitchen offers a seating area, a refrigerator, an oven, stove, sink, dishwasher, a coffee maker, and a microwave.
A full-sized Whirlpool refrigerator is situated next to the seating area.
In fact, Disney has added storage beneath the booth seating so guests will have a place to store child’s toys, smaller luggage, clothing, etc.
Another Villa feature is a stacked washer and dryer located inside the room!
One-Bedroom Villas also offer a split bathroom with two sink areas, and a bubble jet bathtub.
Also, while the living area features its own balcony, you will ALSO find one outside the main bedroom. This will give parents the freedom to relax on the patio after the little ones have gone to sleep! You can check out more features of the One Bedroom Villa here.
Take a complete Photo Tour showing MORE details of a One Bedroom Villa HERE!
Riviera Resort Shopping
Of course, you’ll want to grab a souvenir (or ten 😉 ) to remember your Walt Disney World trip, so stop by La Boutique just off the lobby.
You’ll find popular items from around Disney World and even some Resort-specific pieces to remember your Riviera Resort stay.
Additional Exclusive Benefits
MORE Theme Park Hours
Guest staying at Disney’s Riviera Resort have access to ADDITIONAL hours in the Disney World theme parks!
Early Theme Park Entry allows guests to enter any of the parks 30 minutes early to get a head start on their day in the parks!
This benefit is available for ANY theme park every day. Please note that guests need a valid theme park ticket AND a Park Pass reservation for the park they’re planning to visit in order to gain early access.
The Disney World Parks also offer Extended Evening Theme Park Hours for select guests, giving them extra hours in the parks at night! Guests at Disney’s Riviera Resort qualify for this benefit, as it is exclusively to guests who are staying at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Walt Disney World Resort hotel for the length of their stay.
Guests attending Extended Evening Hours need a valid ticket and Disney Park Pass for that theme park. Alternatively, they may visit with a Park Hopper as long as they scanned into their Park Pass-reserved park at some time earlier in the day. Click HERE to see the schedule for Extended Evening Hours!
Find out more about EXTRA Theme Park Hours for Disney Resort hotels guests HERE!
Disney Genie and Lightning Lanes
Disney Genie is a new service available through the My Disney Experience app which offers both free and optional paid-for features which will help guests maximize their time in the parks. The two optional paid-for features — Disney Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selection — launched in tandem with the FREE standard Disney Genie.
For guests wishing to ride Disney’s most popular attractions — such as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — without a wait, Individual Attraction Selection allows guests to select return times to bypass the standby line and instead enter the Lightning Lane for a maximum of two specific, more popular attractions. Individual Attraction Selection is a pay-per-ride option.
All guests have the ability to buy Individual Attraction Selections. Guests staying offsite are able to get their first one when the park opens. But those staying at Disney-owned and operated hotels are able to make their first Individual Attraction Selection at 7AM each day.
Click HERE to learn EVERYTHING you need to know about Disney Genie, Disney Genie+, and Individual Attraction Selection!
“Hey, Disney!”
“Hey, Disney!” offers “custom voice assistance” to guests staying at Resort hotels in Walt Disney World!
This complimentary service, which works with Alexa on Amazon Echo devices, assists guests with room amenities, guest services, planning, and weather info… AND it brings along LOTS of extra Disney MAGIC to make all of these things a lot more FUN!
Click HERE to learn MUCH more about “Hey, Disney!”
Transportation
Disney’s newest form of transportation, the Disney Skyliner, hosts a station at Disney’s Riviera Resort!
From Riviera, the Skyliner goes directly to EPCOT and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. From Caribbean Beach (which serves as the Skyliner Hub) guests can then transfer to Disney’s Hollywood Studios (or to Disney’s Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts).
Guests at Riviera are treated to the sight of GORGEOUS murals on the way to and from the Resort’s Skyliner station!
Additionally, guests have complimentary access to Disney Bus Transportation to and from all four theme parks and Disney Springs.
Watch our video from our DFB YouTube Channel below to see MORE from Disney’s Riviera Resort to help you decide if it’s the right choice for YOUR Walt Disney World vacation!
Considering a stay at Disney’s Riviera Resort? Get the Magic started and complete a request for a price quote. An agent will review your travel preferences and provide you with a no-obligation quote along with their phone number so you can talk with them.
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