4 Reasons To Stay at Disney’s Riviera Resort

We were recently invited out by Disney as honorary Disney Vacation Club members to Disney’s latest DVC resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort. For those unfamiliar with Disney’s Riviera Resort, the resort is located near Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort on property at Walt Disney World Resort. The resort features the flavors and flair of the Italian and French Riviera and combines it with the creativity and imagination that only Disney can deliver in one of their resorts. As you make your way around the resort and see the photos of Walt, you slowly begin to realize the resort pays tribute to Walt and Lillian Disney’s European travels with subtle hints around the resort, including several photos of Walt and Lillian’s trips to the area.

We’ve compiled a list of our top 4 reasons to stay at Disney’s Riviera Resort!

The FANTASTIC food!

Let’s start off with the good stuff. The food at Disney’s Riviera Resort is quite possibly the best food we’ve ever had at any Disney World resort. From the grab-and-go options at Primo Piatto near the pool, such as the grilled chicken sandwich with Romano and herbed fries (pictured above), to the premium dining experience of Topolino’s Terrace, the dining at Disney’s Riviera Resort is absolutely top-notch and cannot be missed.

One of the best character breakfasts we’ve ever had was at Topolino’s Terrace. The Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends features a prix-fixe Disney character dining experience that was probably one of the best character breakfast experiences I’ve had at a Disney World resort. They have Mickey Waffles on a stick (pictured above)! Besides that, the breakfast entrees were fantastic. I had the French Toast Brûlée, which was a delicious spin on traditional French toast.

Let’s not forget to mention the INCREDIBLE views you get atop Topolino’s Terrace of pretty much the entire Walt Disney World Resort!

Transportation

One of the best reasons to stay at Disney’s Riviera Resort is the variety of transportation options, one of them being the latest transportation addition to Walt Disney World Resor, the Disney Skyliner gondola service! Guests at the resort have a fun and incredibly easily accessible way to travel to two theme parks – Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios – via Disney Skyliner. Disney Skyliner not only efficiently moves guests to their location, but it also offers a whole new way to experience Walt Disney World Resort with amazing views only available from the sky, allowing for some amazing photo opportunities while riding. Passing through a tunnel archway with sparkling water features and some really amazing tile murals themed to Peter Pan and Tangled, Disney’s Riviera Resort guests are connected to a dedicated station where they can hop aboard a Disney Skyliner gondola. Some cabins feature graphics based on Disney films, attractions, and characters. Yes, there is even a Haunted Mansion one we tried to snag! Once aboard, guests can take a ride through the sky to Epcot International Gateway or Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

If the Disney Skyliner is not your method of transportation, Disney’s Riviera Resort offers bus service to Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, shopping at Disney Springs, and Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park. The bus pickup is located just outside the resort and is easily accessible.

The artwork

Going back to the resort itself, Disney’s Riviera Resort features a variety of artwork around the entire resort inspired by European artists, such as Vincent Van Gogh, Picasso, and others. In total, there are more than 40 signature art pieces created for Disney’s Riviera Resort. There is even a location in the lobby of the resort that features Disney/Pixar movie posters in French.

And as I mentioned, above there are two giant tile murals themed to Tangled (pictured above) and Peter Pan that you cannot miss as you make your way to the Disney Skyliner gondola station.

The rooms

Disney’s Riviera Resort is home to some of the most spacious rooms you will experience on Disney property. We stayed in a 1-bedroom villa that comfortably slept me, my wife, and three kids. The 1-bedroom villa features the following amenities:

• Can accommodate up to a party of 5 people
• 1 king-size bed, 1 queen-size pull-down bed, 1 single pull-down bed
• Fully-equipped kitchen with appliances
• Stacked washer and dryer
• Full bathroom with a bubble-jet tub
• TV
• Private porch or balcony

The entire property offers approximately 300 family-friendly vacation homes with accommodation options to fit an assortment of travel party needs, from big to small. Disney’s Riviera Resort includes deluxe studios, one- and two-bedroom villas, grand villas, that sleep up to 12 guests each, and a new, unique accommodation, Tower Studios. The tower studios are perfect for a couple’s getaway with no kids, or just a solo trip by yourself. These small yet perfectly sized rooms feature the following:

• 1 queen-size pull-down bed
• Kitchenette with a small refrigerator, wet bar, microwave, toaster, and coffee maker
• Full bathroom with walk-in shower
• TV
• Private porch or balcony with seating for two

Guests can contact 407-W-Disney (934-7639) to make reservations for the new Disney’s Riviera Resort. To learn more about the new Disney Vacation Club resort, visit DisneysRivieraResort.com.

Full disclosure: Disney Vacation Club provided ThrillGeek with the resort stay, theme park admission, and a Disney gift card as part of our hosted stay at Disney’s Riviera Resort.