Your Ultimate Guide to Disney’s Riviera Resort

in Hotel, Walt Disney World

Riviera resort

Disney’s Riviera Resort is the newest resort hotel nestled within the Walt Disney World Resort. A Disney Vacation Club Resort, this property offers a full range of accommodations. From studios that sleep just two, perfect for a romantic getaway, to 3-bedroom Grand Villas for larger families or special group visits. With access to Disney’s newest mode of transportation, the Disney Skyliner, a new Character Breakfast, and all the amenities you can expect from a Deluxe Disney Resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort has much to offer.

Disney's Riviera Resort
Credit: Disney

Related: Disney’s Riviera Resort reveals new details on European-inspired amenities

Wondering if this resort is the right choice for your magical vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort? In this Ultimate Guide for Disney’s Riviera Resort, we aim to answer all your questions and hopefully help you decide if this resort is the one to book for your next visit.

Disney's Riviera ResortCredit: Jessica Quinn

Let’s dive into your ultimate guide to Disney’s Riviera Resort

In this Ultimate Guide, we will cover:


Disney’s Riviera Resort Overview

This deluxe resort hotel was inspired by Walt Disney’s travels in Europe with all the magical touches you can expect from Disney. With elegant, modern and classic 20th-Century furnishings, this resort makes guests feel like they are vacationing in the french riviera. Beautiful and eclectic art pieces don the walls and hallways throughout the resort showcasing Disney artistry that tells the story of the Riviera Region’s art heritage.

Disney's Riviera Resort Art
Credit: Jessica Quinn

Disney’s Riviera Resort’s design is a nod to all the things that Walt Disney fell in love from his vacations in Europe.

Walt Disney in Europe
Credit: Disney

Resort guests can enjoy a new signature rooftop dining experience, a new character breakfast, high-flying transport on Disney’s Skyliner, family-friendly recreation, and all the amenities you can expect from a deluxe resort at the Walt Disney World Resort. If you’re hoping to take your Disney vacation and turn it into a more luxurious experience, this is the resort for you!


Resort Location

Credit: Disney

Disney’s Riviera Resort is conveniently located centrally within the Walt Disney World Resort with quick access to two theme parks, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot via gondola on Disney’s Skyliner and a quick trip to the rest of the resort destinations with Disney’s complimentary transportation.

While Disney’s Riviera Resort is close to both Hollywood Studios you cannot easily walk to either park. You should instead use the Disney Skyliner to get to either Epcot or Hollywood Studios. You can walk to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort which gives guests access to that resort’s restaurants and amenities.

Resort Map

Like other comparable Deluxe resorts on property, Disney’s Riviera Resort is easy to navigate. Guests have access to the common areas, recreation, shopping, and dining within easy walking distances from the resort rooms.

Disney's Riviera Resort Map
Credit: Disney


Disney’s Riviera Resort Pros and Cons

  • PROS
    • Deluxe Accommodations
    • Skyliner Access
    • Fabulous Dining, including Character Dining options onsite
    • Unique accommodations for larger families or big groups
    • Pool with slide
    • Firework Views
  • CONS
    • Pricey
    • Not close to Monorail or Magic Kingdom
    • Theming is not geared towards young kids/families
    • Standard/Studio rooms are small


Disney’s Riviera Resort Rooms and Accommodations

Disney’s Riviera Resort offers unique accommodations. Guests can choose from a diverse selection of guest rooms from studios to grand villas with all the amenities that will make guests feel right at home.

A question we are often asked is whether anyone can stay at Disney Rivera resort or only DVC members. Because it is part of the Disney Vacation Club family, it caters to the Disney vacation club member. But don’t allow the lack of a DVC membership to stop you from staying in these luxurious rooms, because even if you are not a Disney vacation club member you still have the opportunity to book Disney’s Riviera Resort directly through the Walt Disney World website or an even better route is using an EarMarked Diamond agency like Academy Travel.

Disney Vacation Club Members can book with DVC points. Rack room rates vary, however the best rates we have seen available start around $398 per night plus applicable taxes. DVC Point Rental companies are also an option when booking Disney Vacation Club resorts as a non-member.

Here is the current Disney Vacation Club Points Chart:

Riviera Resort DVC Point Chart
Credit: DVC

Here’s is the breakdown of the available accommodations at Disney’s Riviera Resort:

The Tower Studio

The Tower Studio is a first of its kind space that is specifically designed to sleep up to two guests. Combining efficiency and luxury, the space offers a pull-down queen-size bed that tucks away so guests can enjoy the extra lounge space during the day. The studios also offer a small kitchenette.

Tower Studio at Disney’s Riviera Resort
Credit: Disney
Disney's Riviera Resort studio floor plan
Credit: Disney Vacation Club

Tower Studios Amenities

  • Microwave
  • Flat-Panel Television
  • Small Refrigerator
  • Built-in desk
  • Coffee Maker
  • Iron & ironing board
  • Private Porch or Balcony
  • Wireless Internet Access
  • Bathroom with a walk-in shower
  • Paper plates and bowls, plastic utensils

Deluxe Studio

The Deluxe Studio sleeps up to 5-guests. These are perhaps the best Deluxe Studio DVC resort rooms in Walt Disney World. With 1 queen-size bed, a queen-size murphy bed, and a twin murphy bed, the entire family of 5 will enjoy the magic in comfort!

Enjoy the convenience of a kitchenette for quick meals in your room. A split bathroom layout makes bath time easy with a walk-in shower as well as a separate stand-alone tub.

Disney's Riviera Resort deluxe studio floor plan
Credit: Disney Vacation Club

 Studios Amenities

  • Wet bar
  • Kitchenette
  • Hair Dryer
  • Iron & ironing board
  • Microwave
  • Coffee Maker
  • Small Refrigerator
  • Flat-Panel Television
  • Private Porch or Balcony
  • Wireless Internet Access
  • Paper plates and bowls, plastic utensils
  • Split bathroom with a shower/tub combination on one side and a walk-in shower on the other

The One-Bedroom Villa

Need a little privacy and space during your vacation? This one-bedroom offers accommodations that sleep up to 5 guests with the added separation of a bedroom space with a king-sized bed. In the living space, a queen-size and twin-sized Murphy beds are easily put away so the family can enjoy downtime when they’re not creating memories at the parks!

Disney's Riviera Resort Room
Credit: Disney

You’ll want to move in when you discover the fully equipped kitchen and washer/dryer combo. And, make sure you enjoy the huge bubble-jet tub. Ahhh… You won’t ever want to leave!

Disney's Riviera Resort 1 bedroom Villa floor plan
Credit: Disney Vacation Club

One-Bedroom Villas Amenities

  • Oven
  • Wireless Internet Access
  • Dishwasher
  • Iron & ironing board
  • Hair Dryer
  • Stacked washer & dryer
  • Microwave
  • Private Porch or Balcony
  • 2 Flat-Panel TVs
  • Coffee Maker
  • Bathroom with bubble-jet tub and walk-in shower

The Two Bedroom Villa

 The two-bedroom villas sleep up to 9 guests with a king-size bed, two queen-sized beds, a queen murphy bed, and a twin murphy bed. These larger accommodations offer all the comforts of home while you’re on vacation.

Bring the family together for a home-cooked meal in the fully equipped kitchen and don’t worry about overpacking! Keep up with your laundry after those long, fun days at the theme parks with the washer and dryer combo in the villa.

Disney's Riviera Resort 2 bedroom Villa floor plan
Credit: Disney Vacation Club

Two-Bedroom Villas Amenities

  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Hair Dryer
  • Iron & ironing board
  • Coffee Maker
  • Microwave
  • 3 Flat Panel TVs
  • Wireless Internet Access
  • Private Porch or Balcony
  • Stacked washer & dryer
  • 2 Bathrooms (Master and Guest)
  • Master Bathroom with bubble-jet tub and walk-in shower

The Three-Bedroom Grand Villa

Planning a big family reunion? Need a little extra room for your big group vacation? This magnificent grand villa will sleep up to 12-guests with enough room to spread out and have a truly enchanted time while you make all the memories together!

Disney's Riviera Resort Grand Villa
Credit: Disney

The luxurious accommodations of this grand villa will make this vacation extra special. The two guest bedrooms offer two queen-sized beds each, with an en suite, or shared bathroom, plus a queen sleeper sofa in the living room.

But the pièce de résistance of this grand villa is absolutely the master bedroom. With a king-sized bed, en suite bathroom with a bubble-jet bathtub and walk-in rain shower, you will feel like royalty in this room!

Disney's Riviera Resort 3-Bedroom Villa floor plan
Credit: Disney Vacation Club

Three Bedroom Villas Amenities

  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Iron & ironing board
  • Hair Dryer
  • 4 Flat Panel TVs
  • Coffee Maker
  • Stacked washer & dryer
  • Wireless Internet Access
  • Private Porch or Balcony
  • 2 Bathrooms (Master and Guest)
  • Master Bathroom with bubble-jet tub and walk-in shower


Dining at Disney’s Riviera Resort

From authentic Parisian cafés and character meals to signature rooftop dining, Disney’s Riviera Resort will amuse your palate as much as it will delight all your other senses! Make sure you come prepared to EAT because you don’t want to miss a single meal at each of the resort restaurants.

Le Petit Café

Le Petit Cafe
Credit: Disney

As soon as you walk into the glamorous resort lobby, you are greeted by the smell of freshly brewed cappuccinos and delectable pastries at this authentic Parisian café.

Le Petit Café is a nod at the namesake café from the classic 1970 Disney film, The Aristocats.

Once the sun sets, this location transforms into a lounge with menu offerings like late-night drinks and small plates like charcuterie and cheese plates. However, nighttime coffee lovers need not dismay. Their coffee menu is available throughout the day and night. We’re all about that Irish coffee as a nightcap. Ooh, la la!

Primo Piatto

Primo Piatto is Disney’s Riviera Resort Quick-Service restaurant. The perfect stop for a quick snack or casual meal of sandwiches, salads, beer, wine, desserts and more.

In a hurry? Take advantage of Mobile Order on your My Disney Experience mobile app so you can order before you arrive and have your meal ready once you’re there!

Related: Menu revealed for quick service location Primo Piatto at Disney’s Riviera Resort

Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera

Topolino’s Terrace is the fabulous new addition in rooftop restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort, joining the ranks of fan-favorite California Grill, and another rooftop dining newcomer, Toledo at Disney’s Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

Terrace at Disney Riviera Resort
Credit: Jessica Quinn

Related: Op-Ed: Topolino’s Terrace tops my list for Disney Dining

This signature dining experience is a treat for your tastebuds and your eyes. Once you enter the restaurant, the floor to ceiling windows showcase the sweeping views of the resort. Time it right and you can enjoy the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular firework show from Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

The entire menu is to die for, but as you’ll notice when you arrive, the pasta is handcrafted. So, we highly recommend trying one of their signature pasta dishes. Our favorite was the Rigatoni. Très YUM!

Topolino is Italian for Mickey Mouse. So, it makes sense that Topolino’s Terrace would offer not only a signature dining experience but also a new character breakfast featuring the big cheese himself!

The Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends is a prix fixe dining experience where you are welcomed with a paint bucket filled with all-you-care-to-enjoy pastries, your choice of entrée, and a non-alcoholic drink of your choice. Alcoholic beverages are available a la carte.

This adorable new character breakfast is quickly becoming a fan favorite, so be sure to make your dining reservations early!

Bar Riva

Bar Riva is Disney’s Riviera Resort open-air pool bar. Enjoy your favorite cocktail during your resort day as you lounge by the pool and enjoy the Florida sunshine! Offering frozen cocktails, Provence rosé, beer, wine, and more.

Hungry for something a little more substantial?  Enjoy sandwiches, fresh salads, and burgers poolside. The Monte Cristo looks very tasty! ChEARs!


Amenities and Activities at Disney’s Riviera Resort

Disney's Riviera Resort Pool
Credit: Disney

Resort Pools

Disney’s Riviera Resort offers three pool areas with aquatic fun for the littles and peaceful quiet for those that need a secluded getaway from the busyness of a Disney vacation.

The Riviera Pool offers family-friendly water fun, cascading water features, and a twisty slide that will delight kids of all ages. The magnificent 30-foot-tall tower holds the almost two-story-tall corkscrew slide that will wind down into the feature pool.

The younger ones can make a splash at S’il Vous Play, an interactive water play area for tiny Mouseketeers! This splash area features some of the beloved ballet dancing characters seen in Fantasia.

For those looking for a more secluded and relaxing time, the Beau Soleil Pool offers a soothing setting to relax and unwind. After all, you are on vacation!

Riviera Resort logo near pool
Credit: Jessica Quinn

Resort Activities

Disney Resort Hotel Pools provide daily activities, weather permitting, with music, games, and more fun for kids of all ages. Be sure to check the schedule for information when you arrive so you can enjoy the fun during your stay!

Also check the schedule for the Disney movie screenings, or Movies Under the Stars, which are also a fun activity the whole family can enjoy together.

Athlétique Fitness Center

Athlétique Fitness Center features Technogym® equipment so you can keep up with your routine and get an invigorating workout at your leisure. The fitness center is complimentary for resort hotel guests. Be sure to check the age restrictions with the resort hotel upon arrival.


Disney’s Riviera Resort Transportation

Disney’s Magical Express

Enjoy complimentary resort transportation as soon as you land at Orlando’s International Airport! With Disney’s Magical Express, you can step right into the magic as soon as you arrive.

Disney Skyliner

Disney's Riviera Resort Skyliner Station
Credit: Disney

Once you are at the resort, more complimentary transportation awaits! Enjoy Disney’s newest mode of transportation, the Disney Skyliner! These adorable gondolas will swoop you high in the sky to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

Disney's Riviera Resort Skyliner
Credit: Disney

This transportation option is as convenient as it is fun! We recommend taking flight even if just to enjoy the ride and the views. Explore other resort hotels and dining options on property via the Skyliner. It will add more magic and adventure to your visit!

Disney Buses

This classic mode of transportation can take you pretty much anywhere you need to go within the Walt Disney World Resort. Pro-Tip! The My Disney Experience app has current wait times so you can plan your bus trips more easily and get to your destination as quickly as possible!

Disney’s Minnie Van

Disney’s version of a ride-sharing service is adorable and convenient. Use the Lyft app to request a Minnie Van and see cost estimates for your desired ride.


Disney Extras

Guests at Disney Resorts, you can enjoy some extra pixie dust to make your stay even more magical!

Extra Magic Hours

Resort Hotel Guests exclusive playtime at the theme parks! Check the times on your My Disney Experience app so you can plan these times during your stay.

Early Access to FastPass+

Resort guests can make their FastPass+ reservations up to 60-days before they arrive.

PRO-TIP! Your FP+ booking window will open 60-days before you arrive plus the days you are staying (up to 10). So, lock in those popular attractions for your last days first to ensure you score those coveted FastPass+ for attractions like Slinky Dog Dash and Avatar Flight of Passage!

Complimentary MagicBands

Customize your MagicBand color before you arrive through your My Disney Experience. NEW options are now available to upgrade your complimentary MagicBand for a small fee. Availability is limited, so check back often.

Riviera Resort MagicBand
Credit: Disney

Related: Resort Exclusive MagicBands Revealed for Grand Floridian and Riviera Guests

Enchanting Extras

Celebrate a birthday with an in-room celebration, order a customizable cake, book a VIP tour to peek inside the magic, limited-time events, nature tours, and more! Visit the Enchanting Extras site to learn more about the magic you can add to your stay!

We hope you found this information helpful as you plan your next visit to the Walt Disney World Resort! If you need assistance planning that enchanted and unforgettable getaway, be sure to reach out to our friends at Academy Travel for a no-cost, no-obligation quote on your magical vacation.

See ya real soon!

in Hotel, Walt Disney World

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