6 Reasons To Stay At Disney’s Riviera Resort

One of our favorite resorts and our “home” away from home. We are going to share 6 Reasons To Stay At Disney’s Riviera Resort.

This European inspired resort in Walt Disney World transports you to the beautiful Italian Riviera with elegance as its top priority.

I will never forget the first time we pulled up to this resort, and saw the beautiful palm tree-lined boulevard and the gorgeous archways as you reach the resort’s entrance.

The beauty doesn’t stop there. All around the resort are lush green gardens, bubbling fountains and a stunning waterfront all the while including touches of Disney magic.

Throughout this resort you will find unique art from some of our most beloved Disney movies and characters. This together celebrates Walt Disney’s love for the beauty of Europe in the heart of Walt Disney World.

We are going to share with you 6 reasons why we love this resort so much and why the Riviera Resort became our home as Disney Vacation Club members.

If you’re not sure what Disney Vacation Club is, or have been contemplating becoming a member for some time now, check out our Best Guide to Disney Vacation Club. We also recommend you check out our post on 5 Reasons Why You Should Stay On Disney Property.

Here are our 6 Reasons Why You Should Stay Disney’s Riviera Resort:

Theming

The second you walk into this resort you are wrapped in European elegance with modern and classic furnishings, unique Disney art inspired by the European Riviera, and gorgeous lush green gardens around the entire resort.

The lobby is much smaller than some of the other Disney’s resorts however, it brings a sense of welcome, home and quaintness that warms your heart. And, let’s not forget the smell.

This perfectly named scent, Mediterranean Mist, transports you to the Mediterranean with hints of Jasmine, white tea and bergamot.

I can almost smell it now. There is something about the smells that connect you to memories that when thought about or smelt it transports you back to that time.

Accomodations

We absolutely love the rooms at the Riviera. They offer a variety of room options like Deluxe studios,1,2, and 3 bedroom villas and new to WDW are the Tower studios that are the perfect fit for 2 people.

From the moment you walk into the rooms you immediately feel a sense of home and relaxation, with colors of grey, white , and light blue. The sparkling chandlers and soft gold accents give each room that elegant feeling.

We have stayed in both a deluxe studio and a 2-bedroom Villa and we were equally happy in both.

Deluxe studio

Each deluxe studio fits up to 5 people. There is a queen-sized bed, a pull-down queen-size bed, and twin pull-down sized bed. There is a kitchenette with coffee pot, mini fridge, toaster, microwave and utensils.

There is a private balcony for each room. We loved sitting here in the mornings as we sipped our coffee. Our last trip we were in a preferred view that over looked the lake in between Riviera Resort and Caribbean Beach.

We have also stayed in a standard view and if you’re lucky you will have a view of Epcot. This view was hard to beat because each morning we were able to watch the sun rise on Spaceship Earth and at night we enjoyed the Epcot fireworks which was truly magical.

1,2, and 3 Villas

We had the privilege of staying in a 2 bedroom villa a couple years ago and I must say this was an unforgettable experience.

These bedrooms offer separate bedrooms for your own privacy, a fully equipped kitchen, and a washer and dryer so you can pack light.

My kids loved the extra large bubble jet tub to enjoy after a long and fun park day.

Skyliner

Riviera is one of the several hubs on the Skyliner system. Enjoy a quick ride to Epcot or Hollywood Studios, or to one of the other resorts on the Skyliner system.

Not only do my kids think the gondolas are a ride in and of itself but they also love guessing what magical themed gondola they will get to ride in.

Not to worry, the Riviera also has the bus service to those same parks if heights are not your thing.

Restaurants

We truly believe this resort has some of the best quick service and sit down restaurants on property.

Primo Piatto: This is the Riviera’s quick service restaurant. Enjoy salads, sandwiches, beer, wine or grab a quick snack. We absolutely love this spot. The food is sit down restaurant quality without the high price and their lemon blueberry pancakes are to die for.
Le Petit Cafe: Enjoy a touch of Paris with decadent treats, coffee, small plates or an evening beverage. Being the coffee lover that I am, this is one of my favorite spots to grab a coffee in WDW. Their cinnamon cold brew is a must.
Bar Riva: This open air pool bar is a beautiful spot to grab an adult beverage or a quick bite after a fun day at the pool. They share the kitchen with Primo Piatto, so enjoy the same delicious sandwiches along with your drink.
Topolino’s Terrace: At the top of the resort, enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding resort grounds, while enjoying French and Italian cuisine at dinner. Our favorite is the character breakfast with Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy. The food is fantastic and the characters make it so magical.

Tip: Topolinos is very difficult to get a reservation. If you don’t have one prior to your trip, we recommend checking frequently each day of your trip. We were able to snag a character breakfast at 11 p.m. for the next morning.

Pools

There are two pools at the Riviera. The Riviera pool is fun for the entire family. This zero entry salt water pool has a pool slide that is so much fun. The pool over looks the lake in between the Riviera and Caribbean Beach Resort.

They also have a water play area for the littles and in the evenings you can watch one of your favorite Disney movies pool side on the giant outdoor projection screen.

If your looking for a more relaxing pool side experience check out Beau Soleil Pool just a short walk from the Riviera pool.

Recreation

There is so much to do at this resort. We usually plan at least 1 to 2 days to enjoy the resort and experience all that it has to offer. This is where we enjoy all the amenities and offerings at the resort. Some of our favorites include:

Making s’mores: located near the waterfront every night from 6-7 p.m.
Movies under the stars: On the back side of the pool near the water front, enjoy your favorite Disney movies every night starting at 8 p.m.
Craft/activity room: This is the perfect rainy day spot or if you’re just needing a break from the sun. Here you can partake in a variety of crafts, activities and special events for the entire family.
Court Yard Games