We love to check out new hotels. Fortunately, there’s always something new to discover at Walt Disney World. During our recent stay, we booked two very different hotels to bookend our cruise aboard the Disney Wish. Our first stay was at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. At the end of the cruise, we spent three nights at Disney’s Riviera Resort.
The Riviera is the newest resort at Walt Disney World. It opened just before the pandemic, in December 2019. Perhaps for that reason it still feels almost brand-new. The resort is inspired by Europe, with a modern aesthetic. Some complain that it lacks character, but I enjoyed the more elegant Disney theming throughout the resort.
Accommodations
At first glance our room for four seemed to have just one queen bed. But in fact there were two space-saving beds that pulled down from the walls, one a double and the other a twin. The ability to close the beds allowed for more seating and a more spacious feeling in the room during the day.
The room had a small kitchenette which included a sink, microwave, and a mini-fridge. There was also a coffeemaker. Housekeeping replenished the coffee and tea daily. The kitchenette was better stocked than most, with silverware, dishwater, and glassware. Paper towels, dish soap and a sponge were under the sink. (Because this is a Disney Vacation Club property, the in-room amenities are more like home, including a laundry basket and vaccum.)
The sleeping/living area was the size of most Disney hotel rooms. It did feel a bit cramped when all the beds were open and everyone was in the room. There was a very large bathroom that had a single vanity and large shower. The spacious entryway had a big closet, the only one in the room. It was nice to be able to use the hallway and closet to store stuff, helping keep the room tidier. It was clear that the designers sought to maximize storage in the room. There was space under the bed to stow luggage. Although there wasn’t a dresser, there were deep drawers at the foot of the bed and under the coffee table.
There are a variety of room types at the Riviera. For comparison, the Tower Studio sleeps two adults while the 3-bedroom grand villas sleep up to 12. Our room type was a “Deluxe Studio with Preferred View.” Preferred views promise “Courtyard, Lake, Landscaping, Pool or Disney Skyliner” views. Our view encompassed all of that! We enjoyed our balcony, with seating for two.
The grounds are well-manicured with beautiful fountains and gardens. The Riveria Resort is considered a “Deluxe Villa Resort” property. (Walt Disney World property types are: Campground, Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa.)
[Related: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Review]
Activities
There are two swimming pools. The Riviera Pool features a slide that winds from a tower. Situated next to it, is S’il Vous Play, a splash area inspired by the fountains of Europe. Lifeguards are staffed at the Riveria Pool and S’il Vous Play fountains. Complimentary life vests available for those who need them.
There’s another pool across the lawn. The Beau Soleil is a bit more mellow. Both have ample seating and sun umbrellas.
During the day, you might find yourself at a party at the Riveria Pool. At night, there’s a campfire near the waterfront where families are invited to make s’mores. Later in the evening, a Disney movie plays under the stars.
If that’s not enough to keep the kids busy, there are also lawn games like Bocce ball and chess.
Dining
The Riveria has a few on-site dining options. Primo Piatto is quick-service dining serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. We ate several meals at Primo Piatto. It was tasty, fast, and convenient, thanks to mobile ordering.
Le Petit Cafe is located in the lobby and serves drinks and desserts. Bar Riva is situated poolside and offers snacks and drinks.
And then there’s Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera. The rooftop restaurant features French and Italian-influenced dishes. Topolino’s (which means Mickey Mouse in Italian) has a prix-fixe character breakfast. Dinner is table service. Sadly we didn’t eat at Topolino’s Terrace. It’s very popular! Guests come from other resorts to dine here so be sure to make an advance dining reservation.
Transportation
The Riviera Resort is located near EPCOT (my favorite theme park!). The Skyliner, which is Disney’s gondola system, transports guests to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. It’s a very short walk from the resort to the Skyliner. From there, you’ll be at the parks in a matter of minutes.
To get to other theme parks and resorts, you’ll need to take a shuttle bus. There’s a bus stop located in the front of the hotel. Wait times are posted on large monitors inside the bus shelter.
Pricing
Because of the wide variety of room types pricing does vary significantly. The Deluxe Studio (which sleeps 5 adults) is usually a minimum of $600 per night. The price can be much higher – in the $800 range – during peak travel times, like the holiday season.
Self-parking is available, at no cost.
Booking
With 25 Walt Disney World resort hotels, selecting one can be overwhelming. We book all of our Disney travel through Magic Family Getaways. We used to do all the research and booking ourselves, but now we leave it to the professionals. The travel advisors at Magic Family Getaways live and breathe Disney. They handle all of the details at no additional cost to you. We highly recommend Magic Family Getaways.
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[Related: Everything You Need to Know About Disney’s Aulani Resort]
