Riviera Grand Opening – Live Updates

So the day is finally here! Riviera is open! I arrived around 8:30am and I have to say, its all been smooth so far.

Check-in was a very nice process – rather than going to a check in desk, CM’s are greeting you and sitting down in a seating area to check you in. So far I have to say it seems like they have everything under control.

We were able to get into our rooms (Grand Villa and 1br). GV is STUNNING. Decor is a blend between French provincial and modern. Wedge wood blue and light cream color scheme gives the room an elegant and refined feel, without being stuffy.

The kitchen is well appointed with upper end Kitchen Aid appliances (stove/oven, fridge, microwave, toaster) as well as a Keurig coffee maker.

Breakfast at Topolino’s

Breakfast at Topolino’s is a prix fixe character meal (meaning you order off a menu as opposed to a buffet. Featured characters are Mickie, Minnie, Daisy, Donald and Pluto – all decked out in their Italian finery.

The cost for breakfast is $41 for adults / $24 for children ages 3-9.

Some of the more interesting options on the menu include the plant based Wild Mushroom Scramble (spinach, plant-based eggs – which someone is going to have to explain to me – plant based sausage – see previous comment – and tomatoes)

Sour cream waffle (roasted apples, chantilly, Orange-maple syrup, choice of smoked bacon, ham, sausage or plant based sausage)

and wood fired butchers steak (with polenta, pomodoraccio tomatoes, roasted onions, wild mushroom conserva and watercress).

We’ll have a full dining review of breakfast later today.

Merchandise

Le Boutique is the resorts merchandise location and as you can imagine, it’s been packed all day. There is some really great merchandise here – lots of Riviera logo items as well as a nice selection of the new DVC merch.

Dinner at Topolino’s

Dinner is a signature experience and offers a variety of Antipasto, Starters & Entrees – as well as a cheese board “experience” on the dessert menu which we decided to include as one of our starters. I don’t say experience lightly – the server gave us a full 10 minute history class on the origins of the cheese we were being served!

This cheese board was definitely the highlight for the team as far as the starter options go (even though it is considered a dessert) – although this is something we are used to choosing as a starter – over in Europe it is custom to order cheeses as a dessert after your meal.

The Filet Mignon at $54 and the Tomahawk Veal Chop at $52 were the highlights of the entrees among the team – which multiple members of the team agreed upon. The Filet was so tender you could easily but it with a fork and complimented so well with the additions of the charred torpedo onions. Be sure to keep an eye out for our full Disney Dining Show that should be up shortly!