Disney’s Riviera Resort

Overview

Inspired by Walt and Lillian Disney’s travels to the French and Italian Riviera, Disney’s Riviera Resort combines Disney magic with European elegance and grandeur. Though not overtly “Disney-fied,” Riviera has subtle nods to your favorite movies and characters from the beautiful tile murals near the Skyliner station and paintings throughout the hallways and rooms, to the resort’s signature restaurant, Topolino’s Terrace. Disney’s Riviera Resort opened in 2019, and DVC contracts there end on January 31, 2070.

Riviera is currently the only DVC resort to have resale restrictions. With these restrictions, owners who purchase Riviera points directly from Disney can use those points at Riviera plus any other DVC resort at the 7-month mark or under; however, owners who purchase Riviera points on the resale market can only use those points at Riviera.

What DVC Fans Have to Say about Riviera

Pros

This is truly the current creme de la creme of DVC resorts. From the quality of dining at Topolino’s Terrace to the upscale feel of the lobby (that lobby smell is amazing), and the finishes in the rooms, the Riviera resort embodies deluxe accommodations. I love this DVC resort! –Jill C.

We own at Riviera. We love the Skyliner, the rooms themselves, and the level of service at Riviera. We also love the restaurants and the relatively small resort for walking to things. It’s also easy to navigate during Florida rainstorms as it’s one building. –Shannon L.

The resort as a whole is gorgeous and extremely charming. The artwork, the music, the smells, the sights really can make you feel as if you are somewhere in Europe. Most of the rooms are some of the second largest on WDW property next to OKW [Old Key West] (Not in all cases, but most) and they are well appointed. The food is also very good on every level. The Skyliner access is amazing. (I know it can occasionally go down, just like the monorail can.) We have only had one time where it was shut down and we had to use a bus. The buses were readily available to us with no wait. –Jeremy G.

Great location! Quick Skyliner access! Pools and outdoor activities – love the big chess & bocce ball, beautiful rooms with the perfect pull down beds so studio easily sleeps 5; quick service dining is best on property and Topolino’s as a pre-park breakfast stop is amazing! Nice coffee/cocktail bar in the lobby and just all around elegant feel of the resort. –Deige C.

The lobby is smaller than most, preventing it from becoming a tourist destination so it’s seldom overcrowded. The store has some of the best shopping in any resort with many unique finds. All of the food services are good and CBR [Caribbean Beach Resort] is right next door if you want more, or Epcot is a 7 minute ride. The atmosphere and frosé at Bar Riva put you on vacation immediately. I’ve often been grateful for Le Petit Café as we head out to a park and need a caffeine boost for the cranky. Plus the lounge next door is beautiful and filled with Walt memorabilia which is the best decor, IMO. —Summer W.

Cons

Odd categorization of rooms. The “Preferred View” rooms are opposite the rooms with fireworks views. No room service or spa. Resale restrictions play a factor in purchase, especially with larger point contracts. –Lori Y.

It’s not even close to sold out and standard studios are already hard to book at 11 months. It’s a point hog especially if you get shut out of standard view so your point mileage is low.The resale restriction blows for the seller (depressed resale value) and the buyer (can only stay there, re-resale value with limited growth potential). Maintenance fees are high especially with lack of spa amenities and MEH pool. Skyliner is not dependable in storm situations. –David L.

When the Skyliner goes down due to lightning it sucks. The buses are not fast to respond and when they do it’s not obvious where to line up (I mean when you are at HS [Hollywood Studios] or Epcot) so by the time they get there there’s 2 buses full of people and it’s Lord of the Flies of who gets on first. –Nich A.

No secondary sit-down meal, no spa, tower studio is hard to book –Taylor B.

1) Expensive price per point 2) Expensive point chart for rooms 3) Main pool is slightly underwhelming, and strange right angles make it look like an irregular puzzle piece versus a more graceful line of pool I would expect for something going for Italian/French deluxe styling. 4) Grey coloring of the building outside can sometimes look institutional and depressing in overcast/rainy weather. –Heather I.

Resort Map

Riviera-Resort-Map

Room Details

Room categories at Riviera include Standard View and Preferred View. The Standard View villas book up more quickly due to their low point value compared to the Preferred View villas. Some of the Standard View villas also have fireworks views. The Preferred View rooms overlook the pools, garden, or lake. Photos of the different balcony views can be found on the DISboards.

Villa types at Riviera include Tower Studios, Deluxe Studios, One-Bedroom Villas, Two-Bedroom Villas, and Three-Bedroom Grand Villas. One-Bedroom Villas and larger have full size kitchens stocked with pots, pans, and kitchenware and washers/dryers. Detergent is provided. Deluxe Studios have kitchenettes with a microwave, toaster, coffeemaker, mini-fridge, and sink. They also have paper plates, bowls, towels, and cups as well as plastic cutlery and dishwashing liquid. Tower Studios have a smaller kitchenette with many of the same amenities as the Deluxe Studio’s kitchenette. However, it lacks the sink and has a Keurig machine instead of a regular coffee maker.

Tower Studios

These are the smallest accommodations at Riviera, and the room category is unique to this resort. The 255 square-foot Tower Studios accommodate up to 2 guests with a queen-size Murphy bed and 1 bathroom. Note that this is the one room type that does not offer a choice of Standard or Preferred Views since they are all located in the same tower. There are only 24 Tower Studios, and they tend to book up well before the 7-month mark.

Deluxe Studios

At 423 square feet, Deluxe Studios accommodate up to 5 guests with a queen-size bed, queen-size Murphy bed, and a single pull-down bed under the television. They have 1 bathroom with both a shower/tub combo and shower. There are 38 Deluxe Studios at Riviera. The Standard View Deluxe Studios are the first to book up and are normally gone before the 7-month mark. Preferred View Deluxe Studios are slightly easier to book and can sometimes be found at the 7-month mark.

One-Bedroom Villas

These 813-square-foot villas can accommodate up to 5 guests. One-Bedroom Villas have a king-size bed, a queen-size Murphy bed, and a single pull-down bed, and there is 1 bathroom. There are 29 One-Bedroom Villas, and they tend to have better availability than Deluxe Studios.

Two-Bedroom Villas

Riviera has Dedicated Two-Bedroom Villas as well as Two-Bedroom Lock-Off Villas. Lock-Off Villas consist of a One-Bedroom Villa and an adjoining Deluxe Studio.

The 1,246-square-foot Dedicated Two-Bedroom Villas can accommodate up to 9 guests with a king-size bed, 2 queen-size beds, a queen-size Murphy bed, and a single pull-down bed, and there are 2 bathrooms. There are about 90 Dedicated Two-Bedroom Villas at Riviera. They tend to book up before the 7-month mark.

The 1,236-square-foot Two-Bedroom Lock-Off Villas can accommodate up to 10 guests with a king-size bed, 2 queen-size Murphy beds, 1 queen-size bed, and 2 single pull-down beds, and there are 2 bathrooms. There are about 148 Two-Bedroom Lock-Off Villas. Since the Two-Bedroom Lock-Off Villas partly consist of Deluxe Studios, the availability patterns for Two-Bedroom Villas follow those of Deluxe Studios.

Three-Bedroom Grand Villas

There are 12 Grand Villas at Riviera. Each is about 2,530 square feet and can accommodate up to 12 guests with a king-size bed, 4 queen-size beds, and a queen-size Murphy bed. There are 3 bathrooms. The Grand Villas typically have good availability up to the 7-month mark. By the 6-month mark, availability becomes more limited.

Transportation Options

Magic Kingdom: Bus

Epcot: Skyliner

Hollywood Studios: Skyliner

Animal Kingdom: Bus

Disney Springs: Bus

Dining

Quick Service

Le Petit Café (Coffee and pastries in the morning and cocktails, beer, and wine at night)
Primo Piatto (Breakfast platters, pastries, pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and resort mug refills)

Signature

Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera (Enjoy Breakfast à La Art with Mickey and friends or indulge in Italian and French cuisine like handmade pasta, sole meunière, bouillabaisse, and filet mignon at this beautiful rooftop restaurant with terrace views of Harmonious.)

Bars and Lounges

Bar Riva (This pool bar offers cocktails, beer, wine, sandwiches, salads, and wings.)

Amenities

Pools

Riviera Pool (The resort’s main pool features a winding pool slide.)
Leisure Pool (Beau Soleil is the resort’s quiet pool.)
S’il Vous Play (This Fantasia-themed splash pad is perfect for the younger guests in your party.)

Shopping