We stayed at the Riviera Resort on our trip in January for three nights. Here is our review or Disney’s Riviera Resort and why we love this resort!
The Skyliner
If you love Epcot and Hollywood Studios, this resort is fantastic. I timed the ride to Epcot and its faster than walking from Boardwalk Villas! It’s fast, convenient, relaxing way to and from the two parks. Kids think it’s an attraction, with very little queue wait time!
This is the perfect resort for Epcot festivals and Disney Run weekends because of the skyliner ease of transportation.
It’s New and Pretty
From a tower studio that sleeps 2 to the Grand villa that sleeps 12, each room is new and just really pretty. We also love the original artwork that can be found throughout the resort. You can find art in the style of Van Gogh (like the Wall-e painting inspired by Van Gogh’s Wheat Field below), Picasso, Matisse, and numerous european artists. We even took time to do the art scavenger hunt and it was so fun! If you see something you love, all of the painting are available in print and canvas in the gift shop and they will ship it to your home!
The pool is nice and has a great splash pad area for littles. After the parks, it’s a great resort with lawn games (bocce ball, lawn chess to name a few), movies on the lawn. You can even take a stroll or run around the lake.
The Studio are a step up
Studios are big and sleep five (one queen, a queen murphy bed, and a twin trundle). The kitchenette has a counter fridge, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, coffee cups/plates/silverware. The balcony is nice way to start or end the day. We love that they have two bathroom areas, one with a shower and toilet, and the second has a bathtub/shower and a sink. It’s great for families getting up and ready for the parks!
Bonus: You can chromecast from your phone to the television, so if the kids need to see bluey before bed you can easily make that happen.
Food options are a step up
From the bakery with coffee in the morning, to the quick service served on nice plates to breakfast or dinner at Topolinos, the Riviera has some of the best dining options at any of the Disney resorts. We’ve never had a bad meal at the resort.
Okay- here’s what is harder at the resort
Renting here can be harder- not all DVC owners can make reservations here because of DVC restrictions (resale owners can’t use points here). It’s also near to impossible to get a reservation for a tower studio. There are only 16 tower studios at the resort. Standard studios go quickly because they are lower in points, but preferred views are often available at the 7 month mark.
This isn’t the best resort for easy access to Magic Kingdom. You will need to ride a bus (the bus stop is in front of the resort) for both Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Parks. If there is high wind or rain and the skyliner is closed, they will offer buses to the other two parks as well.
Lastly, the theming is subtle. Based off of Walt’s time traveling in Europe, there are pictures lining the walls of the Disney family’s vacation. It’s not the over the top theming that can be found at some of the other resorts.
Want to look up how many points you need to stay? click here to see the point chart for Riviera DVC
Overall thoughts
I’ve stayed here a few times and our Disney’s Riviera resort review is alway consistent, I always love my time at this resort, I’m sad when I have to leave and look forward to my next stay.
Want our Free resort guide to the Riviera? Click on the link below
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