Riviera Resort Guide
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Our tips and tricks to make your trip magicalFrom the Skyliner gondola to your door and Topolino’s Terrace character breakfast to DVC perks — everything you need to plan the perfect Riviera stay, from owners who know this resort best.
What’s In This Guide
Why We Love the Riviera
Welcome to the elegant Riviera — the newest DVC resort at Walt Disney World, and it absolutely shows in every detail.
The Riviera Resort is known for its French Riviera-inspired style, classic ambiance, and unbeatable access to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios via the Disney Skyliner gondola system. It has its own dedicated Skyliner station right on property, making it one of the fastest and most enjoyable commutes to two of the four parks at Walt Disney World. Rooms are newer than almost any other resort on property — everything is bright, clean, and beautifully maintained.
While walking around the property, keep your eyes open for one of our favorite resort art features anywhere on Disney property: tiny mosaic tiles arranged to depict classic scenes from Tangled and Peter Pan, both centered on the theme of flight. It’s the kind of detail that rewards guests who slow down and look closely. And if you are staying here, dining at Topolino’s Terrace is an absolute must — it is our favorite character breakfast on all of Disney property, full stop.
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Room View Categories
The Riviera offers two view categories — Standard and Preferred — with a meaningful difference in both what you see and how conveniently you are placed within the resort.
Unlike some resorts where the view category is purely about the scenery, at the Riviera the Preferred category also puts you in a better location relative to the Skyliner station and the pool. It is also worth noting that Standard rooms have less availability in the DVC rental market, so Preferred rooms are often easier to book. We recommend Preferred for most guests.
View of the parking lot. Less availability to rent through DVC than the Preferred category. A solid budget-friendly option if the view from your room is not a priority for your trip.
View of the water feature or pool area. More availability than Standard when renting DVC. Better location within the resort, especially for Skyliner access. Our recommendation for most guests staying at the Riviera.
Room numbers ending in 02-47 use the West Wing elevator. Room numbers ending in 48-50 use the East Wing elevator. Knowing which wing your room is in before you arrive saves time when navigating the building with luggage on check-in day.
Room Sizes & Floor Plans
The Riviera has the most room size variety of any DVC resort — from the ultra-compact Tower Studio all the way up to the Three Bedroom Grand Villa, with two different Two Bedroom configurations in between.
A unique feature of the Riviera is the Tower Studio — the smallest DVC room anywhere at Walt Disney World, designed specifically for solo travelers or couples. At just 255 square feet, it is a cozy but well-designed space for guests who plan to spend most of their time in the parks. For families, the Riviera’s larger villas are modern, beautifully appointed, and come with full kitchens and in-unit laundry.
- One Murphy bed
- Sofa
- One bathroom
The smallest DVC room at Walt Disney World — designed for solo travelers or couples who plan to spend most of their time at the parks.
- One queen bed
- One sofa / Murphy bed
- One single trundle
- Two bathrooms
Note: Studios use the shared laundry room (free) located on the 4th floor of the East Wing. Ask mousekeeping for soap and dryer sheets.
- One king bed
- One sofa / Murphy bed
- One trundle bed
- Full kitchen (see below)
- Washer / dryer
- One king, two queens
- One Murphy bed + trundle
- Three bathrooms
- Full kitchen (see below)
- Washer / dryer
A purpose-built two-bedroom layout — not a lock-off combination. Ideal for families who want a flowing open floor plan.
- One king, one queen
- Two Murphy beds
- Two single trundles
- Three bathrooms
- Full kitchen (see below)
- Washer / dryer
A One Bedroom Villa combined with a Studio. Can be separated into two bookable units — helpful for groups who want separate spaces with a shared connecting door.
- One king, four queens
- One sofa bed
- Full kitchen (see below)
- Washer / dryer
- Dining room
The largest villa at the Riviera. A full dining room is included — great for large groups who want to cook and eat meals together.
Kitchens include: sink, dishwasher, fridge and freezer, microwave, coffee maker, toaster. Plates, cups, silverware, frying pan, sauce pan, and cooking utensils. Also stocked with one roll of paper towels, one dishwasher tablet, travel-size dishwashing soap, and a sponge.
Studio guests can use the shared laundry room for free — it is located on the 4th floor of the East Wing. Ask mousekeeping for soap and dryer sheets. One Bedroom and larger villas include a stackable washer and dryer in-unit with enough detergent pre-stocked for a load or two.
Restaurants, Bars & Quick Service
There is one main restaurant at the Riviera — Topolino’s Terrace — but it does double duty as both our favorite character breakfast on all of Disney property and an outstanding signature dinner with EPCOT fireworks views.
The supporting cast of quick service and bar options is also excellent. Le Petit Cafe handles morning coffee and pastries. Prima Piatto covers quick-order meals and take-to-go. Bar Riva keeps poolside guests happy. And La Boutique fills the role of the resort gift shop and convenience store. It is a well-rounded lineup for a resort of this size.
Our pick for the best character breakfast at all of Walt Disney World. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy appear in artist costumes inspired by a painter, sculptor, dancer, and poet — the most creative character wardrobe at any breakfast on property. The food is genuinely outstanding: the sour cream waffles are the crowd favorite. This is a win-win for parents who want to enjoy their meal while the kids have their character moments. Book at your 60-day window — it fills up fast.
The same restaurant transforms into a signature fine dining experience at night. Perfect for a special occasion — meals are a three-course event with beautiful EPCOT fireworks views from the 10th-floor terrace. No characters at dinner, but the atmosphere and food more than make up for it. A genuinely memorable evening for adults and families alike.
Quick Service & Other Options
The Riviera’s supporting dining options are thoughtfully placed around the lobby and pool area, making it easy to grab exactly what you need without going far.
- Le Petit Cafe — Lobby coffee bar with pastries, espresso drinks, and light breakfast items. Perfect for a quick morning pick-up before heading to the parks or Topolino’s.
- Prima Piatto — Quick service ordering with food available to take to go. Great for a relaxed lunch or dinner without the formality of a sit-down reservation.
- Bar Riva — The poolside bar serving cocktails, beer, and pool-friendly snacks. A convenient option for staying refreshed on resort days without leaving the pool area.
- La Boutique — The resort gift shop and convenience store. Snacks, resort merchandise, and basic essentials available when you need them.
As a DVC / deluxe resort guest, you can make all your dining reservations 60 days before check-in. Book Topolino’s Terrace breakfast first — it is our top recommendation for the entire trip and it fills up very quickly. The signature dinner is easier to get but still worth booking in advance for special occasions.
Activity Highlights & Getting Around
Between two pools, lawn games on the Activity Lawn, a nightly movie on the grass, a campfire, and the Skyliner connecting you to two parks in minutes — the Riviera keeps you well-entertained both on and off resort.
Pools & Splash Pads
There are two pool areas at the Riviera: the main family pool and a quiet serenity pool for adults. The main family pool is zero-entry with a water slide, a toddler splash pad right next to it, and poolside umbrellas for shade on hot Florida days. Bar Riva is steps away for drinks and snacks. The serenity pool is the place to go when you want a more peaceful swim without the energy of the main pool area.
Movie Under the Stars
Every night, the Riviera shows a Disney movie on the Activity Lawn — a great way to end the evening after a day at the parks. Grab a blanket, find a spot on the grass, and unwind with the whole family under the Florida sky.
Lawn Games
The Activity Lawn is home to a thoughtful collection of oversized lawn games: lawn chess, bocce ball, connect four, and corn hole. A perfect way to decompress between park days, especially for families with kids who need to burn some energy in a relaxed setting.
Campfire & S’mores
Gather around the campfire and purchase a s’mores kit for a treat after a day at the parks. Check the My Disney Experience app under “My Resort” for current times and availability.
Transportation — Skyliner to EPCOT & Hollywood Studios
The Riviera has its own dedicated Skyliner station, making it one of the most park-accessible resorts on property for EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. The gondola is a quick and genuinely enjoyable ride — and because it is the Riviera’s own stop, it tends to be less crowded than shared stations. If there is lightning or rain in the area, the Skyliner will be paused and the resort will provide bus service to these parks as a backup option.
Transportation — Bus to Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom
Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are both served by Disney buses from the resort’s single bus stop. Find estimated arrival times under “My Resort” in the My Disney Experience app. Both the Skyliner and buses typically start running about an hour before the parks open each morning.
Both the Skyliner and buses start leaving roughly an hour before the parks open. The Riviera’s own Skyliner stop is one of the least crowded on the gondola network — take advantage of that proximity by staying near the station, especially on busy EPCOT festival days when you may want to pop back to the resort mid-afternoon.
Perks from Staying at the Riviera & Renting DVC
Renting DVC points unlocks a full suite of benefits that standard hotel bookings simply don’t include — and they’re all built into your rental cost.
What You Get
These perks apply to all guests staying at the Riviera through a DVC rental — included in the cost, no extras needed.
