Eight Reasons to Stay at Disney’s Riviera Resort
When Disney builds a new hotel at Walt Disney World, it’s a big deal.
Imagineers work hard to raise the bar each time, and they certainly outdid themselves in 2020 with the opening of a luxurious resort.
Photo: Walt Disney Imagineering
Here are eight reasons why you should stay at Disney’s Riviera Resort.
The Theming
When Disney officials debated the hotel’s theme, they looked back at the company’s history.
Specifically, they paid careful attention to Walt Disney’s family vacations with his wife, Lillian, and his older brother, Roy.
Bettmann/Getty Images
The Disneys often traveled to Europe on combination business/tourism trips.
Walt Disney often spoke fondly of these trips, and they paid dividends in many ways.
Sleeping Beauty Castle
Disney drew inspiration from European castles in designing Sleeping Beauty Castle and other Disneyland landmarks.
Also, the entrepreneur fell in love with a unique form of transportation there, something known as the monorail.
Imagineers constructed the Riviera as a lasting tribute to the company’s founders. Its theme highlights aspects of the French and Italian Riviera.
Disney will immerse you in elements of exotic European vacations, even though you’re only minutes away from the parks. Speaking of which…
The Location
Photo: visit orlando
You’ll find the Riviera near East Buena Vista Drive, which positions it in an ideal location.
This resort is roughly equidistant to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park.
Photo: Disney
When you stay at the Riviera, some of the hotel rooms will provide views of famous landmarks in the area.
That’s because you’re less than two miles away from all three parks.
However, the popular roads in this area make bus rides to the theme parks a challenge.
Fortunately, Disney thought of everything…
The Skyliner Station
Photo: DIsney
I love everything about the Riviera, which has become one of my favorite hangout spots at Walt Disney World.
Still, that’s not the reason why many guests prioritize the Riviera. Instead, it’s the combination of Deluxe accommodations and…the Disney Skyliner.
Disney unveiled its newest form of transportation in late 2019. Since then, it has revolutionized logistics at Walt Disney World.
The Disney Skyliner opens up a new method of avoiding traffic gridlock near the parks.
Photo: @bioreconstruct on Twitter/X
Instead, you ride a gondola to locations like Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.
So, you take advantage of your theme park proximity without ever getting on a Disney bus.
The Lobby Area
Sometimes, you just want to sit down and soak up the ambiance at a Disney resort.
Once you exit the Disney Skyliner station at the Riviera, you’ll walk into the lobby at the Riviera.
Photo: DIsney
At this moment, a strong sense of peace and comfort will overwhelm you.
I wouldn’t describe the Riviera as in-your-face about its luxury; instead, it’s more serene and confident in its beauty.
Photo: DVC News
You’ll feel enveloped by a big, warm hug of a vibe when you explore the lobby area at the Riviera.
Guests will discover bars, cafes, shops, and a Quick Service restaurant near the lobby.
Photo: Disney
All of them will provide ways to relax and distract you during a break from your park visit.
In all probability, you’ll love the hotel lobby here so much that you won’t be as hurried to head back to the parks!
The Pool and Play Area
Disney has themed the pools at the Riviera to look like the Mediterranean locales that Walt and Lillian visited in the 1930s.
Many of the hotel rooms come with balconies overlooking the main pool. That’s Disney’s way of emphasizing the pool’s beauty.
Photo: Disney
Seriously, the Riviera Pool is straight out of a Hitchcock movie. That’s how visually appealing it is. And there’s a fun factor, too.
Disney designed a children’s play area here called S’il Vous Play. I’m not ashamed to say I’ve spent some time here, too.
Photo: Disney
You can fire a literal water cannon here! The whole section is magical, and it’ll entertain kids for as long as you’ll let him play here.
The Rooftop Restaurant and the Character Meal
Photo: Disney
All the dining at the Riviera will delight you, but one restaurant sticks out, at least for me.
Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera sits atop the Riviera. In this way, it’s a modern update on the California Grill’s rooftop restaurant design.
Photo: Disney
At certain times of night, you can watch the fireworks and other nighttime presentations at EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
Even when you’re not eating at this time of day, you’ll still love the deep menu of Italian and French flavors. It’s a foodie’s dream.
(Matt Stroshane, photographer)
However, I prefer to eat here in the morning. That’s because Topolino’s offers a character breakfast.
At Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends, you’ll interact with Minnie and Mickey Mouse and Daisy and Donald Duck.
Image Credit: Disney
They dress as various European artist archetypes, and their outfits are absolutely delightful.
In terms of taking attention-grabbing social media pictures and videos, Topolino’s is probably your top option among character meals.
The Merchandise
Disney deserves tons of credit for the unique merchandise available at the Riviera.
While many Disney stores fall guilty to a kind of sameness with their inventory, the Riviera provides distinctive items.
When you buy luggage, a handbag, or a painting here, everyone will know where you got it.
That’s because Disney has styled the merchandise at the Riviera with a European vibe that differentiates the gear.
Just look at some of this stuff!
The Tower Studios
Okay, I’ll admit that this reason won’t apply to everyone, but it’s useful to know.
Are you planning a romantic getaway at Walt Disney World? Would you like to guarantee the most intimate setup?
Photo: Disney
The Tower Studio at the Riviera is ideal because these rooms contain only 255 square feet of space.
Even the bed is a dropdown rather than permanent. That’s how efficient and, yes, tight the floorplan is.
This room comes with a benefit beyond its romantic nature, too. It’s less expensive than standard rooms at the resort.
As a pro tip, you should also remember this option during visits when you don’t plan to stay in your room much.
In a Tower Studio, you’ll enjoy the location and logistics of the Riviera, but you won’t pay as much for the privilege.
Photo: MickeyBlog
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Feature Photo: Disney
