No Riviera Resort Visit Is Complete Without…

Every Disney Vacation Club resort will overwhelm you in the best possible way. You’ll discover so much to see and do during your trip that you’ll face paralysis analysis. Don’t worry! We’re here to help by suggesting how to spend your time at one of DVC’s hottest new resorts. While you’re there, you’ll quickly learn that no Disney’s Riviera Resort visit is complete without doing these things…

Spending Time in the Lobby 

One-stop shopping as a business model has elevated companies like Wal-Mart and Target for years. But you’d never expect to find something similar at a theme park hotel, right? Well, DVC members know better, as Disney spoils us with all sorts of marvelous amenities.

Still, the Riviera Resort somehow towers above the rest in terms of its efficient layout and immaculate vibes. You won’t even need a Cast Member to say “Welcome Home” when you enter this lobby. It’ll feel like home already as soon as you step inside the building.

That’s because Disney has thought of everything when it comes to hotel design. You’ll enter on either the first or second floor, depending on whether you arrive by bus or the Disney Skyliner. Independent of where you start, there’s a place to eat right by where you are. The walk on the first floor is a bit longer, but we’re talking maybe 200 feet. That’s the “longer” stretch to find fine dining.

On the second floor, you can eat, drink, and be merry, as we’ll discuss in a bit. But you don’t need to do any of that. The laid-back European vibe of the place encourages you to relax and socialize. That’s a feature, not a bug, as Disney carefully researched what Walt Disney loved about his family’s European vacations. This hotel recreates the experience and even features artwork commemorating those Disney family trips!

You can and should explore the resort, paying special attention to the paintings which are available for sale. But what you should really do is just grab a seat in the lobby and chill out for a while. It’s one of my favorite hangout/recuperate spots at Disney. Even better, Disney characters often stop by to visit the guests in the lobby!

Hanging by the Pool 

Riviera Resort Pool

A large percentage of the hotel rooms at the Riviera overlook the pool. That’s by design, as Disney knew it was designing an absolutely breathtaking pool area. So, it wanted as many guests as possible to enjoy the view.

The novel design of these pools makes them seemingly stretch forever, not quite like an infinity pool but rather like a condensed version of Stormalong Bay. And the highlight here, at least for children, is S’il Vous Play. It’s a splash zone with some unique features such as water cannons you can use to perform aquatic acts of war against your loved ones. You can hear the kids at S’il Vous Play before you see them because their laughter is so raucous. 

Of course, adults will enjoy sipping drinks by the pool and soaking up the sun. It’s one of the most tranquil spots at Walt Disney World. Anecdotally, this is my brother’s favorite place to spend an afternoon at Walt Disney World. He just raves about the pools at the Riviera. 

Riding the Disney Skyliner 

You will live and die by the Disney Skyliner during your visit. I’m only partially joking here in that it’s the transportation service you will rely on to maximize your visit.

In 2019, Disney introduced this throwback gondola service, which parallels a famous theme park attraction from the 20th century. Once upon a time, Magic Kingdom rode the Skyway to Tomorrowland and then the Skyway to Fantasyland as a quick means of moving between themed lands. 

The Disney Skyliner is that concept writ large. Rather than carrying you from one part of Magic Kingdom to another, it delivers you from your hotel to one of two theme parks or four other hotels. So, you can easily transfer from your hotel to Disney’s Hollywood Studios or EPCOT, two highly desired locations. 

Alternatively, you can go Resort Hopping at places like Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort or Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. So, during a Riviera Resort stay, you should plan to hop around a lot as you explore the entire Walt Disney World campus. It’s so easy to do via the Disney Skyliner, and the bird’s eye view is like nothing you’ve ever experienced at Disney. 

Savoring European Cuisine

Topolino’s Terrace at Riviera Resort

Look, you’ll find delicious flavors at virtually any Disney resort, especially the ones at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. But even by those lofty standards, Riviera Resort is built differently. The dining options here factored heavily into Disney’s decision to theme this hotel the way it has.

Walt and Lillian Disney loved their European vacations. This is how Walt would spend his downtime when he was creatively exhausted or in desperate need of a break. The couple would join Walt’s brother Roy on jaunts across the Riviera, raving about the food the whole time. 

So, when the Riviera joined the DVC lineup, it was an imperative for the cuisine to stand out…and my goodness, does it ever! On the hotel’s second floor, you can sample pastries and sip coffee at Le Petit Café, which is conveniently near the DVC center. 

Alternatively, you can head to the bottom floor and dine at Primo Piatto, which is my favorite lunch place at Hollywood Studios. You heard me. We leave the park and hop on the Skyliner to eat here. It’s an easy decision once you’ve sampled the desserts.

Then, we have the rooftop restaurant, Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera. You can view the fireworks presentations at multiple theme parks from here, and the ambiance is inimitable. When you want a memorable fine dining experience, THIS is the place to eat at the Riviera.

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