Planning a Resort Day at Disney’s Riviera Resort

The Riviera Resort is the newest Disney hotel, and we absolutely love it. While it is full of Disney touches, it’s classy and sophisticated, appealing to both the younger members of your party as well as the adults. We love the European feel of this resort, the views offered from the upper story windows, and most of all, the many things to see and do on the grounds. When all of these things come together, they create the perfect Disney Resort and a great place to spend a non-park vacation day relaxing and enjoying your time in the most magical place on earth. Wondering what there is to see and do during a resort day spent at Disney’s Riviera Resort? Read on to learn how we’d spend our time in this gorgeous hotel.

1. Have Breakfast with Friends

In our opinion, one of the best character meals on Disney property is located in the Riviera Resort. Breakfast à la Art with Mickey and Friends is offered at Topolino’s Terrace and is an absolutely fantastic start to any day, but especially a relaxing resort day. Whether you order the quiche, the sour cream waffle, or something else entirely, you’re sure to love your food. Kids also love the menu options, especially the Mickey Waffles. As an added bonus, eating this character meal on your down day adds some character fun into an otherwise character-free day.

2. Head to the Pool

Of course, every resort day should include some pool time, and a day at the Riviera Resort is no exception. We really like the pools at this location for the numerous high-quality lounge chairs offered, and find it’s a great place to do a bit of sunbathing. That said, the water slide and hot tub are also pretty inviting, so you might want to make time for those as well. Additionally, those with young children will want to visit the splash pad, which features adorable Fantasia characters.

3. Check out the Skyliner

Disney’s newest transportation is the Skyliner. This is a gondola ride that runs between a handful of resorts, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. Lucky for you, one of those resorts is the Riviera, meaning getting to and from the parks is a cinch. Another bonus of having the Skyliner nearby is the fact that you can hop on for a quick ride during your resort day. Riding high above Disney property and taking in the views down below is a fun experience in and of itself, making this a great way to fill time and make some memories.

 

4. Walk to Caribbean Beach Resort

If you find that there aren’t enough ways to fill time at the Riviera Resort, you can always head over to the Caribbean Beach Resort. This gorgeous, tropical-themed resort is located just a short walk away. Guests of the Riviera are welcome to swim in the Caribbean Beach pools (though the opposite is not true), giving you even more opportunities to swim. Kids especially love the pirate-themed pool at this hotel, so make sure you check it out while you’re there if you have little ones in tow. On top of the awesome pools, the Caribbean Beach Resort is also home to some delicious dining options. This means you can mix things up when it comes time for lunch.

5. Grab a Coffee or a Treat

Le Petit Café is located in the Riviera Resort, and is an absolutely adorable little coffee and pastry shop that you simply must visit during your time in the hotel. Grab a latte or cappuccino as an afternoon pick-me-up and pair it with a tasty tart or some yummy cookies. You’ll be reenergized in no time, and ready to explore the rest of what this hotel has to offer.

6. Admire the Art

One of the unique things about this resort is the amount of lovely, original artwork scattered throughout the place. From beautiful paintings to gorgeous mosaics, you’ll find all kinds of Disney-inspired artwork to admire as you take a stroll through the building and out onto the grounds.

7. Eat Dinner with a View

Last but not least, we highly recommend heading back to Topolino’s Terrace for dinner. Why? Because this rooftop restaurant offers some seriously stunning views that are best seen around sunset. For the best views, ask to be seated out on the patio. This gives you the opportunity to see in all directions and really take in the beauty of the Walt Disney World Resort. Of course, the food at this eatery is also delicious at dinnertime—otherwise, we wouldn’t suggest it. Some of the best dishes include the filet mignon and the braised lamb shank. However, literally everything they serve is fantastic, so you’re sure to be happy no matter what you order.

As you can see, Disney’s Riviera Resort is a wonderful place to spend time, and an especially awesome resort to spend a whole relaxing resort day. Whether you choose to spend most of your day by the pool, take a stroll around the grounds to see the artwork, or enjoy the many food offerings, you’re sure to have an excellent time exploring and relaxing in this new addition to the Walt Disney World Resort Hotel family.