SL
Scott Leary
Nov 13, 2025
Riviera is excellent! Cast members were extremely helpful, friendly, courteous.
Room and grounds were well kept. Adult quiet pool / hot tub is a bonus!
Best location, Skyliner line to Epcot and Hollywood studios. European vibes, amazing food. Best view of fireworks from Toppolino Terrace.
I had one of the best Pieces of sole fish in a butter caper sauce that was cooked perfect and some items have finally been added to the menu and let me say Chef fantastic job, thank you for hearing the voice of guests and making the much needed adjustment. I’m going back next week for that fish it was cooked perfect. The real star of the night was the bartender / Mixologist GABRIEL I brought close family friends here and the drinks were so good that we canceled sitting at the table and stayed sitting at the bar. He made the Anniversary night and going to Topolinos is just that much magical with Gabriel and his fantastic drinks, service and charisma.
In all my years of visiting Walt Disney World, I have never encountered a resort that so perfectly blends luxury, sophistication, and family fun as Disney’s Riviera Resort. This property is more than just a place to sleep; it’s an immersive, beautiful vacation destination that transports you straight to the sun-drenched coasts of France and Italy. It truly has it all, earning my absolute highest recommendation.
World-Class Service and Unmatched Comfort
From the moment we arrived, the staff was superb. Every cast member we interacted with was genuinely warm, knowledgeable, and efficient, ensuring every detail of our stay was flawless. But the excellence extends beyond the service—it goes right down to the sleep quality. The mattresses on the beds are superb, guaranteeing restorative rest after long days in the parks. This attention to guest comfort is a cornerstone of the Riviera experience.
The resort’s dedication to elegance and sophisticated decorating and ambiance is evident everywhere. From the stunning artwork inspired by Disney’s European travels to the gorgeous tile mosaics, the entire property is absolutely beautiful. It feels like an art gallery you get to live in.
The Riviera masterfully caters to every guest's need for relaxation and play. For adults seeking tranquility, the resort features a serene quiet pool. For families, the main feature pool is a blast—a fun, themed experience complete with a great splash pad for the kids. Plus, the resort keeps the fun going with evening activities like movies by the pool and providing cozy s'mores kits for nighttime enjoyment.
As a professional chef, the true test of a resort's quality lies in its food and beverage program—and Disney’s Riviera delivers on every level. The on-property dining, ranging from the casual pool bar Bar Riva to the lobby's exquisite Le Petite Cafe and the resort's signature restaurant, Topolino's Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera, truly hits all the right notes for anyone and everyone.
The Le Petite Cafe quickly became a daily ritual; the coffee is amazing, perfectly brewed, and the treats are even better! But the crown jewel is undoubtedly Topolino's Terrace. In the morning, it provides the absolute best character dining experience on property—a delightful way to start your day. Then, it gracefully switches to hosting an amazing, upscale dinner service in the evening, offering sophisticated dishes and unparalleled views. Riviera’s dining is pure perfection.
I have to share my best advice for booking: get the standard view or resort view rooms. You will most likely have a view looking off toward EPCOT, giving you a completely complimentary and spectacular sight. The ability to watch the EPCOT fireworks at night from the comfort of your balcony is simply magical and a priceless perk of staying here.
I truly can’t say enough good about this resort. The Riviera Resort is a masterpiece of themed lodging that excels in every single category.
I wanted to love this place. It photographs like a magazine and the price tag screams “luxury.” In person, Riviera feels like an airport lounge in a beret.
Design/ambience: The lobby is all performative, ‘European inspired’ luxury - you walk in the front door and are immediately greeted by a cramped and often hectic lobby, a giant spaghetti-LED chandelier under a gold halo, faux-marble tile crashing into a busy cloud carpet, and a sea of shiny finishes that look great on Google Reviews and cheap up close. I feel like I have a pretty good eye for interior design and I find the decor and furnishings in here to be laughable - you will be hit with the ‘Google Reviews vs Reality’ disillusionment the second you walk in. It gives “French Riviera” in the same way a Halloween costume is “couture.” Lots of spray-gold, not a lot of soul.
Rooms: For the money, the rooms feel like a business hotel with Disney wall art. Clean, sure. But minimal texture, flat lighting, and zero warmth. If you’re expecting old-world charm, this isn’t it. It’s fine for a convention; it’s not $500-a-night special. Also you have about a 20% chance of checking in before 4:00 and an 80% chance of checking in anywhere between 4:00-6:30. The cleaning crew is horrendously slow.
Food & coffee: Le Petit Café serves espresso that tastes like burnt milk with branding. Drinks are syrup-forward to hide weak shots. If coffee matters to you, grab it somewhere else before you come back.
Service & culture: The front-stage “have a magical day” one liners are scripted and stiff. The “friendliness” they pride themselves on is invasive, annoying, and disingenuous. The actual management team here could not give less of a shit about you. Backstage energy bleeds through: leadership has big egos and act pretentious. It’s almost unbearable to watch. You can feel how college program employees are treated - overworked, disposable, and micromanaged - and it kills the vibe. It’s hard to experience real warmth when the team looks like they’re surviving a performance review.
Value: This place is wildly overpriced. Between cash rates and DVC points, it’s a classic bait-and-switch: glossy “European” marketing covering for mid interiors and mid service. You’re paying for shiny ceilings and proximity to the Skyliner (which, honestly, is the best thing here).
Bottom line: If you want actual character, book literally anywhere else—Polynesian, Coronado Springs, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge—all deliver richer atmosphere and better hospitality. Riviera is a ripoff if you were to even just come here to take a photoshoot - let alone pay for a ridiculously overpriced Disney stay.
TL;DR: Overhyped, overglossed, and underwhelming. Fake-luxury aesthetic, terrible coffee, ego-heavy management, and college program workers treated like props. Save your cash/points and pick a resort with real soul.