Some Disney resorts make you want to drop your bags and race straight to the parks. Others make you want to take a deep breath, slow down, and soak it all in. For me, Disney’s Riviera Resort was very much the second kind.

The Riviera had been at the top of my Disney resort wish list for a while, so I was beyond thrilled when I finally booked a Tower Studio. As we drove up and I got my first look at the beautiful building, I could already feel that excitement settling in.

It wasn’t the kind of excitement that makes you want to rush off and do a million things. It was more of a quiet anticipation, that feeling of knowing you’re somewhere special and you can finally let yourself relax and enjoy it. I was ready to luxuriate a little, take my time, and enjoy everything this beautiful resort had to offer.

And honestly? The Riviera did not disappoint.

Settling In, Then Soaring Off

Even though I’d already completed mobile check-in, I always make a point of stopping by the front desk when I arrive at any Disney resort. I genuinely enjoy chatting with the Cast Members, and it’s a great opportunity to share any requests or hopes I have for my stay.

Sometimes, getting into your room as early as possible is the biggest priority. Other times, you might have your heart set on a particular view or room location and be willing to wait a little longer to get it. For me, this time, it was all about the view. I was hoping for an EPCOT view, with the possibility of watching the fireworks from my balcony each night. I let the Cast Member know what I had in mind and that I was happy to wait if it meant having a better chance of making that happen.

Of course, room requests are never guaranteed, but I think it’s always worth having the conversation! You never know what might be possible, and it gives the Cast Members a better idea of what would make your stay extra special.

With that taken care of, I was free to start exploring! First stop? Le Petit Café, tucked into the Riviera’s main lobby, where I picked up an iced coffee and took a moment to enjoy my surroundings. I loved having a little time to wander and take everything in before heading off to the parks.

Because even on a Disney trip, sometimes the magic is simply a good coffee in a beautiful place.

A Ride with a View

And then it was time for one of my favorite perks of staying at the Riviera: the Disney Skyliner!

Honestly, the convenience is hard to beat. Being able to walk over to the station, hop into a gondola, and be on your way to the parks without having to wait for a bus? Dreamy. And there’s something so exciting about gliding toward the parks and seeing EPCOT or Hollywood Studios come into view as you approach. It makes getting there feel like part of the Disney experience, rather than just a way to get from point A to point B. Sometimes I even call the Skyliner my favorite ride at Disney World. Is it really my favorite? Maybe not. Haunted Mansion will always have my heart. But the Skyliner is definitely up there!

One thing to keep in mind is that the Skyliner can get busy first thing in the morning and right after the fireworks or park closing, so you may end up sharing your gondola with other families. During those peak times, you can encounter lines and a bit of a wait, so it’s worth factoring that into your plans. Outside of those windows, though, it’s such an easy and enjoyable way to get around, and having that kind of transportation right at the resort is a huge perk!

With my iced coffee still in hand, I made my way to the Skyliner to glide toward Hollywood Studios. As the Riviera got smaller and smaller behind me, I couldn’t help feeling a tiny bit of regret. I had a whole park day ahead of me, but I wasn’t ready to leave the resort. Still, I had park goals to accomplish, so off I went!

A Famous Cobb Salad and a Change of Plans

I spent my day at Hollywood Studios enjoying the shows and making the most of my time in the park. One thing I was especially looking forward to was an early dinner reservation at The Hollywood Brown Derby.

I started with a lovely glass of wine and the Prosciutto Croquettes, followed, of course, by the restaurant’s famous Cobb salad, aptly named “Our Famous Cobb Salad.” And another glass of wine, because: vacation. Finally, I ordered their equally famous Grapefruit Cake to go. I couldn’t possibly eat another bite, but I knew it would make a fantastic breakfast the next day!

My original plan was to enjoy dinner and then stick around for Fantasmic! But there was just one problem. I couldn’t stop thinking about the Riviera.

I’d already received the notification that my room was ready, and while I was enjoying dinner, my mind kept wandering back to the resort. I wanted to unpack, see whether my room request had come through, check out the pool, explore the restaurants, and finally soak in the resort I’d been desperate to stay at for so long.

As much as I wanted to stay for the show, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was missing out on the resort itself. And honestly, isn’t that a pretty good sign that you’re staying somewhere special?

So I made a little change of plans and headed back to the Riviera with my cake. Hollywood Studios would still be there, but I had a room to discover and, hopefully, an EPCOT fireworks view waiting for me.

A Little Room, A Lot of Magic

After hopping off the Skyliner and making my way back through the resort, I headed for the elevators and up to the eighth floor. The Tower Studios are tucked away at the end of the hallway, and there it was: my room for the next two nights.

I tapped my MagicBand against the lock, waited for that little green light, and slowly pushed the door open. After stepping inside and taking a quick look around, I headed straight for the balcony. There was one very important thing I needed to check first.

The view.

And there it was. Spaceship Earth, off in the distance.

And yes, I teared up.

I know, I know. It sounds a little cheesy to get emotional over a view, but I am who I am. I knew getting this view wasn’t guaranteed so seeing EPCOT off in the distance, knowing I’d get to watch the fireworks from my own balcony, felt like that little wish had come true.

Clever Design Meets Disney Magic

Tower Studios are unique to Disney’s Riviera Resort and are specially designed for two guests. They’re compact, but the space is cleverly crafted to make the most of every inch. The queen-size bed folds up into the wall during the day, revealing a little sitting area, so the room can feel more open when you’re not ready to call it a night.

My room had everything I needed for a solo stay, including a small refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and a TV for catching up on Dancing with the Stars. There was also a little desk tucked into the corner, which was perfect for setting up my laptop.

One of my favorite things about the room, though, was the artwork. Disney has a way of weaving little character details into its resorts, and I loved discovering them throughout the space. There was a sweet painting featuring the kittens from The Aristocats, and Marie happens to be one of my favorite Disney characters. I may be a dog person through and through, but there’s something about her sass and unmistakable middle-child energy that makes her impossible not to love.

And then there was the Peter Pan artwork tucked above the bed, a detail you could only see when the bed was pulled down. I love little surprises like that! It’s the kind of thoughtful Disney touch that makes you smile when you notice it.

The Little Luxuries

The bathroom was another highlight, with a beautiful walk-in shower featuring a rainfall showerhead. After a long day of walking around the parks, it was exactly the kind of little luxury I appreciated.

Overall, I loved how the Tower Studio managed to feel both functional and elegant without needing a ton of space. It was a comfortable place to recharge between park adventures, and with that EPCOT view waiting outside, I knew I’d be spending plenty of time on the balcony, too.

A Toast to the Riviera

After settling into my room, I headed upstairs to Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera. I didn’t have a reservation, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to ask if there might be room for me at the bar. And there was!

I’ll admit, I was a little nervous about going. Eating alone can feel intimidating sometimes, especially when you’re heading into a more upscale restaurant without a reservation. I had that little voice in the back of my mind wondering whether I really belonged there. But I reminded myself that I was on vacation, I wanted to experience the restaurant, and there was no reason I shouldn’t enjoy myself.

Once I settled in, those nerves started to fade. I ordered the Topolino Tramonto, a lemony Aperol cocktail, and the Ricotta appetizer, then simply enjoyed being there. The atmosphere was beautiful, the food and drink were delicious, and it felt good to sit back and enjoy the experience. I’m so glad I didn’t talk myself out of it!

Eventually, though, I had somewhere else I wanted to be. I had a private balcony, a chair just for me, and the EPCOT fireworks waiting.

So I paid my bill and headed back with enough time to pour myself a glass of wine and settle in for the show. Watching the fireworks light up the sky from my balcony, with wine in hand and nowhere else I needed to be, was such a lovely way to end my first night at the Riviera.

When the Resort Calls

The next morning, I got up early and headed to Animal Kingdom, my favorite Disney park! One of my must-dos is Kilimanjaro Safaris. I love getting to see the animals. You never quite know what you’ll see or what they’ll be up to, so every ride is different. It’s one of those experiences I can enjoy over and over again.

After that, I headed to Pandora, where I rode Na’vi River Journey for the first time in over three years! I wanted to focus on things I hadn’t done before or rarely get to do on this trip. In that same vein, I also made my way to Satu’li Canteen to try the Cheeseburger Steamed Pods, which had been on my Disney food bucket list for a good while. And of course, I couldn’t leave without stopping at Pongu Pongu for a Mo’ara Margarita. It’s a must-have every time I’m at Animal Kingdom!

I had a great time exploring, but somewhere in the middle of the day, I made a decision that I’d almost completely forgotten about until I started putting this article together.

I went back to the Riviera for a nap.

Are you sensing a theme here? Apparently, I was determined to get my money’s worth out of the resort, and the Riviera was making it pretty easy.

But that’s one of the best perks of staying at a Disney resort! Instead of pushing through the afternoon when I was ready for a break, I could head back to my room, recharge for a bit, and head back out when I was ready. Having that option made such a difference.

A Taste of Food and Wine

Later, I hopped back on the Skyliner to go explore the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. It was a Saturday during the festival, so I knew the park would be busy, and boy was it! I enjoyed wandering around and trying some of the festival offerings, but as the crowds seemed to grow, I just kept thinking about the quiet, relaxing vibes of the Riviera. So, in a completely unexpected turn of events (aka not at all unexpected at this point), I went back to the resort early!

The Perfect Evening In

I headed over to the Beau Soleil Pool, the resort’s quieter pool. Disney describes it as a place to unwind alongside shimmering waters in a soothing setting, and after the crowds at EPCOT, that sounded pretty perfect to me.

I stopped by Bar Riva to grab a poolside cocktail, found a spot to settle in, and enjoyed the slower pace. After spending the day exploring the parks, it was nice to have an evening where I could simply sit back and relax.

When I was ready for dinner, I put in a mobile order at Primo Piatto to pick up a Croque Monsieur to take back to my room. Before settling in for dinner, though, I had one more thing to look forward to: the EPCOT fireworks! Getting to watch them from my balcony for a second night in a row felt like such a treat.

After the fireworks, I got comfortable, put on Dancing with the Stars, and enjoyed my Croque Monsieur. It was such a lovely way to spend my last full evening at Disney’s Riviera Resort, with nowhere else I needed to be and nothing left on my agenda.

Saying Goodbye

Before I knew it, it was time to check out. I truly didn’t want to leave. I’d actually tried to extend my stay by one more night the day before. I checked with the front desk to see if my room was available, but unfortunately, it wasn’t. So, my Riviera getaway really was coming to an end.

That morning, I packed up my things and took one last look around my Tower Studio. I was sad to say goodbye, but I still had a little time for one more park visit before heading to the airport. Bell Services picked up my suitcases, and I headed to the Magic Kingdom.

My final morning was spent enjoying the entertainment along Main Street, U.S.A., including The Dapper Dans and Casey’s Corner Pianist, before fitting in a few rides. I also grabbed some spring rolls for one last Disney snack. Then it was back to the Riviera to collect my bags and make my way to the airport.

Final Thoughts

So, was Disney’s Riviera Resort everything I’d hoped it would be? Absolutely! I loved the beautiful design, the thoughtful details throughout the resort, and the convenience of the Skyliner. My Tower Studio was a wonderful home base for my solo trip, and that EPCOT view made it even more special.

The Tower Studio is a great option for solo travelers or couples looking for a cozy, thoughtfully designed space. But the Riviera has plenty of other room options, too, including larger villas that can accommodate families of different sizes. Whether you’re traveling on your own, planning a getaway for two, or bringing the whole family, there’s a lot to love about this resort.

Even with so much I wanted to see and do in the parks, I kept finding myself drawn back to the Riviera. Between relaxing by the pool, watching the fireworks from my balcony, and even heading back to my room for an afternoon nap, I loved having a resort that made returning for a little downtime so appealing. Two nights definitely wasn’t enough, but it gave me a taste of what makes Disney’s Riviera Resort so special.

Would I stay at the Riviera again? Absolutely. I’d love to come back with my son and parents because I think they’d all enjoy it as much as I did. I also still need to spend time at the main pool and experience the character breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace, so there’s plenty left for a future visit.

Disney’s Riviera Resort lived up to my expectations, and I’m so glad I finally got to experience it for myself.

Dreaming of a stay at Disney’s Riviera Resort?

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