In December 2019, we got our first taste of the European riviera in the most Disney way possible!

Disney’s Riviera Resort officially opened, and we were on-property ALL day checking it out! We’ve already brought you a full review of the Topolino’s Terrace character meal AND a look at the resort LIVE. But on opening day, we also took a FULL tour of the Riviera Resort!

So, what are you waiting for?? Let’s cruise on over to the Riviera!

Riviera Resort Exterior

Since we kept up with all the construction on the resort, we were able to see what the resort’s exterior looked like for a while now. Buuut, now we can get a closer look at the beautiful details!

The outside features a more simple color scheme with hues of red, blue, white, and gray (that just look so elegant!!). To match the “riviera” theme, there are plenty of fountains and pools with crystal clear water to make guests feel like they’re relaxing on the Mediterranean coastline.

However, our favorite parts of the resort are its easy access to the Skyliner and its stunning hand-laid mosaics.

The Riviera is one of the four Disney resorts that has a direct line on the Skyliner System! Even if you’re staying at Disney’s Caribbean Beach, visiting Riviera Resort (and trying some of those lemon madeleines with a glass of wine) is only a ride in the sky away!

Plus, the Skyliners at Riviera Resort give guests easy transportation from the hotel to Epcot and Hollywood Studios! And, like the Disney buses or Monorails, the Skyliners drop you off sooo close to the parks (yaaaas!) so you can hop on Rise of the Resistance or Frozen Ever After pretty soon after you land.

Although the color scheme might be simple, the mosaics and artwork are beautifully intricate around the resort! While the inside has artwork of some of our favorite Disney Princesses…

…the outside features hand-land mosaics with scenes from the films!

We seriously can’t get over how GORGEOUS the Tangled Mosaic is with its pink and purple colors (just like Rapunzel‘s dress!), lanterns…

…and tall tower where Rapunzel lets down her hair to Flynn Rider!

And, you can travel all the way from the Riviera to London with the Peter Pan Mosaic too!

You can follow Peter, Wendy, Tink, and the rest of the gang towards the Second Star to the Right and straight on till morning…

…over to the Neverland part of the mosaic! When the ship turns golden as Peter captains it, we basically cry every time tbh.

If you can’t get enough of the mosaics and the artwork (um, we definitely can’t), you can even grab an Art Collection Search Map. Once you find all the spots around the resort and place their corresponding stickers, you’ll receive a gift from the Disney Vacation Club desk!

Even though we love the outside (obvi), we gotta admire the entrance to the resort for a sec. The Riviera Resort logo welcomes guests to relax on the seaside during their vacation, while the chandeliers light up the way to a fantastic time!

There are plenty of benches for people to sit outside and enjoy the weather or wait for the Magical Express! But, we aren’t leaving the Riviera just yet, so let’s go on inside!

Riviera Resort Lobby

Spoiler alert: It’s so beautiful, it takes our breath away! While you’re greeted with a warm welcome from the sweet Cast Members (Bonjour!)…

…you also get treated to a cozy and sophisticated lobby! There are multiple chairs, couches, and tables around the area so guests feel right at home. The light fixtures add a soft ambience that’s relaxing, while the Christmas decorations put you in a festive mood for the holidays!

There’s also a kid section so your little ones can chill out while Mom and Dad check them in to the hotel for their AWESOME vacation! This table is interactive! So fun.

The staircase that leads outside has a slightly bent, wavy feel that reminds us of the ocean and French architecture (Disney really does think of everything!)…

…and the large windows give you a great view of the pool and tables just out the doors!

Even though we love the lobby, we are SO EXCITED to show you the incredible rooms at the Rivera!!

Riviera Resort Rooms and Suites

While there are 300 guests rooms in the Riviera Resort, we’re taking you on a tour of a studio, 2-bedroom villa, and the grand villa.

Studio

The studio features a living room with a pull-out Murphy bed…

…and a beautiful room that really makes us want to do some redecorating back home!

Each room has artwork behind the bed, and we spotted a scene from Peter Pan in the studio we stepped inside!

The room also comes with a desk, a Keurig coffee machine…

…a microwave, a mini fridge…

…and a HUGE television to watch your favorite Disney movies!

Just outside, guests can also chill out on the patio and enjoy the weather!

The studio comes with one bathroom next to the bedroom…

…with a large sink…

…and even BIGGER walk-in shower (yaaas!).

2-Bedroom Villa

The 2-bedroom villa, on the other hand, has a front area that comes with a kitchen, dining area, and a living room!

The kitchen comes equipped with a refrigerator…

…stove and oven…

…sink and coffee machine…

…and dishwasher to keep everything neat and tidy.

Right next to the kitchen, there’s an adorable built-in booth where you can eat together as a family…

…before relaxing in the living room after a long day!

The living room has a pull-out bed from the Murphy couch…

…comfy chairs overlooking the outside of the resort (peep those hidden Mickeys!)…

…artwork hanging on the walls…

…and a TV to tie the whole room together!

In the first room, there are 2 queen size beds with an intricate designs on the headboards…

…a dresser with a TV right above it (hellooo, Test Track!)…

…a patio overlooking the pool (this is a preferred view room, FYI)…

…and a chair that could easily become “the clothes chair” during your visit! ;D

The bathroom at the other side of the room has a vanity that’s big enough for BOTH people in the room…

…with a combo tub/shower and shower curtain…

…and a separate area for the toilet and walk-in shower!

The master bedroom in the 2-bedroom villa is a bit different with a blue and golden headboard (that we LOVEEE)…

…a desk to check out all the awesome things to do around the resort…

…a dresser and a TV…

…and sliding doors (!!!) that lead to the master bathroom!

The gorgeous vanity has golden rims with a chandelier directly behind it!

The toilet and walk-in shower are to the right…

…while the rounded bathtub is through the door to the left!

Grand Villa

The grand villa is the biggest room at the Riviera Resort (it’s like a giant apartment tbh). It features an entire living room area…

…where the entire family can laugh and make memories together.

The villa has a beautiful kitchen with stainless steel appliances, so you can make your own meals outside the park!

You could even have an entire dinner party (and invite the DFB team, pls) in the dining room!

The grand villa has three bedrooms. Two of the bedrooms feature two queen size beds so you can sprawl out comfortably!

(One even has adorable murals above the headboards!!)

The rooms have a flat screen television…

…a patio to watch the Skyliners go by…

…and a bathroom with a walk-in shower and vanity!

The toilet is separated, so you can have a lil more privacy away from everyone staying in the villa!

But, the best room of them all is the master bedroom! The gorgeous room has a massive king size bed, artwork above the headboard…

…beautiful drapes and curtains…

…a chair and foot rest…

…and another TV to watch a show or two before you go to sleep!

The master bathroom is just as gorgeous with two sinks…

…a vanity…

…a walk-in shower…

…and a rounded bathtub (wine and a bath sound like the perfect duo at the Riviera)! And, there’s even a THIRD bathroom in the grand villa, which means you obviously have to use them all!!

These rooms are some of the prettiest we’ve seen on property yet! Although the design and layout are simple, the rooms from the studio all the way up to the grand villa are elegant, yet cozy.

Riviera Resort Pools

And ooh la la, did you know that Riviera Resort has two pools?? Adults, if you’re looking for a place to relax and get away from the kids, you might want to stretch out by the Beau Soleil Pool! This one is open to everyone, but it is a bit smaller and less…kid-attractive.

The long pool is great for laps or floating on the water…

…or even just to read a book and get in some relaxation!

There are plenty of pool chairs and a shaded lounge area for guests…

…but our favorite part is the giant pool lounger! (Nap time, anybody??)

There’s also a hot tub for warming up…

…before you hop back into the Beau Soleil Pool!

Close by, the family-friendly (and bigger!) pool is fun for all ages!

Before hopping into the pool, you can grab some complimentary pool towels…

…and a nice spot on the pool chairs to set your things or relax!

While you can go for a swim, you can also take a trip to the Tower Slide!

As you spin around, you’ll slide into another mini pool…

…watched by lifeguards to make sure that everything is fun and safe (don’t worry, Mom and Dad!).

Little ones can also splash around in the S’il Vous Play Kids’ Area!

The Fantasia inspired area has big columns…

…plenty of water jumping around…

…little mushrooms to play on…

…a hippo from the film to wave to…

…and stairs to another slide for the kiddos that aren’t big enough for the Tower Slide!

Plus, right next to the pools, you can avoid getting wet but STILL have a blast with Connect Four…

…Cornhole…

…a Bocce Ball Court…

…and a Vivoli il Gelato Cart (um, we’re sold!!!).

The cart features flavors from the location in Disney Springs, like Blue Magic, Chocolate Hazelnut, and seasonal flavors (!!!) all year round.

You can even go back to the basics with Vanilla, Chocolate, or Strawberry and add some sprinkles on top!

Riviera Resort Dining

It wouldn’t be a DFB photo tour if we didn’t look at the dining! And, we’re about to take you on a tour of not one, but FOUR dining options!!

Le Petit Café

First up, we have Le Petit Café, which is styled after the iconic and beautiful cafés of Paris, France.

Before we even get into the food and atmosphere, we love the fact that Abigail Gabble, Amelia Gabble, and Uncle Waldo from The Aristocats are given their moment of stardom at the restaurant! While you can spot Le Petit Café itself on the right side, the artwork is influenced by Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” which he just happened to paint in France as well!

There’s also a collection of vintage plates on the wall that show Mickey and Minnie in various jobs and situations (firefighter Mickey has our heart), so guests can stop by and enjoy before being seated!

Le Petit Café is just off to the side of the lobby as you enter the resort, with plenty of expansive seating for guests to lounge and indulge themselves.

Although we were already able to see the menu for Le Petit Café (and for Bar Riva)…

…now, we’re taking a peek at the café itself!

While you’re visiting the location, you can try some French pastries like Chocolate Croissants…

…Cinnamon Twists…

…or the yummy Madeleines (that we can’t get enough of)!

Bar Riva

Next on our tour is Bar Riva, which is a gorgeous and relaxing spot meant to model the style of the Mediterranean coast.

We REALLY love the location of Bar Riva since it’s almost like being indoors AND outdoors at the same time!

There’s plenty of light, seating, and even fans to keep guests comfortable…

…while they admire the adorable mural of the resort itself…situated on the Mediterranean coastline of course!

We’ve been able to check out Bar Riva’s list of cocktails before the resort opened…

…but now we’ve been able to try the Provence Frose…

…Le Petit Fleur…

…Almande Grog…

…and il Tramanto with their sweet and tart boozy flavors!

If you want some food along with your drinks, there are also plenty of eats and treats all day long from 11 AM until 9 PM! You can indulge in the exclusive-to-Bar-Riva Monte Cristo…

…Baked Brie in Puff Pastry (!!!)…

…or Grilled Chicken Wings as an afternoon snack or late-night meal!

But, even if you’re just stopping in to escape the heat or rain…

…grab a quick drink at the bar…

…or just relax with your friends or family, Bar Riva’s a great little spot to unwind during the day!

Voyageurs’ Lounge

After you grab goodies at Petit Cafe, head over to the Voyageurs’ Lounge for gorgeous atmosphere and overflow seating!

The lounge is inspired by the books that Walt collected as well as his 1935 “Grand Tour” through Europe (the coolest guy ever).

And, even though you can relax and pick up a book…

…you can also have some friendly competition with checkers…

…or watch something new and exciting on the television!

The Voyageurs’ Lounge is also a fantastic place to recharge if you don’t feel like heading back to your room! There are plenty of cozy couches…

…chairs, and tables so you can give your feet a short break before heading back into the parks.

Plus, the tables even come with a USB port to recharge your devices! Thanks, Uncle Walt! 🙂

While you’re visiting, though, be sure to travel down memory lane and check out the memorabilia around the lounge! There are plenty of photographs from Walt Disney’s travels…

…a vintage pop-up book…

…one of the first Mickey Mouse toys (still adorable as ever!)…

…an old photograph album (featuring the same Mickey plush)…

…and a reminder that happily ever after does exist with Walt creating Disney as we know it!

Primo Piatto

Primo Piatto is a family-friendly quick-service option that really rounds out the resort’s offerings with a trip to Italy!

The exterior of the location reminds us a lot of Italian architecture with the rounded arches and topiaries out front.

While you can choose to relax outside…

…the interior of Primo Piatto has plenty of seating for families, big or small!

Since Primo Piatto is a quick-service location, you can choose your meal and check out at the cashier kiosk…

…or even choose the Mobile Order option (which we highly recommend)!

One of the coolest parts about Primo Piatto is that you can watch your food being made right in front of you and smell all the AMAZING ingredients.

Plus, there’s a convenient pick-up area right at the kitchen so you can get your food fresh and hot!

For a quick-stop location, Primo Piatto has an extensive menu of breakfast pizzas, sandwiches, pancakes…

…and even options for your kiddos! And, the menu continues to change throughout the day, depending on what meal it is!

Primo Piatto even whips up its own specialty coffee with house-made whipped cream and flavored syrup (yum!!).

Although the menu has something for everyone, you can also grab a quick treat from the bakery case…

…or the beverage station if you want something fast!

There’s even Artisan Gelato (!!!) to satisfy your sweet tooth with Cherry Vanilla Swirl…

…Vanilla Chocolate Chunk…

…and Toasted Honey Almond flavors!

On top of all that, you can indulge in a glass of wine…

…or have some regular ole coffee to get your caffeine fix!

There’s even almond milk for guests who don’t consume dairy products!

We are total fans of the Freestyle Coke machines, so we are SO happy to see them in Primo Piatto! We love all those different drinks and flavors to choose from.

No matter what you pick to sip or snack on, you can admire the photos of Walt Disney’s Mediterranean travels hanging on the walls, reminding us of the man who started it all!

There are even some interesting light fixtures (we kinda want these in our house)…

…and floral seats with the same bright color scheme from the exterior of the resort!

Buuuuut, it wouldn’t be a stop to Primo Piatto without trying some of their delicious food! And, we had to share the Lemon Blueberry Pancakes…

…Breakfast Pizza…

…Breakfast Sandwich…

…and Croque Monsieur! Don’t they just look so good??

Topolino’s Terrace

And, of course, we can’t forget the icing on the beautiful Riviera Resort cake — Topolino’s Terrace!

Located at the top of the hotel, this new signature dining restaurant has a stunning space, a wonderful view, and a delicious menu. Although you can dine sitting inside Topolino’s…

…the restaurant has an INCREDIBLE outdoor terrace that lights up at night to enchant guests.

The interior of the restaurant is a golden masterpiece with its decor…

…and chandeliers that are unique to the location.

Although the atmosphere is a reason enough to visit Topolino’s, the Breakfast a la Art is a character breakfast you don’t want to miss! While you can choose your entrée from options like the Quiche Gruyère, Sour Cream Waffles, or Wood-fired Butchers Steak…

…you’ll also get to try some sweets and pastries, all decorated in Mickey and Minnie’s iconic fashion!

For the grown-ups, you can also sip on specialty Bellinis and Mimosas…

…Bloody Marys and more!

And, quite possibly the BEST part of Topolino’s are the outfits for the characters (WE ARE OBSESSED)! Minnie twirls around in her poetess dress…

…Mickey looks like an artist in his paint-splattered overalls (maybe he made those murals around the resort??)…

…Donald has been creating some of the sculptures in his apron…

…and Daisy is performing a magical Disney number as a ballerina!

Check out our full review of the Breakfast a la Art here!

But if you’re ready for a truly epic night out, Topolino’s transforms into a signature meal location in the evening!

Cocktails, inspired French and Italian cuisine, and rich desserts are on the menu here in the evening!

See our FULL REVIEW of Topolino’s Terrace Signature Dinner here!

Overall, we have to say that the Riviera Resort is a stunning Disney hotel. The amount of things to do, eat, and see are outstanding here.

While the resort is definitely more on the pricey side (it’s priced more like Grand Floridian and Contemporary Resorts rather than Old Key West or Saratoga Springs), this might be a great option for families who like to spend their time visiting the pools, restaurants, and activities that are offered at the hotels instead of going to the parks on the daily!

Want to know more about the Riviera Resort? Check out all the deets here! And, be sure to follow along with us as we’re LIVE at the grand opening!

Do you want to stay at the new Riviera Resort? What do you like about it? Share your thoughts in the comments!