5 Reasons To Stay in a Villa at Disney’s Riviera Resort
When making vacation plans, my parents always used to say, “You’re just sleeping in the hotel room; it doesn’t need to be fancy.” I’m here to tell you that it’s not about fancy, it’s about comfort and convenience. If you’re going to Disney World, it’s a given that you’re going to be surrounded by people at the parks: the lines, the ride queues and the herds of bodies moving from place to place. So after you’ve spent the day rubbing elbows with sweaty people from all over the globe, it’s pretty nice to come back to a space where you can rest without feeling claustrophobic, right? We always stay in a villa when we go to Disney World, and the Riviera is by far our favorite. Keep reading for five reasons you should stay in a villa at Disney’s Riviera Resort, too.
Easy access to Disney’s Skyliner transportation
You want to make the most of your time while visiting, and making stops all over Disney property using bus transportation isn’t ideal. At the Riviera, you have access to two parks via the Skyliner: Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Plus - it’s a super short walk and, since it’s always moving, it’s not a long wait to get on. If you’ve never seen it, the Skyliner is an aerial gondola that moves folks from select Disney resorts, to two parks, without any headache or crowd. The kids love the ride and you’ll love not folding up that stroller to fit on a tram in a parking lot. Trust me, it’s clutch.
Multiple sleeping spaces
You don’t know tired until you’ve been at a Disney park with your kids all day. Walking, rides, snacks, parades, shows, meltdowns, potty breaks, dodging strollers — it’s a vibe. So, when the kids need to get to sleep, but you want to unwind for a bit, you’ve got the perfect set-up in a villa. With one-, two- or three-bedroom options available, even large families can get comfortable..
Our one-bedroom villa had a master bedroom with a King bed and two Murphy beds: one behind the couch and one in the TV console in the living area. The kids thought it was the coolest thing ever and my husband and I loved that we could enjoy some chill time alone while the kids crashed in the other room.
Full kitchen, laundry and spacious bathrooms
I’m not saying anyone wants to cook or do laundry while on vacation, BUT these amenities are super convenient. I love the full kitchen because there’s room to store all of our “safe foods”, lots of dairy-free milk and space to eat comfortably at a kitchen table when the kids just want to kick off their shoes and feel like they’re at home.
If you enjoy coming home from vacation with suitcases full of dirty laundry, raise your hand. Anyone? Thought so. Let me tell you, having a washer and dryer in your room makes life so much easier on the backend.
Lastly, bathroom privacy. Two vanities, soaker tub and a shower mean you don’t have to rush your poop time because someone else needs to brush their teeth. IYKYK.
Amazing outdoor spaces
More space? Yup! The airy courtyard at the Riviera is refreshing for parents and kids alike. Backyard games like bocce ball, corn hole, chess and connect four will have the whole family enjoying some time together when you need a break from the crowds at the parks. Plus, the pool has an awesome slide and splash area for smaller kiddos.
Pool images by Undercover Tourist and WDW Magazine
Amazing food options
From the almost too-pretty-to-eat desserts at the swanky coffee bar, to the quick-service menu that you’ll keep going back to, there’s something delicious for everyone at the Riviera. My food allergy kiddos had multiple options to choose from, even though they happily ate the chicken strips and fries for three days in a row. My husband and I loved the Greek salad, wood-fired pizza, chicken sandwich and burgers (which you can get a plant-based version of, too). We didn’t visit Topolino’s Terrace, which offers speciality dishes for even the most discerning palette, but I’ve heard it’s one of the best restaurants on Disney property.
We’ve stayed at nearly every resort on Disney property and the Riviera is our new favorite spot. The villa here was bigger and brighter than any other one we’ve stayed in, and the resort itself is beyond luxurious. It isn’t overly Disney which makes it feel like you’re just at a fancy resort that happens to be close to all the magic. So, if you’re trying to choose a spot to stay for your next Disney vacation, try the Riviera. You’ll be glad you did.
