Disney’s Riviera Resort is one of the most popular resorts at Walt Disney World, and it’s also one of the most expensive. Essentially consisting of only Disney Vacation Club rooms, this resort can sometimes be difficult to book. But recently I stayed in the Riviera Tower Studio at Disney’s Riviera Resort and just had to share the results. Because while a cramped attic apartment in Paris may be quaint and oh so bijou, shoving more than one person in the Tower Studio room at Disney’s Riviera Resort poses a challenge. As the smallest resort room at Disney World, it’s true that you can get convenience and amenities you really can’t get anywhere except the Riviera, but is it really worth the cost? Read on for our full review.
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Disney’s Riviera Resort
Inspired by Walt Disney’s trip to the European Riviera towns in Italy and France, Disney’s Riviera Resort brings home all the elegance and culture you would expect from the Riviera. Home to 24 of the Tower Studios, Disney’s Rivera brings studio apartment living to the table, complete with tiny quarters and a bed that folds into the wall. But did we mention the views? Wow! These rooms are all located in the main tower, as the name suggests, meaning you get easy access to the coffee shop, rooftop dining, and more. The resort has the advantage of being on Disney’s Skyliner route, making it easy for guests to get to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Plus, it arguably has some of the best restaurants at Walt Disney World.
Riviera Resort Dining Options
Like anywhere at Disney World, it’s important to take into consideration the food options. Will you have to leave the resort to eat? Are there restaurants, lounges, and quick-serve options? Yes, yes, and yes. Disney’s Rivera Resort includes rooftop dining at Topolino’s Terrace, which is one of the best Disney character breakfasts at Disney World. And then of course, there is Primo Piatto, which has some of the best quick service food options too, available for dining indoors and out, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Additionally, the Rivera Resort has its own boutique coffee shop, Le Petit Cafe. A Disney fan favorite for specialty coffees and lattes, at Disney’s Rivera Resort Le Petit Cafe you can always count on seasonal coffees and seasonal pastries in the pastry case as well. By far the prettiest desserts on Disney property.
The food isn’t where the charm ends, though. For many guests, the resort Disney’s Riviera Resort is just dreamy. Inspired by small boutique hotels in Europe, this resort is bright and elegant and a bucket list resort for many Disney fans. And while staying in any of the standard rooms would probably equate to the same experience as any other Disney Deluxe Resorts, in regard to the Tower Studio rooms at the Riviera, there’s a lot to say.
Disney Riviera Tower Studio Room
We’ll say it again, the Tower Studios at Disney’s Riviera are the smallest rooms at Walt Disney World. At around 225 square feet, these rooms are tiny. Equipped with a queen-sized Murphy bed that pulls out of the wall and over the couch, these rooms are designed for parties no larger than 2. The wall you don’t see in the photo above includes the balcony doors, a full-length mirror, a TV console, and the bathroom door. So, it’s not like there is any more “room” we’re not showing you here. The room in the photo is the entire room.
That said, the Tower Studios at Disney’s Riviera Resort are one of a kind. There is no other room at Walt Disney World currently with this same layout. That might actually be a good thing. Of course, these rooms are small when the bed is up, and they are extremely tiny when the bed is down. I was traveling alone, so as a Disney solo traveler, the size was actually quite perfect for me. But if I had been traveling with a second person, let’s just say it would have been very cozy. So if you plan to do that, just make sure you really like your roommate.
Disney Riviera Tower Studio Amenities
With a small desk, a Keurig machine for morning coffee, a microwave, a beverage cooler, TV, and moderate size balcony, this room has everything you need for your stay. The room also comes equipped with small kitchenette items such as a toaster, plates, and utensils. And 2 small ottomans that open up and can be used for extra storage. All in a very small space.
Disney Riviera Tower Studio Bathroom
The bathroom is quite large, with a huge shower that includes a detachable shower head along with a rainfall shower head. However, I personally would have preferred a little more living space instead of such a large bathroom. The lighting seems to be a point of contention for many, as it’s just not that great at night. The bed was comfortable, more so than some of the other Murphy beds we’ve tried. Compared to the Murphy bed in the Little Mermaid Rooms at Caribbean Beach, this bed was definitely a step up in comfort.
Disney Riviera Tower Studio Views
Views from the balcony of the Tower Studios are pretty incredible. You can see Hollywood Studios and Epcot directly from these rooms, which also means you get some pretty great views of the fireworks from here as well. However, there’s a chance you may also just be getting a great view of the parking lot below, as the tower is located at the front of the building. For the size of the room, I felt the balcony was adequate. We’ve stayed in larger deluxe resorts that have balconies of a similar size. And considering the room only sleeps 2, the balcony works well for that number of people.
Disney Riviera Tower Studio Cost
Ok, so let’s get down to the price. These rooms are not cheap. Prices range from $450 per night to over $885 per night, depending on when you visit. And though Disney usually offers lots of discounts throughout the year, many times these rooms are not part of promotions, because they’re usually hard to find to begin with. Since Disney doesn’t really need help selling them, it’s often difficult to find them at a discounted rate.
Are the Disney Riviera Tower Studios worth it?
In a word: NO, we did not think the Tower Studios at the Riviera were worth the cost. If you’re familiar with our resort reviews, we usually try to break it down to more of an “it depends” answer. But we just can’t justify this price. Frankly, the Fort Wilderness Cabins have more amenities and space and run about the same price per night.
Is it magical to be able to watch the fireworks directly from your room? Of course! ( You can do that from Fort Wilderness, and any of the Monorail or Boardwalk Resorts, too). And there are other rooms on the property where you can always watch fireworks, from your room for much less. Did we love the convenience of the Skyliner? Absolutely! But we always feel that Caribbean Beach Resort holds the award for the most convenient when it comes to the Skyliner because it is home to the hub.
Maybe if you could find the room on the lower end of its pricing range, with a discount, then maybe it might be. But even then, you can easily stay at Caribbean Beach Resort for considerably less and get access to almost all of the same things that Disney’s Riviera Resort has to offer, minus the pool of course. Guests at Caribbean Beach, especially those staying on the far end of Barbados, have easy access to all of the food options available at Disney’s Riviera Resort. Even pricing when renting DVC points has so far shown that rates are not really as low as they’d need to be in order to make these rooms a good value.
Disney Riviera Tower Studio FAQ
Okay, so now that you have a glimpse of what the Tower Rooms at Disney’s Riviera Resort are all about, here are some additional things to know.
Are the Disney Riviera Tower Studios quiet?
No. The Disney Riviera Tower Studios rooms are not the quietest! One thing I noticed that I wasn’t a huge fan of was that these rooms don’t have the best soundproofing. I could hear any chatting out in the hallways, and any time one of my neighbors left their room, the closing of their door was very loud. While we doubt they insulated these better since we stayed, this is just something to keep in mind if you’re a light sleeper.
How Many People Can Fit in a Tower Studio Room?
A Disney Riviera Tower Studio Room can comfortably fit 1-2 people. Considering the room only allows for 2 guests, truthfully, that might still feel crowded to you.
Should you stay in a Disney Riviera Tower Studio?
Hopefully, this post has helped you decide if this is the right Disney Resort Room for you. Note that while we talk a lot about the money here, many people aren’t likely to stay here for the value, but rather because they want to experience the resort. Personally, I’d rather spend the extra money for a larger room here, or save myself some money and get a larger room at either Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, or Art of Animation for access to the skyliner. To see a full-room tour of the Tower Studios at Disney’s Riviera, check out our video here.
Melanie Renee is a photographer, writer, designer and mom. Visiting Disney destinations since 2010, she is also an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. When she’s not creating her next coffee recipe, or designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she’s seeking beautiful sunsets and planning her next trip .
