The French Rivera-themed Disney Vacation Club resort has proven popular with many owners and guests despite its pandemic-influenced sales and resale restrictions.
On this date in 2019, Disney's Riviera Resort first opened to guests. At the time, it was the fifteenth Disney Vacation Club destination, and remains the smallest dedicated DVC property in all of Walt Disney World.
Constuction began back in 2017 with the demolition of six buildings which were previously part of Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort.
The resort faced a variety of criticism upon its initial debut. It was the first DVC resort to apply restrictions to use of the points if the contract is re-sold on the secondary market. Two other properties--The Villas at Disneyland Hotel and The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort--later mirrored this policy. Others complained of the location overlooking a Disney Moderate resort, the high nightly point costs and other
With just 489 "keys", Riviera is the smallest Deluxe resort in all of Walt Disney World. (Well, unless you consider Disney's Yacht Club a stand-alone resort, despite it's shared amenities and location.) Still Riviera sports many higher-end amenities including a signature restaurant in Topolino's Terrace, featuring a daily character meal, a Community Hall, and two pools plus a kids play area.
Riviera has arguably the most efficient transportation option two to Disney theme parks in the Disney Skyliner system. With a dedicated station at Riviera, guests can ride in comfort to EPCOT, a journey that takes about 10-12 minutes. The trip to Disney's Hollywood Studios requires a vehicle change at Caribbean Beach, but is only about 15 minutes in total.
Riviera was also the first resort to include economical two-person Tower Studio rooms suitable for smaller parties.
And let's not forget the view of EPCOT and its nightly fireworks show, visible from the resort's cheaper Standard View accommodations--rooms which are often available only to owners at Disney's Riviera Resort due to their high demand.
Disney Vacation Club continues to sell points in the property. It is estimated to be about 75% sold out. At the recent pace, DVC is expected to exhaust its supply of points in late 2026 or early 2027. Ownership runs through January 31, 2070.
