/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/UGHPZE3PWZE2NH7D2DGRMPORQQ.jpg "Disney’s Riviera Resort opened on Monday, and it is themed after the European Riviera, with lots of posh touches to its architecture and menus. More than 40 signature art pieces were created for the resort, inspired by Disney and the Riviera.")
Disney’s Riviera Resort held a grand opening Monday for the first all-new resort to open at Walt Disney World since 2012.
It is the 15th Disney Vacation Club property, though non-club members can also stay there. It is themed after the European Riviera, with lots of posh touches in the architecture and menus. More than 40 signature art pieces were created for the resort, inspired by Disney and the Riviera.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/7AWAJZIRZNESDLWAVS4SIX3NPQ.jpg "Part of the unique artwork at this resort are the two mosaic murals in the arched tunnel which lead to the nearby Disney Skyliner station. One mural shows London at night, with Peter Pan, Wendy, Michael and John flying off to Neverland and the other shows Rapunzel’s floating lantern scene from “Tangled.”")
It contains apartment-like accommodations rather than traditional hotel rooms in its 300-room complex. It features a mix of one- to three-bedroom “villas,” each with a full size kitchen and laundry. It is a luxury resort, so it’s pricey, with rooms costing $400 to $4,539.
It also contains a new type of accommodation called Tower Studio rooms. These smaller rooms are designed for two and include balconies, but are more compact and intimate (meaning smaller). A queen-sized bed housed in a built-in wall unit is pulled down for sleeping and tucked away to reveal a lounge-worthy space with a sofa, writing nook, a beverage center and microwave.
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/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/PBSKVVVKBNFC5JKL6CU6O5I5JE.jpg "Tower Studios are unique to Disney’s Riviera Resort and sleep up to two guests in a smaller setting. The queen-sized bed tucks away into the wall to reveal a lounging area.")
“This new resort will pay tribute to Walt and Lillian Disney’s amazing European travels, connecting Disney artistry and storytelling to this region’s renowned art heritage and inspiration,” said Terri Schultz, senior vice president and general manager of the Disney Vacation Club.
There are three pools with the main one aiming for the feel of the Mediterranean coast. An interactive water play area, S’il Vous Play, has a whimsical fountain featuring Disney characters from Fantasia, “drawing inspiration from the grand public fountains seen throughout Europe with a patina and limestone-inspired design,” a news release said.
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/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WXAMJ6VRGBAV5B4MH2ONKJIHL4.jpg "S’il Vous Play is an interactive water play area is designed as a whimsical fountain featuring several be characters from Disney’s Fantasia, drawing inspiration from the grand public fountains seen throughout Europe with a patina and limestone-inspired design.")
The resort’s architectural features include a palm tree-lined boulevard with a striking façade featuring grand archways, porticos, cascading water features, towers and terraces. For dining, the dishes at Topolino’s Terrace are infused with French and Italian flavors. The restaurant also has a collection of wines sourced throughout the South of France and Coastal Italy.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MM5ST76AWFAT3CHHZIYIWENSUM.JPG "Planning your weekend?")
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Explore all your optionsGuests at the resort will have a new way to travel to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios via the Disney Skyliner, a new gondola that zooms over the treetops.
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