PHOTOS - Construction gets underway at Disney Riviera Resort

Aug 22, 2017 in "Disney's Riviera Resort"

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Disney Riviera Resort construction

Posted: Tuesday August 22, 2017 11:45am EDT by WDWMAGIC Staff

Following a couple of months of demolition and ground clearing work, construction is now getting underway on the new Disney Riviera Resort.

Disney Riviera Resort construction

These latest aerial images show footers for the tower cranes that will be used for the construction along with the beginnings of foundation work.

Disney Riviera Resort construction

Using land acquired from the demolition of a portion of Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, the new Disney Vacation Club resort will open in the fall of 2019, featuring 300 accommodation units.

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Disney Riviera Resort construction

The resort's close proximity to Epcot will offer rooftop views of IllumiNations, and the resort will be linked to Epcot and the Studios via the new Disney Skyliner gondola system.

Disney Riviera Resort concept art

Aerial photo for WDWMAGIC by Colin Chardavoyne@cchard.

Discuss on the Forums

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pdude81Mar 29, 2021

You likely found the right spot. I actually appreciate not having a giant, open lobby with a huge and unnecessary service counter. This is more useful at a combination resort where half of the guests are cash only. Even then, more are using online check-in to skip the counter. The bigger and grander that space is, the more we have to pay for upkeep and cooling costs each year. Just my opinion

Nubs70Mar 29, 2021

Stopped by last week. Maybe I was in a secondary lobby but what I saw was a bit underwhelming.

KkarMar 29, 2021

We had a similar experience: We had reservations at Topolino, but went early to look around and have a pre-dinner cocktail. We asked a Cast member in the lobby if there was a lounge, and they pointed us down the hall. There was a small lounge, but it only had coffee and quick-service items. So we made our way up to the top floor and found the bar on our own. The bartender was really good, but the entire space just felt like a large convention room with a bar stuck on one side of it. Very open, not intimate and just felt utilitarian in design. Food was decent, but as we prefer places with great food, service AND ambience, we won't go back.

techgeekJan 04, 2021

They don't. 'Flow' isn't a concern in todays WDW. The GF and Poly didn't used to feel close at all with a large amount of undeveloped shoreline in between them... again, recent land use choices changing originally intended design.

castlecake2.0Jan 04, 2021

I got lunch, toured the rooms, and walked the grounds today. I do like the resort. It’s definitely more adult oriented and has some DCL vibes that I like. Maybe this has been answered way back, but why was it put where it was? Is there a reason (other than cost) that it wasn’t built at the other end of CBR where the pirate rooms are? It could have been on its own lagoon, have the skyliner hub attached, and almost be it’s own little resort area instead of just being dumped in the middle of Caribbean. Could it have fit/worked there or was there just not enough space? also was there a reason not to make it a Caribbean themed tower? I like both resorts, they just don’t seem to flow together. But same could also be said of GF and Poly. thoughts?

Little Green MenDec 20, 2020

I enjoyed it. The pool could be better themed def but it was nice and quiet. I would stay again

Miss BellaDec 19, 2020

We stayed in a one bedroom in August. The rooms are gorgeous, It's an apartment not a hotel room. I wouldn't try to compare it to a tiny European room, Customer service was great. I loved the skyliner. The pool was blah, but were not big pool people. I would stay there again for the right price.

HeppenheimerDec 19, 2020

Everything I read about this resort reminds me of those Olive Garden commercials from about 20 years ago. Take a bland, textureless, mass-produced, fully homegenized and Americanized off-the-shelf product that maybe shares a hint of distant roots with its European inspiration. Then pretend you're giving the public a premium and faithful facsimile of that inspiration. But at lesst Olive Garden prices their cheap product accordingly. I daresay Disney's Riviera resort may even be more expensive than some of the actual classic French and Italian riviera hotels it claims (unconvincingly) to be based on.

FlynnwriterDec 19, 2020

Ironically, the lego model took longer to construct and had a larger budget than the original resort.

TrainsOfDisneyDec 19, 2020

I’m not sure if it’s currently opened but yes this is a lovely spot with a decent amount of charm. Lots of pieces from Walt’s travel on display. Certainly a better suggestion than the pool bar! Ha

Lil Copter CapDec 19, 2020

I’m saddened to hear of your experiences at the Riviera. I had a lovely time during my stay pre-COVID and resort hop frequently for the fresh food at Primo Piatto. It’s a stellar quick service restaurant for all meal times! The evening “bar” alternative here is at Voyageurs’ Lounge where Le Petit Café serves alcohol beverages and light snacks. You must try the Caffé Amaro if you’re an espresso fan—one of the best cocktails I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying on property! Riviera’s charm for me is all in the cozy and quaint environment. This, of course, is a problem with the amount of people flowing in and out of the resort at any one time. But overall it’s a resort that may not tick all (or none) of the boxes for some folks. And that’s okay too. I’m sorry you didn’t have the best time—I urge you to try again if the chance arises!

Chupaca BruhDec 19, 2020

I think because it is a DVC and not a “real” hotel. Disney has this “class system” fir the resorts and the try not to stray from the program.... even if it is detrimental to the bottom line.

castlecake2.0Dec 19, 2020

I feel like a lot of things could be solved if they had made the main floor all public area, expand the lobby, shops, add a lounge, more seating areas, etc. Everything just feels so crammed, I don’t get it.

BocabearDec 18, 2020

I think Forgettable is about the kindest thing you could say about the decor at Topolinos... They were handed a theme full of wonderous possibilities...The images the name conjures are astounding....and then they built that. I agree the fountains in the walkway are very beautiful but when one rather small detail is the only thing anyone remembers about a luxury resort, I would say they failed miserably... It's not horrible... It's nice... but at the rates of a DVC and premium resort designation at Walt Disney World, it should be more...a lot more. And when is TDO going to get it that there are adults that spend a lot of money visiting the resort and would like a nice lounge to sit back and chill...They built Top Of The World, but most of the other resorts have very lackluster lounges..