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When planning your Disney vacation, choosing where to stay is an important decision. Even though many people don’t spend a lot of time in their rooms, certain hotels can really make or break your trip. While the parks are probably your primary focus, we highly recommend taking a day or two to relax and enjoy your place of rest. We love the Disney resorts so much that we have considered planning a resort-only vacation. Outfit planning can also be a really fun part of your vacation. Our business, Once Upon a Wardrobe, can help plan outfits for you or your entire family for your trip, even your resort days! We’ll share a mini wardrobe capsule we’ve created for one of our favorite resorts, the Riviera. But first, let’s break down the different types of hotels on Disney property and how they differ. Plus, we’ll share a way to save a little money!
Disney Resorts
There are 25 resorts to choose from. Each one is unique in their own way and can drastically vary in price.
To help you understand the price points a little better, Disney has created tiers for their hotels, which are broken down into the following categories:
WDW Magazine has created a guide to each category. Just click the links above to explore more of what each one has to offer.
If you are looking for a way to add a little extra magic to your Disney vacation, staying at a Deluxe Resort is the way to go. It could mean being steps away from the Magic Kingdom or waking up to giraffes. While these resorts do come at an extra cost, there is a way to stay at these places on a budget!
Renting DVC points from David’s DVC Rentals is a great way to experience these luxurious places without having to pay full price. This can particularly come in handy if you have larger parties staying together and are looking for one or two bedroom villas, which can be very expensive. We are proud partners with David’s DVC Rentals, so check out their website and their listings for rooms. You DO NOT need to be a DVC member to rent!
What to Expect at Disney's Riviera
One of my absolute favorite places to stay on property is the Riviera. This is a Deluxe Resort that’s themed after one of Walt Disney’s favorite places to vacation, the French Riviera. It’s the perfect place to book for an adult-only trip, as it’s quite romantic, but provides plenty of family-friendly activities for everyone! From the minute you step foot into this resort, you feel like you’re on a European vacation. The lobby is filled with Disney music, but with a French twist. The lobby is luxurious, but quaint. And the Le Petit Cafe (yes, like the one from The Aristocats) is one of the best places on Disney property to grab a snack and coffee.
While this resort is not heavily Disney themed, the sweet and subtle details really make it stand out to any Disney fan. Each hallway is filled with unique Mediterranean art created by Disney and Pixar artists. My favorite details are the photos and collections of Walt Disney’s own travels to the French Riviera.
You can also find the most beautiful murals here. Located right outside the Skyliner entrance, you will find two stunning murals that represent Disney’s Tangled and Peter Pan.
Speaking of the Skyliner, another bonus of staying at this Deluxe Resort is the Skyliner. The Disney Skyliner is steps away from property and takes you to two Disney theme parks, Hollywood Studios and Epcot. No need to stand and wait for the buses, just hop on and enjoy a smooth ride in the air to arrive at your destination!
This is truly a perfect place to book a resort-only stay if you’re looking for some Disney fun without having to head to the parks. With character dining available on-site at Topolino’s to the Fantasia-themed pool, there is plenty to see, eat, and do here at the Riviera.
What to Wear to Disney's Riviera
Because this is such a beautiful resort, dressing up and staying on theme is a fun way to add to your Disney resort experience. We’ve planned a mini wardrobe capsule to help get you packing for your trip. A wardrobe capsule is “a small, curated collection of clothing and accessories that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits for different occasions”. These items can easily be interchanged to meet your styling preferences and minimize your packing! We have taken the colors and overall aesthetic of the Riviera and added some subtle Disney touches to create the most perfect outfits for all of the activities you might want to do. For each outfit, we will show you how it looks with different hair accessories, as each person tends to prefer different options. We have also sprinkled in a few choices that don’t perfectly fit within the capsule, just to give you more inspiration.
Arrival/Resort Day
Whether you’re just arriving for your stay, or wanting to just explore all this resort has to offer, we have you covered. A white button-down shirt is a classic way to embrace a French Riviera look. Not only is it on theme, but it’s extremely versatile too! We’ve paired it with some light colored jean shorts, and you’re ready to hit the courtyard for a game of life-size chess or Bocce. This outfit is nice because it can easily transition into your everyday wardrobe. This navy dress is perfect for a casual day, but can easily be dressed up as you’ll see below. Even if you decide to pair it with the Minnie Ears, you can swap them out for a claw clip or headband at home!
Pool Day
Taking advantage of the Riviera’s pool is a must. This Mediterranean-inspired pool with a Fantasia twist is a great way to relax and take in the beautiful scenery of the Skyliner and lake. Even if you don’t actually set foot in the water, we made sure that you’ll feel chic in the navy blue one piece and coral swim wrap. You’ll see the white button-down also makes an appearance, as this can double as a swim cover-up. The other swimsuit option has more of a French Riviera print and a pool bag that’s perfect for reading while you sip some drinks from Bar Riva. If you really want to feel like Grace Kelly, don’t forget to grab your sun hat to protect your beautiful face in the most glamorous way possible.
Dinner
If you’re looking for a dining experience to celebrate a milestone, special occasion, or just enjoy top-notch food, look no further than dinner at Topolino’s Terrace. This upscale restaurant has a menu that rotates between French and Italian cuisine. It’s one of the best meals we’ve ever had at Disney World and perfect for a date night! The outside terrace is the perfect place for a photo opportunity, and we highly recommend being there at sunset!
But, with this fine dining experience comes a dress code. This means no swimwear or casual shirts or shorts allowed. Jeans are acceptable, but must not be torn. So, we decided to plan this look with a dress to give it a fancier feel and incorporate our favorite Parisian cat, Marie. However, don’t be afraid to wear your Minnie Ears here, as we saw plenty when we dined here back in April. Packing a pair of wedges or anything with a heel might not be ideal, but they can really add a touch of elegance to your outfit.
Disney’s Riviera is truly one-of-a-kind. It feels luxurious without feeling stuffy, and also has plenty of Disney magic scattered throughout the resort. And while dressing to a theme is not necessary, it sure can add some extra magic to your trip by taking some unforgettable photos that will last you a lifetime. If you need any further outfit planning help, just let us know! We love being able to create customized and unique outfits based on your vacation needs.
And remember, theme park fashion doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to make you smile!
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