Disney’s Riviera Resort Deluxe Studio Room Review

If you are considering a stay at Disney’s Riviera Resort, one of the most practical room types to look at is the Deluxe Studio. This room gives you more flexibility than a standard hotel room, sleeps up to five guests, and can be a more budget-friendly way to stay at Riviera Resort compared to booking a 1-bedroom or 2-bedroom villa.

Some of the information below includes affiliate links. When you click these links Moms with Mouse Ears may make a commission from your purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Disney’s Riviera Resort is one of the newer Deluxe Villa Resorts at Walt Disney World, and it has a very different feel from some of the more heavily themed Disney resorts. The rooms are modern, polished, and designed with a European-inspired apartment feel.

For families who want upgraded finishes, Skyliner access, and a room layout that can work for a smaller group, the Deluxe Studio is definitely worth considering.

Riviera Resort Deluxe Studio Highlights

• Disney’s Riviera Resort Deluxe Studios sleep up to five guests, with one queen bed, one queen-size pull-down Murphy bed, and one single pull-down bed.
• The room includes a private balcony or patio, which is a nice perk if you enjoy having outdoor space at your resort.
• The split bathroom layout includes two shower areas, which can be very helpful for families getting ready at the same time.
• The room is a more budget-friendly option at Riviera Resort compared to larger villa categories like the 1-bedroom or 2-bedroom villas.
• Disney Skyliner access makes it especially convenient for EPCOT and Hollywood Studios days.

Overview of the Riviera Resort Deluxe Studio Room

The Deluxe Studio at Disney’s Riviera Resort is a villa-style room that works well for small families or groups who want a little more flexibility than a traditional hotel room. It is not as spacious as a 1-bedroom villa, of course, but it does give you multiple sleeping surfaces, a kitchenette-style setup, and a more apartment-like feel than many standard resort rooms.

This room type can sleep up to five guests, plus an infant, making it a workable option for families who want to stay at Riviera without moving into one of the larger and more expensive villa categories. The small single fold down bed would work best for a child or younger teen.

Overall, I would say this room is best for families of three to five who want to stay at Riviera Resort and are comfortable with a room layout where some of the beds fold away during the day. It can also work really well for a smaller group that wants a nicer resort experience without paying for a full villa.

Room Layout and First Impressions

The Riviera Deluxe Studio has a modern, upscale design that feels very different from some of the more whimsical Disney resort rooms. It leans more elegant than playful, with European-inspired details and Disney artwork worked into the room in a more subtle way.

This room does feel more like a small apartment-style studio than a basic hotel room. That is one of the things that makes it appealing if you are staying for more than a night or two. You have the main sleeping area, the pull-down bed options, a kitchenette area, bathroom space, and a balcony or patio.

The room was interesting and definitely functional. I would not call it one of our very favorite Disney room layouts, but I do think it fills a good spot for families who want to stay at Riviera Resort without moving up into one of the larger villa rooms.

Sleeping Arrangements in the Deluxe Studio Room

The sleeping layout is one of the biggest things families will want to understand before booking this room.

The Riviera Deluxe Studio includes:

• 1 Queen bed
• 1 Queen-size Murphy pull-down bed
• 1 Single pull-down bunk-size bed

The queen Murphy bed folds down when needed and can be put away during the day to give the room more living space. The single pull-down bed also folds away, which helps the room feel less crowded when everyone is not sleeping.

For families, this setup can be really useful. If you have kids or teenagers who are willing to use the pull-down beds, the room gives you quite a bit of flexibility. I like that the beds fold away because it keeps the room from feeling like every inch is taken up by sleeping space all day.

That being said, I would not plan on having an adult sleep on the single pull-down bed if you can avoid it. It is smaller than a twin and really works best for a child or teenager. For an adult, I think it would feel too small and uncomfortable.

The other thing to note is that the beds were not quite as comfortable as some of the other room types our party stayed in. That would not keep me from booking this room again, but it is something I would keep in mind if bed comfort is a major priority for your family.

Bathroom Setup in the Deluxe Studio Room

One of the best practical features of the Riviera Deluxe Studio is the bathroom setup. The room has a split-style bathroom layout with two shower areas, which can be very helpful for families or groups.

We did not use both showers every single day, but they were very nice to have available. The biggest benefit was when everyone came back from swimming at the same time and needed to get ready for dinner. Having two shower options made that much easier.

Kitchenette and In-Room Features

Because this is a Deluxe Studio, you get more practical room features than you would in many standard Disney hotel rooms. Standard room amenities such as a flat-panel TV, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, and coffee maker, along with studio-style features.

The kitchenette-style setup is especially helpful if you like to keep simple breakfasts, snacks, drinks, or leftovers in the room. For families, this can save both time and money during a Disney trip. Even if you are not planning to cook, having a space for coffee, quick breakfasts, and snacks is always useful.

This is another reason I think the Deluxe Studio works well for families who want something between a regular hotel room and a larger villa. You are not getting a full kitchen like you would in a 1-bedroom villa, but you do get enough convenience for a shorter stay or a lighter resort-room meal routine.

Balcony or Patio at Deluxe Disney Resorts

Deluxe Studios at Riviera Resort include a private balcony or patio, which is one of those features I always appreciate while stay at a Deluxe Disney Resort.

A balcony gives you a little extra space to enjoy coffee in the morning, step outside while kids are resting, or wind down at the end of the night. It also helps the room feel a little more open, especially if you are staying with multiple people.

Not every view will be the same, of course, so the exact experience will depend on the room location and view category you book. But having some kind of outdoor space is still a nice perk of this room type.

Transportation from Disney’s Riviera Resort

One of the biggest benefits of staying at Disney’s Riviera Resort is the transportation access. Riviera has direct access to the Disney Skyliner, which makes getting to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios much easier.

For families who are planning to spend a lot of time at EPCOT or Hollywood Studios, this is perfect. The Skyliner is also fun for kids and feels like part of the Disney experience instead of just transportation. The walkway to the Disney Skyliner from the main lobby also has these gorgeous murals that you don’t want to miss!

Found in photo:

Rapunzel Dress / Purple Sandals / Bag / Rapunzel Ears

For Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and the water parks, you will use bus transportation. So while Riviera is very convenient for Skyliner parks, it is not equally convenient to every location at Walt Disney World.

Dining at Disney’s Riviera Resort

One of the biggest perks of staying at Riviera Resort is having access to some really nice dining options right at the resort. Topolino’s Terrace is the standout dining location here, especially for character breakfast.

Riviera also has quick-service and lounge options, which makes it easier to plan meals around your resort time. Their quick service Primo Piatto is a highlight of staying here. The food was fantastic and we love that they also have the Freestyle drink machines in the quick service as well.

Bar Riva is also just around the corner and right near the main pool. It has an excellent menu to order from, and I’ve been thinking about the Parmesan-Garlic Chicken Strips since I arrived back home! Definitely will be stopping by Bar Riva again soon to get those!

We personally love the food at this resort, so we never spend the time to make any meals in our room. However it is nice to have the option or to be able reheat items in the microwave in your kitchenette area!

Is the Riviera Deluxe Studio Good for Families?

Yes! I do think the Riviera Deluxe Studio can be a good room for families, especially smaller families of three to five. The room size is perfect if you’ll just be spending a bit of time in the room. And there are plenty of sleeping areas available.

The biggest benefits for families are the flexible sleeping layout, the fold-away beds, the split bathroom with two shower areas, the kitchenette, and the Skyliner access. These features all make the room feel more functional than a standard hotel room.

In the one bedroom villa we undoubtedly had more space, however if you’re looking to stay in this per night price range, the Deluxe Studio works for small groups.

However, I would be careful about how you plan out the sleeping arrangements. The single pull-down bed is best for a child or teenager, not an adult. If your group has multiple adults who all need comfortable sleeping arrangements, I would probably look at a larger villa or a different room type.

For a family with younger kids or teens, though, this room can work really well.

Is the Deluxe Studio Better Than a Tower Studio?

For families, yes, the Deluxe Studio is going to be the better option over a Tower Studio.

Tower Studios at Riviera Resort are designed for smaller parties and only sleep two guests. That can be a fun option for a couple’s trip or solo trip, but it is not going to work for most families.

Is the Riviera Deluxe Studio Worth It?

This really depends on what you value most in a Disney resort stay.

Riviera Resort is beautiful, modern, and convenient for EPCOT and Hollywood Studios because of the Skyliner. The Deluxe Studio also gives you a more budget-friendly way to stay at Riviera compared to the larger villa categories. The dining is top notch, and we enjoyed our time at the pools.

At the same time, Riviera is still an expensive Disney resort. We tend to rate it somewhere in the middle of our Deluxe Resort rankings for families. It’s a great experience, but it is also expensive for what you are getting. Some families may prefer a resort with more immersive Disney themes, a more playful atmosphere, or a location that works better for their specific park plans.

If you really want to stay at Riviera and do not need the extra space of a 1-bedroom or 2-bedroom villa, the Deluxe Studio is a good room category to consider. But if you are trying to get the absolute best value for a family trip, I would compare it carefully with other Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villa options before booking.

Tips for Staying in a Riviera Deluxe Studio

• Think through the sleeping arrangements before you book. The single pull-down bed is best for a child or teen, not an adult.
• Use the fold-away beds during the day to make the room feel more spacious.
• Take advantage of the split bathroom setup when everyone needs to get ready at the same time.
• Plan EPCOT and Hollywood Studios days while staying here so you can make the most of the Skyliner.
• Consider booking Topolino’s Terrace Character Breakfast during your stay for an easy resort dining experience.
• Compare the Deluxe Studio price with 1-bedroom villa pricing before booking, especially if space is a major priority.

Final Thoughts on the Riviera Resort Deluxe Studio

The Riviera Resort Deluxe Studio is a really practical room category for families who want to experience Disney’s Riviera Resort without booking one of the larger villas. It gives you flexible sleeping, a balcony or patio, two shower areas, a kitchenette-style setup, and easy Skyliner access.

The biggest thing I would caution families about is the bed setup. The single pull-down bed is best for kids or teens, and the overall bed comfort may not be as great as some other Disney resort rooms we have stayed in.

But for the right trip, I think this room type works well. If you are traveling with a smaller family, want to stay at Riviera Resort, and plan to spend time at EPCOT or Hollywood Studios, the Deluxe Studio is definitely worth considering.

Want to compare this resort to other Disney Deluxe Resorts and plan your trip?

• Riviera Resort Review
• Disney World Deluxe Resorts for Families
• Topolino’s Terrace Character Breakfast