Disney's Art of Animation Resort vs Disney's Riviera Resort

Disney's Art of Animation Resort

Photo: Disney's Art of Animation Resort

Value ESPN Wide World of Sports Resort Area
Disney's Riviera Resort

Photo: Disney's Riviera Resort

Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

Art of Animation

Value

Riviera

Deluxe

Area

Art of Animation

ESPN Wide World of Sports Resort Area

Riviera

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

Art of Animation

Skyliner, Bus

Riviera

Skyliner, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Art of Animation

None

Riviera

1 restaurant

Quick-Service Dining

Art of Animation

2 locations

Riviera

1 location

Pool Amenities

Art of Animation

Pool

Riviera

Pool

Extended Evening Hours

Art of Animation

No

Riviera

Yes

Top Highlight

Art of Animation

Disney Skyliner gondola access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios

Riviera

Disney Skyliner hub with direct access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios

Overview

Disney's Art of Animation Resort

A value resort themed to Pixar and Disney animation, with family suites, Little Mermaid rooms, and a Skyliner station shared with Pop Century.

Disney's Riviera Resort

Enchantment awaits you at a Resort hotel that’s inspired by Europe and imagined by Disney. Here, you can delight in exhilarating activities, delectable dining and stylish accommodations—from cozy Tower Studios to spacious villas with up to 3 bedrooms.

Amenities

Disney's Art of Animation Resort

Recreation

  • Pool
  • interactive water play area
  • Playground
  • Arcade
  • Running Trail (1.3 miles around Hourglass Lake)

Other

  • Laundry Facilities
  • Business Center

Disney's Riviera Resort

Recreation

  • Pool
  • a soothing bubble-jet bathtub
  • S'Il Vous Plait aquatic play area for kids 48 inches and under
  • Jogging Trail

Wellness

  • Spa

Other

  • Laundry Facilities
  • Gift Shop

Transportation

Disney's Art of Animation Resort

  • Skyliner

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Disney's Riviera Resort

  • Skyliner

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Pros

Disney's Art of Animation Resort

  • Disney Skyliner gondola access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
  • Family suites sleep up to 6 with two bathrooms and a kitchenette
  • Does not share bus service, giving it the best bus reliability of Value Resorts
  • Landscape of Flavors food court is best among Value Resorts
  • Big Blue Pool is the largest hotel pool at Walt Disney World

Disney's Riviera Resort

  • Disney Skyliner hub with direct access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
  • Elegant European Riviera theming unlike any other Disney resort
  • Topolino's Terrace character dining breakfast at the rooftop restaurant
  • One of the newest Disney-owned resorts with modern room quality
  • Skyliner connection to multiple resorts makes for easy park hopping

Cons

Disney's Art of Animation Resort

  • Family suite prices are double to triple standard Value Resort rooms
  • Little Mermaid standard rooms are very small and far from lobby
  • Theming is bold and loud, not appealing to all adults
  • No table service restaurant on property
  • Long walk to Skyliner station from some room sections

Disney's Riviera Resort

  • DVC resale restrictions limit booking flexibility for non-DVC members
  • Primarily a DVC property with limited cash room inventory
  • No dedicated table service for non-character-dining other than rooftop
  • Bus-only to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom parks
  • Theming may feel generic compared to more strongly themed resorts

On-Site Dining

Disney's Art of Animation Resort

  • Landscape of Flavors

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast

    View menu
  • The Drop Off Pool Bar

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

Disney's Riviera Resort

  • Primo Piatto

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner · snack

    View menu
  • Topolino's Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera

    Table Service

    French, Italian

    breakfast · dinner

    View menu

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