Disney's Riviera Resort vs Walt Disney World Swan

Disney's Riviera Resort

Photo: Disney's Riviera Resort
Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Walt Disney World Swan

Photo: Walt Disney World Swan
Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

Riviera

Deluxe

Walt Disney World Swan

Deluxe

Area

Riviera

Epcot Resort Area

Walt Disney World Swan

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

Riviera

Skyliner, Bus

Walt Disney World Swan

Walk, Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Riviera

1 restaurant

Walt Disney World Swan

5 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Riviera

1 location

Walt Disney World Swan

3 locations

Pool Amenities

Riviera

Pool

Walt Disney World Swan

Pool, Water Slide

Extended Evening Hours

Riviera

Yes

Walt Disney World Swan

Yes

Top Highlight

Riviera

Disney Skyliner hub with direct access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios

Walt Disney World Swan

Same Crescent Lake location and EPCOT walking distance as the Dolphin

Overview

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.

Walt Disney World Swan

A Marriott-operated on-property resort between Epcot and Hollywood Studios, with walking and boat access to both parks.

Amenities

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

Walt Disney World Swan

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Water Slide
  • Volleyball
  • Tennis Courts
  • Jogging Trail
  • Arcade
  • Playground
  • Camp Dolphin for children ages 5-12 from 4PM to 11PM with themed activities, video games, arts and crafts
  • Swan watercraft rentals on the white sand beach; Boat Rental in Activities

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Spa

Other

  • Child Care
  • Boat launch courtyard between Swan and Dolphin for Friendship launches
  • Disney Cabanas store at Swan; Resort Essentials boutique at Dolphin

Transportation

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

Walt Disney World Swan

  • Walk

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Boat

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Pros

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

Walt Disney World Swan

  • Same Crescent Lake location and EPCOT walking distance as the Dolphin
  • Marriott Bonvoy points eligible for stays and redemptions
  • Access to Dolphin's extensive dining and amenities via shared complex
  • Swan Reserve and Swan combined offer over 2,000 rooms in the complex
  • Competitively priced relative to Disney-owned Deluxe resorts nearby

Cons

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

Walt Disney World Swan

  • No Disney on-site Early Entry or advance Lightning Lane booking
  • Resort fees and parking fees add significantly to the nightly rate
  • Shared amenities with Dolphin mean crowded pools during peak times
  • Design is less Disney-immersive than Disney-owned resorts
  • Limited transportation compared to monorail or Skyliner resorts

On-Site Dining

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

Walt Disney World Swan

  • Chill

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • Garden Grove

    Table Service

    American

    breakfast

    View menu

  • Il Mulino

    Table Service

    Italian

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Il Mulino Lounge

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Java

    Quick Service

    Quick Service - Coffee

    snack

    View menu

  • Kimonos

    Table Service

    Asian, Japanese, Sushi

    dinner · snack

    View menu

  • Kimonos Lounge

    Quick Service

    Asian, Japanese, Sushi

    snack

    View menu

  • Splash Pool Bar and Grill

    Table Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

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