At Which DVC Resort Should I Rent Points for a Luxe Disney World Vacation?
When you feel like treating yourself to la crème de la crème, where should you stay for your Walt Disney World vacation? From gorgeous decor to elevated dining, these are the perfect resorts for a luxe Disney World vacation.
Grand Floridian
Elegant Theming
From the grandeur of the Victorian-inspired main lobby with its soaring ceiling, stained glass, marble floors, and live piano music to the recently refurbished villas and “practically perfect” Resort Studios that are ever so subtly themed to Mary Poppins Returns, the Grand Floridian is simply stunning. There’s a reason that the Grand Floridian is considered the flagship resort of Walt Disney World.
The Most Signature Dining Options
At the Grand Floridian, you can treat yourself to some incredible dining experiences. The resort is home to not one but three signature dining restaurants, including Citricos, Narcoosee’s, and Victoria & Albert’s, which recently earned a Michelin Star.
If signature dining isn’t your thing, you may still appreciate a dining offering that is unique to the Grand Floridian: in-room dining. It’s a nice little luxury to be able to start the day with breakfast delivered to your room and maybe even enjoy it in the comfort of one of the robes that is provided in your room.
Spa
The Grand Floridian is also currently the only Disney-owned-and-operated resort at Walt Disney World with its own spa, The Grand Floridian Spa. The full service spa offers massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and other salon treatments, including Magical Makeovers to style your hair like your favorite character.
Riviera
Beautiful Rooms
The French- and Italian-inspired Riviera is home to a wide range of rooms from Tower Studios to Grand Villas. All of them have chic, modern furnishings and details like crystal chandeliers and marble floors and gold fixtures in the bathrooms that give the rooms an upscale feel. The rooms at Riviera are also among the most spacious DVC villas at Disney World based on square footage.
Upscale Dining Options
Riviera may not have as many signature dining options as the Grand Floridian, but its sole fine dining restaurant, Topolino’s Terrace, is a solid choice. The dinner menu offers French and Italian specialties like bouillabaisse, classic sole meunière, and rigatoni with braised chicken sugo, broccolini, pancetta, wild mushrooms, and black truffle. Though not signature dining, the character breakfast (Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends) has better quality food than most other character breakfasts entrees like with wood-fired steak and eggs, quiche gruyère, smoked salmon, and sour cream waffle.
The pool bar and quick service locations at Riviera also feel elevated compared to your traditional pool bar and quick service restaurants. Bar Riva, the pool bar, is more like a hybrid of a pool bar and lounge with its open-air seating and table service. Unlike your standard pool bar, you’ll find a lot of cocktails with imported ingredients. At the quick service spot, Primo Piatto, there’s more than just burgers and chicken strips (though you’ll find those too). You can have entrees like a croque monsieur, tuna niçoise salad, or beef bolognese. If you dine in at Primo Piatto, you’ll even have real plates and silverware.
Disney Artwork
The Riviera has a wonderful way of weaving in favorite Disney characters and movies with an understated elegance. From the moment that you step off the Skyliner and onto the resort property, you see the beautiful tile murals inspired by Peter Pan and Tangled. Throughout the hallways, you’ll find Disney animation-inspired paintings of all different styles, including those of master artists. All of it gives the Riviera a luxe decor with an extra dash of Disney magic.
Rent DVC points to stay at the Grand Floridian or Riviera for a luxe Disney World vacation! Check availability and pricing, or browse the confirmed reservations to start planning.
