Caribbean Seashore and Riviera Resort are “sister lodges” at Walt Disney World, each positioned on Barefoot Bay and sharing Skyliner gondola stations. They’re very totally different—one a Reasonable Resort, the opposite a DVC property—however share so much. This put up contrasts and compares the 2 in theme/decor, rooms, eating, transportation, swimming pools, and worth for cash. (Up to date September 15, 2024.)
This continues our Walt Disney World Resort Comparability Collection, and truly will not be the primary time Caribbean Seashore confronted an ostensibly absurd underdog matchup. In Caribbean Seashore vs. Polynesian Village Resort, we first made the case for the lodge because the “Poly-lite” or “Poor Individual’s Poly.” Both we have now nostalgia blinders on for CBR, or the resort punches above its weight class.
Our affinity for Caribbean Seashore can be mirrored in our Rankings of ALL Walt Disney World Accommodations from Worst to Greatest, which takes value and quite a lot of different variables under consideration. Should you’d desire to learn that for a rundown of how all resorts rank, have at it. However, spoiler alert, considered one of these resorts ranks 10 spots greater than the opposite…making the conclusion of this comparability considerably inevitable.
To not smash this head-to-head smackdown for you, however that final class of ‘worth for cash’ is essentially the important thing. These two lodges usually are not aggressive with each other throughout the board, however they’ve sufficient similarities that we’ll search to find out whether or not the Reasonable-tier Caribbean Seashore Resort is ok, or if they need to splurge on the Deluxe Disney’s Riviera Resort Resort. The decision may shock you…or not!
Since Disney’s Riviera Resort opened, we’ve been providing passing comparisons between it and Caribbean Seashore and treating the 2 as “sister lodges.” That’s unlikely to be a comparability that Walt Disney World appreciates, because it views the Riviera as a flagship DVC property on par with the Grand Floridian. Nonetheless, it’s on the previous grounds of Caribbean Seashore, and truly changed a few of the Reasonable Resort’s buildings.
Thematically, these two properties conflict with each other and in fashion the tower of Disney’s Riviera Resort is a pointy distinction to the constructing clusters of Caribbean Seashore Resort. It’s additionally jarring to be sitting within the tropics of Caribbean Seashore and see these gray towers looming on the shore. Then again, Caribbean Seashore friends profit from upgraded and new facilities on the new, close by resort.
Whereas we’ve stayed at each resorts a number of occasions (many, many occasions within the case of Caribbean Seashore) we had not completed near-consecutive stays on the two till pretty lately. Now that we have now, this comparability turns into a bit simpler–and hopefully extra truthful!
Value: Caribbean Seashore Resort — On common, a normal Deluxe Studio at Disney’s Riviera Resort prices almost triple the nightly price of Disney’s Caribbean Seashore Resort. After all, you can at all times downgrade to a Tower Studio at Disney’s Riviera Resort and pay “solely” double the value of CBR, however these tiny yet-overpriced Tower Studio rooms usually are not going to go muster for many friends. We’ll thus confine our comparability to the traditional rooms at every resort.
Now, the argument could possibly be made that Riviera Resort is extra enticing with reductions, because it has already seen 30% off charges and will get the “full” Free Eating low cost, at any time when that’s provided once more. It may be argued that Riviera Resort is considerably cheaper by Renting Disney Trip Membership Factors. Nonetheless, it’s troublesome to ebook through DVC level rental and isn’t with out draw back–and that’s not an apples to apples comparability, anyway.
Accordingly, that is premised round what a mean visitor would pay when going to Disneyworld.com and pricing out Riviera Resort and Caribbean Seashore (which does embrace reductions–sometimes higher at Riviera, as famous above). It doesn’t issue DVC level rental or being a DVC member as a result of that’s not the baseline situation. (In addition to, no precise DVC member goes to be debating between these two.) It is a planning put up, so we’re viewing this from probably the most sensible perspective.
This price disparity is the backdrop in opposition to which the remainder of this comparability is ready. We’re not suggesting the Riviera must be twice pretty much as good than Caribbean Seashore to be the last word victor nor will we grade on a curve from right here on out. Whereas price is goal, its relative weight is subjective. For some folks, it issues so much. For others, cash isn’t any object, and best possible remains to be best possible. As with so many issues, it’s your mileage might differ.
Theme: Caribbean Seashore — That is certain to be the primary controversial decide, however hear me out. Caribbean Seashore Resort feels like a tropical island escape. It’s a seaside resort by identify, however might virtually go for a port metropolis within the Caribbean. As a Reasonable Resort, not the entire particulars and structure are fully-fleshed out, however it coalesces very effectively in providing a transportive setting that’s enjoyable, gentle, and ethereal.
Caribbean Seashore does an distinctive job of capturing the essence of vacationing within the tropics. Even post-overhaul, the grounds are nonetheless lush, there are some stunning seashores, and all of it culminates in a calming setting that may be a ton of enjoyable to discover.
Particularly, Caribbean Cay is a gem hiding in plain sight. I really like wandering Caribbean Seashore Resort resort late at evening or within the early morning–there’s merely a ton to discover and the setting is nice and alluring. The vibe is superb–shockingly so for a Reasonable Resort with outlying buildings and exterior hallways, however these really work effectively with the theme at CBR.
Against this, Disney’s Riviera Resort will not be actually themed within the conventional sense of the time period. The design will not be all-encompassing, and doesn’t aspire to move you to a different time or place. As an alternative, it’s a slightly generic luxurious tower lodge that gives impressionistic touches, with thrives, decorations, and artwork that evokes the spirit of the French (or is it the Italian?) Riviera. It’s undeniably extra luxurious than Caribbean Seashore, however luxurious and theme usually are not synonyms.
Our Disney’s Riviera Resort Evaluate sharply criticizes the shortage of thematic ambition of the brand new DVC property, utilizing phrases like “lazy, uninspired, and boring” when describing the structure and design of the large field lodge. The resort is so much like cookie-cutter suburbia, extra harking back to Val d’Europe, the Disney-developed city adjoining to Disneyland Paris, versus the extra lavish and ornate French Riviera.
What’s most disappointing right here is the squandered potential–the ‘supply materials’ is a treasure trove of wealthy and delightful designs. Imagineering might have chosen an iconic exemplar in Cannes, Good, or Monaco and additional romanticized and reinterpreted it. As an alternative, the fashion was phoned in with historic images of Walt Disney, work of animated movies, and European film posters being substitutes for precise themed design. Don’t get us fallacious–that’s all enjoyable, however it finally feels hole and superficial.
Rooms: Riviera Resort — Should you’re beginning to query our bias or objectivity right here, this class ought to put a minimum of a few of these issues to mattress. Nonetheless, even it comes with an asterisk–however we’re getting forward of ourselves on that.
We’ve heaped reward on Caribbean Seashore Resort’s redone rooms, and are why we dubbed the resort “Poly-lite” within the first place. These rooms not really feel like funds motel lodging, and have good particulars befitting of a better caliber resort.
Or in order that’s how we felt virtually a decade in the past when these “new” rooms first debuted. They have been a pointy departure from the brightly-colored, arguably garish, however inarguably fundamental rooms that got here earlier than. We beloved them on the time, and nonetheless like them. Nonetheless, so much has occurred within the time since, and Walt Disney World has actually refined its strategy to room overhauls. Many readers have criticized Caribbean Seashore’s rooms as darkish, dingy, and beginning to really feel dated.
When evaluating the usual rooms at Caribbean Seashore and Riviera Resorts, there isn’t a comparability. It’s a stark distinction. Caribbean Seashore is likely one of the early makes an attempt at this ‘technology’ of room modernizations at Walt Disney World; they weren’t good to start with and at the moment are due for an additional overhaul.
Then again, the Deluxe Studios at Disney’s Riviera Resort are the fruits of quite a lot of room design classes discovered by Disney during the last decade. They iterate on previous successes, disregard previous failures, and are available collectively completely. Disney’s Riviera Resort options the near-pinnacle of room design at Walt Disney World.
The design is elegant and considerate, with space-saving options and beautiful design thrives. The room feels upscale and extremely usable, with refined touches, artwork, and extra. Riviera’s visitor rooms really shine thematically–the paintings, use of texture, and supplies actually come collectively. There are additionally balconies, that are absent from all Reasonable Resorts.
If the lodge room is your paramount consideration, Disney’s Riviera Resort is the simple winner. Not simply of this comparability, however arguably in all of Walt Disney World. (I’d nonetheless decide the Villas at Grand Floridian or Polynesian Villas, however that’s largely a matter of private choice.)
With that mentioned, there’s a plot twist on this class. Caribbean Seashore lately debuted an all-new room fashion, the ‘Underneath the Sea’ fifth Sleeper Rooms Impressed by The Little Mermaid, which change the notorious pirate rooms and may solely be present in Trinidad. These Underneath the Sea rooms are nice for households who need more room whereas they’re not sleeping, because the pull-down beds make the primary dwelling space far much less cramped through the day. These are incredible–much better than the usual rooms.
As a result of the whole lot wants a nickname, we’ve dubbed these as Caribbean Seashore’s “DVC-Lite” or “Cheap-Riviera” rooms (nonetheless workshopping the identify). Conceptually, these are an identical to the usual rooms at Disney’s Riviera Resort. These function the identical fashion of pull-down Murphy beds that convert into couches, and now have most of the similar ‘high quality of life’ options because the DVC-style studios.
To make certain, the studios at Disney’s Riviera Resort are extra refined, spacious, and simply typically higher-end. It’s actually the “bones” which can be virtually an identical right here, with quite a lot of the ending and options differing–and being higher–at Disney’s Riviera Resort. Nonetheless, for lower than half the value (when going by rack charges), that’s a good tradeoff. Riviera Resort nonetheless wins this class, however not when seen by the lens of worth for cash.
Eating: Riviera Resort — One other comparability that Disney’s Riviera Resort wins handily. This has the very best lineup of any Disney Trip Membership resort, and probably the greatest eating slates of any resort with Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera, Primo Piatto, Bar Riva, and Le Petit Cafe.
Topolino’s Terrace is the primary standout, with the finest character breakfast at Walt Disney World and a superlative Signature dinner menu. Primo Piatto flies underneath the radar, however it has emerged as a sleeper hit of counter service eating places at Walt Disney World.
What we actually recognize about Riviera Resort is its vary of eating choices. Every restaurant satisfies a unique objective, and most are at or close to the highest of their class. Bar Riva and Le Petit Cafe, specifically, are sometimes ignored–however one is among the many finest pool bars (with a family-friendly setting and incredible menu) and the opposite is among the many most formidable bakeries. And only a few followers find out about both–they’re in some way underneath the radara!
Caribbean Seashore Resort has its personal duo of underrated eating choices in Centertown Market and Spyglass Grill. Then there’s Sebastian’s Bistro’s new family-style meal that’s the finest dinner deal in all of Walt Disney World. Add to that Banana Cabana, which is arguably probably the greatest pool bars at any Walt Disney World resort, and also you’ve obtained fairly the formidable lineup.
Nonetheless, these 4 eating places don’t measure as much as the amount and selection at Disney’s Riviera Resort. Despite the fact that Caribbean Seashore punches above its weight, it nonetheless doesn’t rival probably the greatest Deluxe Resorts (for eating) at Walt Disney World.
One factor to notice right here is that it’s a straightforward ~5-10 minute stroll from most of the visitor rooms at Caribbean Seashore to the eating choices at Disney’s Riviera Resort. In reality, some rooms at Caribbean Seashore are nearer to Primo Piatto than they’re Centertown Market! So how a lot weight you give this class is as much as you.
Swimming pools: Caribbean Seashore — On our checklist of the Prime 10 Swimming pools at Walt Disney World, Fuentes del Morro Pool (aka the “Pirate Fortress Pool”) at Disney’s Caribbean Seashore Resort ranked #3 and trio of Mediterranean swimming pools at Disney’s Riviera Resort ranked #10.
The Pirate Fortress Pool scores critical factors for its Spanish colonial fortress fashion, fortresses, cannons, and normal pirate enchantment. It’s an superior place to fake you’re a pirate, and who amongst us doesn’t wish to try this?! You may scoff at this as an grownup, however after sharpening off a few Caribbean Smugglers from the Banana Cabana pool bar, you’ll be staggering round questioning, “why is the rum at all times gone?!” Severely, this pool is superior for friends of all ages.
For adults, Disney’s Riviera Resort provides a reasonably robust poolside lounging recreation. Beau Soleil and Riviera Pool provide a ton of selection by way of seating choices, plus a laid again and tranquil vibe that’s absent from Fuentes del Morro Pool. Whereas the S’il Vous Play interactive water play space is good for teenagers, it has nothing on the Pirate Fortress Pool.
With all of that mentioned, Disney Trip Membership members do have the flexibility to pool hop, that means that they’ll use each units of swimming pools. That’s not true going the other way, which together with the eating class, additional muddies this resort comparability.
Transportation: Tie — The marquee transportation at each resorts is the Disney Skyliner gondola, which is barely higher at Caribbean Seashore. Disney’s Riviera Resort has one station, which provides direct service to EPCOT and connecting service to Disney’s Hollywood Studios through the Caribbean Seashore hub station.
Against this, Caribbean Seashore has easy accessibility to each stations that means direct entry to each parks, which may be vital when attempting to get to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in time for Early Entry to knock out Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and/or Slinky Canine Sprint. Similar goes for Early Entry at EPCOT by Worldwide Gateway, which makes knocking out Remy’s Ratatouille Journey and Frozen Ever After through standby a breeze.
Nonetheless, the explanation this can be a tie is the bus service to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Caribbean Seashore has an inner bus loop, and whereas that’s not as dangerous because it was once, it’s nonetheless not supreme. Disney’s Riviera Resort has a single bus depot, which is easier, much less time-consuming, and causes fewer frustrations throughout peak journey occasions when buses are in excessive demand.
The scales will most likely tip in some way for you relying upon whether or not you utilize the Skyliner or bus transportation extra. Once more, your mileage might differ.
Verdict: It Relies upon — There’s not an enormous level in fixating on a verdict right here, as the load you personally give to every class goes to be outcome-determinative right here. For some, the colossal price disparity between the 2 will make Disney’s Riviera Resort a complete non-starter. If that’s the case for you, hopefully this comparability highlights how one can take pleasure in some slices of Riviera’s luxurious whereas nonetheless staying on the extra budget-friendly resort.
For others, the numerous benefit provided by the rooms at Disney’s Riviera Resort goes to be the difference-maker. (Should you’re merely on the lookout for luxurious, you may also wish to learn our Gran Destino vs. Riviera Resort comparability.) Even then, hopefully this comparability illustrates how Caribbean Seashore provides some benefits–and how one can make the most of these throughout your keep on the Riviera.
Simply because the Riviera is the extra “posh” resort doesn’t imply it’s higher at the whole lot, so don’t flip your nostril up at Caribbean Seashore’s pool, bar, and plush grounds. As with each resort at Walt Disney World, there’s good and dangerous, execs & cons to each of those, and every have their distinctive qualities that make them price testing–or checking into, because the case could also be!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about lodges on our Walt Disney World Accommodations Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot that you must know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Is cash the deciding issue for you, or are the visitor rooms? Do the superior rooms, eating, and condensed format present sufficient worth so that you can assist bridge the value hole? Is there one other variable you possibly can consider to make Caribbean Seashore Resort the higher decide? Are we lacking a key variable that tilts the scales extra within the Riviera’s favor? Do you agree or disagree with our picks? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
