On a recent excursion to the World, I stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort. It was fine, but I found a way to deepen my experience with a few side trips to the resort next door. 

The deluxe amenities at the Riviera Resort were only a short, beautiful walk away. I found great drinks, quiet nooks, and some journaling inspiration at one of Walt’s most luxurious hotels.

To make it work for you, you’ll need to plan ahead and prepare to immerse yourself in European cuisine and culture. And bring a passport.

The Riviera Resort/Caribbean Beach Vacay Strategum

After my stay at Caribbean Beach was booked, I began checking the map and saw something funny. The Riviera Resort appeared to be in easy walking distance from sections of the Caribbean (some parts, the Caribbean is a massive resort).

I had heard tell of an almond latte at the Le Petit Cafe at The Riviera and wondered if a quick venture was possible, at least for one morning. 

I filed the idea away and waited for my trip. We got a room in the Martinique section of the Caribbean Beach, near Old Port Royale, the main hub and lobby. The room was honestly pretty basic, but clean. But the real perk was the beautiful walking path along Barefoot Bay that led to the Riviera.

Honestly, this beautiful morning stroll to pick up a latte at Le Petite Cafe helped me reset my mind every day. Grab a Café Glace and head into the park. What could be better?

These are some of the bonuses of living a double-resort life from a base camp at the Caribbean: 

• Access to the Riviera’s bus station when I needed to catch a bus to Disney Springs, Magic Kingdom, or Animal Kingdom
• Access to the Riviera’s Skyliner station
• Access to the gourmet food at the Rivera (I failed to try Topolino’s Terrace and hate myself for it)
• The view of the beautiful, elegant grounds, pools, and bars 
• Grabbing Deluxe Coffee before hopping on the Skyliner.

PRO TIP: If you walk from Caribbean Beach, the back doors to The Riviera may only open with key cards. You could have to scoot around the front to enter the front lobby. 

The Caribbean Beach amenities were nice, too. The lobby is beautiful. The main pool is really massive with lots of chairs. I’ve heard good things about Sebastian’s Grill. It’s a massive property, though. Don’t get lost. 

Another Pro Tip: I’ve found that any hotel that allows you to walk (or monorail, or skyline) into a park, makes a major difference in your whole vacation. It’s worth the money if you can. The Magic Kingdom resorts, Yacht Club and Beach Club, The Boardwalk Inn, Pop Century, and Art of Animation all offer a path, or boat, into one or two parks without ever sitting at a bus stop. 

The Luxury Journaling Spots at Disney World’s Riviera Resort

Some will look at the beautiful grounds and the Euro-stylings at Riviera and wonder what it has to do with Disney World. They’ll find the theming lacking. But this resort has the spirit of Walt in each piece of tile. 

The hotel is inspired by Walt’s trips to Europe and the French Riviera and Italian Riviera. You can start in the courtyard, with the elegant pools. The sporting lawn games. Grab an outdoor seat and let the towering resort block out all the stress and worries about getting on Guardians of the Galaxy.

Journaling Prompt: What other parts of Disney’s parks and resorts and media were inspired by Walt’s elegant excursions? Which vacations of your own have inspired creativity? 

There’s the Le Petite Cafe. This little nook features an almond cold brew with honey almond whipped cream that can inspire on its own.

The Cafe has limited but quaint seating; the true journaling spot next door will have you channeling Walt’s imagination. His inspiration from over a decade is found in the Voyageurs’ Lounge. It’s a study for all guests (and impostors like me). 

The spot has couches and dark, solid tables to enjoy your biscotti and to absorb shelves of books. It’s a collection inspired by Walt’s “Grand Tour” of the real Riviera in the 30s. The works of art hanging around you are inspired by the atmosphere in the real locales. 

And while you’re on the way to the skyliner, you can also stop by a fountain and absorb the mosaics infused with Disney magic. The tiled scenes go all the way over your head. It’s a quiet, cool spot with ambient noise. What could be better for jotting down World thoughts in your journal? 

Cut Loose at Two Resorts or Book Double the Quiet Time

Some of us want to be on top of a roller coaster as soon as we hit the entrance to a park. Others try to bottle up all the inspiration and ambiance we can to utilize immediately or take with us. 

A more budget-friendly Caribbean Beach Disney vacation offers a doorway to two great properties…and some bonus journaling nooks. 

Whether the park day is just beginning or just wrapping up, it’s nice to have a home resort to retreat to, or two. Tile and elegance or brightly colored buildings. They are all just reflections of Walt’s limitless imagination. 

Let me know if you have other resort hacks to double-up the fun. END

Vacationers at Disney World looking for quiet getaways may need more spots to reset and shelter from fast-paced park days. I wrote about some of the best places on park property to find respite and peace.