Riviera vs Caribbean Beach (2026)

A Mickey Mouse topiary in the gardens at Disney's Riviera Resort — Disney's Riviera Resort

The lighthouse and colorful buildings of Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort reflected in Barefoot Bay — Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

The short answer

These two sit on the same Skyliner line to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, and both score 9 for getting to EPCOT, so the gondola isn't the difference. The price is: Caribbean Beach averages $338 a night against $738, a gap of $400. The Riviera wins on splash pads, 10 against 8, has the one signature restaurant between them in Topolino's Terrace, and scores 6 for adults against 4. Caribbean Beach wins on the main pool, 8 against 7, and on kids 7 to 13, 5 against 3. Happy to pay Deluxe to be on the gondola? Take the Riviera. Want the same gondola at a Moderate price? Take Caribbean Beach.

Choose Riviera if you want the Skyliner with a Deluxe room and a signature restaurant downstairs.

Choose Caribbean Beach if you want the gondola to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios at a Moderate price.

Caribbean Beach is about $400 a night cheaper on average, about $2,800 over a seven-night stay.

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Side by side

Category	Riviera	Caribbean Beach
Nightly rate, on average	$738	$338
Pools	7 / 10	8 / 10	7.0
Splash pads and slides	10 / 10	8 / 10	7.7
Things to do on site	6 / 10	4 / 10	7.0
Suits toddlers	9 / 10	9 / 10	7.4
Suits ages 7 to 13	3 / 10	5 / 10	5.9
Suits adults	6 / 10	4 / 10	5.4
Table-service restaurants	1	1
Signature restaurants	1	0
Bars and lounges	2	1
Getting to EPCOT	9 / 10	9 / 10
Overall average	7.1 / 10	6.7 / 10

Averaged across the scored categories, Riviera wins by 0.4 points, 7.1 against 6.7 out of ten. That is a summary and not the answer: a single line you care about can outweigh it. Green marks the better of the two on that line. Counts of restaurants, bars and beds are quantities, not scores. The average across all 32 resorts is pools 7.0, splash pads 7.7, things to do 7.0.

The case for each

Disney's Riviera Resort

Deluxe · about $738 a night on average · sleeps 5

GoodSplash pads score a full 10, and Topolino's Terrace is the one signature restaurant between the two. Adults score 6 against 4.

Less goodThe nightly average of $738 is $400 above Caribbean Beach. Kids 7 to 13 score 3, the lowest number on this page, and things to do scores 6 out of 10.

Pick this one if: you want the Skyliner with a Deluxe room and a signature restaurant downstairs.

Dining on siteTopolino's Terrace for sit-down meals, Primo Piatto and Le Petit Cafe for counter service, and two bars.

What there is to do on siteScores 6 out of 10, below the average of 7.0 out of 10: Painting on the Riviera, crafts in the Eventi Room, a campfire and a nature walk around Barefoot Bay.

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

Moderate · about $338 a night on average · sleeps 5

GoodA nightly average of $338, $400 below the Riviera, on the same Skyliner line. The main pool scores 8 against 7, and kids 7 to 13 score 5 against 3.

Less goodOne sit-down restaurant and no signature. Things to do scores 4, the lowest number on this page, and adults score 4.

Pick this one if: you want the gondola to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios at a Moderate price.

Dining on siteSebastian's Bistro for sit-down meals, Centertown Market and Spyglass Grill for counter service, and one bar.

What there is to do on siteScores 4 out of 10, below the average of 7.0 out of 10: Under the Seashell painting, a nightly campfire on Martinique Beach, movies under the stars every night, fishing and volleyball.

Both are on the same Skyliner line, and the gap is $400 a night. If the gondola is why you're looking, they're equal on it: both score 9 for getting to EPCOT. Pool and splash pad scores are our judgment. Restaurant counts, room sizes and nightly rates come from Disney's own pages, averaged across three snapshots.

Your family will rank these differently

Ages, budget, room size and which parks you are doing all change the order. Resortings scores all 32 resorts against what your family actually needs, and tells you when not to spend the money.

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Common questions

Is the Riviera or Caribbean Beach better for young children?

Toddlers score 9 at both. The Riviera wins on splash pads, 10 against 8, and Caribbean Beach on the main pool, 8 against 7.

Which one is cheaper?

Caribbean Beach, by about $400 a night: $338 against $738 on average.

Are both resorts on the Skyliner?

Yes. Both sit on the Skyliner to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, and both score 9 for getting to EPCOT.

Which is better for older children?

Caribbean Beach, scoring 5 for ages 7 to 13 against 3. Neither is strong there, and the average across all 32 resorts is 5.9.