904: Riviera Views, Topolino’s Dinner, and Fireworks on the Water

We’re setting sail, checking in, and admitting we got one wrong! We share our private Happily Ever After fireworks cruise experience, from a scenic ride around Bay Lake and an up-close look at the Electrical Water Pageant to watching Magic Kingdom’s fireworks with synchronized audio onboard. We break down the experience, the cost of splitting a boat with friends, and whether this Disney extra deserves a spot on your vacation wish list.

Then, we check into Disney’s Riviera Resort for our first overnight stay, and discover that visiting a resort and calling it home are two very different experiences. We cover our spacious one-bedroom villa, pool time, the resort’s relaxed atmosphere, and the bathroom layout that left us wishing for a little more privacy. Plus, we revisit Riviera’s Resort Wars matchup against Saratoga Springs and officially change our winner!

Of course, there’s plenty of food along the way, including Primo Piatto, Bar Riva, Le Petit Café, and a memorable dinner at Topolino’s Terrace. From duck confit gnocchi and standout tiger shrimp to affogatos, decadent desserts, and rooftop views of Luminous, this trip gave us plenty to talk about—and a few things we’re already craving again.