If you’re planning a trip to the enchanting world of Disney in Orlando, there’s one luxury hotel that stands out among the rest: Four Seasons Orlando. As a top preferred partner, Ourisman Travel is a very loyal supporter of the Four Seasons brand and we jumped at the opportunity to experience this resort firsthand! While prices may be at a premium and the hotel is almost always at capacity, guests are more than willing to pay what it takes for a stay at this remarkable resort. And for good reason! The Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World is a major game changer with these key differentiators from the other nearby luxury hotels:
- The hotel is located inside the Disney gates
- There is dedicated on-site Disney concierge team
- Meet Disney characters on-site at Breakfast with Goofy & His Pals
- Complimentary scheduled transportation to the four major Disney theme parks
- Explorer Island water park with a splash zone, lazy river, waterslide, game arcade and more
- Dive-in Disney movies at the family pool
- Their staple “KFAS” complimentary Kids Club
- A rooftop restaurant and lounge with views of the fireworks
- Largest rooms of the luxury hotel options in Orlando
- No resort fees!
One of the most appealing aspects of Four Seasons Orlando is its family-friendly atmosphere. It’s the perfect destination for multi-generational travel, making it a great choice for bringing grandparents along. The hotel caters to guests of all ages, ensuring that everyone in the family has an incredible experience.
This is one of the largest of the Four Seasons hotels and I was a bit concerned that the large number of rooms would detract from the experience. But, the Four Seasons has this down to a science; they certainly know what they are doing. Service was quick, attentive, and friendly.
You can tell the hotel designers allowed themselves a sense of whimsy in the interiors. The ambiance is a bit more playful than your typical Four Seasons, but they did not go overboard. This is still a sophisticated luxury hotel, just with an extra minimalist splash of color and sparkle.
Accommodations For The Whole Family
When it comes to accommodations, the Park View Room is our top recommendation for our clients. The lower room categories are nice, but the views are very different and the Park View rooms are the first category where you can get a fireworks view. These rooms are very spacious and expertly laid out. A small foyer with brightly colored wallpaper leads to the main bedroom area. The sense of separation between the entrance and the bedroom gives the feel of a suite. Access to the bathroom is off to the side of the foyer through a surprisingly large closet and dressing area giving you space to stash your suitcases and clothes without taking up space in the main room. The bathroom is spacious with a deep soaking tub, separate shower, double vanity, and a WC for extra privacy. Highlights in the bedroom area include an inventive minibar space with a Nespresso machine, a large table with plenty of power plugs for all of your electronics, and a nicely furnished balcony. Unique decorative touches provide a splash of color and a residential feel. Although they may be more expensive, these rooms come with private balconies that offer stunning views of the nightly fireworks at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. This room was very comfortable and inviting!
For families, the Golden Oak View Suite is an excellent choice. It provides ample space with two bathrooms, a large living room area with a Queen sleeper sofa, and a master suite with a beautiful King-sized bed. There’s even a walk-in closet to accommodate all of your belongings, ensuring a comfortable and organized stay.
I stayed in a Park View Deluxe Suite which has been recently renovated to include new, whimsical details. Decorated with neutral colors, these presidential-style suites have been upgraded with a more spacious layout, with separate living and sleeping areas, a dining area for four, a separate second full bath, and a spacious furnished terrace with views of the Resort’s pools, lakes, and woodlands, as well as the nightly WALT DISNEY WORLD® fireworks show.
Four Seasons Orlando goes above and beyond to make your stay unforgettable. Some rooms even come equipped with in-room wine dispensers, adding an extra touch of luxury and convenience. In-room iPads with the FS chat app allow you to easily communicate with the staff for any requests or inquiries.
A Haven of Fun and Relaxation
A standout highlight for guests staying at Four Seasons Orlando is the abundance of pools and water attractions. The lazy river and five-acre water park, known as Explorer Island, provide endless hours of fun and entertainment. Many of our clients even choose to dedicate a full day to enjoying the water park, opting for one less day at Disney. For children under 12 years old, there’s the iconic, complimentary Kids For All Seasons (KFAS) club. And if your older children are too cool for a kids club, they can escape to “The Hideout” where they can indulge in video games, pool tables, and more.
Speaking of KFAS, parents will be delighted to know that the hotel offers a complimentary kids camp, allowing them some time to relax and enjoy the resort’s amenities. Additionally, the kids’ pool features a giant TV screen where “swim-in-movies” are played, often showcasing beloved, classic Disney films. Here you can truly “Let It Go” with the help of an “Explorita” margarita.
If adults want some quiet time to themselves, they can retreat to the adults-only pool, offering a tranquil environment for some unwinding in-between a busy Disney-filled itinerary.
The hotel’s spa also offers a range of relaxing treatments, including the popular “Mommy and Me” princess makeover, which can be paid for using your exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner resort credit.
For the dads who need to seek refuge for a few hours, they can play golf at the Tranquilo Golf Club. The Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole course is a par-71, with 6,901 yards and four sets of tees to accommodate all skill levels.
A summary of the resorts facilities includes:
- Explorer Island: a guests-only water park including a lazy river, splash zone, and a water slide
- Complimentary Kids Camp, Kids for All Seasons, for children aged 4-12
- Adults-only pool with a tranquil, sophisticated ambiance to balance all of the kid-friendly facilities
- 13,000-square-foot spa complex
- Tranquilo Golf Club designed by Tom Fazio and a certified Audubon sanctuary
Pro Tip: “Dive-In” Disney movies are featured at the Family Pool three days a week, ensuring you’ll catch a show during your stay.
The Magic of Planning Ahead
For those seeking unique Disney experiences, the Four Seasons Orlando offers a Disney Planning Center where you can arrange private, guided VIP tours of the parks. You can also participate in activities like Mermaid School, where children can make their Little Mermaid dreams come true in a small group located at Yacht Club, Caribbean Beach, and Art of Animation. We recommend booking your class at the Yacht Club for the best pool. Classes start at 8 am and cost $50 per person.
If you prefer animals on land, you can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride or even ride ponies at nearby Fort Wilderness or Port Orleans.
Enjoy a Princess Perfect Tea Party with Aurora from sleeping beauty or a Wonderland Tea Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland.
Delectable Dining Options
When it comes to dining options, Four Seasons Orlando doesn’t disappoint. Start your day with breakfast surrounded by your favorite Goofy & Pals at Ravello on Thursdays and Saturdays (and some Tuesdays during school breaks). Unlike Disney, there’s no need to wait in long lines to see the characters, and kids have plenty of time to interact with them 1:1. Advance reservations are highly recommended for this magical experience. Prices range from $32 for children and $52 for adults.
Ravello, Capa, Plancha, PB&G, and Lickety Split are just a few of the dining options available at the hotel. Lickety Split is a fun place to stop for coffee, smoothies, gelato, or a quick grab-and-go lunch.
A highlight for me was the Capa restaurant and lounge on the top floor. While this restaurant is definitely family-friendly, it does a great job keeping an “adult” feel to the space – something I greatly appreciated after my dose of Disney! The rooftop views are very special, day or night, and this is as good as it gets for a fireworks view!
A Note About Booking a Disney Vacation- I’m Not Very Good at it!
One noteworthy perk of staying at Four Seasons Orlando is the complimentary transportation to the parks. As the only luxury hotel providing this service, guests can enjoy the convenience of hassle-free transportation to and from any of the Disney parks.
As always, our clients will receive the Four Seasons Preferred Partner Amenities. In Orlando, these include:
- Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (excluding character breakfast)
- Hotel/Resort Credit* (based on room category booked):
• Guest Rooms: USD 100 credit per stay
• Suites and Specialty Suites: USD 200 credit per stay
• Private Retreats: USD 200 credit per bedroom per stay - Upgrade of one category, based on availability at the time of check-in
- Welcome note at check-in
Four Seasons Preferred Partner can generally be combined with any rates you’ll find directly with Four Seasons. The upgrades through Preferred Partner are also prioritized over upgrades through other programs, so you’ll want to use Preferred Partner over a program like Virtuoso or Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts. As a Preferred Partner agency, we can make Preferred Partner bookings on your behalf. As a Top 30 advisor globally for Four Seasons, we know that our clients are in the best hands wherever they stay.
I learned a valuable lesson on this trip, however. Navigating the many aspects of a Disney vacation while also trying to keep kids happy is not an easy task! If you have any desire for this to actually be a fun and somewhat relaxing trip, you MUST enlist a specialist to help design your itinerary. They know all of the tips and tricks like when it is faster to take the ferry vs. the monorail, when it makes sense to do a fast pass to skip the lines, how best to prioritize our rides wish list, and the best place to stand to see the fireworks without battling a massive crowd.
With that said, we will gladly help you with a reservation at the Four Seasons Orlando, and the hotel concierge along with the Disney Planning Center will be your guide for park tickets, VIP tours, reservations, etc.
The hotel provides the perfect blend of easy access to the Disney Parks with enough separation for those who don’t want every minute of every day saturated with Mickey Mouse ears! I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed my stay. I’m even more surprised to say that I would entertain the idea of returning!
For more information on Four Seasons Orlando and how we can elevate your stay, please send us an email at [email protected] or submit a Travel Request Form!
