Ourisman Travel is a very loyal supporter of the Four Seasons brand and I jumped at the recent opportunity to experience this resort first hand! The new Four Seasons Orlando is a bit of a game changer and the main differentiators from the other nearby luxury hotel options are:
- Located inside the Disney gates
- An on-site Disney concierge team
- Disney character breakfast on-site
- A very large water park and kids play area on-property
- A rooftop restaurant and lounge with views of the fireworks
- Complimentary Kids Club
- Largest rooms of the luxury hotel options in Orlando
The Four Seasons Resort Orlando is located inside the Walt Disney World Resort gates
A note about booking a Disney Vacation – I’m not very good at it!
Typically, If you came to me and said you wanted to book a Disney vacation, I would say, “talk to my colleague, Karen McAlpin, who is a Disney specialist and good luck!” Disney is not my thing. But, this new Four Seasons changes things. I know you expect us to be intimately familiar with any Four Seasons resort and this shouldn’t be an exception. So now, I will gladly help you with a reservation at the Four Seasons Orlando and the hotel concierge will be your guide for park tickets, reservations, etc.
As always, our clients will receive the Four Seasons Preferred Partner Amenities. In Orlando, these are:
- Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (excluding character breakfast)
- Spa credit of USD100 once during stay (not applicable to products)
- Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas)
- Now standard at all properties: Complimentary basic Internet (up to 2 devices) in all guest rooms, complimentary premium Internet (up to 4 devices) in all suites.
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. While I was in Orlando, I asked Karen to show me around a bit. She knew all of the tips and tricks like when it is faster to take the ferry vs. the monorail, when does it makes sense to do 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. I was thoroughly impressed and will be happy to make an introduction to anybody looking for the “McAlpin treatment!”
The Four Seasons Resort Orlando
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. Despite the fact that I was there for a large conference, I felt like I was staying in a small boutique. Service was quick, attentive, and friendly.
I love the decor of this hotel. It is clear that the 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 splash of color and sparkle here and there.
A tasteful dose of sparkle in the lobby at the Four Seasons Orlando
I stayed in a Park View Room with two double beds, which is what I suspect we will sell the most of. 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. This room was very comfortable and very inviting!
I was not able to see any other room categories during my stay, but there are plenty of suites and connecting room options for guests needing a bit more space or privacy.
The inviting lazy river at the Four Seasons Orlando
The resort facilities include:
- 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 age 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
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!
The Four Seasons Orlando provides the perfect blend of easy access to the Disney Parks with enough separation for those that 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!
