Just a few miles from the gates of Disney’s Magic Kingdom is a towering luxury hotel where the hustle and bustle of the Orlando theme parks feels worlds away. To reach it, you’ll first pass through the private luxury community of Golden Oak. And once you arrive at the Four Season Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, you’ll find everything from golf to Michelin-starred dining to one of the best hotel water parks in Orlando—all of it just minutes from the parks.
If you’re thinking about splurging for a stay at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando, here’s what you should should consider before you book.
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1. The Disney Vibes Are Subtle at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando
If you’re family looking for an over-the-top theme park hotel where you’ll see Disney touches around every corner, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando may not be for you. But if you love subtle Disney hints and classic design then you’ll probably enjoy the vibe at this resort. Inside the lobby there’s a small display with prince and princess crowns, evoking the sense that you’re among royalty at the resort. As you walk down the hallways to your room, you’ll spot artist sketches that add to the subtle Disney vibe.
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While you won’t find Disney characters here regularly, you can enjoy a character dining experience on Thursdays and Saturdays with the Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy and His Pals, which is offered at the hotel’s on-site restaurant Ravello. And don’t worry if you have questions about what times the Disney theme parks open or how to use Genie+, because there’s a help desk with a Disney cast member right at the hotel.
2. It’s Located in the Heart of Walt Disney World
The Four Seasons Resort Orlando is right in the middle of the Walt Disney World Resort. To get to the hotel guests, you’ll pass through a private gated neighborhood called Golden Oak, which is a treat in itself to see the multimillion dollar homes that allow people actually live at Walt Disney World.
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On site, there’s a walking path that will take around the Four Seasons Resort Orlando past the swimming pools, lake, and golf course. You’ll often see a lot of early-morning runners and late-night romantic strolls along the path.
3. What’s Included at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando
The Four Seasons Resort Orlando is a luxury resort that packs a lot of special activities and perks into the price of a stay. Better yet, there’s no hidden resort fee to worry about, so you won’t be surprised by added costs at checkout.
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In addition to some of the standard complimentary offerings like a fitness center and free W-Fi, here’s what’s also included with a stay at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando.
Shuttle to Disney World: One of the biggest perks at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando is its complimentary scheduled shuttle that can take you to and from the four Walt Disney World parks. The transportation service runs once per hour to each of the parks. The timed buses alleviate a lot of the hassle and confusion of catching a park shuttle at the typical Disney-owned hotels in Orlando.
Amenities: Also included with a stay at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando is access to the spa, where the indoor and outdoor relaxation areas are complimentary to use. (Spa treatments cost extra.) Guests just need to check in with the host at the entrance of the spa to gain access and get a locker. Locker rentals are included, too, so don’t worry about having a surprise fee added to your resort folio after visiting the spa.
Pools and Water Park: The hotel pools are a big draw at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando, especially since there are so many experiences offered at the pool decks. The hotel has one adults-only pool, which is also a dedicated quiet pool where you cannot talk on the phone, play music, or engage in loud conversations. For a more lively pool, head to Explorer Island, which has a family-friendly pool, a splash zone, a lazy river, and a water slide. This is also where the sports courts, arcade, and kid’s programming are located.
4. What’s Not Included at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Although many experiences are included at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando, it’s not an all-inclusive Florida resort, so some activities and amenities come at an additional cost. Here’s what’s not included in your room rate.
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Parking: If you’re driving your own vehicle or a rental car, you will need to valet your car for an additional fee; self-parking is not available.
Food: The Four Seasons Resort Orlando has 10 different dining options, but none of them are included in the overall cost of the resort. The hotel’s restaurants range from a casual coffee shop and lobby bar to an excellent Michelin-starred restaurant with a Spanish steakhouse theme called Capa. Food can be pricy here. Expect to pay around $20 for even a light breakfast (e.g., coffee and an egg sanddwich).
Golf: A day at the golf course is not included in the price of your stay at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando. The golf course is a short cart ride away from the main hotel building and runs through a nature preserve. At the end of the round, many golfers take a break together at Plancha, one of the on-site restaurants, before returning to the main building.
Spa Treatments: While access to the relaxation areas of the spa is open to resort guests, treatments are an additional cost. Bookings can be made in advance of your trip or after you arrive at the hotel. If you’re bringing children with you, consider booking them their own knight or princess makeover, similar to the royal makeovers at Bibbidi Boppity Boutique at the Disney Parks.
5. Booking Activities, Experiences, and Dining
If there’s an activity, experience, or restaurant that you really want to do while you’re staying at the Four Season Resort Orlando, it’s best to make a reservation in advance. After you’ve booked your room, you should immediately book any dining experiences you want to prioritize during your stay. This is especially true for Capa, the rooftop Michelin-starred restaurant. Bookings can only be made by calling the restaurant. After that, you’ll want to book your spa or golf activities, again by calling the resort.
6. Guest Rooms at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando
All of the guest rooms at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando are located in the main building of the hotel. Rooms range in style and size from spacious standard rooms that overlook the resort grounds, Golden Oak, or the Disney theme parks, to larger suites with room for up to three adults or two adults and two kids.
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Each of the guest rooms has a large marble bathroom with a soaking tub, stand-up shower, and a private toilet closet. The bathroom also features a TV inside the mirror, which is a unique touch. Rooms come equipped with robes, slippers, Wi-Fi, umbrellas, and Bose Bluetooth speakers. Some guest rooms also have an on-demand wine system.
