If you’ve kept up with our family for any amount of time, you know we’re frequent guests of the Four Seasons, Orlando. I blame Sarah Tucker who insisted she knew of heaven on Earth less than two hours from our doorstep! Now we’re hooked! As big fans of an overnight getaway, this spot will make you feel like you’ve had a whole vacation whether you can come for one week or one night! There are so many things to enjoy about this special place, and I’ve written a few posts including this one here about celebrating Catherine’s 2nd birthday, but this time Curtis and I narrowed down 5 Reasons We Love The Four Seasons, Orlando.
1. The Explorer Island Waterpark and Pools
The waterpark type set up is an absolute dream for kids of all ages. The Lazy River is covered in tropical foliage and immediately makes us feel like we’re on vacation, even when it’s just an overnight like this past weekend. The palm trees provide the perfect shade, plus the hidden coves and water splash stations add to the fun! Pretty much the first thing we do each visit is grab an inner tube and a tasty beverage and get busy floating the river! Catherine gives the Splash Zone a ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ review with it’s zero entry design and water fountains everywhere! Nearby, bigger kids can head to The Drop for some water slide thrills! If you find yourself here without any little ones, the adult-only Oasis is exactly how it sounds. It’s the perfect place to catch up on a good book or reconnect with your special somebody.
2. Kids For All Seasons
This award winning childcare amenity is complimentary, and Margaret asks to go every single visit. If you were following along on Instagram you might’ve seen her say “Bye Mommy, I’m not going to miss you! But I do love you!” And you know what, I think that’s great! She gets to have her own little vacation within a vacation and I know Catherine will be ready when it is her turn! Children 4-12 can be dropped off to do crafts and play games from 10 AM to 5 PM, with a break for lunch from 12-1 PM. During this visit we let her do the Explorer Island Takeover on Saturday night and for $75 she got to play laser tag, do crafts, have dinner and a movie, and take home a souvenir swim shirt. Catherine met the sweetest sitter we arranged through the hotel from Sunshine Sitters, which meant we got to have a date night at Capa with our friends who’d joined in on the getaway!
3. The Menus
From casual poolside bites to quite literally a top dining experience at their steakhouse on the 17th floor, the food (and drinks) are a highlight. I can’t possibly play favorites so I’ll just tell you what we love at each spot. At Capa their steak is not to be missed, but their Maiz side dish, which is a dreamy Corn, Polenta, Goat Cheese, mix, steals the show! Make time to get up to this rooftop restaurant and take in the sweeping views at sunset! At Ravello, Curtis loves their Pizza Bianca and Meatballs Antipasta, while I love the Veal Ravioli with spinach, ricotta, wild mushrooms, and truffle essence.
At PB & G and by the pool, I tend to go one of two ways. Either their Chirashi Bowl with spicy tuna and salmon poke, or a plain cheeseburger (medium rare) and neither ever disappoint! And their Hassarita is a cocktail I have to have at least once during my stay. And avocado margarita that is frozen and perfect for a float around the lazy river! La Plancha is a beautiful walk or golf cart shuttle away and has the best guacamole I’ve ever had in my life. Not to mention I’ve been trying to recreate their Citrus Glazed Salmon at home but can’t quite get it! Their menu is full of classic club house handhelds and a great relaxed setting for lunch, dinner, or Sunday Brunch. Even The Lobby Bar knocks it out of the park! From sushi, to dips, to one of my favorite entrees, their Garlic Lemon Chicken Brick, don’t sleep on this one! Last but certainly not least, the Character Breakfast with Goofy and His Pals at Ravello is one of the few Character Dining options at Walt Disney World right now. We went for Catherine’s 2nd birthday and I went into detail on it in this post. I’m looking forward to going again and would highly recommend making a reservation during your stay. The breakfast is offered each Saturday from 7 to 11 AM.
And at each dining option, the kids are taken care of and able to eat whatever they’re in the mood for, which is often pasta or chicken tenders in the case of my girls, but I know whenever they’re ready to branch out, they will have so many great choices. Not to mention Children 5 and under staying at the resort eat for free at the restaurants, including Ravello, The Lobby Bar, Capa, Capa Lounge, Plancha and PB&G, with the purchase of one adult meal. This excludes the Character Breakfast at Ravello, Lickety Split, In-Room Dining and the poolside menu. But it is an incredible perk that we’ve enjoyed many times!
4. The Four Seasons App
This app is the most incredible feature I never knew I needed in a hotel stay. Pretty much anything you could need can be handled seamlessly through the app. Before we start our trip I can request things with the quick tap of a message like a crib, or extra hangers. We let them know our ETA and can find out the status of our room. We’ve arranged for childcare, booked restaurant reservations and spa appointments, and requested our car from valet. The app has proven to be even more valuable over this past year as a way to cut down on face-to-face interaction, which helps protect everyone. That said, the staff at the Four Seasons, Orlando is wonderful and we enjoy each and every interaction with them, which leads me to my next point.
5. The Team
It is abundantly clear, whether you’re their guest for a night or a week, that the staff goes out of their way to make it special. They take note if you’re celebrating a special occasion or birthday. The counselors at KFAS are extraordinary with energy and cheerfulness that abounds – and that goes for everyone! They make an effort to foster a personal connection and this is evident from the minute you pull up to the day you head home. So as much as the app is a convenience, it’s also a true pleasure to get to know the ladies and gentlemen of the Four Seasons, Orlando and I guarantee their signature attention to detail will have you feeling relaxed, refreshed and recharged!
Media Disclosure: Our hotel stay was booked under a media rate, as was the case with this stay. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal experience and genuine recommendation.
