Four Seasons Orlando family travel guide
Why it is my favorite place to stay at Walt Disney World
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is by far my favorite resort in the Orlando area. It is always my top choice when we are visiting Disney, and after multiple stays, I have so many reasons to recommend it to other families. The grounds are impeccably beautiful, the food is delicious, and there is an unlimited amount for kids to do. What I especially love is how thoughtfully everything fits together. Play areas, lawn games, pools, and activities are tucked into the landscaping, so you can enjoy this gorgeous resort while your children have plenty of room to play.
I could easily spend a week here without getting bored. If you are planning a Disney trip, my biggest piece of advice is to leave yourself time to enjoy the hotel. You will want entire resort days in your itinerary.
The welcome starts with the kids
The attention to children begins at check-in. During our visit, the kids had their own little check-in experience with a short questionnaire and a lollipop. There was also a small slide, rocking horse, and toddler-sized climbing blocks where they could play while we finished checking in and picked up our room keys.
When you arrive with children, having something for them to do immediately is such a thoughtful touch. It makes the start of the trip feel special for them and easier for you. Especially after a long travel day.
Spacious rooms and the details parents appreciate
Our rooms felt modern, spacious, and comfortable, with a bathtub in each room to make bath time easy. When you are traveling with little ones, that is a detail you really appreciate after a long day at the pool or the parks. The resort can also help with baby essentials, including cribs, baby baths, and diaper pails. I would send your requests before arrival so the team can confirm what is available and have your room ready for your family. An extra touch that I loved was the child sized robes and slippers, along with baby bath essentials. THey really thought of everything.
For our family, connecting rooms worked beautifully. Our setup had a shared entryway that made the two rooms feel like one larger space. What was awesome was that we were able to park our strollers there in the entry area without taking up room inside the actual room, which was so helpful. If that layout sounds like it would work for you, ask specifically about connecting rooms with a shared entryway when booking.
Pools and water play for different ages
The resort's Explorer Island is a five-acre recreation area with enough to keep everyone busy for the day. There are multiple places to swim and play, including the family pool, lazy river, Splash Zone, and water slides.
The Splash Zone deserves special attention. I honestly think it is the nicest splash pad I have ever seen. The shallow, zero-entry areas and interactive water features make it especially appealing for young children who want to splash and explore. It is such a good option for little ones, with an adult staying close and supervising.
The family pool has a gradual beach-style entry, making it easy to wade in together. The lazy river winds through beautiful landscaping and includes waterfalls and a bubbling rapids section, so there is plenty to enjoy along the way.
For children ready for more excitement, The Drop has two water slides. The resort currently requires riders to be at least 42 inches tall, which is helpful to know before getting your little ones excited about them.
The kids club is a major reason to stay here
Kids For All Seasons is the resort's complimentary daytime program for children ages 4 through 12, and it is an amazing amenity for families. The program includes supervised activities such as crafts, games, outdoor play, and swim time. It is based in The Mansion on Explorer Island, with an interactive volcano play area among its features. The current daytime schedule is generally 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For younger children who are not old enough for drop-off, you can take advantage of the family open-house sessions and remain with your child while they play The concierge can also arrange babysitting for an additional fee.
The Hideout and plenty of outdoor fun
Older kids and teens have plenty to keep them entertained, too. The Hideout is a game room with video games, billiards, and interactive gaming tables. It is an especially useful option when everyone needs a break from the sun. Children under 12 are also welcome to play, but require supervision.
Around the resort you will also find a playground, lawn games, a rock climbing wall, basketball, and a multipurpose turf court used for volleyball and other games. Table tennis, foosball, and life-size chess add even more options. I love having that variety when traveling with children of different ages. There is always another activity to move on to when someone is ready for a change.
Check the activity calendar before planning your days
The resort activity calendar is worth looking through as soon as you arrive. Programming can include s'mores, dive-in movies at the pool, scavenger hunts, family games, and guided wildlife exploration.
For children who love animals, the Florida Wildlife Exploration experience is a particularly fun one to ask about. The guided golf-cart outing introduces kids to the wildlife and natural habitats around the property.
There are also special evening offerings such as Explorer Island Takeover for ages 4 through 12. Schedules, reservations, and any additional charges vary by activity, so use the guide for your stay when making plans.
Princess makeovers at the spa
On this trip, both of my daughters had princess makeovers at the spa. I love that you can include an experience like this in your stay without having to leave the resort. The salon offers Magical Moments for children ages 3 and older. Depending on the package, the makeover can include a princess hairstyle, makeup, nail polish, a hair accessory or tiara, a wand, and other royal finishing touches. Some packages include a dress, so check what is included when you book. This is a lovely addition to a resort day or something to arrange before a special dinner. I would book ahead, especially if you want appointments for siblings around the same time.
Disney character breakfast at Ravello
You can also have a Disney character experience right at the hotel. Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & His Pals takes place at Ravello, with a breakfast buffet and opportunities to meet the characters. It is normally offered on Thursday and Saturday mornings, with some additional dates during busier periods. Reservations are required, so this is something I would plan before arriving. What makes it especially appealing to me is that you get the character experience along with a delicious breakfast. You can make it the main event of a relaxed morning, then head straight to the pool or another resort activity afterward.
Where we eat and what I order
The food is another reason I love staying here. From coffee and pastries to poolside meals and dinner on the rooftop, we have so many favorites.
Lickety Split is the cutest coffee shop. I love the honey lavender latte and their pastries, which are baked fresh daily. It is an easy place to start the morning with breakfast sandwiches, pop in for savory baguettes for lunch, and they even serve house-made gelato for a treat later in the day. Something I love is that this spot is open until 9 p.m. Usually hotel coffee shops are closed by 4, so having an evening spot where we could pop in for a coffee or treat is such a perk.
Capa, the rooftop restaurant, is a must for me. My favorites include the patatas bravas and pan rustico. The terrace also has views of the Disney fireworks, so ask about timing when you make your reservation if you would like to see them over dinner.
The poolside food is delicious, too, which makes it easy to stay out and enjoy the day. The Lakehouse is the resort's casual lakeside restaurant, while Plancha offers another option by the golf clubhouse. Ravello serves Italian food for dinner, including pasta and pizza.
There is also a helpful offering at Ravello called Pasta & Play. On select evenings, children ages 4 through 12 can join supervised activities after their family meal while the adults finish dinner. Ask the host about availability when you arrive.
And please leave room for room service. I recommend the burger, and we also love the hot and crispy chicken sandwich. Do not forget a freshly baked cookie, they are huge, warm, and soft.
One useful dining perk for families: the current resort guide lists complimentary dining for children 5 and younger with a paying adult at Ravello, Plancha, the Lobby Bar, and The Lakehouse. The character breakfast is excluded. Confirm the eligible menu and other terms with your server.
There is time for parents too
While the kids are enjoying supervised activities, adults have the Oasis pool, reserved for guests ages 21 and older, as well as the spa, fitness center, golf, tennis, and pickleball. Having those options matters on a family vacation. There is room to plan something for yourself along with all the fun you are arranging for the kids.
Staying close to Disney
The resort sits within the Golden Oak community at Walt Disney World Resort, which gives it such a private, peaceful feel while keeping you close to the parks. I love having the Disney magic nearby along with the service and comfort I come to Four Seasons for.
The hotel provides complimentary scheduled transportation to all four Disney theme parks. We received a shuttle schedule at check-in, and I recommend keeping it handy when planning your departure and return. Private cars and vans can also be arranged for an additional charge if your family prefers its own schedule. This was especially helpful for us planning with children, who sometimes need to get moving right then and there, and cannot always wait for the shuttle.
The lobby's Disney Planning Center can help with tickets and park plans. Four Seasons guests also currently qualify for 30-minute early theme park entry, with valid park admission and any required reservations.
The Four Seasons app makes everything easier
One of my biggest tips is to download the Four Seasons app and connect your reservation before your trip. I used it to arrange restaurant reservations, both of my daughters’ princess makeovers, and transportation before we even arrived. Having those details taken care of ahead of time made settling in so much easier.
During your stay, you can message the resort team whenever something comes up. You can arrange a car while you are still getting everyone ready, before you even head down the elevator. You can also order room service through the app while you are still at the park or the pool and coordinate delivery for when you get back. Coming back to your room with dinner already arranged is such a helpful option with hungry kids.
The app is also your best friend for special requests. If you forgot something, need an extra item for the baby, or want help adjusting a reservation, you can simply send a message and ask. I especially appreciate having that direct access to the team when we are traveling as a family. Finding a quiet moment to make a phone call is not always easy, and being able to handle something from wherever we are makes a real difference.
You do not have to remember every little detail before arriving. The Four Seasons team is happy to help along the way, and the app makes reaching them so easy.
How I would plan a family stay
I would reserve the character breakfast and princess makeovers ahead of time, send over any baby-equipment requests, and ask about the room configuration that best fits your family. Once you arrive, look through the activity calendar before filling every day with park plans.
Most of all, give yourself time here. Have a slow coffee morning, let the kids play, float around the lazy river, and order lunch by the pool. Those are exactly the kinds of days I want to leave room for when we come back.
Menus, activity schedules, age and height requirements, and Disney benefits can change. Check the resort's current information when planning your stay.
Disclosure: Four Seasons Resort Orlando provided part of our most recent stay complimentary, and we paid for the remainder. This was our first hosted visit, and we had stayed here at least twice before. All opinions and recommendations are my own.