Four seasons Orlando?

[jlnten17]

We have been to every Disney Deluxe except Riviera. For reference my favorites are Poly, GF and BC. We had a park heavy trip in Jan but I was considering a weekend trip to Four Seasons without parks. Specifically I’m wondering how the kids club is. My kids love the kids clubs on the cruise but it’s always packed with other kids. Is there good attendance at the kids for all seasons so they would have others to play with? Kids are ages 5 and 8. Thanks!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I can't answer your question about the kids club, I'm sorry. But your post made me think of our FS adults only 'no parks' trip several years ago. We made it 24 hours before were online buying park tickets and heading to Epcot. We enjoyed FS - but I realized being so close made me antsy to get some real Disney time in and I missed the bubble.

The FS doesn't get a ton of discussion on the boards, but perhaps someone with kids club experience will chime in with their input.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[jbock]

Hi all - I'm hoping to possibly revisit the topic of Four Seasons. I have a stay coming up in June, 2 adults, 1 nearly 8 y/o. For about the same money, I could stay at a Poly studio or a Four Seasons-- possibly Lake view, definitely Golden Oak view. My initial thought is that the downside of not being able to walk to GF/TTC/MK offsets any benefits the FS has (slightly larger room, better service(?) lazy river, etc? But I've never stayed there. (But then again I've never stayed at a Poly studio.. For monorail resorts I've only been to CR & GF) I would have a rental car, so I could drive to the parks (or take FS shuttle - how's that?)

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[epcotobsessed]

Hi, we have stayed at the FS several times, always split with the Beach Club. We're doing this again in July.
Pros of FS:
- rooms are larger and far better appointed than any Disney property I've stayed at (all Deluxes except WL), with the bathrooms being not even in the same category as any Disney property (FS are way, way better), and this is true even for the cheapest FS room
- amenities far exceed any Disney hotel - there are several pools, a very long lazy river, waterslides, an adults only pool, and a variety of comfortable pool loungers/pods around each pool. There is poolside service, which can be hit or miss, but which is usually good. Sunblock, fruit infused water, ice water pitchers are all provided at the pool, along with towels (of course), and drinks and food can be ordered.
- other amenities include basketball, rock climbing, tennis, an excellent gym, and the spa facilities can be used by all guests, even without a treatment. We have never golfed, but there is a golf course as well.
- kids club is amazing, both the club itself and the "Hideout" (building with lots of video games) which is for tweens and teens - younger kids are welcome as well but have to be supervised by a parent.
- food is excellent, Capa is one of our favorite restaurants, anywhere, Ravello is very good (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), the ice cream parlor is my kids' favorite anywhere, and the lobby bar often has live music (or did, pre-pandemic) and has a nice menu. Room service is also excellent.
- van and/or bus transportation provided to all four parks - MK and Epcot are the most regular (every 30 minutes), AK and HS a bit more infrequently (every 60-90 minutes)
- the hotel itself is beautiful, the grounds are beautiful, it feels like a real vacation, just being there, in a way that I've never felt at any Disney hotel

Cons of FS:
- if MK is your favorite park, drop-off for MK is the TTC, and this is less than ideal. We have tried the "take an Uber to the Contemporary" trick to avoid the TTC, but I've heard the Contemporary is no longer allowing this.
- it can be more expensive than Disney Deluxes, but I've never found it to be a huge difference (and I think FS is worth a the extra money)

We tend to stay 3-4 days at FS, 4-5 days at the BC, and tend to do all of our park days while at BC, maybe 1 while at FS. FS is a true resort and we like spending as much time as possible there. I'm happy to answer any other questions.

 

[jlnten17]

Hi all - I'm hoping to possibly revisit the topic of Four Seasons. I have a stay coming up in June, 2 adults, 1 nearly 8 y/o. For about the same money, I could stay at a Poly studio or a Four Seasons-- possibly Lake view, definitely Golden Oak view. My initial thought is that the downside of not being able to walk to GF/TTC/MK offsets any benefits the FS has (slightly larger room, better service(?) lazy river, etc? But I've never stayed there. (But then again I've never stayed at a Poly studio.. For monorail resorts I've only been to CR & GF) I would have a rental car, so I could drive to the parks (or take FS shuttle - how's that?)

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Having completed the trip I originally posted about in March I will add to prior poster's review (to which I completely agree). Disney Deluxe Resorts are very nice resorts, often with excellent pools and dining options. The Polynesian is my favorite resort. It was the first Disney resort we ever stayed at and we actually own DVC there and stay there more often than not. The Four Seasons is an experience in luxury! The amenities and the customer service are some of the best I have experienced anywhere. If it were an option I would recommend a split stay. We actually stayed two days at Four Seasons and two days at Poly on our last trip (no parks). If you are opposed to a split stay I would choose Poly for the Disney bubble and location location location for a parks heavy trip. If you have one or two days of no parks I would recommend Four Seasons.

 

[jbock]

Thanks all for the insights - very helpful. Although I’m still torn! I’m leaning to SS Poly/FS. I am a big fan of lazy rivers…

 

[Vfabba]

If you are a fan of lazy rivers there is no question FS. Their pools and grounds are some of the best I have ever seen. Hands down better than any other pools in Orlando. The lazy river is huge and beautiful.

 

[jbock]

Sorry - one last question for those that have been of late - how're things in the pool area or other common spaces in terms of crowding... I'm not even going to mention the m word that rhymes with tasks as that seems to be a dirty word on the boards... Actually let me ask a more general question: I know what Disney resorts feel like in terms of crowd / density levels, how does FS compare?

 

[epcotobsessed]

Sorry - one last question for those that have been of late - how're things in the pool area or other common spaces in terms of crowding... I'm not even going to mention the m word that rhymes with tasks as that seems to be a dirty word on the boards... Actually let me ask a more general question: I know what Disney resorts feel like in terms of crowd / density levels, how does FS compare?

I am going in July for the first time in a year and a half and I was worried about crowding at the pools as well, so I called to book a cabana. The person I spoke with said that they haven't had to turn anyone away from the pools yet, you just might not get your first choice area of seating - there are sooooo many places to sit, and so many pools at the FS, that that makes sense. I decided to keep the cabana for one day anyway, but it sounds like they haven't had overcrowding issues. I'd love to hear from someone who has been recently, though, as well.

 

[mkb3]

So does FS have transportation to the parks or is it ride share?

 

[FCDub]

So does FS have transportation to the parks or is it ride share?

TRANSPORTATION TO THEME PARKS
Complimentary, scheduled Resort transportation is offered to the four major Disney Theme Parks: MAGIC KINGDOM® Park, DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM® Theme Park, DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS® and EPCOT®. Buses run twice per hour to and from MAGIC KINGDOM® Park and once per hour to and from the other three parks.

 

[epcotobsessed]

The only thing I'd add is that sometimes pick-up is every 2 hours from HS and AK in the afternoons. We have Ubered back because of this at times, it's maybe a $10-12 ride from either park.

 

[jbock]

TRANSPORTATION TO THEME PARKS
Complimentary, scheduled Resort transportation is offered to the four major Disney Theme Parks: MAGIC KINGDOM® Park, DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM® Theme Park, DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS® and EPCOT®. Buses run twice per hour to and from MAGIC KINGDOM® Park and once per hour to and from the other three parks.

At MK, do they go to TTC or do they get to bypass like Disney Resorts. I assume they don't, but it never hurts to ask, eh?

 

[epcotobsessed]

MK is TTC drop-off and pick-up, which is another reason we've used Uber instead of FS transportation - not all the time, but if we're in a rush on either end, we will use it.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Sort of funny to see I posted on this thread back in Feb and what I had to say at the time. We (full family, kids are 10 and 6) then stayed at FS over spring break (late March), I posted a little about it on another thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/disneys-club-level-cl-information-questions.3414590/post-62817809

Hardly a day since I haven’t found myself scheming about how to get back. Funny how perspectives change.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

If you are a fan of lazy rivers there is no question FS. Their pools and grounds are some of the best I have ever seen. Hands down better than any other pools in Orlando. The lazy river is huge and beautiful.

Especially lazy rivers that you can bring your cocktail with you.

 

[Kmk2]

The only thing I'd add is that sometimes pick-up is every 2 hours from HS and AK in the afternoons. We have Ubered back because of this at times, it's maybe a $10-12 ride from either park.

Yeah. The major downside to FS is transportation (not being walking distance to anywhere).

I’ve stayed here a decent amount. It’s an excellent luxury hotel. Restaurants are amazing. Their character breakfast was the best. Great kids and adult store.

Their pool, spa and gym facilities blow anything Disney has out of the water.

But I don’t want to drive everywhere. And I never could get a handle on their bus situation.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

With the caveat that I’m sure the schedule can change frequently, this was the schedule late March, in case helpful. I did just miss the 11pm Epcot bus one night and had to take the 12am bus. That wasn’t all that fun. But Uber/Lyft had crazy waits and were really expensive at the time as well, so we just had to suck it up. Just is what it is.

 

[Kmk2]

With the caveat that I’m sure the schedule can change frequently, this was the schedule late March, in case helpful. I did just miss the 11pm Epcot bus one night and had to take the 12am bus. That wasn’t all that fun. But Uber/Lyft had crazy waits and were really expensive at the time as well, so we just had to suck it up. Just is what it is.


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Thank you for posting! It’s very clear - but I could never make it work for us. That was OK in Minnie-van days - but I don’t trust Uber and Lyft with car seats etc.

I may do a few days on a split just because it is so amazing and with fine hotels you can get a 4pm Late checkout which makes moving easier.

 

[Mango7100]

I am going in July for the first time in a year and a half and I was worried about crowding at the pools as well, so I called to book a cabana. The person I spoke with said that they haven't had to turn anyone away from the pools yet, you just might not get your first choice area of seating - there are sooooo many places to sit, and so many pools at the FS, that that makes sense. I decided to keep the cabana for one day anyway, but it sounds like they haven't had overcrowding issues. I'd love to hear from someone who has been recently, though, as well.

We are going for the first time to FS (2 adults and 8 yr old), and I’m so excited. Judging from the photos it looks like there is a ton of space at the pools. Do they seat you when you go to the pools or do you just pick? Are there a lot of shaded areas? I would like some seating a bit more secluded and trade that for proximity to the pool...

Its got to be less crowded than Storm along Bay I would image. The pool area at FS is bigger by 2 acres and has about 450 rooms compared to 1200 between YC/BC.