There's a Four Seasons Resort at Disney World — and It Has a Free Kids Club, Michelin-starred Dining, and an Adults-only Pool

When the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort opened 10 years ago, it redefined what a theme park vacation could be. Tucked away in the exclusive Golden Oaks neighborhood within Disney World, the resort feels worlds away from the buzzy theme park just a 10-minute drive away. Combining the luxe standards of the Four Seasons brand with a touch of Disney magic, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando proves you can have the best of both worlds.

I’ve stayed at the Four Seasons Orlando Resort twice now — once in 2021 when it was ranked our readers’ third-favorite resort in Florida and again this month for a dual birthday celebration — and both times, I was reminded that this resort combines many of my favorite things and still keeps me coming back for more. 

On this trip, I celebrated my birthday alongside my mom during a girls' weekend that balanced theme park fun with spa treatments and fine dining while the resort kicked off its 10th-anniversary celebration. In honor of the occasion, the resort will unveil Epilogue, a new adults-only, Florida-inspired speakeasy next month, along with a Disney-themed artist spotlight featuring Dom Corona — and there's more to come throughout the year.  

As a Travel + Leisure editor who covers theme parks and luxury hotels, I've yet to visit anywhere else where you say hi to Goofy and friends at a character breakfast, take a dip in an adults-only pool, treat the whole family to complimentary activities (including a free kids camp), splash around a five-acre water park, dine at a rooftop Michelin-starred restaurant, and watch Disney World fireworks — all just a short car ride from the theme parks, no less.

Here, our review of the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. 

The Rooms

The resort's 443 rooms range from king guest rooms to the ultimate 3,300-square-foot Royal Suite, which can be expanded to include nine bedrooms. For a truly over-the-top experience fit for any Disney prince or princess, guests can buy out the entire 16th floor — including the Royal Suite, Presidential Suite, and additional guest rooms.

For my most recent stay, I enjoyed a newly renovated Park View Deluxe Suite, a gorgeous, modern suite with plenty of places to sprawl out after a day by the pool or at the parks. The large, furnished terrace was perfect for watching the nightly Disney World fireworks, and two bathrooms — one with a massive soaking tub — featured delightful, pomelo-scented amenities from Atelier Cologne. A dining nook was the perfect spot to eat breakfast before starting our days.  

The resort has the largest standard guest room square footage in Orlando, so know that you’ll have lots of space and luxe touches no matter which room you choose. Some rooms may have construction noise as the on-site Four Seasons Private Residences are developed, but courtesy credits are available for guests who choose an impacted room. 

Food and Drink

Six food and beverage locations offer a range of experiences and flavors for all palates.

Capa, the Michelin-starred Spanish steakhouse perched on the 17th floor, is the crown jewel of the resort’s culinary portfolio, with rooftop terraces that are the perfect spot to watch the nightly Epcot and Magic Kingdom fireworks, cocktail in hand. The menu features Spanish-style tapas (the gambas is one of my favorite dishes), grilled steaks, seafood, and more.

On the first floor, Michelin-recommended Ravello offers daily breakfast (including the Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy and His Pals on select mornings) and Italian dinner service with housemade pizza and pasta. Ravello was the first restaurant in the U.S. to receive 100 Percent Italian Taste Certification at the Platinum Level by ITA0039, showcasing its commitment to using genuine Italian ingredients in its cooking.  

Outside, PB+G (which stands for Pool Bar and Grill) offers a wide range of tasty poolside bites, including salads, sandwiches, and snacks (I loved the poke bowl), plus delightful cocktails to sip from your lounge chair.  Plancha is the golf clubhouse restaurant serving Latin American-inspired casual eats and Sunday brunch. The Lobby Bar offers cocktails and bites just steps off the lobby, and nearby Lickety Split is the spot for coffee in the morning and sweet treats in the afternoon. 

Of course, in-room dining is also available — ideal for those days when you’re tired from walking around the theme parks and just want to relax and put your feet up. 

Activities and Experiences

Even though it’s just a short distance from the Most Magical Place on Earth and all its fan-favorite attractions and character experiences, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is a destination in its own right, with a seemingly endless supply of things to do for all ages. 

The five-acre Explorer Island packs two water slides, a zero-entry family pool, a splash pad, a lush lazy river, sports courts, an indoor video gaming space, oversized outdoor games, a rock climbing wall, and more into a beautifully landscaped area surrounding a “ruined” mansion. There’s so much to do for guests of all ages in this part of the resort, but nearby, guests 21 and over can enjoy the only adults-only pool at Disney World. The serene infinity-edge Oasis Pool overlooks a peaceful lagoon and has a hot tub, plus plenty of spots to lounge for a much-appreciated oasis for adults after a day or two at the nearby theme parks. Cabana and bungalow rentals are available at the pools, too. 

The Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando has an 18-hole Tom Fazio course and a 16-acre practice facility. More of a tennis fan? Reserve a time on one of the three Har-Tru tennis courts or take a lesson from the on-site tennis pro. 

There’s a large fitness center with all the equipment needed for your vacation workout, plus complimentary fitness classes like yoga, group cycling, and more. 

Shop around Wardrobe for high-end men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, and stop into Fable for the fanciest princess dresses for little ones, resort merchandise, and more. 

The Spa

The spa offers something for everyone, from traditional massages and facials to innovative IV vitamin drips and cryotherapy. After walking miles around Magic Kingdom until midnight, a 50-minute massage followed by a therapeutic session in the Somadome meditation pod was the perfect antidote to tired legs and backpack-sore shoulders. Indoor and outdoor relaxation areas include a spa tub, steam room, experience shower, and plenty of places to rest and unwind. It’s the perfect spot for parents to chill while little ones are exploring independently, thanks to the resort's complimentary childcare.

Family-friendly Offerings 

There are dozens of family-friendly resorts near Disney World, but the Four Seasons offers the most luxurious take on a Disney family vacation. There’s a slew of Disney perks, including early theme park entry, complimentary transportation to the park, and views of the fireworks from some rooms and the rooftop restaurant.

Kids (and kids at heart) will not want to miss the character breakfast with Goofy and pals at Ravello, and parents can even arrange a private character breakfast for a fee in one of the resort’s event spaces. And, of course, the expansive Explorer Island offers fun for the whole family, with a water park, a massive pool, and indoor and outdoor games. Kids can even get the royal treatment at the spa when you book a Magical Moment. 

And it’s not just the splashy amenities that make this a great family resort; there’s also complimentary childcare, a rare offering at Disney World. Kids for All Seasons is the resort’s curated programming for little guests ages four to 12. Every day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., parents are invited to drop their kids off for a day of supervised fun, ranging from water activities to craft time and more, while they hit the spa or lounge by the adults-only pool. Plus, Pasta and Play at Ravello is offered on select evenings year-round, so parents can enjoy a relaxing dinner while younger guests play with the Kids for All Seasons team. Other family-focused events, like complimentary dive-in movies at the pool, are also on the schedule every week. 

Accessibility and Sustainability 

Accessible rooms are available, with features like wide, wheelchair-accessible doors, roll-in showers, grab bars in the bathrooms, raised toilets, and more. Service animals are allowed at the hotel, and the hotel entrance, restaurants, ballroom, and meeting areas are accessible. Pools have chair lifts or zero-entry ends. 

The resort has enacted several environmentally friendly practices and charitable initiatives. The Tranquilo Golf Course at Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando is a certified wildlife sanctuary by the National Audubon Society, and the resort uses water-efficient landscaping practices. Some of the energy the resort uses is solar power from the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Beyond additional waste reduction initiatives, the resort also aims to benefit the local community by donating and delivering excess food from the breakfast buffet, donating used linens to Orlando Pet Alliance, and donating gently used furniture to other local charities.  

Location

The Four Seasons Orlando Resort is located at Walt Disney World within the ultra-luxurious and exclusive Golden Oak neighborhood. This gorgeously manicured neighborhood is just four miles from Magic Kingdom, with single-family homes starting around $5 million. Because it’s tucked away in Golden Oak, surrounded by lush greenery and multi-million-dollar homes, the resort feels worlds away from the theme park hustle and bustle. Of course, you only need to visit the rooftop bar or peek out your park-view windows to spot the fireworks and see that you’re not far away at all: It’s a short motor coach or car ride to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and the water parks. Universal Orlando is located about a 30-minute drive away. 

The resort is about 30 minutes from Orlando International Airport (MCO) by car.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

The resort has several special offers available at any given time, ranging from advance purchase discounts of up to 20 percent to special rates for Florida residents looking for a close-to-home vacation. Be sure to visit the “Offers” page on the resort’s website for the most up-to-date information as you plan your trip.

Beyond the discounts and limited-time offers, standard Four Seasons Resort Orlando rates include some exclusive, valuable perks. As mentioned above, the resort has complimentary, supervised kids camps — something you won’t find at another Disney World resort — for little ones ages four to 12. The resort also offers complimentary transportation to the Disney theme parks via cushy motor coach, and guests can enjoy 30 minutes of early theme park access, just like other guests staying on property at Disney-branded hotels. While the parks are always a good idea, the resort’s expansive pool and water park area make it easy to forgo another day of park tickets to spend time instead enjoying all the luxe amenities at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando.