TRAVEL

Four Seasons Resort: Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort

Trisha Ventker

Four Seasons Resort:

Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort

Trisha Ventker

Orlando is an illusionary fantasy and wonderfully imagined. I’ve been an Orlando aficionado for years with numerous trips with my family to the city of pretend, the last excursion in July 2021, and on this current fall trip I was excited to share the fantasy with Tristan, my 16-year-old son, and was keenly aware that the mother and son memories in this magical place are precious and fleeting. The city pulls me in like a magical magnet that takes hold with a grip like Hercules, Disney’s strongest protagonist, or the power of Elsa in Frozen. With seemly unending creative magic, Orlando simply has so much to offer that one trip is only a teaser, and I’ve spoken to numerous Disney devotees who have been to Disney World 30 times or more.

Orlando, officially founded in 1856, located in central Florida, became an eminent destination when in 1965 California-based Walt Disney purchased 43 acres of desolate Orlando land to build his second theme park. Unfortunately, this inventive artist and resourceful genius died in Los Angeles the following year. His brother, Roy Disney, a lifetime business partner, took over the reins and Walt Disney World’s grand opening was in 1971, and presently has expanded to 47 square miles of pleasurable creativity.

Theme Parks Rapture

On my first trip to Orlando as a youngster, I was overwhelmed, everything in Disney World appeared bigger than life, an exciting dream world with make believe characters that seemed to be alive and well and so happy. When it was my turn, I gave Mickey Mouse a big hug and everything in my world for the entire trip was glowing and virtuous, and maybe because it was Walt Disney himself who provided the voice of Mickey for some 20 years until 1947. The choices here are massive regardless of which way you turn with four theme parks: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Epcot, and beyond, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, Legoland, and scads of hotels, restaurants and shopping. I’ve always recognized why visitors return here time and time again.

For this Orlando excursion we were invited to Four Seasons Resort: Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort, which is nicely located, and among the best hotel collections on the planet, and I love the address, 10100 Dream Tree Blvd. The resort was first built in 2014 on 26 acres with 17 floors, and the vibes are like a nicely planned extension of Disney World with a five-acre waterpark and Explorer Island, a flawless setting to enjoy the nightly Disney fireworks. The Four Seasons Golf and Country Club is all-embracing with an 18-hole golf course, Certified Audubon Sanctuary, fitness center, and Oasis, an attractive infinity-edge adult-only pool, and for epicureans, six restaurants including the romantic rooftop Capa, a Michelin-starred beauty located on the 17th floor. Four Seasons Restort: Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort, is the only AAA Five Diamond Resort in central Florida, and small pets are welcome. It was also a wonderful feeling to be greeted with a warm welcoming smile and distinguished service.

Four Seasons Resort: Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort

Orlando Reflections

I’m truly a Disney enthusiast, and I advocate for first-time visitors to plan daily moderation for a superior experience. Having said that I hope I can follow my own advice, realizing what the city offers. A recent survey by WalletHub covering the best and cheapest local food scenes, compared 180 of the largest cities rating from affordability and accessibility of high-quality restaurants, and one of the top 20 food cities in the country is Orlando with Denver placing 11th. History also abounds. Most of us are not aware that Walt Disney, a visionary and highly trained artist, during World War I was an ambulance driver for the American Red Cross in France and Germany, and during that challenging time must have had thoughts flowing about a magical future, as Disney’s Castle is based on the real-life Neuschwanstein castle in Bavaria, Germany.

Appraising Four Seasons

This was my first visit to a Four Seasons property and I was impressed! After checking in and visiting our suite, I made my way to the spa while Tristan took a hotel tour and a look at the kids’ club and Lazy River. The spa, with 18 elegant treatment rooms named after Florida birds was the setting for a muscle-relaxing massage leaving me physically and mentally refreshed. The resort’s Kid’s Club is a splendid bonus for parents who require some adult time. The Club is widespread with a climbing wall and a selection of age-suitable activities, all within a large water park, and Explores Island, a tropical south pacific oasis. A key attraction, for me, was the wandering Lazy River where we enjoyed a few leisurely hours floating on the river that threads its way through flourishing colorful gardens, and a lush landscape. The water park is thoughtfully designed for family pleasure with a family pool, and we watched kids having fun in the splash zones, on the water slides, and playing volleyball on a beach designed court.

Ravello: A Culinary Journey to Italy

Executive Chef Fabrizio Schenardi and Sous Chef Mario Arredondo took us on a culinary trip to Italy, and a standing ovation is certainly in order for their creative virtuosos. We were honored to meet Sous Chef Arredondo who dropped by our table as we enjoyed Cozze in Brodetto, created with mussels, garlic and tomato, followed by a delightful plate of tomato and mozzarella focaccia, extra virgin olive oil and herbs a must, and adorned with a light muffaletta topping. My son, with a healthy appetite for indulgence, went all out and ordered the Manzo, a 16 oz, Prime Ribeye, seasoned with Fabrizio’s Rub, and with sides of grilled asparagus, roasted potatoes, and crowned with a rich Chianti sauce. Dessert kept our tastebuds captivated with a delightful Italian Chocolate Cake, and a Stracciatella Tortoni Cake, both ideal to serve at home dinner parties. The Michelin starred Capa restaurant with Spanish inspired cuisine, honored by Wine Enthusiast Magazine and placed among the Best 100 Wine Restaurants in the United States, unfortunately was closed for renovation.

Dining with Goofy and Friends

Our Four Seasons, Disney adventure came together in a brilliant Ravello buffet brunch when the ills of the world, if only for a moment, were put aside. Upon entering Ravello we were greeted by a vibrant and colorful ambiance that instantly transported us to the heart of Disney’s storytelling, infusing an extra dash of magic to our trip. Disney’s beloved characters, Mickey, Goofy, Donald Duck and friends flamboyantly came to life, taking us on a whimsical journey into the world of Disney. They provoked laughter and smiles from guests young and old, and the playful touches made us feel like we were living in a magical fairytale. The culinary team also went above and beyond. The brunch was a gastronomic treasure with something to tantalize every palate, while the dessert station with an array of selections reminded me of a child in a candy store. It was an experience that my son and I will treasure for years to come.

Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot

With a farewell wave to Micky and friends we hopped on the complimentary shuttle to Magic Kingdom and spending extra for the Disney Genie Lightning Pass, for quick access to the Pirates of the Caribbean, and Space Mountain in Tomorrowland, and then walked over to Epcot and smack dab in the middle of the Epcot International Food Festival where visitors can taste cuisines of the world which we did, and ending with the Italian Quattro cheese pizza, our favorite. Our legs carried us eight miles throughout the day and returning to the Four Seasons for some shut eye was a blessing!

Dining Options

The Four Seasons culinary team is a winner. The next morning, another culinary treat was brunch at Plancha at the Four Seasons Golf and Sport Club overlooking Lake Buena Vista. Plancha features modern Latin American cuisine with a Cuban twist. The Guava Pastelitos is a succulent Cuban pastry with cream cheese and guava, while a Cuban sandwich was loaded with roasted pork, a slice of black forest ham, Swiss, sofrito, and daubed with mayo and a spicy mustard. With time running short we took the complimentary shuttle to Hollywood Studios, and again purchased the Genie Pass to experience the Millennium Falcon Smuggler’s Run, and the Rock and Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith and then Star Wars Rise of the Resistance. For a quick snack and unusual nonalcoholic drinks, it was Olga’s Cantina, which felt like we were in a Star Wars movie.

After another full day of memories I found the resort’s Lobby Bar is a destination in itself where the ambiance is animated with chatter and activity, and the perfect place to unwind after a busy day or to kick off a memorable evening. The two of us split a Mezze Platter delightfully prepared with hummus, sumac, quinoa tabbouleh romesco, olives,dolmas and thin slices of grilled pita. A Wedge Salad steeped with a Blue Cheese Dressing, bacon cherry tomatoes, and a blue cheese crumble, was incredibly refreshing, as was a medium rare filet with bernaise sauce and honey carrots. Dessert, always important, was Mexican churros, and their signature Popcorn Ice Cream Sundae, and a flourless chocolate sponge cake sprinkled with salted caramel sauce.

It was time for our flight to Denver and we were leaving with lasting memories and the magic that Disney and Four Seasons offer.

My Thoughts

Located within the gates of the Disney World Resort, the resort offers guests an enormous advantage with exclusive access to Extra Magic Hours, shorter lines at the rides, complimentary transportation to Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, all in all a mammoth time-saver, and adding further enchantment. The resort is indeed a testament to luxury, service and the magic that Disney creates.