Inside Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World

[lockedoutlogic]

I've been frankly unimpressed by the Grand Floridian since we were at the hotel that it was modeled after. The original is old and creaky but I love historic properties and the Grand Floridian just doesn't seem to feel "real" any more. However we used to stay at the Polynesian and I can understand the allure. It's not luxurious but it is fun and the location can't be beat.

Hotel Del Coronado?

Supposedly the grand was designed as a "hybrid"
Either way that's easy for Disney...they can backdoor an excuse out of any flaws if they keep it somewhat ambiguous

As an aside...you know what Disney hotel actually does provide the best service consistently according to internal audit?

Perhaps the most obscure one

 

[North of Mouse]

When I go to Disney I am not looking for the 'over the top' luxuriousness of the FS. I am going to Disney to enjoy 'Disney'! Other than at night, we are 'up and about' in the parks, etc. so extreme 'luxury' is lost on us.

I will not stay at the values (not because I'm a snob) because I enjoy comfort as well as 'relative' quiet. I cannot relax in evenings/nights with running/screaming and general rambunctiousness going on til all hours which seems to be the guests that are attracted to staying there.

I do enjoy the deluxe hotel locations of the Epcot park, and that is very important in my decision.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Lol... Well I take you at your word and know youre not trying to sound "snobbish"...but that still came off pretty snobbish...

Maybe there's just no way to say it "nice"?

 

[beer dave]

How 5 star will it feel when the FS guests are waiting at epcot at the end of a summer day to all get on the bus that runs every hour--- hope it is a big bus.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

How 5 star will it feel when the FS guests are waiting at epcot at the end of a summer day to all get on the bus that runs every hour--- hope it is a big bus.

I assume that four seasons is smart enough to run their own transport...

Did think about it much till now though...interesting

 

[beer dave]

I assume that four seasons is smart enough to run their own transport...

Did think about it much till now though...interesting

The interview says they will run a luxury bus every half hour to MK and every hour to the other parks. Will the 5 star clients be waiting out in the middle of the epcot lot with the other off site guests? In the rain?

I am sure they will figure this out, but from the info in the article, it doesn't sound good.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The interview says they will run a luxury bus every half hour to MK and every hour to the other parks. Will the 5 star clients be waiting out in the middle of the epcot lot with the other off site guests? In the rain?

I am sure they will figure this out, but from the info in the article, it doesn't sound good.

Doesn't sound good either...they are going to have the same issues as Disney: covering 3-5 miles at a snails pace

Boy...a property wide light rail/ prt would really solve this kind of problem, wouldn't it?

But where's the short term profit in solving a longterm problem?

 

[Lewisc]

I can see your point for what it's worth...

I just contest this notion that somehow you're getting "more magic" by paying more. It's just scenery...pound for pound staff quality could be better at port Orleans. And that's why I don't like the resort operation and why the four seasons is a recognition of failure by Disney in many aspects.

It's actually a sign of Disney's success. Disney discovered they could charge GF guests 5* resort pricing but only staff for 4* service.

I've stayed at many WDW resorts. Service at POP greatly exceeded my expectations. Service at the POLY was about right. Service at other resorts fell far short.

 

[beer dave]

Doesn't sound good either...they are going to have the same issues as Disney: covering 3-5 miles at a snails pace

Boy...a property wide light rail/ prt would really solve this kind of problem, wouldn't it?

But where's the short term profit in solving a longterm problem?

that would be fantastic-- and would really help alleviate one of the "slipping" areas.

 

[Sparkly]

I'm assuming guests staying "offsite" at the Four Seasons would have their own car.

This hotel looks absolutely amazing! Now THAT'S a deluxe hotel.

 

[jaykorf001]

How 5 star will it feel when the FS guests are waiting at epcot at the end of a summer day to all get on the bus that runs every hour--- hope it is a big bus.

Isn't the FS property considerably smaller than most of the Disney resorts? I assume so but admit I could be mistaken. I imagine the FS will be all over the logistics related to park closings. Its clientele will demand this.

 

[North of Mouse]

Lol... Well I take you at your word and know youre not trying to sound "snobbish"...but that still came off pretty snobbish...

Maybe there's just no way to say it "nice"?

No, was not meant to sound snobbish!

Guess there would be no 'nice' way to say it for those that enjoy staying there for various reasons, but it's for the reasons that I listed that I could not stay there (or any comparable hotel anywhere). We 'do' like peace and quiet (relatively) and a certain amount of order, and that's not the place to find it JMHO.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I can see your point for what it's worth...

I just contest this notion that somehow you're getting "more magic" by paying more. It's just scenery...pound for pound staff quality could be better at port Orleans. And that's why I don't like the resort operation and why the four seasons is a recognition of failure by Disney in many aspects.

That "scenery" *is* "more magic" for us.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Hotel Del Coronado?

Supposedly the grand was designed as a "hybrid"
Either way that's easy for Disney...they can backdoor an excuse out of any flaws if they keep it somewhat ambiguous

As an aside...you know what Disney hotel actually does provide the best service consistently according to internal audit?

Perhaps the most obscure one

Which is?

 

[Planogirl]

Hotel Del Coronado?

Supposedly the grand was designed as a "hybrid"
Either way that's easy for Disney...they can backdoor an excuse out of any flaws if they keep it somewhat ambiguous

As an aside...you know what Disney hotel actually does provide the best service consistently according to internal audit?

Perhaps the most obscure one

Hybrid nothing. To me it's a copy.

I'll guess...Saratoga Springs?

 

[anthony2k7]

Hmm well the interior looks great. But I cant help thinking when I see the exterior of the main building that it looks like some kind of mix of coronado springs and tower of terror!

 

[ArwenMarie]

I'm confused...so are they going to get prebooking for FP+ with the Magicbands? If not, then I don't see the point. I'd rather stay deluxe somewhere (even if it's less luxurious) and be walking distance or monorail to the parks and get the prebooking.

If they get prebooking of FPs, that would sway me a bit more, even if the transportation is not as convenient. I wonder where their MK transport will let you off...will it be the TTC or the bus depot in the front? TTC...eh. Also a downside.

I dunno, will be interesting to see what happens.

 

[yitbos96bb]

I think you might have missed the point of a Four Seasons

Though...the "Disney planning center" and character breakfast obviously shows that the land was sold with some "strings" attached.

I noticed no EMH prigs... Does Swan and Dolphin get them?

I'm wondering the per night cost of the rooms?

 

[yitbos96bb]

I'm confused...so are they going to get prebooking for FP+ with the Magicbands? If not, then I don't see the point. I'd rather stay deluxe somewhere (even if it's less luxurious) and be walking distance or monorail to the parks and get the prebooking.

If they get prebooking of FPs, that would sway me a bit more, even if the transportation is not as convenient. I wonder where their MK transport will let you off...will it be the TTC or the bus depot in the front? TTC...eh. Also a downside.

I dunno, will be interesting to see what happens.

The point is some people don't care about the FP per booking amd such and instead want a luxurious and a Disney lite experience. I'm sure this will be very popular with a targeted set of people, especially international and people who are going to a lot of off property stuff as well.

 

[MagicJourney]

FS is truly 5*, and definitely superior than Disney deluxe resorts in terms of services and amenities. But, come on, this is WDW, people, especially frequent visitors, come here looking for magic experience rather than luxury. We will still prefer GFV/BLT/BCV/BWV over FS in Orlando.