Inside Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

This target clientele is not concerned about taxi fare or rental car expenses. Drive over and valet at the Contemporary for MK -- done, and so on.

Excellent point.

 

[Planogirl]

I just don't perceive the Palm beach area as a family vacation locale. I have a couple of friends that have relocated to the Palm Beach (1) and Boca (1) areas in the winter. I tried to work out my orlando trip so I could go see them and go to the Key Biscayne tennis tourney after the Orlando trip. I couldn't figure out what my husband and 5 year old could possibly do while I was at the tourney all day/night so I just decided against it. Maybe it is wonderful for families and I'm missing something.

One other thought on this particular FS ... it appeals to people like me. Individuals that value staying at nice resorts but maybe can't foot the bill for the FS all the time. The Orlando FS is relatively inexpensive compared to other FS properties. So, I think it'll appeal to people that enjoy this type of experience but maybe not at $700-$800 a night for the cheapest room. I think I read this is more in the $500's starting. If I were doing Disney I'd choose it over any other Disney deluxe except maybe a couple nights at AKL for the animals (can't stay there long the rooms are small). We all have different priorities.

Just my thoughts.

Actually when I checked pricing, the FS was even a little less than that.

I do agree that there will be clientele for this place just as there is for other current luxury hotels in the Orlando area. As pointed out, there is plenty to do besides go to WDW plus there is nothing to stop FS guests from going to the Disney parks. Some people just prefer a higher standard when they travel no matter where it is they go to.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Inside Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort: Exclusive Interview with General Manager Thomas Steinhauer http://pursuitist.com/inside-four-seasons-resort-orlando-walt-disney-world-resort/

Youtube Video: http://youtu.be/s8vBGjLmeiE

~This is just fabulous. I love the Four Seasons but opting to stay here instead of onsite comes with too many significant drawbacks, imo.

~While I love Magical Express -- I can manage without it. The Four Seasons has their own dedicated in house fleet of chauffeurs to accommodate airport transfers -- for an extra fee, of course. But at least -- the service is available and it's not contracted out to some random limo/taxi company. And, they provide transportation to and from the parks.

~I do not like the idea of having to sacrifice EMH! We travel in late summer when it is extremely hot -- so, we love spending fabulous summer nights in the parks. Ugh.

~Plus, at this point -- offsite guests do not have access to Magic Bands. But, word is that offsite guests will have the option to purchase Magic Bands and make FP+ in advance sometime this year. It could be a deal killer if not.

~Disney's deluxe is not really deluxe especially for what they charge. However, the theming and location cannot be beat. And, Disney knows this. The Four Seasons reservationist was awesome and really put her all into trying to convince me on how we can enjoy both Disney and the Four Seasons and she was darn good.

~I find it interesting that the Starwood Hotels offer Magic Bands, FP+, Disney Parks transportation (ME excluded) and can be booked directly from Disney's website.

~I was hoping it would be the same at the Four Seasons. Unfortunately, it will not -- I knew it was too good to be true. If the Four Seasons offered Disney onsite perks, I would jump ship without hesitation. Right now, I'm just on pause...

 

[Rumors Rocks]

FS is here to compete directly with offsite deluxe resorts not Disney Parks Resorts.

 

[amberpi]

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

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

Swolphin gets emh and has been testing magic bands.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

FS is here to compete directly with offsite deluxe resorts not Disney Parks Resorts.

That's probably right.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that all resorts both onsite and offsite compete to a certain degree. However I don't think that many of the typical FS guests would be interested in staying onsite at WDW.

 

[xie]

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 doubt that 1 hour policy will stand for long if they get any pressure from guests for more frequent bus routes. FS is all about service.

Many people who are staying there would simply opt for calling a private car to come get them anyway.

The only thing that surprises me a little is that FS guests won't have EMH access. Although perhaps they will, and it just wasn't included in the announcement.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The staff to guest ratio at a hotel like the FS is higher then lesser rated hotels. Think club level (or higher) service for the entire hotel.

Transportation won't be an issue. FS guests could take taxis.

FS failing seems very unlikely. The hotel becoming a low priced Disney Deluxe... Never happen. Standard rooms at WL and AKL are less expensive then other Disney deluxe hotels. Those rooms are also smaller. A deluxe room at WL and AKL are similar in size, and price, to other deluxe resorts. Suppose FS can't get enough guests. Every chain would love to have a high end property in that location. OK Hilton already has the Waldorf.

Posters in this thread kind of confirm what I suspected. Posters on Disney fan sites will continue to pay premium prices for less then premium service in order to experience "Disney Magic". That's not the part of the market FS is looking to capture.

excellent...

i might add: "Are you saying that disney "DELUXE" hotels arent "deluxe"?"

yes...that's what i'm saying...from a service level - not even close. People who will pay $400 + a night (and dont' know any better) will convince themselves that they are getting the monorial to the magic kingdom and top notch world class service and quality.

But it is not so. You are paying for very uniquely designed, built, and constructed hotels in a spot that is also one of a kind location (i would argue that the disneyland paris resort looks a little like WDW in someways...but not quite and not on the same scale)...and you are paying a huge surcharge for that privilege. But you are not getting a "deluxe" service experience. And if you notice - they have never claimed that nor will ever on any official document.

As long as everyone recognizes what they are in fact paying for...and what the Seasons would be there to provide an alternative too...this addition makes sense from all sides.

 

[elcapitanJack]

FS is a very successful brand with a very loyal following. There's a likely hood their customer isn't the type that will be relying on buses or shuttles during their stay so transportation and access to Disney attractions shouldn't be much of an issue. The service at FS is definitely worth noting.

When we travel to Orlando it's typically Disney related so we prefer to indulge in the 'experience' during our stay. What we may trade in service just can't compare with what we gain when we stay onsite at a Disney resort.

They don't swing and miss too much, so it will probably work out well for both FS and Disney.

 

[wdwgreg]

Have to start this by saying i have never stayed at a four seasons, but have stayed in 5 star hotels, mainly in europe, and that looks like a very small room (narrow)to me for 5 star, granted very nicely decorated, if a bit soulless (seriously a picture of the bottom of any empty swimming pool)

If the 4th point you are mentioning about your rooms is tea and coffee making facilities then you are stretching, it just seems like a place i would be expecting to stay when i go somewhere on business (and the budget is increased)

In terms of service, i personally dont find a big gap between and 4 and 5 star, at check in yes its better there is more staff, your luggage goes seamlessly to where it should, and generally it is a smoother system all round, but after that i dont notice much difference, maybe that is because im a fairly easy guest ' as long as i get my room cleaned, there someone at the concierge desk to help me if i need it (and only if i need it, i dont enjoy them trying to up sell me on things i have no interest in) a doorman can be a nice touch , but automatic doors do the same thing, and at the end of the day i dont struggle to open doors anywhere else.

A nice restaurant is always appreciated of course, but there are some great restaurants on Disney (yes some arent as good as they used to be, but some are better, but if im there for a week or more, im quite happy with a couple of stand out meals and a few good meals, if all 7 were stand out, then none would stand out, does that make sense) that i would probably only have one meal in the hotel anyway (cue the Disney food haters/ dining plan destroyed the world).

We had a look at the DVC rooms at GF last time we were there in Nov and cant really see anything that the fs rooms have over them (granted just photos)

Also if you are coming to Orlando, and not palnning to do Disney, you arent going to be staying on Disney property

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Have to start this by saying i have never stayed at a four seasons, but have stayed in 5 star hotels, mainly in europe, and that looks like a very small room (narrow)to me for 5 star, granted very nicely decorated, if a bit soulless (seriously a picture of the bottom of any empty swimming pool)

If the 4th point you are mentioning about your rooms is tea and coffee making facilities then you are stretching, it just seems like a place i would be expecting to stay when i go somewhere on business (and the budget is increased)

In terms of service, i personally dont find a big gap between and 4 and 5 star, at check in yes its better there is more staff, your luggage goes seamlessly to where it should, and generally it is a smoother system all round, but after that i dont notice much difference, maybe that is because im a fairly easy guest ' as long as i get my room cleaned, there someone at the concierge desk to help me if i need it (and only if i need it, i dont enjoy them trying to up sell me on things i have no interest in) a doorman can be a nice touch , but automatic doors do the same thing, and at the end of the day i dont struggle to open doors anywhere else.

A nice restaurant is always appreciated of course, but there are some great restaurants on Disney (yes some arent as good as they used to be, but some are better, but if im there for a week or more, im quite happy with a couple of stand out meals and a few good meals, if all 7 were stand out, then none would stand out, does that make sense) that i would probably only have one meal in the hotel anyway (cue the Disney food haters/ dining plan destroyed the world).

We had a look at the DVC rooms at GF last time we were there in Nov and cant really see anything that the fs rooms have over them (granted just photos)

Also if you are coming to Orlando, and not palnning to do Disney, you arent going to be staying on Disney property

The rooms at the villas are not indicative of the rooms at rack rate. The DVC rooms have kitchens, more Bathrooms or a different bath setup, etc.

That's apples to oranges

 

[wdwgreg]

Im aware of that, i was just using it to say, that i dont think there is really much; at least that i can see from the pictures, that is better than anything you can already get on site, granted a villa vs hotel room, but wouldn't imagine the cost would be that different.

Theres people on here that are effectively saying the the fs will make the GF, and other Disney deluxes look much less attractive, im saying im failing to see the huge difference.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Im aware of that, i was just using it to say, that i dont think there is really much; at least that i can see from the pictures, that is better than anything you can already get on site, granted a villa vs hotel room, but wouldn't imagine the cost would be that different.

Theres people on here that are effectively saying the the fs will make the GF, and other Disney deluxes look much less attractive, im saying im failing to see the huge difference.

Point taken...
And I'm kinda "one of those people"...but based on employee quality and service capacity... Not appearances.

Disney is very good at building movie set
Like facades that withstand the rigors of time...but they are not into service standards or compensation commensurate with service and capability. That had been eroding for several decades now.

There is, ironically, an article on CNN today about the Disney union contracts being up in March and their request for higher pay and benefits...pretty standard...but it gets
Press now because of the US healthcare act (I refuse to call it "Obamacare"...because it will make doctors, pharma execs, and insurance companies very wealthy...more than now. But you'd have to look at what it calls for and read the facts yourself to know that...it should be called George HW Bush care...it's more conservative than what he would have come up with).

The important part to this discussion is the talk of the $13.65 top out for workers... Frozen for years/decades. That's not gonna yield high quality service "professionals" at a place over time. Including in $600 a night hotels...which the "grand" will be at sooner than later.

And the counter argument to that "but look at their discounts on Disney stuff!" Doesn't hold liquid...
How do I know? Because flat attendance and a 16% jump in profits quarterly means the employees can't afford anything...by design.

 

[jagron11]

Does anyone know who owns this hotel, as that could have answers to how integrated the FS will end up? I believe all FS are owned by other than FS. They are a management/operations service, with exacting standards, but nonetheless they don't own any of their properties. So if Disney owns the hotel, then I'd be a bit more confident of integration.

Having stayed at a few FS, some business some pleasure, it is a notch above and a totally different experience. It is the service and amenities your paying for. You payed a lot up front, but at least things like cabanas, snorkel rentals, etc were all included, no up charge. Nice touch. And being addressed by name from the valet on arrival through almost every staff you meet is quite impressive. I'm definitely a fan, however, I agree that being "in the magic" is a very important service of value. I am very intrigued by this property to see how they integrate and toe the fine line of being a part of WDW while still being separate.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Does anyone know who owns this hotel, as that could have answers to how integrated the FS will end up? I believe all FS are owned by other than FS. They are a management/operations service, with exacting standards, but nonetheless they don't own any of their properties. So if Disney owns the hotel, then I'd be a bit more confident of integration.

According to "Four Seasons finalizes deal for $360M hotel at Disney World," September 13, 2011, By Jason Garcia, Orlando Sentinel:

Four Seasons will hold a 30 percent stake in the project, with the remaining equity split between Silverstein Properties, a New York real-estate developer, and Dune Real Estate Partners, a New York private-equity fund. Grupo Financiero Inbursa, a Mexico City-based bank, will provide $190 million in debt financing.​

 

[SeanWM48]

let's face it, FS wouldn't pull the trigger on this place unless they were positive it would work out. i'm sure this will do well.

personally i have little interest in it. i just don't travel to WDW and look for "luxury." i'll enjoy paying for a moderate like the wilderness cabins (which are still pricey) and using the bus system, boat to MK, renting some bikes, etc. i enjoy all that. i don't get on the boat and think "darn, why can't we rent a lincoln MKX to bring us to the parks?" lol

 

[lockedoutlogic]

According to "Four Seasons finalizes deal for $360M hotel at Disney World," September 13, 2011, By Jason Garcia, Orlando Sentinel:

Four Seasons will hold a 30 percent stake in the project, with the remaining equity split between Silverstein Properties, a New York real-estate developer, and Dune Real Estate Partners, a New York private-equity fund. Grupo Financiero Inbursa, a Mexico City-based bank, will provide $190 million in debt financing.

Just some background... Four seasons was a public company that was bought and taken private.

The drivers were Cascade Investment and Kingdom Holdings Company

Cascade is Bill Gates and Kingdom is Saudi Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, also know as the Saudi playboy prince of the west that was the prime partner in Eurodisney ( amongst a hubdred other things) and still a large share owner...

So...just a few bucks behind the four seasons...and a couple of people who like to make a splash