PHOTOS, VIDEO: Four Seasons Resort at Walt Disney World Prepares to Open in 2014

Mark your calendar: set amid lush Florida woodlands and pools is a lakeside resort that promises to be unlike any other.  Luxurious accommodations, dining par excellence, a sumptuous Spa, extensive light-filled meeting and celebration spaces, and acres upon acres of recreational pursuits from golf and tennis to basketball and waterslides await at the new Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort, set to open in summer 2014.

Located just minutes from the Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and Disney’sHollywood Studios® – and easily accessible to numerous area attractions – Four Seasons Resort Orlando is a place where every experience can be customized and personalized, whether staying as an individual guest or part of a group.

“The family trip of a lifetime, a dream wedding, great golf or spa weekends, a well-executed conference participants will be talking about for years to come – that’s the vision that is driving everything as we build Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort,” says Regional Vice President and General Manager Thomas Steinhauer. “We can’t wait to share the magic, and that’s why we’ve opened the books early with two special offers so families, couples and groups can start looking forward to their stay with us now.”

Now taking reservations for arrivals beginning in August 2014: The introductory Stay Longer – Third Night Free is ideal for family, couples’ and friends’ getaways. The Group Value Offer includes savings on golf, spa and more with a minimum of 10 rooms booked per night, with rates beginning at just USD 229.00 per night.

Highlights

  • Rooms with a very special view – In addition to rolling greens and parkland, many accommodations offer spectacular vistas over the Magic Kingdom® Park’s nightly fireworks display from the comfort of one’s furnished balcony.  Among 444 rooms and suites decorated in a fresh and contemporary style is a 16th floor Royal Suite that can be configured with up to three separate living rooms and nine – yes, nine – bedrooms.

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  • A world-class culinary experience – After a day of eating on the run, Four Seasons invites guests to enjoy creative cuisine prepared with the finest ingredients at its restaurants and lounges. Ravello is a culinary trip to the Amalfi coast – colourful, lively, and rich with the aromas and flavours wafting from the open kitchen.  Capa,named for the matador’s red cape, sets the stage for tapas and steaks with rooftop fireworks views.  PB+Gstands for pool, bar and grill, where guests can choose creative salads and poolside fare coupled with smokehouse BBQ specialties and hang out in the lounge with its central bar, dine on floating pavilions, or simply grab and go. At Plancha in the golf clubhouse, all guests can savour Cuban American cuisine in a lakeside setting.

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  • The Spa at Four Seasons – Inspired by the natural beauty of central Florida’s flora and fauna, the world class Spa will offer 18 luxuriant treatment rooms – including two bungalows for private retreats – plus men’s and women’s private outdoor lounges and whirlpool.
  • Explorer Island – A five acre (two hectare) playground packed with fun for all ages, Explorer Island includes a 7,590 square foot (705 square metre) family pool with a lazy river winding around a “ruined” mansion, climbing wall, waterslides, and a Kids for All Seasons program.  Look forward to beach volleyball, basketball, a video gaming centre, outdoor movie nights on the Starstruck screen, and more.

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  • Central Florida’s most beautiful golf course – Designed by Tom Fazio and managed by Four Seasons, the Resort’s Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary golf course is unique in the region for its rolling hills and lush landscaping – reopening in fall 2014.
  • More fun – Three Har-Tru tennis courts, a 24-hour fitness centre, and an adults only pool surrounded by private cabanas.
  • Customizable event facilities – A 37,450 square foot (3,480 square metre) state-of-the-art conference facility with many naturally lit indoor and outdoor spaces with endless configurations for corporate and social events small and large – including up to 720 guests under sunshine or starlight.
  • Access to many special Walt Disney World® offerings – including special on-site Disney Character Breakfasts with Goofy and Pals, plus an onsite Disney Planning Center and the unique option of expert event services from one of the world’s best entertainment companies.

The Best Family and Friends Vacation Ever

How much fun can Four Seasons pack into one holiday?  “That’s up to you – with easy access to Walt Disney World® Resort’s four theme parks and other attractions plus plenty to keep everyone happy right here atFour Seasons, you’ll wish there were a lot more than 24 hours in a day,” promises Steinhauer.

Explorer Island is at the heart of family fun at Four Seasons, where kids and adults of all ages will find a world of adventures.  Everyone can spend the day at the family pool – or perhaps send young explorers off to the fully supervised Kids for All Seasons facility while the older kids find a quiet spot along the lazy river, get their gaming fix at the Hideout or mix it up with tennis or golf. When parents of children ages four and under want some time on the greens or the massage table, or a quiet dinner on their own, Four Seasons offers qualified babysitting services.  Packing is even a breeze with cribs, high chairs and other baby gear available with the Resort’s compliments.

Still want more?  Expert Four Seasons concierges are ready with ideas for all interests from luxury and outlet shopping to show tickets and more.

The Wedding of One’s Dreams

The imagination soars amid acres of protected tranquility that make an intimate destination wedding truly unforgettable at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort.

Some couples plan an elegant affair – a glittering ballroom, lavish flowers, exquisite dining, and dancing under the stars – while others want the day to be relaxed and spontaneous. Whatever one’s heart desires, everyone wants their families and friends to have a great time before, during and after the big day – from bridal party spa treatments and rounds of golf to memorable rehearsal dinners and next-day brunches.  The Resort is also offering attractive wedding packages to make planning even easier.

“Now everyone’s dreams can – and will – come true,” says Steinhauer.  “With so many creative options available from settings to decoration, food and entertainment, our expert Four Seasons planners and catering team works with each couple to plan and execute a flawless, worry-free wedding.”

Adult Haven

At Four Seasons Resort Orlando, the adults-only pool is called The Oasis, and with good reason.  Think uninterrupted laps, poolside cocktails, napping in a private cabana, and blessed quiet and tranquility.

More possibilities tempt: Indulge in an entire day of restorative treatments in a secluded couple’s Spa suite, or perhaps a tennis lesson or a game of golf.  After a day of serious shopping, feast on tapas and sizzling steaks against a backdrop of fireworks to celebrate the end to a perfect day.

For romantic getaways, golf weekends, the annual  reunion with friends or a “hen party” with the girls, or simply a much needed resort vacation that leaves the day to day grind far behind, Four Seasons Resort Orlando can tailor a holiday to whatever one’s interests and needs.

“And let’s be honest, sometimes we all need an excuse to be kids again,” says Steinhauer with a smile.

Productivity, Check.  Fun, Double Check.

From annual conferences and trade shows to planning meetings, board retreats and incentive trips for top performers, Four Seasons Resort Orlando offers a breadth of customizable spaces and settings along with expert event support and top notch catering to realize every planner’s vision and objectives.

A total of 37,450 square feet (3,480 square metres) of function space includes divisible ballrooms that can accommodate up to 1,056 for a sit down event or 1,290 for a reception, plus a selection of more intimate rooms, many with adjacent private lakeside terraces.   An astounding 504 people can be comfortably accommodated for an outdoor banquet under sun or stars.

With abundant fresh air and inspiring views, business is more productive – and with so many resort activities – including tournaments and team bonding opportunities – spouse programs are a snap, while participants will beg to tack on a few extra days so they can enjoy it all.

“When you book an event at Four Seasons, your planning and execution team increases immediately with the addition of our experienced and enthusiastic staff.  And when you book an event at Four Seasons Resort Orlando, you get even more – the creative power of the Disney Event Group, who can work with planners to put together events right at Four Seasons or in the theme parks that are truly unique and unforgettable,” notes Steinhauer.

The special relationship between Four Seasons Resort Orlando and Walt Disney World® Resort gives planners access to world class creative talent and production resources from the Disney Event Group, private theme park events, engaging professional development through the Disney Institute, innovative team building activities, and specially priced theme park tickets for attendees to network, bond and just have a great time.

Four Seasons Finally Breaks Ground at Walt Disney World

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Dec. 6, 2011 – Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts kicked off construction of its luxury resort at Walt Disney World Resort today, in a groundbreaking ceremony with joint venture partners Silverstein Properties and Dune Real Estate. The 444-room resort will create about 2,000 construction jobs and hundreds of resort positions when open.

“Travelers around the world know and trust Four Seasons, and Walt Disney World is the world’s premiere family vacation destination,” said Meg Crofton, president, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations U.S. and France. “Together, our two companies offer a brand-new reason to visit and experience Central Florida.”

With an opening anticipated in 2014, Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort will feature several dining venues including a rooftop restaurant with views of Magic Kingdom Park; a 14,000 square foot spa; fitness center; three pools and a “lazy river”; sports and recreational facilities; as well as meeting and event space, and a business center.

Kathleen Taylor, President and CEO of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, spoke of the relationship with Disney: “Each of us is dedicated to creating a product of the highest quality and standards, something that will become a landmark here in Orlando and a destination unto itself for travelers from all over the world. It is truly a one-of-a-kind project and Central Florida will be a valuable addition to our family of resorts, particularly since this is a destination our guests already enjoy.”

The development will encompass the existing Tom Fazio-designed Osprey Ridge 18-hole championship golf course, which will be renovated and subsequently managed by Four Seasons. The first Four Seasons in Central Florida is located within the Golden Oak residential community, created and master-planned by Disney.     

     

Four Seasons first acquired the land from Walt Disney World in 2008 and is working closely with New York-based Silverstein Properties and Dune Real Estate Partners to develop the new resort.

Larry Silverstein, president and CEO of Silverstein Properties, recalled making the decision to back the project. “At the end of the day, it became apparent that the concept was right; that the team superb; the location first class; and the two names – Four Seasons and Disney – as good as you can get,” he said. “The best.”

Four Seasons is dedicated to perfecting the travel experience through continual innovation and the highest standards of hospitality, with 85 properties in 35 countries, and more than 50 projects under development.

Silverstein Properties, Inc. is a privately held, full-service real estate development, investment and management firm based in New York.

Four Seasons Resort On Track for 2014 Opening

From Thomas Smith on the Disney Parks Blog:

Take a look at what’s coming to our Golden Oak community at the Walt Disney World Resort. It’s a new Four Seasons resort that’ll have a rooftop restaurant with Magic Kingdom Park views and a few other special touches Disney Parks Blog readers will want to check out.

The 444-room hotel will have three pools, a “lazy river” and of course, a spa with 18 treatment rooms. There will be several sport facilities, including tennis courts, a climbing wall and more when construction is completed.

Work begins in a few months with a target opening date of 2014. And we’ll have more to share on this in the future so keep checking the blog for updates.

Want To “Live” at WDW? Here’s Your Chance!

It was announced a few years ago as part of the expansion project incorporating the new Four Seasons resort at WDW, but the Disney Parks Blog unveiled the Golden Oak luxury resort community:

Today, we’re unveiling something very different – an unprecedented opportunity to buy a home at the Walt Disney World Resort. You read right. Golden Oak is a new one-of-a-kind, luxury residential resort community that Disney Imagineers helped design. So, of course, it’ll have a unique Disney touch.

Golden Oak Luxury Residential Resort Community

Take a look at our first released artist rendering of a Tuscan village courtyard home – it’s one of several architectural styles that’ll be featured at Golden Oak. Parks, pedestrian pathways and a private clubhouse are also planned for the community designed especially for resort living.

Golden Oak, named after Walt’s Golden Oak Ranch in California, will offer single-family, custom homes priced between approximately $1.5 million and $8 million, with fewer than 30 home sites available for sale this year. Residents will also have access to select amenities at the planned Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, including the full service spa, restaurants, golf course and event space.

We’ll have more on this in future Disney Parks Blog posts. But if you’d like to know more right now, please visitwww.disneygoldenoak.com.

The Golden Oak website has a lot more details than the parks blog, including special benefits, details about the three “neighborhoods”, and a gallery of concept art and actual photographs of the property.

Jose Eber’s Memorial Day WDW Video Update

WDWNT Reporter Jose Eber has provided us with a video update of construction projects all around the Walt Disney World Resort including Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, the Best Friends Pet Resort, the Four Seasons Resort, and Pollo Campero at Downtown Disney: