The animals often spotted among the lush grounds and surrounding nature preserves at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort served as inspiration for the Resort’s new whimsical Explorer’s Activity Guide program.Nestled among lakes and woodlands, Four Seasons Resort Orlando boasts gorgeous landscaping throughout, including surrounding its expansive Explorer Island waterpark and 18-hole golf course, a certified Audubon Sanctuary for wildlife. The Explorer’s Activity Guide provides a delightful way for children to discover the many offerings at Four Seasons Resort Orlando – generally regarded as the top luxury resort at Disney World and all of Central Florida.
An entire program was created for little “explorers” to have fun as they experience the 26-acre Resort, wandering the grounds with their family members to complete “challenges” and acquire stamps. Upon check in, children are handed the eight-page Explorer’s Activity Guide booklet, featuring charming animal characters including Freckles the Fawn, Tommy the Turtle, Bonnie the Bunny, Freddie the Fox, and Olly the Owl. These Resort pals need the explorer’s help to embark on an Epic Expedition, completing challenges to become certified as a True Explorer.
The challenges include finding a deer hiding in the landscaping by the Explorer Pool, spotting some animal footprints by the pool, and completing a few puzzles. “Extra fun” challenges include spraying one of the water cannons found along the Drifters Lazy River and playing a game of beanbag toss on the lawn by Kids For All Seasons. When the booklet’s activities are completed, children happily present their proof of “True Explorer Certification” at the lobby level cafe Lickety Split to enjoy a complimentary gelato scoop in their flavour of choice.
To complement the activity guide, each child is gifted with a plush version of Freckles the Fawn or another animal from the collection, which they discover with excitement in their guest room. Babies and toddlers are gifted with an ultra-soft “lovie” version of the plush deer, with Four Seasons Resort Orlando embroidered on the blanket.
“We welcome so many families with small children, and this is a fun and interactive way to engage our littlest guests and encourage them to discover the Resort in a fun way,” said Doug Pusateri, Director of Rooms. “We’ve had incredible feedback since the Explorer’s Activity Guide began rolling out to guests this past month. Families love it!”
At turndown service, the housekeeping attendant places an “Explorer’s Bedtime Story” card at the bedside for guests with children. Designed to complement the activity guide, the cover shows the animals sleeping under a starry sky. The bedtime story card invites families to scan a QR Code to listen to a recording of a custom bedtime story, as little ones snuggle with their plush animal pal and wind down for the evening.
A highlight of the Resort is the Kids For All Seasons program, the Resort’s full-day complimentary kids camp, offered from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily – an offering that is unique in the Orlando market. Parents and caretakers can sign children ages 4+ in for as little as an hour or for a full day, and kids will be fully entertained by the well-trained, energetic staff. Led by Director of Recreation Sarah Peltier, the Kids For All Seasons team regularly offers exciting theme days, and often incorporates outdoor water play and creative games. With a large, air-conditioned playroom that features an interactive “volcano” play structure, there’s also an outside playground, and spacious lawn area where the attendants take kids to play various outdoor games.
“Children have the time of their lives at our Explorer Island,” Peltier said. “It’s fun to see them carrying around their plush animal friends, and their excitement over receiving stamps in their activity guides. Our Resort really offers something for kids of all ages.”
For older kids and teens, The Hideout is a separate building that is the perfect hangout space, including a video gaming room with multiple gaming consoles, a multi-player PAC-MAN, billiards, foosball and more.
Families are pleased to discover the breadth of options available at Four Seasons Resort Orlando upon check in, all designed to make their trip as seamless as possible. From diaper genies to cribs and footstools provided in-room, plus children’s toiletries and child-size bathrobes, the Resort team has thought of every detail.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando offers many activities for various age groups, with separate areas thoughtfully designed. For toddlers, the expansive Splash Zone provides the perfect zero-entry shallow wade in areas for tots to splash and play, complete with interactive fountains and fog nozzles. Pre-schoolers and younger school-age children will also enjoy running through the Splash Zone, experiencing all its interactive features and water curtains. Kids of all ages will love the Drifters Lazy River, with winding bends and a bubbling “rapids” section complete with waterfall. Tweens and teens enjoy spraying those below from the water cannons strategically positioned around the river, and playing water basketball in the Cove section of the river. The two water slides also provide hours of fun for school-aged children (or those 47 inches/120 centimetres or taller). The family pool, also with a zero-entry wade-in area, is a great place for family swim time, where Dive-In movies are shown weekly on the billboard-size screen, and a toddler slide and water volleyball are also available.
Parents also appreciate the Resort’s Walt Disney World connectivity, including an on-site Disney Planning Center, staffed by Disney Cast Members who can assist with Disney dining reservations, Theme Park tickets and more. Additionally, the Resort offers a twice-weekly Disney Character Breakfast, the “Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & His Pals,” at Ravello. Guests are offered complimentary transportation via a luxury motor coach to the four main Walt Disney World Theme Parks, and Four Seasons guests also have access to Early Theme Park Entry, offering 30-minute early entry into the Disney Theme Parks, every day.
For adults, the Resort’s adult-only Oasis Pool offers a haven of serenity. For ages 21 and older, the lakeside, infinity-edge Oasis Pool offers attentive pool servers and a quiet, relaxing environment. With six restaurants including the rooftop Capa Steakhouse, rated one Michelin star, and the Italian restaurant Ravello, Michelin-recommended and the first in the US to receive 100 percent Italian Taste Certification, dining at the Resort is a highlight. New this year, Ravello added “Pasta & Play” programming on select nights, allowing parents to have extra time at Ravello post-dinner to savour a glass of wine, a dessert, or some moments of solitude, while kids are whisked away for activities and play time with Kids For All Seasons attendants on a nearby event lawn.
Additionally, the 18-treatment-room Spa provides a peaceful sanctuary to rejuvenate, and relax, with a spa treatment such as a signature La Floridian massage or Healing Honey treatment. With a range of relaxing and restorative treatments, The Spa has everything from hair and nailcare to facial and body treatments, plus cryotherapy and IV vitality drip infusions. Children can experience a Magical Moment at the Salon, transforming into a princess or shining knight.
Photo Courtesy of four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World