Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort vs Walt Disney World Dolphin

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

Photo: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort
Deluxe Disney Springs Resort Area
Walt Disney World Dolphin

Photo: Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World

Deluxe

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Deluxe

Area

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World

Disney Springs Resort Area

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World

Bus

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walk, Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World

1 restaurant

Walt Disney World Dolphin

7 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World

None

Walt Disney World Dolphin

3 locations

Pool Amenities

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World

Pool

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Pool

Extended Evening Hours

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World

No

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Yes

Top Highlight

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World

Only Forbes Five-Star hotel at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios

Overview

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

Discover a AAA Five Diamond-rated resort that combines the ultimate in luxury accommodations with a dash of Disney enchantment. Located within Walt Disney World Resort, this lakeside retreat is an idyllic getaway with impeccably designed rooms and suites—along with exclusive amenities and In-Room Celebrations to delight all ages and interests.

Walt Disney World Dolphin

A large Marriott-operated convention resort on Crescent Lake with Disney benefits and direct access to the Epcot-area walkway network.

Amenities

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

Amenity details coming soon.

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Tennis Courts
  • Jogging Trail
  • Arcade
  • Playground
  • Camp Dolphin for children ages 4-12 from 5pm to midnight with themed activities, video games, arts and crafts
  • Swan paddleboat rentals on the white sand beach

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Spa

Rooms

  • Club Level

Other

  • Laundry Facilities
  • Child Care
  • Business Center
  • Boat launch courtyard between Swan and Dolphin; Friendship launches to Epcot and Hollywood Studios
  • Gift Shop

Transportation

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Walk

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Boat

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Pros

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

  • Only Forbes Five-Star hotel at Walt Disney World
  • Dedicated Disney planning team and exclusive park access benefits
  • Exceptional pool complex with multiple pools and lazy river
  • Fine dining at Capa rooftop steakhouse with Magic Kingdom fireworks views
  • Spacious rooms with luxury furnishings surpassing Disney-owned Deluxes

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios
  • Can be booked with Marriott/SPG hotel points for potentially free nights
  • Crescent Lake location with boat service and BoardWalk access
  • Shula's Steakhouse and Il Mulino are top-tier dining options on property
  • Often cheaper than equivalent Disney-owned Deluxe resorts

Cons

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

  • Significantly more expensive than any Disney-owned hotel
  • Located in Golden Oak, requires shuttle or car to reach theme parks
  • Complimentary shuttle to parks runs on a fixed schedule, less flexible than Disney buses
  • Does not feel as immersively Disney-themed as Disney-owned resorts
  • Located in Golden Oak community, physically distant from all parks

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Not a Disney-owned resort, so no Early Entry or advance booking perks
  • Resort and parking fees are high in addition to the nightly rate
  • Dated exterior design with the iconic dolphin statues divides opinion
  • Rooms were historically smaller and less updated than Disney Deluxes
  • Bus service to non-walkable parks is less reliable than Disney buses

On-Site Dining

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Bourbon Steak - A Michael Mina Restaurant

    Table Service

    American, Steakhouse

    dinner

    View menu

  • Bourbon Steak Lounge

    Quick Service

    American, Steakhouse

    snack

    View menu

  • Cabana Bar and Beach Club

    Table Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Fuel

    Table Service

    American, Quick Service - Coffee

    snack

    View menu

  • Phins

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano

    Table Service

    Mexican

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano Lounge

    Quick Service

    Mexican

    snack

    View menu

  • The Fountain

    Table Service

    American

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo

    Table Service

    Seafood

    dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo Lounge

    Quick Service

    Seafood

    snack

    View menu

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