Need a (Disney) Vacation From Your Kids? Four Seasons Orlando Makes It Happen - Inside the Magic

If you’re a parent, you’ve had a weird year. There’s no two ways about it. Between the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual school, hybrid school, working from home, and learning completely new routines within your household, you deserve a vacation.

Fortunately, there’s no better place than Walt Disney World Resort to catch a breather. Disney Parks officials have taken the utmost care to make sure all four Disney World theme parks are as safe as possible for Guests and Cast Members during these challenging times.

With low crowds and the ability to ride all of your favorite attractions without much of a line, this is actually a great time to plan a Disney trip! The Four Seasons Orlando, which is located in Walt Disney World’s Golden Oak complex, is making it easier than ever for parents of school-aged kids to enjoy a worry-free vacation.

What is the “Schoolcation”?

The Four Seasons Resort’s official press release regarding their new “Schoolcation” package includes these details about what kids will do while their parents play at Walt Disney World or enjoy some of the many amenities (hello, spa day!) at the hotel itself:

The supervised schoolwork sessions will be held in small-group classroom settings, physically distanced with no more than six children per class. The spacious event rooms of Four Seasons Resort Orlando are the classroom setting, featuring airy and open rooms with a wall of windows for natural light, and a private terrace for outside break time.  Each student will have a dedicated desk area, physically distanced from the other students, and high-speed premium WiFi will be provided. The schedule is offered as either a half-day from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, or a full day from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, with lunch included.  

Schedule

• 9:00 am to 12:00 noon: Supervised virtual learning, snack break included (half-day participants depart at noon)
• Lunch break: Students opting for a full day will order lunch off a set menu and the lunch will be delivered at the student’s scheduled lunch break time
• 1:00 to 2:00 pm: Optional enrichment period for those with flexible schedules including Arts and Crafts and Physical Education
• 3:00 pm: Parents pick up their child(ren)  

The supervised study sessions are available Monday through Friday beginning September 14, 2020, for school-aged children for USD 50 per child for a half-day session or USD 100 per child for the full session including lunch. Due to capacity limitations, reservations must be confirmed at least 48 hours in advance. Attendees must be registered overnight guests of the Resort.  

The team overseeing the study sessions are exceptionally trained Kids For All Seasons staff, who have years of experience in working with children.  “Our kids’ club team members have enthusiastic, delightful personalities,” says Sarah Peltier, Director of Recreation. “They are looking forward to supporting the students while they engage in their virtual learning, and bringing fun and creativity to the afternoon enrichment session.” 

What’s in it for parents?

This should go without saying, but the biggest perk for parents is some quality R & R after a whirlwind 2020. As per the Four Season’s press release:

While kids are e-learning, parents can relish in free time to themselves to relax by the Resort’s exclusive adult-only Oasis Pool. Surrounded by palm trees and white cabanas, the lakeside, infinity-edge adult pool is a quiet sanctuary where parents can truly relax and unwind, with attentive cocktail servers at the ready.  Additionally, the 18-treatment room Spa at Four Seasons offers a variety of treatments to renew and refresh, from facials and massages to signature treatments such as the Vibrational Sound Therapy, Cryotherapy and Vitality Drips.  The full-service hair salon also offers hair colour/cuts and styling services by Creative Director and Master Stylist Alejandra Bell. The Spa’s indoor and outdoor relaxation lounges, plus separate Solarium with zero-gravity loungers and spacious men’s and women’s locker rooms with Experience Shower and whirlpool, provide the ultimate opportunity to relax and de-stress.    

This writer is also a big fan of adults-only Disney trips. Whether you sample cocktails and appetizers at Disney Springs’ open restaurants and bars or make an in-park dinner reservation to enjoy a sit-down meal “for the first time in forever,” there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a Disney day (or two…or three…) while your kids enjoy e-learning in the lap of luxury.

Learn more about the Four Seasons Orlando Disney Schoolcation option on the hotel’s official website.