Our Spring Break at Walt Disney World Part 3: Four Seasons Character Breakfast, Packing Essentials & Parents Getaway at Ritz-Carlton Orlando
I've finally reached the home stretch of recounting our action-packed, exhilarating week in Orlando, Florida. Taking a moment to look back on this week has been a wonderful reminder of the sheer importance of just going for it and taking the trip. This week will be etched in my memory forever, and now, with these detailed recaps (and all the photos), I'll never forget a single moment. Recalling all these little moments has not only convinced me that we should make Disney trips a yearly tradition, but it's also got me itching to book our next family vacation—my kiddos are at that perfect age.
Here's my unsolicited two cents: just do it. I've never once regretted any trip we've taken with our kids, no matter how tiring or complicated it was to organize. Stepping out of our daily grind and into new adventures has been worth it every single time. Plus, there's this extra sweet bonus: hearing my toddler recount our escapades with such awe and excitement.
So, hold on tight as I dive into the final bits of our trip: the character breakfast, a night away for just the parents, and some of the must-haves we packed. If there's anything you feel I've missed in my recaps, just let me know and I'll be happy to share.
Four Seasons Character Breakfast
For the second time, we returned to the Four Seasons Orlando for the "Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & His Pals" character breakfast. It's an all-you-can-eat buffet where Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy drop by your table for some quality time and photos (which are included in the experience). This breakfast has quickly become a cherished tradition for us. The Four Seasons itself is breathtaking, and we make it a point to wander around the property after we eat. And the food is so yummy!
The real highlight for me is the relaxed, personal time we get with the characters. It's a huge relief not having to stress about ensuring my kids get to meet the Disney characters during our park visits, which also saves us from the long lines for character meet-and-greets.
The breakfast is available every Thursday and Saturday, plus some selected Tuesdays. You do need a reservation, which you can make up to 30 days in advance. Our group was pretty big—6 adults and 2 kids—and we didn’t have any trouble securing a reservation. If you decide to book the character brunch, don't miss out on visiting their adorable children's boutique, Fable. We always end up finding the cutest stuff for the kids there.
Packing Essentials
Taking two toddlers on any trip away from home can make packing overwhelming. Throw in a plane ride and a jam-packed itinerary, and you're looking at an Olympic-level challenge to ensure everything's covered for me, the kids, and the journey itself—and all neatly organized into the right bags. My husband and I swear by shared lists to keep track of everything the kids need. Here's a rundown of a few Disney essentials we picked up and packed for our vacation:
Parents Night Get-Away at Ritz-Carlton Orlando
The final chapter of our Disney vacation was a one-night getaway with my husband to the Ritz-Carlton Orlando. My husband and I marked our fifth wedding anniversary this past February—I'm still in awe that it's been half a decade—and we used our Orlando trip to carve out some time for a celebratory getaway. With the grandparents on babysitting duty, we redeemed points for a night at the Ritz-Carlton. The hotel was as stunning as expected and hit the spot for a bit of couple's time.
They had this incredible pool area, complete with amazing drinks (I loved the frozen lemonade!) and delicious snacks, where we could just lounge, relax, and actually get lost in a book—quite the change from the usual kid-centric pool days. It was the perfect opportunity to just sit back, do absolutely nothing, and enjoy some grown-up talk.
Post-pool relaxation, we returned to our room to get ready for dinner and were touched to find a bottle of champagne and the kindest note from the staff member who welcomed us. The service here was incredible from everyone! We dined at the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant, Knife & Spoon, where we shared appetizers and a steak dinner. The highlight for me? Sitting at the bar, sipping cocktails—a rare treat that's hard to come by with little ones around. After dinner, we cozied up in our room for an episode of our favorite show, "Survivor," followed by an early night.
Waking up refreshed, sans kids, and sleeping in were luxuries in themselves. We squeezed in a quick workout at the hotel's top-notch gym and grabbed some coffee before reuniting with our little ones. It was a short getaway, but it was everything we needed. It's remarkable how just 24 hours of poolside lounging and getting some extra sleep can feel like the ultimate vacation.
A Disney World trip is typically a whirlwind of kid-focused fun, but I'd wholeheartedly recommend to any close friends that if you've got willing sitters, take that chance to sprinkle a little rest and relaxation into your vacation. It can transform a good trip into a restful vacation.
And that's a wrap on our Disney vacation, all neatly packaged into a three-part series. I hope you had as much fun reading about our adventures as I did sharing them, and maybe you've even picked up a few handy tips for your own future escapades. Talk soon, XXX McKenzie