When you’re planning a holiday to Walt Disney World Resort, one of the biggest expenses isn’t always the park tickets. It’s often the hotel and food.

After spending two weeks staying at Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Disney Springs Area, I can honestly say it was one of the best value hotels we’ve ever stayed in as a family.

In fact, before we’d even checked out, our 10-year-old son had already declared:

“If we ever come back to Disney, this is the only hotel I want to stay in.”

That probably tells you everything you need to know.

As a family who loves Disney but also likes to make our budget stretch as far as possible, this hotel ticked almost every box. We enjoyed easy early access to the Disney parks, walked to Disney Springs whenever we fancied an evening out, watched Epcot and Magic Kingdom fireworks from our balcony, relaxed and cooled down by the gorgeous pool and saved hundreds of dollars thanks to the complimentary meals and drinks included with our stay.

If you’re searching for an honest review of Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Disney Springs Area, here’s everything we loved, a few things to know before booking. Plus why I think it’s one of the best value family hotels near Disney.

First Impressions

The relatively new Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando in the Disney Springs Area immediately felt more premium than I expected for the price.

The hotel lobby is bright, modern and welcoming, with friendly staff who genuinely seemed pleased to help. Despite having a large number of rooms, everything felt well organised throughout our stay.

One of the biggest selling points is that although this isn’t a Resort Hotel it is just half a mile from Disney Springs and is an Official Walt Disney World Hotels. That means guests still enjoy many of the same benefits of staying at a Disney resort hotel, including access to the complimentary shuttle service to the Disney parks and early theme park entrance.

Location: One of the Best Around Disney Springs

For us, the location was perfect.

Being situated on Hotel Plaza Boulevard means you’re close enough to enjoy everything Disney has to offer without paying Disney Deluxe Resort prices.

We loved having the choice between:

• Walking to Disney Springs
• Catching the free shuttle buses
• Booking a quick Uber

Most evenings we wandered down to Disney Springs, soaking up the atmosphere before grabbing dinner or enjoying some shopping.

Other evenings, when we’d spent the day at one of the Disney theme parks, we happily took advantage of the hotel’s complimentary evening buffet instead, saving ourselves a surprising amount of money.

That flexibility is what makes this such a fantastic hotel for families.

Getting Here from Orlando International Airport

Rather than hiring a car immediately, we simply booked an Uber from Orlando International Airport.

Our Uber cost $48.62 (including tip), which I thought represented excellent value considering how quick and straightforward the journey was. We waited less than 5 minutes for our Uber to arrive and didn’t have the stress of having to find a transfer coach or picking up car hire. 

If you’re planning a Disney-only holiday, I’d seriously consider skipping car hire altogether. Between Uber, Disney transport and the hotel’s free shuttle service, we never felt we needed a car.

Top Tip for UK Families

Instead of booking an expensive package holiday, consider booking this hotel separately and then using Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points or Avios for your flights.

That’s exactly what we did and it saved us a considerable amount.

If you’re new to Virgin Red, you can also use my Refer a Friend link to receive 1,000 free Virgin Red Points* when you join and meet the qualifying criteria. (Simply insert your referral link here.)

It’s another easy way to reduce the cost of your Disney holiday.

* Amount accurate as of time of publication. I will also earn reaward points for an referrals. 

The Rooms Were Surprisingly Spacious

One thing that really impressed us was the amount of space.

We’ve stayed in plenty of Orlando hotels where you’re constantly tripping over suitcases.

Not here.

Our spacious room gave us plenty of room to spread out after long park days, and having a balcony completely transformed our days and evenings. We loved the view with Disney Springs on the left and Epcot being the nearest park in the distance.

Every night we’d sit outside together, sometimes with takeaway pizza from the onsite Pizza Hut, enjoying the incredible views across Walt Disney World.

Every evening we were treated to fireworks lighting up the night sky. Watching the Epcot fireworks from our own balcony while eating pizza became one of those simple holiday memories we’ll never forget.

The room itself included everything you’d expect including:

• 2  queen comfortable beds (no need for a sofa bed)
• Large TV
• Coffee machine
• Mini fridge
• Plenty of storage
• Iron and ironing board
• Excellent air conditioning
• Free Wi-Fi
• Modern bathroom
• Balcony with seating

If you’re travelling with larger families, there are several room type options available including two-room suites, a deluxe two-room suite and rooms featuring a pull-out queen sofa sleeper.

The Free Breakfast Is Worth Waking Up For

Breakfast can easily cost a family over $50 every morning in Orlando.

At Drury, it’s included.

That immediately saves hundreds over a two-week holiday.

Even better?

It wasn’t just cereal and toast.

There was a fantastic free hot breakfast buffet with plenty of hot food, including eggs, sausages, potatoes and pancakes.

But there was one station that became the highlight every morning…

Mickey Mouse Waffles!

Our son absolutely loved making his own Mickey waffles each morning. Who am I kidding, I did too! 

It quickly became part of our daily routine before heading off to whichever Disney park we were visiting that day.

There was also:

• Fresh fruit
• Yoghurts
• Cereals
• Toast
• Pastries
• Coffee
• Tea
• Juices
• Soft drinks during breakfast

It really set us up for long park days without needing to buy breakfast elsewhere.

The Evening Kickback Saved Us a Fortune

This was probably the biggest surprise of the whole holiday.

Every evening the hotel hosts its famous complimentary Kickback.

Included are:

• Hot food
• Soup
• Salad
• Hot dogs
• Pasta dishes
• Nachos on some evenings
• Evening snacks
• Free popcorn
• Three complimentary alcoholic drinks per adult
• Unlimited soft drinks during service

Now I’ll be honest…

The menu isn’t enormous. If you’re expecting restaurant-quality dining every night, you’ll probably be disappointed.

But that’s completely missing the point.

For us, this was about flexibility. Some evenings we wanted to treat ourselves in Disney Springs. Other evenings we’d had such busy days walking around Disney that grabbing a perfectly decent buffet at the hotel suited us perfectly.

The food wasn’t fancy. But it was tasty, filling and, most importantly, it saved us an absolute fortune over two weeks. Sometimes simple really is enough.

Three Free Alcoholic Drinks Every Evening? Yes, Really!

One of the most surprising perks of staying at Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Disney Springs Area was the complimentary drinks included every evening.

Each adult receives three free alcoholic drinks, with a choice including beer, wine, spirits and selected cocktails, alongside unlimited cold beverages, free soda and other soft drinks during the evening Kickback.

Our favourite little holiday ritual soon became collecting our drinks in plastic cups (just ask the staff—they’re more than happy to provide them) before heading outside to the pool area.

It sounds like such a small thing, but it completely transformed our evenings.

Instead of heading straight back to our room after dinner, we’d wander down to the pool deck, order another refreshing beverage from the full-service bar if we fancied one, settle into the comfortable seating and soak up the atmosphere while live music played in the background.

Meanwhile, our son disappeared straight into the splash park, making new friends almost every evening and we could seat ourselves conveniently so we could keep our eyes on him at all times.

It was one of those moments where everyone was genuinely happy.

As parents, we could relax with a drink in hand while still keeping an eye on him enjoying himself just a few metres away.

Those evenings ended up being some of our favourite memories of the entire holiday.

The Pool Area Was Brilliant for Families

After walking 20,000+ steps around the Disney parks every day, having somewhere relaxing to come back to made all the difference.

The saltwater pool is large enough that it never felt overcrowded, even during busier periods.

Around the pool you’ll also find:

• A dedicated children’s splash pad and splash play area
• A relaxing hot tub
• Plenty of loungers
• Shaded seating
• A lively pool bar
• Regular live music
• Pool deck access from the hotel

Our son absolutely loved the splash zone.

Even after spending a full day in the Disney parks, he still had enough energy to spend another hour or two playing in the water while we unwound nearby.

It gave the hotel a real holiday feel rather than simply somewhere to sleep.

If you’re planning a fun-filled family vacation, this pool area alone makes the hotel excellent value..

Facilities and Amenities: Everything You Need for a Stress-Free Disney Holiday

One of the reasons we enjoyed our stay so much was that Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando seemed to have thought of everything families might need. It isn’t just somewhere to sleep after a day at the parks. It’s a hotel where you can genuinely spend time relaxing and making the most of the facilities.

Recreation for the Whole Family

When we weren’t exploring the Disney parks, we loved spending time enjoying the hotel’s facilities.

The impressive 5,000-square-foot saltwater pool quickly became one of our favourite places to unwind after a busy day. While we relaxed with a drink from the pool bar, our son made a beeline for the colourful kids’ splash pad, which was one of his favourite parts of the hotel.

There’s also:

• An oversized hot tub, perfect for resting tired feet after a day walking around Walt Disney World Resort.
• A modern fitness centre for anyone wanting to keep active during their holiday.
• The fun Level Up Arcade, which became a regular stop for our son before heading back to the room.

It’s these little extras that make the hotel feel much more like a resort than simply somewhere to sleep.

Dining Options

Although we made good use of the complimentary breakfast and evening Kickback, it’s nice to have additional dining choices available without leaving the hotel.

The hotel offers several convenient on-site dining options, including:

• The Kitchen + Bar, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a relaxed setting.
• Lakeside Bar & Grill, where you can enjoy drinks and light bites overlooking the pool.
• Pizza Hut Express®, which became one of our unexpected favourites. We ordered takeaway pizza on a couple of evenings.
• Market Place, a handy grab-and-go shop selling snacks, drinks, sandwiches, ice cream and travel essentials.

The convenience store is slightly more expensive than nearby supermarkets, but we still found it incredibly useful for grabbing the odd snack or drink. For a larger shop, Walmart is only a short Uber ride away and well worth visiting early in your holiday.

Additional Services

There are plenty of other thoughtful touches that make staying here even easier, including:

• Concierge desk
• Disney theme park tickets available to purchase
• ATM
• Microwave and refrigerator in every room
• In-room safes
• Luggage storage and bell services
• Self-service laundry facilities (ideal for longer stays like ours)
• Multilingual staff
• Pet-friendly rooms (additional charges apply)
• Self-parking (additional charges apply)
• Golf discounts and advance tee times at Disney Golf Courses
• Ballroom and event spaces with catering services for meetings and special occasions

We particularly appreciated having a microwave and refrigerator in our room and a sink outside and in addition to the bathroom. It made it easy to keep drinks cold, store leftovers from Disney Springs, wash up and enjoy the occasional late-night snack after returning from the parks.

A Hotel Designed for Families

What impressed me most wasn’t just the long list of facilities. It was how well everything worked together to make family holidays easier.

Whether it was grabbing complimentary popcorn before heading to the arcade, relaxing by the pool while our son played in the splash pad, enjoying free breakfast before an early start at Magic Kingdom or finishing the evening with live music and a drink by the pool, the hotel created lots of small moments that ended up becoming some of our favourite memories.

It’s those little touches that elevate Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Disney Springs Area from being simply good value to being somewhere we’d genuinely choose to stay again.

Watching Disney Fireworks from Our Balcony

One evening perfectly sums up why we’d stay here again.

We’d picked up a takeaway pizza from the hotel’s Pizza Hut Express, grabbed some drinks and headed back to our room.

Instead of eating inside, we sat out on our balcony as the sun went down. Then, just as darkness fell, the fireworks began appearing across the Walt Disney World skyline.

Watching Disney fireworks with pizza, drinks and our feet up after an exhausting park day felt absolutely perfect.

It wasn’t rushed.

There were no crowds.

No queues leaving the parks.

Just our own private little Disney moment.

If you have the option when booking, I’d definitely recommend requesting a higher floor with views towards Disney. For us, it was worth every penny.

Walking to Disney Springs Was a Huge Bonus

One of the biggest reasons we chose Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Disney Springs Area was its location within walking distance of Disney Springs.

And after staying here, I genuinely can’t imagine not having that option.

The walk took us around 15 minutes and was easy enough, even after a full day in the parks.

Disney Springs became our evening entertainment.

Some nights we enjoyed dinner.

Other nights we simply wandered around the shops, listened to live music, watched the entertainment or treated ourselves to dessert.

It was lovely knowing we didn’t have to worry about parking, buses or expensive taxis.

If we didn’t feel like walking back, we could simply jump on the complimentary shuttle bus.

Having that choice made a huge difference throughout our two-week holiday.

The Free Shuttle Buses Worked Brilliantly

As an Official Walt Disney World Hotel, guests benefit from a free shuttle service to the Disney parks.

We used it regularly throughout our stay.

The buses were comfortable, air conditioned, reliable and saved us having to have car hire and pay for parking.

Being able to hop on transport without worrying about driving after a long day in the parks was a real bonus.

The hotel serves:

• Magic Kingdom
• EPCOT
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Disney Springs

Top Tip: Pick up the latest shuttle timetable during check-in and plan your mornings the night before. We were there in July, one of the busiest times, and never had to book but we did make sure we got there at least 5 to 10 minutes before. We always got a space on the bus. 

Our Favourite Budget-Friendly Disney Hotel

One thing that really stood out during our stay was just how much money we were saving without feeling like we were compromising.

Let’s break it down.

Included every day:

✔ Complimentary breakfast

✔ Evening Kickback buffet

✔ Three alcoholic drinks per adult

✔ Unlimited soft drinks during breakfast service and kickback (from 5.30)

✔ Free popcorn at kickback (from 5.30)

✔ Free Wi-Fi

✔ Shuttle buses

✔ Entertainment on some evenings

✔ Fantastic pool

✔ Splash park

When you start adding up what these things would cost elsewhere, it’s easy to see why this hotel represents such incredible value.

Breakfast alone for a family can easily cost $50–100.

Dinner? Another $80–120.

Drinks? Even more.

Across a two-week holiday, staying here could realistically save a family several hundred dollars.

That extra money can then go towards Genie+, Lightning Lane passes, character dining, souvenirs or simply another Disney holiday in the future. It also means that families that really want to make the magic happen for their children but don’t know how they can afford everything, have a more affordable option. Without this hotel I don’t think we could have made the dream come alive.  

A Few Honest Things to Know

No hotel is perfect, so here’s my honest opinion.

The evening buffet isn’t designed to replace every restaurant meal.

The menu rotates but remains fairly simple.

Think:

• Hot dogs
• Soup
• Salad
• Pasta
• Vegetables
• Baked potatoes
• Nachos and chilli on selected evenings

After two weeks, we were definitely ready for more variety.

But that’s exactly how we approached it.

We enjoyed the buffet several evenings each week, then treated ourselves to Disney Springs restaurants on others.

For us, it struck the perfect balance between saving money and still enjoying special holiday meals.

Other Hotel Facilities Worth Mentioning

Although we spent most of our time in the parks, we also made good use of several other hotel amenities.

Our son loved the arcade, often spending a little time there before heading to the pool.

There’s also a well-equipped fitness center for anyone wanting to keep active during their holiday.

The on-site shop is admittedly a little pricey, but it proved incredibly convenient for snacks, drinks and forgotten essentials.

If you’re looking to stock up properly, there’s a Walmart only a short Uber ride away, making it easy to buy breakfast snacks, bottled water, souvenirs or anything else you might need during your stay.

We also found it incredibly easy to order Ubers whenever we wanted to head elsewhere around Orlando, including Universal Orlando Resort.

Who Should Stay at Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Disney Springs Area?

After spending two weeks here, I genuinely think this hotel suits far more people than you might initially expect.

It’s Perfect For…

Families visiting Walt Disney World Resort

If your priority is spending as much time as possible in the Disney parks while keeping costs under control, this hotel is hard to beat.

The combination of a complimentary breakfast, evening Kickback, free drinks, free shuttle service and the ability to walk to Disney Springs means you can enjoy all the magic without constantly worrying about your holiday budget.

Families wanting more space

We never once felt cramped during our stay.

After long days exploring the parks, it was lovely coming back to a spacious room with enough room for all our luggage, shopping bags and tired feet!

If you’re travelling with grandparents or older children, it’s also worth looking at the hotel’s two-room suites or deluxe two-room suite, which provide additional living space and a quieter bedroom for those early nights after busy park days.

Anyone trying to keep food costs down

This is where I think Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando really shines.

Many Orlando hotels advertise lower nightly rates, but once you’ve added breakfast, snacks, drinks and evening meals, the cost quickly mounts up.

Here, so much is included that you have complete flexibility.

Some evenings we enjoyed a special meal at Disney Springs. Other nights, after walking miles around Magic Kingdom or Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we were more than happy to enjoy the complimentary buffet before heading to the pool with a drink.

It never felt like we were missing out. It felt like we were making smart choices. Plus the nightly rate was still competitive even without all these extra add-ons. 

My Top Tips Before You Book

After spending 14 nights here, these are the things I’d personally recommend to anyone considering staying.

1. Book the hotel separately

This is probably my biggest tip.

Instead of booking a traditional package holiday, compare the price of booking the hotel directly alongside reward flights.

We booked our accommodation separately and used Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points for our flights, which saved us a significant amount of money.

If you’re collecting Avios, it’s also worth comparing redemption prices.

Don’t forget, if you’re signing up to Virgin Red for the first time, you can also use my referral link to receive 1,000 bonus Virgin Red Points * (subject to the current promotion and qualifying criteria).

2. Request a Disney-facing room

Watching the fireworks from our balcony became one of our favourite memories of the holiday.

If a Disney view is available when you book, I personally think it’s worth requesting.

There’s something incredibly special about sitting outside with takeaway pizza, hearing the music drifting across Walt Disney World Resort and watching fireworks light up the sky.

If you haven’t booked a Disney facing room, drop them an email before your stay. That’s what we did and they very kindly gave us a balcony Doisny view room. If rooms are available they seem to be happy to accommodate. 

3. Mix the buffet with Disney Springs restaurants

Don’t feel like you have to eat at the hotel every evening just because it’s included.

We found a really nice rhythm during our stay.

Some nights we enjoyed Disney Springs, treating ourselves to meals we’d been looking forward to.

Other evenings we happily saved money with the hotel’s complimentary buffet. We also used the small Pizza Hut at the hotel shop too and the on site bar had a great (and reasonably priced)  burger menu. 

It kept our holiday budget under control without ever feeling restrictive.

4. Ask for plastic cups

This sounds like such a tiny tip, but we absolutely loved doing this.

Collect your complimentary evening drinks in plastic cups (you can get them all in one go if you want!) and take them down to the pool area.

The atmosphere around the pool in the evenings was fantastic, especially when live music was playing.

While we relaxed with a drink, our son headed straight for the splash park.

It became our favourite way to end the day.

5. Visit Walmart early in your holiday

Although the hotel’s shop is handy, prices are noticeably higher than Walmart.

A quick Uber journey allowed us to stock up on bottled water, snacks, cereal bars and other essentials, saving even more money over our two-week stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

My Overall Verdict

If someone asked me today where I’d recommend staying for a family holiday to Disney without spending Disney Deluxe Resort prices, Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Disney Springs Area would be right at the top of my list.

It strikes a balance that very few hotels manage.

It’s close enough to feel part of the Disney magic, yet affordable enough that you don’t spend your entire holiday worrying about every meal, drink or extra expense.

We loved:

• The spacious room and balcony
• Watching the fireworks from our room
• Walking to Disney Springs
• The free breakfast every morning – especially the Mickey Waffles!
• The evening Kickback buffet
• Three complimentary alcoholic drinks each evening
• Free popcorn (great snack for our always hungry son)!
• Soft drinks included during service (we also filled up our water bottles every morning with a refreshing soda). 
• The lively pool bar and evening entertainment (not on every night)
• The brilliant splash park
• The reliable Disney shuttle buses
• The friendly atmosphere throughout the hotel

Most importantly, it felt like somewhere we genuinely wanted to come back to after a busy day in the parks.

That’s quite rare.

When our son announced halfway through the holiday that he never wanted to stay anywhere else on a future Disney trip, I smiled.

By the end of the two weeks, I completely understood why.

Would We Stay Here Again?

Without hesitation—yes.

In fact, I can’t imagine planning another Walt Disney World holiday without checking availability here first.

For UK families looking for an affordable hotel that doesn’t feel like a compromise, I honestly think Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Disney Springs Area is one of Orlando’s best-kept secrets.

It offers many of the perks you’d expect from far more expensive Disney hotels, while helping you save hundreds of pounds over the course of your holiday.

If your goal is to spend your money making magical memories rather than paying for breakfast every morning, this hotel delivers exactly that.

It gave us an unforgettable family holiday, helped stretch our budget further than we thought possible and became somewhere that our son still talks about months later.

For me, that’s the best recommendation I can give.

Final Thoughts

As someone who’s always looking for ways to make family travel more affordable without losing the magic, this hotel exceeded my expectations.

Would I still enjoy staying in a Disney Resort hotel one day? Absolutely.

But when I compare everything we received here—the location, complimentary food and drinks, spacious accommodation, excellent pool, Disney Springs on our doorstep and the money we saved. I honestly think Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Disney Springs Area offers some of the best value in Orlando.

If you’re planning your own Walt Disney World holiday and want to maximise your budget without sacrificing comfort, I’d encourage you to put this hotel right at the top of your shortlist.

I know we will.