You in all probability do not want me to let you know that the typical keep at a Walt Disney World Resort lodge may be fairly costly.
Even in the event you keep away from the higher-end “deluxe” resorts, which routinely go for round $500 to $700 per night time, properties within the reasonable class nonetheless usually exceed $300 per night time. And in the event you rub away the pixie mud and ignore the theming and proximity, let’s be sincere: These are premium charges for in any other case fairly customary lodge rooms.
In fact, there are actual benefits to staying within the so-called Disney bubble. Nevertheless, typically that expense simply is not within the (credit score) playing cards.
What if I instructed you I spent an evening on the latest lodge in Disney Springs throughout a busy spring break week for an all-in whole of $163? What if I additionally instructed you the speed included free scorching breakfast, free afternoon popcorn and sodas, a scorching night fare and 6 grownup drinks? Per night time.
Do I’ve your consideration? Good. Let’s speak concerning the new .
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Some Disney perks — with out Disney costs
Disney Springs is Walt Disney World’s 120-acre buying and eating vacation spot that is on official Disney property however doesn’t require a ticket to entry and revel in.
Within the Disney Springs space, you may discover seven lodges from main chains corresponding to Hilton, Vacation Inn, Wyndham and now, Drury. By staying at an official Disney Springs lodge, you usually pay lots lower than at a Disney-owned and operated resort, however you continue to get some Disney perks and proximity to the parks.
For instance, you’ll be able to hyperlink your keep to your Disney account and get entry to the Disney theme parks half-hour early every morning if you keep at a Disney Springs lodge, similar to you’ll at a Disney-owned resort. There may be additionally complimentary shuttle service to the Disney theme parks from the Disney Springs lodges and the flexibility to entry an on-site concierge and Disney tickets.
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It is necessary to notice, nonetheless, that when you can entry digital queues and Genie+ journey picks at 7 a.m. whereas at a Disney Springs lodge, you don’t get 7 a.m. entry to buying the individually-priced Lightning Lanes for the most recent and hottest sights (corresponding to Tron and Guardians of the Galaxy) until you might be at a real Disney-owned resort or the on-property Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve.
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As an alternative, if you keep at a Disney Springs property, you need to wait till the official park opening time to try to buy these particular person sights. And typically, for the most recent rides, that is too late.
The most recent lodge at Disney Springs
Should you put an growing old luxurious lodge up towards a brand-new, midrange lodge, the chances are first rate that you simply would possibly benefit from the midrange property much more, particularly if what you are after is usually only a stable place to sleep.
And certainly, the brand new lodge scent, ample energy shops and trendy conveniences that include new properties are in abundance on the Drury Plaza at Disney Springs.
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A Drury shouldn’t be a 4 Seasons, but it surely does not faux to be, and every thing I encountered on the Drury Plaza was in like-new situation. The most recent possibility is often an excellent alternative when doubtful about which lodge to select in a lineup of in any other case comparable stays.
This lodge shouldn’t be solely the most recent in Disney Springs (it simply opened in late 2022), it is also the most recent in all of Disney World.
Associated: Information to visiting Walt Disney World
A lot free meals it is virtually all-inclusive
The Drury model might be extraordinarily underrated in terms of budget-friendly journey. The model gives free scorching breakfast beginning at 6 a.m. each day and a free night “sit back” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. every night, which incorporates what they describe as “dinnertime snacks, chilly drinks, beer, wine, combined drinks and extra.”
The Drury Plaza Resort Orlando additionally has free sodas and popcorn accessible for 4 hours within the afternoon. As somebody used to Disney costs for soda and meals, I used to be utterly shocked by how a lot was free at this lodge. A household can very realistically save over $100 per day in meals prices by staying right here.
The expansive unfold for breakfast included scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage, biscuits, juice and extra that they put together and replenish proper in entrance of you. Breakfast is out there beginning at 6 a.m., which is nice for visitors seeking to “rope drop” the Disney theme parks and get just a few early-morning rides in earlier than the wait occasions climb.
On the night I used to be there, the free nighttime choices included baked potatoes, combined greens, fettuccine and hen … which had been fairly beneficiant “snacks.” It wasn’t Michelin-worthy fare, but it surely was additionally completely satisfactory in the event you’re searching for a handy option to fill bellies and save money.
Associated: These are the perfect eating places at Disney World
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Maybe extra shocking than all of that had been the six free drink coupons I used to be given — per night time. In equity, this was in all probability the quantity meant for 2 folks, however nonetheless, half a dozen free nightly drinks are remarkable at some other lodge within the space until you are shelling out to remain in a Disney club-level room or comparable.
I can not think about redeeming all six of those drinks each night time on a busy theme park journey. Nonetheless, you theoretically may, and the free choices included Bud Mild, an area craft beer (Oyster Metropolis, for instance), wine, Jack Daniels, Johnny Walker Purple Label, Bombay Sapphire, Juarez tequila, mixers and extra.
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No resort charges
In an period of charges — together with at some neighboring Disney Springs lodges — this lack of a resort charge deserves a particular name out.
The Drury Plaza Resort Orlando — Disney Springs gives tons of inclusions along with your keep, together with shuttles to the theme parks and a pleasant pool space (full with a big splash pad), an arcade and the aforementioned meals and drinks. Nevertheless, there is no resort charge tacked onto your keep. The value you see if you seek for a room is the actual worth, and that is fairly uncommon in tourist-heavy areas like Orlando.
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That stated, in the event you carry a car, there’s a parking charge of $25 plus tax per night time. It someway got here to $32 on my remaining invoice, so do the maths fastidiously in the event you do not really want a automotive and are simply searching for the most cost effective option to get from the airport to the lodge. An possibility corresponding to Uber, Lyft or the Mears Join bus from the airport might change into cheaper than renting a automotive to park right here, relying on how lengthy your keep is and the way many individuals are in your group.
Causes it might not be for you
- The Drury Plaza is walkable to Disney Springs, but it surely’s simply concerning the farthest of the Disney Springs lodges from that space and is about 3/4 of a mile into the precise Disney Springs buying district. There are nearer lodges if you wish to be a really brief stroll into Disney Springs. Additionally, if you would like walkable entry to a Disney theme park, this is not the perfect lodge for you.
- Households seeking to keep within the Disney bubble with immersive themes and nonstop Mickey could have that bubble burst a bit whereas on the Drury Plaza Orlando. There are some Disney photographs on the elevators and different mild touches in the event you search for them. Nonetheless, for probably the most half, it is a new lodge that could possibly be in Wherever U.S.A. and never one which screams Disney, which can be a professional or a con, relying in your perspective.
- If you’d like luxurious and are appalled on the thought of vacationers lining up en masse totally free meals, maintain looking for the perfect Disney World lodge on your journey, as this isn’t the decide for you.
- Since you’ll be able to’t purchase the person Lightning Lanes early, beginning at 7 a.m. whereas staying right here, this could make for a tougher time having access to the most recent and hottest rides. If that per-ride entry is a precedence, you would possibly need to decide a real Disney lodge.
Different lodges to think about
Should you’re intrigued by the Drury Plaza however not sure it is best for you, there are many different lodges within the space.
If you wish to be proper subsequent to Disney Springs, contemplate the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, which is about as shut as you may get. If you wish to use factors to remain at a lodge that is walkable to 2 Disney theme parks (Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios), have a look at the Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve, all bookable with Marriott Bonvoy factors.
Lastly, if you would like the least costly possibility that may nonetheless help you buy particular person Lightning Lanes at 7 a.m., contemplate the Disney All-Star lodges, which might usually be discovered beginning at round $200 per night time. You can even look into renting Disney Trip Membership factors, which might begin beneath $200 per night time for the lowest-priced studio rooms throughout off-peak time frames.
Backside line
I used to be utterly impressed throughout my one-night keep on the Drury Plaza Resort Orlando — Disney Springs.
It is new and doubtless probably the most wallet-friendly property for households visiting Disney World on a funds. That is very true in the event you can benefit from the included meals and drinks.
Should you do make the journey, look into reserving via a website like Chase Journey like I did to earn a pleasant 10 Chase Final Rewards factors per greenback on the keep by way of my Chase Sapphire Reserve, which got here to $32.60 in rewards by TPG valuations, making the general deal even sweeter.
Should you instructed me there was a brand new Disney Springs lodge with low charges, free meals a number of occasions per day and 6 included drinks every night time, I would have thought you’d fallen and hit your head.
Now that I’ve stayed on the Drury Plaza, I do know higher, and I will solely surprise in the event you managed to make use of all of your free night cocktails.
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