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In this post, I discuss the options for a Walt Disney World Family Vacation that doesn’t put you in debt for the next ten years. Ha!
Hotels Near Disney World with Free Shuttle and Breakfast (Plus one with FREE Dinner)
I have been working on writing a few different posts about how to travel cheaply to Florida.
I know “travel cheap to Florida” is not something we often say or think, but I believe it can be done.
Also, I know that not all roads lead to Disney World. There are so many amazing things to do in Florida. I just happen to be in a Disney kind of mood today.
Maybe it is the spring air. Spring is my favorite time to go to the parks. It is not blazing hot, but it is warming up. A feeling that gives me hope and excitement. Don’t get me wrong, I love all of the seasons at Disney for sure.
Alright, so why focus on free shuttle and free breakfast?
Looking for a Universal Studios Vacation instead?
Save Money at Universal Studios Orlando: Hotels with Free Shuttle and Breakfast
Hotels with free shuttle service near Disney World
Obviously, if you are staying at an official Disney World Resort, this isn’t a concern at all. All resorts within the park are connected to Disney transportation.
The problem is that they can be a bit pricey. Also, some people just enjoy staying outside of Disney because they want to do other things while visiting Orlando.
I will point out a little secret though…between you and me.
Disney’s Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation Hotels are in the “Value” category. Meaning they are much more affordable than several other options. The BEST part? They are connected to the Skyliner!
If you ask me, taking a Gondola to and from the parks and your hotel, is riding in style.
I digress.
Alight, so. Having free shuttle service to Disney World will save you on parking fees. Yes, you can just get up each day and drive to the parks, but you will be paying the parking fee each day of your visit. That can really add up.
Parking at the theme parks is at least $30 and over $50 if you want preferred.
My guess is that you are already paying for parking at your hotel, because for some reason that became a thing. Nickle and dime. That’s how they get ya! (Only the nickles are at least $20 per day, sigh.)
So, if you can get a hotel that is near Disney World AND has free shuttle service, you are saving yourself some money. Not to mention time. Just hop on the shuttle instead of potentially parking at the far end of the lot and hiking to the park anyway.
Holiday Inn Disney Springs
This is my number one recommendation. We stay at Holiday Inn hotels and partner hotels a lot. I got roped into their loyalty program almost ten years ago and here I am.
As a partner hotel, this location has to stay tip-top. They have a nice pool.
If I recall correctly, it was heated. A feature that may sound silly to those of you not living in Florida, but we do have several chilly months. I swear!
Holiday Inn is always pretty affordable and this one is located at Disney Springs. If you have never been, it is a shopping district with lots of great restaurants. Plus a few activities like cirque du soleil, a movie theater, bowling, and more.
You can drive to Disney Springs and park for free to eat and shop, or you can simply walk, which is completely doable from this Hotel.
Parking Fees
Self Parking $25/night
Preferred/valet $29/night
Oversized Vehicle $40/night
Resort Fees
$39 plus 12.5% tax per night
Includes: Hourly shuttle service to all Disney Parks, 30 Minute early entry to all parks, 2 free welcome drinks, afternoon cookies and lemonade, morning all you can drink coffee, Disney World Golf Course discounts, 2 bottles of water per day, gym, and other basic hotel amenities.
Kids eat free. There is an onsite restaurant and a grab & go. You have the option of booking your room to include breakfasts. This doesn’t exactly count as a “free breakfast” but it is cheaper than many alternatives and super convenient.
Speaking of Breakfast before a day at Disney….
We made this video a while back. It is a little cringe in quality, because I was still learning. I am still learning even now. Sigh. Making videos is rough. lol
For a behind the scenes explanation…we were so excited to go an film, eat at the Grand Floridian, and spend some time at Magic Kingdom, that I completely forgot to make commentary about what we were doing…and had to go back and film in the yard.
Ugh. It sucks. I am sorry. hahaha
Never the less. I think this is a really fun thing to do and I didn’t realize it was an option until a year or so ago.
You can make meal reservations at any of the resorts, you don’t have to be staying there to go eat.
Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa
This is a significant step up from the Holiday Inn, and therefore a bit more expensive. However, I do think it is worth it in terms of a great family vacation.
If you are familiar with the Disney Vacation Club, which offers condo-style stays at several of the Disney Resorts and a few locations around the world…this hotel is a similar experience.
A home away from home vibe. If your home has lots of restaurants and a really cool water playground.
You are going to get 2, 3, and 4 bedroom places at this resort and it is going to cost a LOT less than the Disney Resort equivalents.
Parking/Resort Fees
The parking and resort fees are all in one price here. They fluctuate and are not listed on their site. The best I have been able to find is $13.50/night, but I guarantee it has gone up since then.
This resort is perfect for people who want to play golf or go to the Spa. They also have a game room for the kids, and a gym. Not to mention the pool, playground, and water playground.
There are a few dining options, including an Irish Pub and Grill, as well as Pizza.
This is a Disney Partner Hotel, so yes, a shuttle service is provided to all of the Walt Disney World Parks. (And apparently, at a lower cost than the Holiday Inn.)
Hotels with free Breakfast near Disney World
I love finding hotels that have “breakfast included.” That is one less meal during the day that I have to worry about paying for.
We are in the process of filming a whole series about dining options at Disney World. It has really opened my eyes to the incredible range of price points at the various restaurants.
For instance, you can feed your family for $50 or less at many places, but for as much as nearly $1000 per person at a few super insanely ritzy restaurants. My mind still cannot wrap around that amount for a single meal, for a single person. No thanks.
In this video, I showed all of the dining options at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Sebastian’s Bistro was delicious and a great bang for our buck, as they say. Really, we have paid more for less at other Disney Restaurants and really do recommend this one. Remember! You don’t have to stay at the resort to go eat there!
Scared of rides? Read This
Right, back to the hotel listings.
This is why I like the free breakfast option for my Disney stay. We are already paying who knows how much to eat at some really cool themed restaurants throughout the day.
Might as well save a little first thing in the morning. Am I right?
Hyatt House Orlando
Technically, this is a Universal Studios hotel option, as it is right down the street from Universal.
Don’t worry, everything is fairly close in Orlando. The drive isn’t that bad, and staying near Universal will put you near some non-disney options for dining and entertainment, including Universal’s City Walk.
The free (included) breakfast options at this hotel are not so bad indeed. They offer things like, scrambled eggs, sausage links, hash browns, waffles, steel cut oatmeal, fresh fruit, granola, and yogurt.
Parking Fees
$22/night
As a Universal Partnership Hotel, the shuttle service will take you to Universal, Sea World, and Aquatica. But! A quick drive and you will be a Disney. So, don’t dismiss this location, especially if you are planning on visiting Universal Parks while on a Disney vacation.
I noticed this was a thing a couple years ago. You know the families that get the matching t-shirts for theme park vacations? I saw a large group and their shirts said Disney & Universal Studios on them.
Why didn’t I grow up with a family like that? Sounds like a blast!
Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando – Disney Springs Area
It is time for the pièce de résistance in this list of hotel recommendations! Hold onto your butts!
Hotel near Disney World with FREE Breakfast?! You’ve got it!
What’s that? You don’t want to pay a RESORT FEE? No problem!
The Drury Hotels have a loyalty membership club just like some of the other hotel chains, so that is pretty cool.
But, wait! There is more!
Their Signature 5:30 Kickback is going to leave your jaw dropped!
Free Dinner?!!! Free Dinner at Disney?!
The 5:30 “Kickback” is a rotating menu of dinnertime snacks, cold beverages, beer, wine, mixed drinks and more, every single night from 5:30-7 p.m.
Remember when we discussed saving money on meals? Here it is.
Also! They have FREE Soda and Popcorn in the lobby. Free freshly popped popcorn is my kid’s dream come true, let me tell ya.
Parking Fees
$25/per night + tax
This is a Disney Partner Hotel, so there is also Free Shuttle Service to Walt Disney World Resorts!
It is also in walking to Disney Springs with all of their restaurants and shopping.
Conclusion
Wow, I hope this got you started thinking about how to best plan your next Disney/Florida Family Vacation.
With hotels near Disney World and Universal that have free shuttle service and free breakfast as options!
As I said, we are working on filming all of the dining options at the various resorts around Walt Disney World. It is a serious work in progress. Mostly because of the time and money required.
Our next stop is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Did you know they have NINE places to grab food and drinks? I am really excited to give it all a try. This will be my first time staying at the lodge.
Although we DID do a video comparing it to the Wilderness Lodge a while back. I promise we have gotten better at making videos since the ones posted on here. So do consider subscribing for upcoming videos.
We will be posting all theme park and cruise videos on Saturdays. Our regular educational travel content goes up on Thursdays.
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Family-Friendly Fun in Perdido Key, Florida
2025 Guide to Budget-Friendly US Family Travel
Lacey is a professionally trained Historian and Teacher-Librarian, as well as a Petter-of-Cats. She loves learning and teaching! She created this blog to discuss family world travel and Secular Home Education for the Gifted Student
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