Drury Inn & Suites near Universal Orlando: Food, Shuttle, Fees

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Drury Inn & Suites near Universal Orlando Resort bundles a hot breakfast, an early-evening spread with drinks, parking, Wi-Fi and a Universal shuttle into the room rate. The 238-room hotel sits at 7301 West Sand Lake Road, at the eastern end of Restaurant Row in Dr. Phillips, about 2.3 road miles from Universal’s parking garages.

It isn’t a resort, though: you can’t walk to the parks, a room-only booking includes no Early Park Admission or Express, and the pool is basic. This review covers rooms, food, the shuttle, fees and distances, based on Drury’s own pages checked in October 2026.

Quick answer: Book the Drury for a budget Universal and Epic Universe trip if you’ll use the extras: free hot breakfast, the free 5:30 Kickback (hot food and drinks, 5:30 to 7 p.m.), free parking, no resort fee listed and a free scheduled shuttle you reserve in the lobby. Skip it if you want to walk to the parks, need Early Park Admission or Express, or want a pool with slides.

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Drury Inn near Universal photos

Here is a look at the rooms, suites, pool and public areas from the hotel’s own photo gallery. Tap any photo to enlarge it, or browse the full gallery and current rates on Booking.com.

Location and distances: Restaurant Row, a short drive to Universal

The hotel stands at the corner of Sand Lake and Turkey Lake roads. Turkey Lake Road runs north to Universal, so the drive skips International Drive traffic, and International Drive’s ICON Park area is just across the I-4 interchange. We mapped the routes below with OSRM from the hotel’s published GPS point, without traffic; Drury’s own figures are rounded and run both shorter and longer than ours.

Expect road work nearby: FDOT is rebuilding the I-4 and Sand Lake Road interchange, with completion expected in 2027.

Destination	Our route	Drury’s figure	Main roads
Universal garages (toll plaza)	About 2.3 mi	2 mi	Turkey Lake Rd, Hollywood Way
Epic Universe parking toll plaza	About 3.8 mi	Not listed	Sand Lake Rd, Universal Blvd
SeaWorld parking toll plaza	About 4.2 mi	5 mi	Central Florida Pkwy
ICON Park on I-Drive	About 1 mi on foot	1 mi	Sand Lake Rd over I-4
Disney Springs garages	About 7.4 mi	7 mi	Central Florida Pkwy, I-4
EPCOT main parking lot	About 11.8 mi	12 mi (Walt Disney World)	I-4, Epcot Center Dr
Magic Kingdom (TTC lot)	About 13.1 mi	Not listed	I-4, World Dr
Orlando airport (Terminals A/B)	About 12.5 mi	15 mi	Sand Lake Rd, SR 528

Walking to Universal isn’t practical: the foot route is about 2.4 miles along busy roads, roughly 50 minutes. Restaurant Row is the walkable part. Whole Foods and Seito Sushi are roughly 0.1 to 0.3 mile on foot, Ocean Prime about 0.25 to 0.3 mile and Ruth’s Chris about 0.4 to 0.5 mile (ranges cover two start points on the property). For more dinner-focused stays, see our guide to hotels near Restaurant Row.

Rooms: kings, two queens and two-room suites

Drury lists three room types, each with free Wi-Fi, a TV, microwave, refrigerator, hairdryer, iron and ironing board:

• King: one king bed and what Drury calls comfortable seating.
• Queen: two queen beds and seating, the usual pick for a family of four.
• Suite: two rooms, with a bedroom behind a door and a living area with a pull-out queen sofa sleeper.

Drury allows up to five people in a standard room and six in a suite, and children 17 and under stay free with a parent. Five in a two-queen room means sharing beds or adding a rollaway ($15 a day plus tax, subject to availability; Drury’s brand FAQ says rollaways can’t be reserved). Pack ‘n Plays are free; request one when you book to guarantee it. Each room type may come with mobility or hearing accessible features.

The suite is the one to book for a family of five or six, or for parents who want a door between them and the kids at bedtime. Drury doesn’t publish room sizes, so check the booking page if square footage matters.

Pool and recreation

Recreation is basic. Drury lists an outdoor pool and whirlpool, open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a lift. The hotel’s photos show one end of the pool running under a covered section of the building. Drury doesn’t say whether the pool is heated, so ask if you’re visiting in winter.

The amenity list has no splash pad, waterslide, lazy river or kids’ club; the 24-hour fitness center is the other option. Planning a water park day? Universal Volcano Bay is closed for maintenance from October 26, 2026, with a planned reopening on or before April 1, 2027 (dates can change), a notice Drury repeats on its page.

Free breakfast, the 5:30 Kickback and dining

Food is the main draw. The free hot breakfast runs 6 to 9:30 a.m. on weekdays and 7 to 10 a.m. on weekends. Drury’s brand menu lists make-your-own Belgian waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage, breakfast potatoes, biscuits and gravy, oatmeal, yogurt, bagels, cereal and fruit, though it notes the menu can vary by hotel.

The free 5:30 Kickback is served every evening from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with a rotating menu of hot food plus beer, wine, mixed drinks and soft drinks. Drury’s sample menu rotates chili, BBQ pulled pork sliders, chicken fajitas or pasta with grilled chicken, alongside salad, hot dogs and chips with nacho cheese. Drury’s FAQ says restrictions apply to the alcohol service; contact the hotel for details.

Free popcorn and soda are out in the lobby from 4 to 8 p.m. The paid Kitchen + Bar in the lobby is open 5 p.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday and 5 to 11 p.m. on Sunday, with burgers, pizzas, wings and cocktails on Drury’s brand menu.

One planning point: the Kickback ends at 7 p.m., so on evenings in the parks you’ll miss it. For other hotels with included meals, see our list of hotels near Universal with free breakfast.

Parking, resort fee and hotel policies

Parking is free during your stay, according to Drury’s hotel page, which lists no resort fee or other mandatory daily charge. Universal’s own hotels charge for overnight parking (from $26 a night plus tax at the value hotels at our last check). The extras Drury lists are optional:

• Early check-in or late check-out: $50 each, subject to availability. Standard check-in is 3 p.m. and check-out 11 a.m.
• Pets: dogs and cats are accepted for $50 per room per day plus tax, up to two pets with a combined weight of 80 pounds. Service animals are free.
• Rollaways: $15 per day plus tax; Pack ‘n Plays are free.
• Payment: no cash for room and tax at check-in. Drury’s brand FAQ describes a card hold for the stay plus a $50 incidentals deposit; you must be 18 or older to reserve.

Driving to the parks instead? Universal’s regular self-parking is $35 a day, tax included, at the time of writing (prices can vary by day), so four park days by car add about $140; the shuttle avoids that if its times suit you. For more places that skip the daily fee, see our list of Orlando hotels with no resort fees.

Getting to Universal, Epic Universe and Disney

Drury is a Universal Partner Hotel and offers a free scheduled shuttle to all of Universal’s theme parks, Epic Universe included. You reserve your spot at the Universal Ticket Center in the lobby, where Universal vacation planners also handle ticket orders and redemptions.

Drury doesn’t publish shuttle times online, and you need to reserve a seat, so book yours as early as the desk allows. At check-in, ask for the morning departures and evening returns, where the shuttle stops (Epic Universe has its own entrance, separate from the two original parks) and how far ahead to book.

• Included: the shuttle, plus the Bonus Benefits Drury lists: discounts on merchandise at select Universal park locations and on food and non-alcoholic drinks at select park and CityWalk locations, with a coupon book from the lobby desk. Ask what applies to your booking.
• Not included with a room-only booking: Early Park Admission. Universal gives it to guests of its own hotels and to select groups whose ticket or pass carries the benefit, such as some Universal vacation packages and annual passes, so a room booked on its own, including on Booking.com, doesn’t get it. Our Universal Early Park Admission guide explains the rules and why partner-hotel shuttles often run too late for the early hour.
• Not included: Universal Express. Free Express Unlimited comes only with three of Universal’s own premier hotels.

Disney World: Drury’s page lists no Disney shuttle. It’s about 7.4 miles to Disney Springs (free parking) and 12 to 13 miles to the EPCOT and Magic Kingdom lots, where Disney’s standard parking is $35 a day.

Airport: no airport shuttle is listed. Orlando International is about 12.5 miles away by our route, mostly along Sand Lake Road (Drury lists 15 miles); our Orlando airport to Universal guide compares shuttles, rideshare and rental cars.

Amenities: Wi-Fi, fitness and the lobby

• Wi-Fi: free, including in every room.
• Fitness and business centers: both open 24 hours.
• The Market: a lobby snack shop; the gallery shows its shelves beside the front desk.
• Meetings: three rooms totaling more than 2,700 square feet.
• Drury Rewards: Drury’s terms exclude third-party website bookings, so a Booking.com stay earns no points. The 10% Florida and Georgia resident discounts are also for bookings made with Drury.

Drury Inn near Universal vs Drury Plaza at Disney Springs

Both share Drury’s formula of free hot breakfast and the 5:30 Kickback with no resort fee listed, but they suit different trips. Figures below are from Drury’s pages at the time of writing.

What matters	Drury Inn near Universal	Drury Plaza Disney Springs
Location	Sand Lake Rd, Restaurant Row	Hotel Plaza Blvd, Lake Buena Vista
Park shuttle	Free, to Universal parks incl. Epic (reserve)	Free, to the four Disney theme parks
Park perk	None with a room-only booking	30-minute Early Theme Park Entry
Parking	Free	$28 per night
Breakfast	6 to 9:30 a.m. weekdays, 7 to 10 a.m. weekends	6 to 10 a.m. daily
5:30 Kickback	5:30 to 7 p.m.	5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Pool	Outdoor pool and whirlpool	Saltwater pool and splash pad
Size and check-in	238 rooms, 3 p.m.	602 rooms, 4 p.m.

Pick the Universal Drury for a Universal and Epic Universe trip with free parking. Pick Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando at Disney Springs for a Disney-focused stay, where Early Theme Park Entry and a lakeside pool with a splash pad make up for the parking charge. For a split stay, the two are roughly 6.5 miles apart by road.

Who it suits

• Universal-first families on a budget who will eat breakfast and the Kickback at the hotel.
• Groups of five or six who want a two-room suite with a door.
• Food-focused couples who want Restaurant Row within walking distance.
• Drivers and pet owners, since parking is free and dogs and cats are accepted.

It suits you less if you want the first ride of the day, a pool the kids will remember, or a mostly Disney trip.

Pros

• Free hot breakfast every morning and a free hot evening spread with drinks.
• Free parking, free Wi-Fi and no resort fee listed.
• Free scheduled shuttle to all Universal parks, including Epic Universe.
• Two-room suites that sleep up to six, and a microwave and refrigerator in every room.
• Walkable to Restaurant Row and a Whole Foods; dogs and cats accepted.

Limitations to know

• Not within walking distance of any park.
• Shuttle times aren’t published online, and you need to reserve a seat.
• No Early Park Admission or Express with a room-only booking.
• A basic outdoor pool and whirlpool, with no splash pad or slide and no heating stated.
• The Kickback ends at 7 p.m., early for a park evening.
• No Disney or airport shuttle listed.
• Third-party bookings don’t earn Drury Rewards points, and Drury’s FAQ says they aren’t eligible for Express Check-Out.

What to check before you book

• Shuttle departure and return times for your park days, the Epic Universe stop and how early to reserve.
• Whether the pool is heated if you’re traveling in winter.
• The total price, including Orange County’s 12.5% hotel taxes at the time of writing, and your rate’s cancellation terms.
• A Pack ‘n Play request on your reservation; a rollaway can’t be guaranteed.
• Pet fees ($50 per day plus tax) and the pet policy you’ll sign at check-in.
• A card for the hold and $50 incidentals deposit.

Nearby alternatives

• DoubleTree at the Entrance to Universal: a walk to CityWalk and the two original parks, but breakfast costs extra.
• Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort: an on-site value hotel with Early Park Admission and a walk or bus to the parks; parking and breakfast cost extra.
• Our roundup of cheap hotels near Universal Studios compares 14 budget picks, including this Drury.

Check your dates for Drury Inn & Suites near Universal Orlando Resort before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

Does Drury Inn & Suites near Universal Orlando have a shuttle to Universal?

Yes. Drury offers a free scheduled shuttle to all of Universal Orlando’s theme parks, including Epic Universe. You reserve a spot at the Universal Ticket Center in the hotel lobby. Drury doesn’t publish departure times online, so ask at check-in for the morning runs and evening returns on your park days. No Disney or airport shuttle is listed.

Does the Drury near Universal charge a resort fee or for parking?

Drury’s page for the hotel lists no resort fee, and parking is free during your stay at the time of writing. Optional charges include $50 for early check-in or late check-out, $15 a day plus tax for a rollaway and $50 per room per day plus tax for pets. Confirm the total, including Orange County’s 12.5% hotel taxes, before you pay.

What is the Drury 5:30 Kickback?

It’s a free evening spread served daily from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with a rotating menu of hot food plus beer, wine, mixed drinks and soft drinks. Drury’s sample menu includes chili, pulled pork sliders, fajitas or pasta, with salad and hot dogs. Drury says restrictions apply to the alcohol service, so ask the hotel. Free popcorn and soda run from 4 to 8 p.m.

Can you walk to Universal from Drury Inn & Suites Orlando?

Not comfortably. The walking route to Universal’s garages is about 2.4 miles along busy roads, roughly 50 minutes each way. By car it’s about 2.3 miles, and the free shuttle covers the trip. What you can walk to is Restaurant Row: Whole Foods, Seito Sushi, Ocean Prime and Ruth’s Chris are all within about half a mile.

How many people can stay in a room at the Drury near Universal?

Drury allows up to five people in a standard room (a king or two queens) and six in a two-room suite, which adds a living area with a queen sofa sleeper behind a separate bedroom door. Children 17 and under stay free with a parent. Rollaways cost $15 a day plus tax when available, and Pack ‘n Plays are free.

Is Drury Inn near Universal pet friendly?

Yes. Dogs and cats are accepted for a daily fee of $50 per room plus tax, with a limit of two pets per room and a combined weight of 80 pounds. Service animals are free. Drury’s FAQ says you’ll be asked to sign a copy of its pet policy at check-in, so read it before you travel.

Bottom line

Drury Inn & Suites near Universal Orlando is a strong value base for Universal and Epic Universe if you’ll use what’s included: two free meals a day, free parking and a free shuttle. In return you accept a basic pool, no Early Park Admission and shuttle times you confirm on arrival. Compare rates for Drury Inn & Suites near Universal Orlando Resort, or weigh other options in our guide to the best hotels near Universal Studios Orlando.

Sources checked in October 2026: Drury Inn & Suites near Universal Orlando Resort, Drury Hotels FAQ, Universal Early Park Admission, Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando, Universal Orlando directions and parking.