Free Things at Disney World

There are a whole lot of free issues to do at Walt Disney World. This submit provides ideas for locating and profiting from freebies, all of which require no cash and haven’t any strings connected. Some are comparatively unknown, being under-promoted choices at inns. Others are worthwhile experiences that received’t value you a dime however are value your time. (Updated February 5, 2023.)

Most souvenirs, items, and experiences at Walt Disney World are costly. Fortunately, some issues are completely, no strings connected free. No, I’m not speaking in regards to the “Free” Disney Dining Plan, which is probably going unavailable till 2024. I imply experiences and stuff that’s truly free. Or at the very least, received’t value you any further.

The existence of such free issues and experiences may come as a shock since typically it seems like Mickey Mouse is reaching into your pockets whenever you’re at Walt Disney World. From the various sights that finish in present outlets to the sticker shock you’re prone to have whenever you see the value, it would appear to be there isn’t any respite from spending on a Walt Disney World trip.

This listing covers issues that we really feel most cheap folks may really feel are “free vacation add-ons,” and are rather less apparent. If you do Disney on a funds, this listing is a good way to offer your self some added enjoyable with out breaking the financial institution!

Here’s the listing, damaged down into souvenirs, meals, leisure, and the catch-all “other” class…

Entertainment

• Resort Performers – There are a wide range of resorts, significantly on the Moderate and Deluxe ranges, that function lounge leisure acts. From Yehaa Bob at Port Orleans Riverside to performers Rix Lounge, there are a number of no cowl choices. Alternatively, should you go late sufficient or on a sluggish night time, Jellyrolls on the BoardWalk won’t be charging cowl.
• Caravanning ‘Round the World – These colorful RVs travel around to all of the various Disney Resort hotels bringing characters for spontaneous meet & greets and fun inside and outside the resorts. It’s a good way to fulfill and play with Mickey and buddies, however there’s no set schedule.
• Disney Chase Visa Cardholder Perks – We talk about these in depth in our Disney Chase Visa Review, however the largest one among these is the personal meet and greet location in Epcot close to Journey into Imagination, which features a free PhotoPass photograph obtain.
• Concerts – The America Gardens Theatre close to Epcot’s American Adventure pavilion has live shows within the spring, summer season, and fall, with principally cowl bands. Some of those reveals are fairly good. Then, within the winter, it’s used for the Candlelight Processional Christmas story. Check right here to see if there may be any leisure accessible throughout your journey.
• Campfires – Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-Along is a nightly campfire present at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground that happens at 7 or 8 p.m., relying upon the season. A good way to work together with characters exterior the parks! Most different resorts have nightly campfires, however nothing that’s as elaborate of a manufacturing as this.
• Animal Viewing – At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, visitors can stroll exterior and watch the animals. There aren’t as many species right here as there are within the park, nevertheless it’s nonetheless cool, and there are educated Cast Members close by to let you know in regards to the animals. If you’re a resort visitor, there’s a particular nighttime viewing accessible!
• Movies Under the Stars – Most of the Walt Disney World resort inns play a Disney movie every night time that’s free to attend should you’re a resort visitor. Many of those are outdoor on massive screens. For extra data and particular particulars, click on right here.

Souvenirs

• Celebration Buttons – Starting as quickly as you arrive, that is the primary free factor it’s best to get (if relevant). As mentioned in our Celebrating at Walt Disney World submit, celebration buttons are kind of a “gateway” to different freebies. The buttons are a freebie themselves, however your probability of receiving random “other” freebies when sporting these dramatically will increase. Just don’t abuse the buttons.
• Park Maps & Assorted Ephemera – This might be a “duh” one, nevertheless it’s value mentioning which you could gather all types of ephemera out of your stays at Walt Disney World. On every of our stays, I gather the entire varied paper-goods I can, put them in our resort folio, after which field them up. It’s enjoyable trying again at park maps, leisure schedules, and resort maps from the previous.
• Driver and Pilot Licenses – That’s proper, get licensed to drive and fly totally free at Walt Disney World! Regardless of age or expertise, Disney will grant you these licenses! (The Mouse is mainly a rogue state that solutions to no authorities…apart from the RCID…and the State of Florida…and the federal authorities.) The Tomorrowland Speedway and Dumbo have “license” playing cards they are going to give to children (or adults, should you ask) certifying that they’re licensed to drive or pilot these sights. As far as I do know, these licenses haven’t any authorized weight exterior of Walt Disney World.
• Trading Cards – Cast Members on the assorted types of Disney transportation ought to have transportation buying and selling playing cards accessible should you ask. Sometimes they’re out of inventory, so should you strike out with one Cast Member, simply ask one other.
• World Showcase Crafts – There are “Kidcot” stations all through Epcot the place they’ll coloration crafts and have them for the remainder of the day.
• Passports – Available in the course of the varied Epcot festivals, these passports that every kiosk will stamp generally is a enjoyable factor for the children, or a great way to recollect what you had should you’re Drinking Around the World! 😉

Transportation

• Monorail – Everyone is aware of that transportation inside Walt Disney World is free (and should you didn’t, you do now!), however the monorail is value mentioning as free leisure. For us, the monorail is a superb “attraction,” and driving it across the resort loop is a soothing and enjoyable exercise.
• Skyliner – Walt Disney World’s latest type of transportation is the Skyliner, which connects Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to a handful of resorts. Anywhere else on this planet, a gondola experience will value you cash (we paid a reasonably penny in Switzerland…nevertheless it additionally took us to the highest of a beautiful mountain!) however there’s no cost at Walt Disney World. If you’re prepared to spend some cash, we extremely advocate the Disney Skyliner Sip & Snack Stroll. It’s a good way to spend a day exterior the parks!
• Boat Rides – Same goes for the various boats on Walt Disney World property. If you don’t have park tickets for a day and wish one thing to do, enjoyable on the boats can’t be beat. Highly advocate taking one out to Wilderness Lodge and wandering its attractive grounds.
• Buses – Resort to resort bus transportation can also be free, however we wouldn’t advocate “joyriding” on the buses like we do with the Skyliner, monorail, or boats.
• Theme Park & Resort Parking – Guests of Walt Disney World resort inns park totally free the theme parks and on the resorts (as soon as once more) as of 2023.

Food

• Club Cool – This free soda spot is again in a brand new location in World Celebration at Epcot, proper across the nook from Creations Shop! Sponsored by Coca-Cola, Club Cool in Epcot provides 8 drinks right here from around the globe. For these additionally in search of a fast jolt, it is a nice possibility as each drink has copious quantity of sugar. If you’re a Club Cool beginner, ensure to attempt the scrumptious Beverly.
• Cookie, Cotton Candy, or Ice Cream Samples – As you’re heading down Main Street within the Magic Kingdom, cease by the Confectionary. If it’s not too busy, there’ll doubtless be a Cast Member with samples of cookies, cotton sweet, or another candy. Likewise, wherever that serves ice cream will allow you to pattern a taste earlier than you order. Standard follow right here is to really order ice cream after you’re taking the pattern, so it’s not solely “free,” until you don’t thoughts breaking customized.
• Water – No, not the consuming fountains! Walt Disney World counter service eating places offers you a free cup of ice water. (With that stated, we extremely advocate bringing your personal water bottle with filter–Florida water is gross!)
• Ice Cream – This is definitely a number of “freebies” multi functional. If you’re taking the free Disney Vacation Club tour/pitch, you get free ice cream on the finish. Each one that takes the tour can also be prone to get a ‘token of appreciation’ for attending. Unlike most timeshare displays, this isn’t excessive strain, however it’s extremely persuasive. Just keep in mind to not purchase into Disney Vacation Club on the spot. (Read our Disney Vacation Club Buying Guide to see why that’s a foul concept.) The tour lasts round 2 hours, which is a whole lot of time to remove out of your trip only for some “free” ice cream; should you’re not truly all for proudly owning Disney Vacation Club, you may need to simply pay for the ice cream elsewhere.
• Chocolate – If you do go to Disney Springs, the comfort is that Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop provides free chocolate samples.
• Refills – Sunshine Seasons and Regal Eagle Smokehouse at Epcot, Backlot Express in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Restaurantosaurus & Satu’li Canteen in Disney’s Animal Kingdom all have free, self-service drink refill stations. At all different eating places, you’re given your cup with the soda already in it. Just keep in mind to comply with the refillable mug guidelines! 😉
• Dining Under Age 3 – At Walt Disney World buffets and family-style eating places, children underneath age 3 eat totally free off of a mother and father’ plate.

Nighttime Spectaculars

• Magic Kingdom Fireworks – The best possible free spot to look at the Magic Kingdom fireworks is from the Ticket & Transportation Center, simply to the proper of the doorway to the Ferry to the Magic Kingdom. Since the onerous ticket events are costly, it is a nice solution to watch these reveals totally free (or a second time).
• Epcot Fireworks – You may also watch Epcot’s fireworks from most locations across the Yacht & Beach Club or BoardWalk. I’d advocate the bridge between the 2 (nearer the Swan & Dolphin).
• Electrical Water Pageant – A Walt Disney World traditional. This is a cute little gentle parade on Bay Lake exterior the Magic Kingdom. Approximate present occasions are: 9 p.m. at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, 9:15 p.m. at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, 9:30 p.m. at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, 9:45 p.m. at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground, and 10 p.m. at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. This is a “Vacation Kingdom of the World” traditional that we LOVE. So a lot, in actual fact, that it was one among our Top 101 Walt Disney World Tips!

Tours

• Christmas Decorations – Visiting resorts year-round is free (and possibly such widespread information that I don’t assume it’s value mentioning right here…I’m not going to listing each consuming fountain within the parks that gives “free water” or each restroom that has “free toilet paper”), however at Christmas it’s one thing value mentioning. Then, you may take our “Self-Guided Yuletide Tour,” which is a good way to spend a non-parks day in the course of the vacation season.
• Restaurant Tours – This is one we’ve by no means carried out, however apparently, the eating places at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge supply free 30-minute excursions specializing in the culinary picks and structure. (Temporarily suspended.)
• Resort Tours – Here’s one other one which we simply realized about and haven’t had an opportunity to attempt. Called “The Wonders of Wilderness Lodge” tour, it’s open to any Disney resort-hotel visitor. With the richness of Wilderness Lodge, I’m betting this tour is nice. We’ve additionally heard that just a few different Deluxe Resorts supply excursions. Check along with your resort concierge for which of them and particular occasions. (Temporarily suspended.)
• Art Classes – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort provides free drawing lessons which can be open to any Walt Disney World resort resort visitors. The Animation Academy in Animal Kingdom additionally has drawing lessons.

Other

• Hair Confetti – The Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street within the Magic Kingdom will sprinkle confetti and “pixie dust” in your child’s hair totally free. We’ve by no means carried out this ourselves, however now we have buddies who’ve, and it might actually make the child’s day. Our suggestion right here can be to really have their hair truly gelled and coloured, because it’s lower than $10, fast, and can actually make your youngster’s day. Castle Couture (Fantasyland) additionally has “pixie dust.”
• Photography – Many visitors assume PhotoPass shouldn’t be helpful for them in the event that they’re not going to buy the service. That’s not true in any respect–any PhotoPass Cast Member will take photographs of you along with your digital camera. Same goes for character attendants.
• First Aid – Dogs barking from strolling too many miles at Walt Disney World? First Aid can provide you some free Band-Aids should you get blisters. They even have issues like Aspirin and different widespread medicines, however for something extra thorough, you’ll want to go to an pressing care heart.
• WiFi – All of the Walt Disney World parks and the entire inns have free WiFi accessible. Cell service may be spotty within the parks, inflicting a severe drain in your cellphone battery. To save battery life, I typically put my cellphone into Airplane Mode and simply activate the WiFi if I’m not anticipating any calls.
• Shopping Delivery – If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World resort resort, something you buy within the parks may be delivered to your resort totally free. This shouldn’t be accessible on the final day of your journey, however for all different days, this free service certain beats carrying round what you obtain all day! Similarly, every park has a bundle storage service for gadgets bought. (Temporarily unavailable.)
• Wake Up Call – Guests of Walt Disney World resort inns can request a free get up name from Mickey or Stitch on their resort cellphone. Soon, the “Hey, Disney” Alexa service will be capable to do much more than that.
• Luggage Storage & Transfer – If you’re staying at a number of inns, Bell Services at your Walt Disney World resort resort will switch your baggage. If your flight isn’t till late within the day in your day of departure, Bell Services will maintain your baggage. Tips are customary in each of those conditions.
• Disney Vacation Club Member Perks – From “Welcome Home Wednesdays” to complimentary DVD rental, Disney Vacation Club members obtain many unpublicized freebies, plus reductions and extra. Check out our listing of the Top 10 DVC Member Perks for the perfect advantages of being a DVC Member.

That wraps up our listing of “free” issues at Walt Disney World. In actuality, a lot of that is doubtless constructed into the price of a visit, so that you’re technically paying for it someway. However, these enhancements would usually value cash in different circumstances (even in some areas at Walt Disney World), so we’re contemplating them free–or “no added cost” choices.

As talked about above, relying upon your definition of free, there are various extra (or far fewer?) issues which can be free at Walt Disney World. We’ve left off many of the common park leisure and commonplace resort perks off the listing as these are regular and to be anticipated. Ultimately, with all we spend on Walt Disney World holidays, it’s good to see an inventory with so many issues which can be mainly added bonuses. We assume it actually reveals the best way Disney goes above and past, and exemplifies one of many causes we love touring to Walt Disney World a lot!

For the place to eat, check out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews web page. If you need to get monetary savings on tickets or decide which sort it’s best to get, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips submit takes a singular have a look at unconventional issues it’s best to take in your journey. Once you arrive on the parks, our Walt Disney World “Ride Guides”are nice for figuring out what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of those matters and a lot extra, the perfect place to start out is our complete Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to take advantage of your expertise!

Your Thoughts

So that’s our listing, what’s on YOUR listing of the perfect free issues at Walt Disney World? Any different ideas or lost-cost choices? Any questions on profiting from these Walt Disney World freebies? Hearing from you is half the enjoyable–even whenever you disagree with us–so please share your ideas within the feedback!