Free Issues at Disney World

There are a number of free issues to do at Walt Disney World. This publish gives ideas for locating and making the most of freebies, all of which require no cash and don’t have any strings connected. Some are comparatively unknown, being under-promoted choices at motels. Others are worthwhile experiences that received’t value you a dime however are value your time. (Up to date February 5, 2023.)

Most souvenirs, items, and experiences at Walt Disney World are costly. Fortuitously, some issues are completely, no strings connected free. No, I’m not speaking concerning the “Free” Disney Eating 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 additional.

The existence of such free issues and experiences would possibly come as a shock since generally it seems like Mickey Mouse is reaching into your pockets once you’re at Walt Disney World. From the various sights that finish in present retailers to the sticker shock you’re prone to have once you see the worth, it’d 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 affordable folks would possibly really feel are “free trip add-ons,” and are rather less apparent. When you do Disney on a finances, this listing is a good way to offer your self some added enjoyable with out breaking the financial institution!

Right here’s the listing, damaged down into souvenirs, meals, leisure, and the catch-all “different” class…

Leisure

• Resort Performers – There are a selection of resorts, notably on the Average 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, in the event you go late sufficient or on a gradual night time, Jellyrolls on the BoardWalk won’t be charging cowl.
• Caravanning ‘Around the World – These colourful RVs journey round to all the numerous Disney Resort motels bringing characters for spontaneous meet & greets and enjoyable inside and out of doors the resorts. It’s a good way to fulfill and play with Mickey and mates, however there’s no set schedule.
• Disney Chase Visa Cardholder Perks – We focus on these in depth in our Disney Chase Visa Evaluate, however the largest considered one of these is the non-public meet and greet location in Epcot close to Journey into Creativeness, which features a free PhotoPass photograph obtain.
• Live shows – The America Gardens Theatre close to Epcot’s American Journey pavilion has live shows within the spring, summer season, and fall, with largely cowl bands. A few of these reveals are fairly good. Then, within the winter, it’s used for the Candlelight Processional Christmas story. Verify right here to see if there’s any leisure obtainable throughout your journey.
• Campfires – Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-Alongside is a nightly campfire present at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground that happens at 7 or 8 p.m., relying upon the season. An effective way to work together with characters outdoors 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, friends can stroll outdoors and watch the animals. There aren’t as many species right here as there are within the park, however it’s nonetheless cool, and there are educated Solid Members close by to inform you concerning the animals. When you’re a lodge visitor, there’s a particular nighttime viewing obtainable!
• Films Below the Stars – A lot of the Walt Disney World resort motels play a Disney movie every night time that’s free to attend in the event you’re a lodge visitor. Many of those are open air on massive screens. For extra data and particular particulars, click on right here.

Souvenirs

• Celebration Buttons – Beginning as quickly as you arrive, that is the primary free factor it is best to get (if relevant). As mentioned in our Celebrating at Walt Disney World publish, celebration buttons are form of a “gateway” to different freebies. The buttons are a freebie themselves, however your probability of receiving random “different” freebies when sporting these dramatically will increase. Simply don’t abuse the buttons.
• Park Maps & Assorted Ephemera – That is in all probability a “duh” one, however it’s value mentioning that you may acquire all types of ephemera out of your stays at Walt Disney World. On every of our stays, I acquire all the numerous paper-goods I can, put them in our lodge folio, after which field them up. It’s enjoyable wanting again at park maps, leisure schedules, and lodge maps from the previous.
• Driver and Pilot Licenses – That’s proper, get licensed to drive and fly free of charge at Walt Disney World! No matter age or expertise, Disney will grant you these licenses! (The Mouse is principally a rogue state that solutions to no authorities…moreover the RCID…and the State of Florida…and the federal authorities.) The Tomorrowland Speedway and Dumbo have “license” playing cards they may give to youngsters (or adults, in the event you ask) certifying that they’re licensed to drive or pilot these sights. So far as I do know, these licenses don’t have any authorized weight outdoors of Walt Disney World.
• Buying and selling Playing cards – Solid Members on the assorted types of Disney transportation ought to have transportation buying and selling playing cards obtainable in the event you ask. Generally they’re out of inventory, so in the event you strike out with one Solid Member, simply ask one other.
• World Showcase Crafts – There are “Kidcot” stations all through Epcot the place they’ll colour crafts and have them for the remainder of the day.
• Passports – Out there through the numerous Epcot festivals, these passports that every kiosk will stamp is usually a enjoyable factor for the children, or a great way to recollect what you had in the event you’re Consuming Across the World! 😉

Transportation

• Monorail – Everybody is aware of that transportation inside Walt Disney World is free (and in the event you didn’t, you do now!), however the monorail is value declaring as free leisure. For us, the monorail is a superb “attraction,” and driving it across the resort loop is a calming 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. Anyplace else on the earth, a gondola trip will value you cash (we paid a fairly penny in Switzerland…however it additionally took us to the highest of a beautiful mountain!) however there’s no cost at Walt Disney World. When you’re keen to spend some cash, we extremely advocate the Disney Skyliner Sip & Snack Stroll. It’s a good way to spend a day outdoors the parks!
• Boat Rides – Identical goes for the various boats on Walt Disney World property. When you don’t have park tickets for a day and wish one thing to do, enjoyable on the boats can’t be beat. Extremely advocate taking one out to Wilderness Lodge and wandering its beautiful 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 – Visitors of Walt Disney World resort motels park free of charge the theme parks and on the resorts (as soon as once more) as of 2023.

Meals

• Membership Cool – This free soda spot is again in a brand new location in World Celebration at Epcot, proper across the nook from Creations Store! Sponsored by Coca-Cola, Membership Cool in Epcot gives 8 drinks right here from all over the world. For these additionally in search of a fast jolt, it is a nice possibility as each drink has copious quantity of sugar. When you’re a Membership Cool beginner, make sure that to strive the scrumptious Beverly.
• Cookie, Cotton Sweet, or Ice Cream Samples – As you’re heading down Most important Road within the Magic Kingdom, cease by the Confectionary. If it’s not too busy, there’ll possible be a Solid 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. Normal observe right here is to really order ice cream after you are taking the pattern, so it’s not fully “free,” until you don’t thoughts breaking customized.
• Water – No, not the ingesting fountains! Walt Disney World counter service eating places will provide you with a free cup of ice water. (With that mentioned, we extremely advocate bringing your personal water bottle with filter–Florida water is gross!)
• Ice Cream – That is truly a number of “freebies” multi function. When you take the free Disney Trip Membership tour/pitch, you get free ice cream on the finish. Every one that takes the tour can also be prone to get a ‘token of appreciation’ for attending. Not like most timeshare shows, this isn’t excessive stress, however it’s extremely persuasive. Simply keep in mind to not purchase into Disney Trip Membership on the spot. (Learn our Disney Trip Membership Shopping for Information to see why that’s a foul thought.) The tour lasts round 2 hours, which is a number of time to remove out of your trip only for some “free” ice cream; in the event you’re not truly involved in proudly owning Disney Trip Membership, you would possibly wish to simply pay for the ice cream elsewhere.
• Chocolate – When you do go to Disney Springs, the comfort is that Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Store gives free chocolate samples.
• Refills – Sunshine Seasons and Regal Eagle Smokehouse at Epcot, Backlot Categorical in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Restaurantosaurus & Satu’li Canteen in Disney’s Animal Kingdom all have free, self-service drink refill stations. In any respect different eating places, you might be given your cup with the soda already in it. Simply keep in mind to comply with the refillable mug guidelines! 😉
• Eating Below Age 3 – At Walt Disney World buffets and family-style eating places, youngsters underneath age 3 eat free of charge off of a mother and father’ plate.

Nighttime Spectaculars

• Magic Kingdom Fireworks – The very best free spot to observe the Magic Kingdom fireworks is from the Ticket & Transportation Heart, simply to the correct of the doorway to the Ferry to the Magic Kingdom. For the reason that arduous ticket events are costly, it is a nice strategy to watch these reveals free of charge (or a second time).
• Epcot Fireworks – You can even watch Epcot’s fireworks from most locations across the Yacht & Seaside Membership or BoardWalk. I’d advocate the bridge between the 2 (nearer the Swan & Dolphin).
• Electrical Water Pageant – A Walt Disney World traditional. It is a cute little gentle parade on Bay Lake outdoors the Magic Kingdom. Approximate present instances 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 Modern Resort. It is a “Trip Kingdom of the World” traditional that we LOVE. A lot, in reality, that it was considered one of our High 101 Walt Disney World Suggestions!

Excursions

• Christmas Decorations – Visiting resorts year-round is free (and doubtless such widespread information that I don’t assume it’s value mentioning right here…I’m not going to listing each ingesting fountain within the parks that provides “free water” or each restroom that has “free bathroom paper”), however at Christmas it’s one thing value mentioning. Then, you possibly can take our “Self-Guided Yuletide Tour,” which is a good way to spend a non-parks day through the vacation season.
• Restaurant Excursions – That is one we’ve by no means performed, however apparently, the eating places at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge supply free 30-minute excursions specializing in the culinary picks and structure. (Quickly suspended.)
• Resort Excursions – Right here’s one other one which we simply realized about and haven’t had an opportunity to strive. Referred to as “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 a couple of different Deluxe Resorts supply excursions. Verify along with your lodge concierge for which of them and particular instances. (Quickly suspended.)
• Artwork Lessons – Disney’s Artwork of Animation Resort gives free drawing lessons which might be open to any Walt Disney World resort lodge friends. The Animation Academy in Animal Kingdom additionally has drawing lessons.

Different

• Hair Confetti – The Concord Barber Store on Most important Road within the Magic Kingdom will sprinkle confetti and “pixie mud” in your child’s hair free of charge. We’ve by no means performed this ourselves, however we’ve got mates who’ve, and it may possibly actually make the child’s day. Our suggestion right here could be to really have their hair truly gelled and coloured, because it’s lower than $10, fast, and can actually make your baby’s day. Citadel Couture (Fantasyland) additionally has “pixie mud.”
• Images – Many friends assume PhotoPass is just not helpful for them in the event that they’re not going to buy the service. That’s not true in any respect–any PhotoPass Solid Member will take photographs of you along with your digital camera. Identical goes for character attendants.
• First Assist – Canine barking from strolling too many miles at Walt Disney World? First Assist may give you some free Band-Aids in the event you get blisters. In addition they have issues like Aspirin and different widespread medicines, however for something extra thorough, you’ll want to go to an pressing care middle.
• WiFi – The entire Walt Disney World parks and all the motels have free WiFi obtainable. Cell service might be spotty within the parks, inflicting a critical drain in your cellphone battery. To save lots of battery life, I usually put my cellphone into Airplane Mode and simply activate the WiFi if I’m not anticipating any calls.
• Purchasing Supply – When you’re staying at a Walt Disney World resort lodge, something you buy within the parks might be delivered to your lodge free of charge. This isn’t obtainable on the final day of your journey, however for all different days, this free service certain beats carrying round what you got all day! Equally, every park has a package deal storage service for objects bought. (Quickly unavailable.)
• Wake Up Name – Visitors of Walt Disney World resort motels can request a free get up name from Mickey or Sew on their lodge cellphone. Quickly, the “Hey, Disney” Alexa service will have the ability to do much more than that.
• Baggage Storage & Switch – When you’re staying at a number of motels, Bell Providers at your Walt Disney World resort lodge will switch your luggage. In case your flight isn’t till late within the day in your day of departure, Bell Providers will maintain your luggage. Suggestions are customary in each of those conditions.
• Disney Trip Membership Member Perks – From “Welcome Residence Wednesdays” to complimentary DVD rental, Disney Trip Membership members obtain many unpublicized freebies, plus reductions and extra. Try our listing of the High 10 DVC Member Perks for one of the best 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 possible constructed into the price of a visit, so that you’re technically paying for it come what may. Nevertheless, these enhancements would usually value cash in different circumstances (even in some places at Walt Disney World), so we’re contemplating them free–or “no added value” choices.

As talked about above, relying upon your definition of free, there are a lot of extra (or far fewer?) issues which might be free at Walt Disney World. We’ve left off many of the common park leisure and customary lodge perks off the listing as these are regular and to be anticipated. Finally, with all we spend on Walt Disney World holidays, it’s good to see an inventory with so many issues which might be principally added bonuses. We predict it actually reveals the way in which 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 Opinions web page. If you wish to lower your expenses on tickets or decide which kind it is best to get, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel take a look at unconventional issues it is best to take in your journey. When you arrive on the parks, our Walt Disney World “Trip 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, one of the best place to start out is our complete Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information to benefit from your expertise!

Your Ideas

In order that’s our listing, what’s on YOUR listing of one of the best free issues at Walt Disney World? Another ideas or lost-cost choices? Any questions on making the most of these Walt Disney World freebies? Listening to from you is half the enjoyable–even once you disagree with us–so please share your ideas within the feedback!