A Disney Vacation can come with a huge price tag but there are ways to make it more affordable and help you stay on budget with this list of the 20 best free things at Disney World.
This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure here.
There is no doubt that Walt Disney World is the happiest place on earth with 4 theme parks, multiple resorts, and a variety of restaurants. It immerses you in magic from the second you step on property and makes you feel like a kid again.
If you are in the process of planning your first trip you are going to realize with so many options it can get expensive….really expensive.
So, it’s hard to imagine that you can find anything affordable at Walt Disney World but there are actually many free things you can get and do while you are visiting the happiest place on Earth. Here is a list of 20 free things you can find at Walt Disney World.
You may like:25 Disney Park Bag Must-Haves
20 Best Free Things at Disney World
Arrival
1. Celebration Buttons
When you book your reservation with Walt Disney World, don’t forget to note anything you will be celebrating because when you arrive they will give you a free celebration button. They have a birthday button, anniversary, wedding, 1st visit, and more.
Food/Beverage
2.Free ice water
You can request free ice water at any counter service restaurant in the parks. Bottled water is so expensive at Walt Disney World so this is a must on those hot Florida afternoons.
3. Coca Cola in Epcot
Did you know that if you visit Club Cool at Epcot, you can try free Coca-Cola products from different countries? You can sample a wide variety of flavors and choose your favorite one.
If you are feeling really brave, you can try the Beverly or encourage a family member to try. But, make sure to have your phone or camera ready to snap a picture.
4. Food Samples
Check out Ghirardelli’s in Disney Springs to receive a free piece of their signature chocolate.
You may like: How to Eat at Disney World on a Budget
In the Parks
5.Disney Genie
While there has been a lot of discussion about the paid Disney’s Genie+, many people may not realize that there is a free version of Disney Genie. The free version is essentially a planning service that gives you the ability to access your mobile orders, reservations, and wait times as well as offering a personalized itinerary based on your specific interests.
6. Kidcot Fun Stops
When you visit Epcot, make sure and head over to the World Showcase to check out the Kidcot Fun Stops in each country. You can find locations on your park map.
Once you arrive, your child will receive a bag that contains a sticker and postcard with information about the country. There are also tables set up where your child can color the picture on the back of the postcard.
Make sure and chat with the cast members from the different countries while you are there. Sometimes they will even sign your card in their countries language.
7. A Pirate’s Adventure
A Pirate’s Adventure is an interactive game just like Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom. You receive a free pirate map and a special card that you use around Adventureland to complete quests to find the lost treasure of the Seven Seas.
8. Play Disney Park Game App
This fun and free Disney app give you access to interactive games and trivia that you can play while waiting in line. We tested it out on our 2021 vacation and had a blast using it while waiting to ride Soarin’ and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
9. Hidden Mickey’s Animation Experience
In all 4 parks and actually, all of Walt Disney World, be on the watch for Hidden Mickey’s. Our family would make a game of it and see who could find the most during our trip.
10. Animation Experience
If you love to draw the Animation Experience is for you. You will learn to draw your favorite Disney characters from a Disney animator. You can find the Animation Experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at the Conservation Station located in Rafiki’s Planet Watch.
Resorts
11. Visit Animal Kingdom Lodge
Do your kids love animals? Then, head over to Animal Kingdom Lodge to see the animals from their observation deck. Make sure and ask for the Wildlife Field Guide so you can check off the animals that you see.
12. Boardwalk Resort
If you are looking for some free entertainment then a good place to start is the Boardwalk Resort. They have street performers such as jugglers, musicians, and comedians.
13. Polynesian Resort
Would you love to see some nighttime entertainment at the Magic Kingdom without paying admission to the park?
All you have to do is head to the beach of the Polynesian resort in the evenings to catch the Electrical Water Pageant and get a great view of the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom.
14. Pool activities and movies at the resorts
Most of the Disney Resorts offer games and activities at the pool in the afternoon and movies under the stars in the evening.
When we stayed at Pop Century, we were given a resort guide that listed a schedule of activities, including a trivia night, poolside challenges, a dance party, and more.
15. Resort Hopping
Did you know you can visit and explore any of the Disney Resorts for free? One of our favorite things to do when we visit Walt Disney World is to make reservations for a character meal at the resorts.
16. Photo Opportunities at Pop Century, Art of Animation and All-Star Resorts
These resorts all have amazing larger-than-life icons all around the resort, perfect for picture-taking opportunities.
On our last trip to Disney, I did a little research beforehand of the different icons around Pop Century and Art of Animation and created a Scavenger Hunt for my boys. They raced around the resorts trying to find the different icons and once they did we would snap a picture with them.
Related Post: 12 Reasons to Stay at Pop Century Resort
Disney is also currently offering a 50th Anniversary Celebration Scavenger Hunt that guests can pick up at their resort and start searching for clues to solve a puzzle while learning about the history of Walt Disney World along the way.
Transportation
17. Take a boat
Take advantage of the water transportation at Disney by taking a relaxing boat ride to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.
You can also board a Friendship boat in Epcot that will take you across the World Showcase Lagoon. The boats were a welcome sight and a nice way to cool down and rest after a busy afternoon exploring the World Showcase.
18. Ride the Monorail
The monorail is free to ride and you can take it to explore Disney’s Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary Resorts. It’s fun for the kids and there is a lot of room to spread out so you can enjoy the ride.
Disney Springs
19. LEGO Imagination Center
Do your kids love Legos? Then, you can’t miss the LEGO Imagination Center at Disney Springs. You will find larger-than-life lego creations.
20. Free Music
They are always concerts and live music to be found at Disney Springs. A few places to check out are the House of Blues and Raglan Road. You can check out the Disney Springs Entertainment Schedule here.
There you go, the 20 best free things in Disney World. Disney is a magical place and can be affordable if you know where to look. If you are interested in finding more ways to save on a Disney Vacation you can check out my post, 15 Easy Ways to Save on a Disney Vacation.
You may like: 21 Magical Gift Ideas for Disney Lovers
Don’t forget to sign up for my FREE Resource Library filled with planner printables including a Disney Travel Planning Sheet.
Check out my Pinterest Disney boards and follow me for more ways to plan and save for a Walt Disney World Vacation.
