Receiving a free item or having a free experience is something we can say we all enjoy. Did you know Disney World offers numerous FREE opportunities inside and even outside of the parks? Here are 10 of our favorites we recommend you check out on your next vacation.
1 – Chip ‘N Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long
This Sing-A-Long is located at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground and you don’t even need a park ticket to be there. Here you can meet and interact with Chip and Dale while singing songs, eating s’mores and then enjoying a Disney movie afterwards on a large outdoor screen. The meet and greet is FREE, the movie is FREE, photos are FREE, and the priceless family time is FREE.
You can bring your own supplies to make s’mores or you can purchase them at the Chuck Wagon Snack Bar. Besides that, all you need to bring is camping chairs or a blanket to sit on during the movie. We highly recommended this, especially if you have small children.
2 – Fireworks
Disney’s Polynesian Resort is a great spot to enjoy Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After Nighttime Fireworks on the beach behind the resort. The beach will also have speakers set up to pipe in the music from the fireworks. This will allow you not to miss a second of the full experience. Here you can also watch “The Electrical Water Pageant” float by at 9 o’clock pm.
Other spots where you can watch Happily Ever After include the observation deck at The Contemporary Hotel (only if you’re dining there), the beach at Fort Wilderness Lodge, or the dock at The Grand Floridian.
Now, if you want to experience Epcot’s IllumiNations without paying park admission head on over to Disney’s Boardwalk Resort. However, spots here are limited. The bridge just past the ESPN Club is the best place to get great views.
3 – Visit Disney Springs
Image credit to Joel
Disney Springs is a place known for great shopping and tasty dining. However, there are many free opportunities here as well. You can enjoy some live entertainment, try food samples, and a chance for the kids to play in the interactive water fountains. There’s no entrance fee to get into Disney Springs and parking is always free.
- Take in live music at the outdoor amphitheatre and other various restaurants throughout Disney Springs – No matter what time you are visiting, there’s always some great entertainment to be found here. We personally love the strolling piano that can usually be found performing all around Disney Springs at night.
- Try different food samples – Savannah Bee Company is a honey shop that allows you to try a different assortment of honeys at their honey bar. You can also get free delicious chocolate samples at Ghirardelli.
- If you have small children, you can give your kids some time to splash around in the interactive water fountains. Also, you can go see the lego displays at the Lego Store. They also have a 3,000 sq. ft. area with thousands of legos where your kids (or you) can build.
- Check out all the different seasonal decorations – We especially love the Christmas Tree Trail where there are a bunch of Christmas trees themed with many of your favorite Disney classics. There are some other great decorations for other holidays as well. You can also get in the Christmas spirit at the Christmas Shop.
- Take the free ferry boat to see many of the Disney Resorts around Disney Springs like Saratoga Springs, Port Orleans, and others.
- Do some window shopping – There are some great shops at Disney Springs. Be sure to check out World of Disney, a gigantic disney-themed store with all sorts of merch.
4 – Resort hop
Disney makes it very easy to jump from resort to resort with all of their free transportation that’s available. You don’t have to be staying on Disney property to visit these resorts and use the transportation available.
These resorts are very well themed and can be considered an attraction in themselves. Lots of entertainment is available and there’s no shortage of delicious food items available. Some of the best restaurants on property can be found at the resorts.
You can’t go wrong visiting any of these resorts, but here are some of our favorites:
- Visit Animal Kingdom Lodge – This resort took the theme to the max. You can actually see many of the African animals right in the back of the resort such as giraffes and zebras. Animal Kingdom Lodge is home to some of the best food on property. Whether you like buffets, quick-service, or sit-down meals, it’s all here for you.
- Do the monorail loop – Hop on the monorail at Transportation Ticket Center and check out three deluxe resorts; Grand Floridian, Contemporary, and Polynesian. These resorts all have a little different theme to them, so see which one you like the best. Our favorite is the Polynesian.
- You can also hear some live music at the Grand Floridian Hotel. The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra plays in the lobby. You can also find a solo pianist playing Disney hits as well. They also have great couches and seating to relax from the park.
- Explore Fort Wilderness Campgrounds and Wilderness Lodge – If you are a lover of the outdoors, these will especially be worth checking out. If you are visiting during Christmas, guests go all out on decorating their campsite. This is always worth checking out.
5 – Watch a movie at one of the resorts
Many of the Disney World resorts will show a Disney movie projected on a screen at night. You don’t need to be a resort guest to come and view these movies. They usually show one of the newer, more popular movies at that time.
6 – Collect FREE items from the parks
If you want some souvenirs to remember your trip by, why not get some of the free items offered in the park. You can get things like pins, stickers, and park maps. Every park has what they call a “celebration pin” that can be found at Guest Relations. If you are celebrating a special event such as a birthday, anniversary, or first-time visit, pick up one of these free pins.
7 – Check out the Boardwalk Resort
The Boardwalk could be considered part of resort hopping, but we think it deserves a mention on its own. This early 20th-century seaside themed resort is a great place to take a stroll on a nice day.
There are some great restaurants here where you can try out some unique flavors you may not otherwise have available to you. Also, be sure to check out our favorite ice cream in all of Disney World, Ample Hills Creamery. You can try out all the flavors with some free samples.
There is also some great live entertainment going on along the boardwalk. We think the best time to visit is at night, as there seems to be even more going on then.
8 – Take your child to all the Kidcot stops in Epcot’s World Showcase
This is a neat opportunity for parents with younger children. You get to take them around to each country at World Showcase where they’ll do a craft. The really cool part about this is that they get to work with actual people from the country they’re visiting. For example, if you’re in the Germany Pavilion, it will be someone from Germany working with your child. This is a great way for your kids to be exposed to new cultures.
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Epcot World Showcase to learn more about all of the countries.
Video credit to LaceyEverAfter
9 – WiFi
Yes, you read that right, Disney offers free Wifi. Whether you want to post pictures on your social media, search the web or take part in MyDisneyExperience app or Disney Play app in the parks, the internet is free while on property. Rest assured you won’t miss a beat of life without it.
10 – Search for Hidden Mickey’s
Image credit to JeffChristiansen
Mickey head designs are subtly placed throughout the park. Keep your eye out in the sidewalks, landscaping, shops, throughout attractions and even in the bathrooms a hidden Mickey is sure to be there. This can be a fun activity just to see how many you can spot in one day.
What do you think?
We know there are many more free things to do at Disney World that we didn’t mention. Comment below and let us know what your favorites are. Or, tell us what you think about the ones we mentioned.
Featured Image ctrdit to Chad Sparkes
