Free Things at Disney World
There are a lot of free things to do at Walt Disney World. This post offers tips for finding and taking advantage of freebies, all of which require no money and have no strings attached. Some are relatively unknown, being under-promoted offerings at hotels. Others are worthwhile experiences that won’t cost you a dime but are worth your time. (Updated February 5, 2023.)
Most souvenirs, gifts, and experiences at Walt Disney World are expensive. Fortunately, some things are totally, no strings attached free. No, I’m not talking about the “Free” Disney Dining Plan, which is likely unavailable until 2024. I mean experiences and stuff that’s actually free. Or at least, won’t cost you any extra.
The existence of such free things and experiences might come as a surprise since sometimes it feels like Mickey Mouse is reaching into your pockets when you’re at Walt Disney World. From the many attractions that end in gift shops to the sticker shock you’re likely to have when you see the price, it might seem like there is no respite from spending on a Walt Disney World vacation.
This list covers things that we feel most reasonable people might feel are “free vacation add-ons,” and are a little less obvious. If you do Disney on a budget, this list is a great way to give yourself some added fun without breaking the bank!
Here’s the list, broken down into souvenirs, food, entertainment, and the catch-all “other” category…
Entertainment
- Resort Performers – There are a variety of resorts, particularly at the Moderate and Deluxe levels, that feature lounge entertainment acts. From Yehaa Bob at Port Orleans Riverside to performers Rix Lounge, there are several no cover options. Alternatively, if you go late enough or on a slow night, Jellyrolls on the BoardWalk might not be charging cover.
- 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 great way to meet and play with Mickey and friends, but there’s no set schedule.
- Disney Chase Visa Cardholder Perks – We discuss these in depth in our Disney Chase Visa Review, but the biggest one of these is the private meet and greet location in Epcot near Journey into Imagination, which includes a free PhotoPass photo download.
- Concerts – The America Gardens Theatre near Epcot’s American Adventure pavilion has concerts in the spring, summer, and fall, with mostly cover bands. Some of these shows are quite good. Then, in the winter, it’s used for the Candlelight Processional Christmas story. Check here to see if there is any entertainment available during your trip.
- Campfires – Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-Along is a nightly campfire show at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground that occurs at 7 or 8 p.m., depending upon the season. A great way to interact with characters outside the parks! Most other resorts have nightly campfires, but nothing that’s as elaborate of a production as this.
- Animal Viewing – At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, guests can walk outside and watch the animals. There aren’t as many species here as there are in the park, but it’s still cool, and there are knowledgeable Cast Members nearby to tell you about the animals. If you’re a hotel guest, there’s a special nighttime viewing available!
- Movies Under the Stars – Most of the Walt Disney World resort hotels play a Disney film each night that is free to attend if you’re a hotel guest. Many of these are outdoors on large screens. For more information and specific details, click here.
Souvenirs
- Celebration Buttons – Starting as soon as you arrive, this is the first free thing you should get (if applicable). As discussed in our Celebrating at Walt Disney World post, celebration buttons are sort of a “gateway” to other freebies. The buttons are a freebie themselves, but your likelihood of receiving random “other” freebies when wearing these dramatically increases. Just don’t abuse the buttons.
- Park Maps & Assorted Ephemera – This is probably a “duh” one, but it’s worth mentioning that you can collect all sorts of ephemera from your stays at Walt Disney World. On each of our stays, I collect all of the various paper-goods I can, put them in our hotel folio, and then box them up. It’s fun looking back at park maps, entertainment schedules, and hotel maps from the past.
- Driver and Pilot Licenses – That’s right, get licensed to drive and fly for free at Walt Disney World! Regardless of age or experience, Disney will grant you these licenses! (The Mouse is basically a rogue state that answers to no government…besides the RCID…and the State of Florida…and the federal government.) The Tomorrowland Speedway and Dumbo have “license” cards they will give to kids (or adults, if you ask) certifying that they are licensed to drive or pilot those attractions. As far as I know, these licenses have no legal weight outside of Walt Disney World.
- Trading Cards – Cast Members on the various forms of Disney transportation should have transportation trading cards available if you ask. Sometimes they are out of stock, so if you strike out with one Cast Member, just ask another.
- World Showcase Crafts – There are “Kidcot” stations throughout Epcot where they can color crafts and have them for the rest of the day.
- Passports – Available during the various Epcot festivals, these passports that each kiosk will stamp can be a fun thing for the kids, or a good way to remember what you had if you’re Drinking Around the World! 😉
Transportation
- Monorail – Everyone knows that transportation inside Walt Disney World is free (and if you didn’t, you do now!), but the monorail is worth pointing out as free entertainment. For us, the monorail is a great “attraction,” and riding it around the resort loop is a relaxing and fun activity.
- Skyliner – Walt Disney World’s newest form of transportation is the Skyliner, which connects Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to a handful of resorts. Anywhere else in the world, a gondola ride will cost you money (we paid a pretty penny in Switzerland…but it also took us to the top of a gorgeous mountain!) but there’s no charge at Walt Disney World. If you’re willing to spend some money, we highly recommend the Disney Skyliner Sip & Snack Stroll. It’s a great way to spend a day outside the parks!
- Boat Rides – Same goes for the many boats on Walt Disney World property. If you don’t have park tickets for a day and need something to do, relaxing on the boats can’t be beat. Highly recommend taking one out to Wilderness Lodge and wandering its gorgeous grounds.
- Buses – Resort to resort bus transportation is also free, but we wouldn’t recommend “joyriding” on the buses like we do with the Skyliner, monorail, or boats.
- Theme Park & Resort Parking – Guests of Walt Disney World resort hotels park for free the theme parks and at the resorts (once again) as of 2023.
Food
- Club Cool – This free soda spot is back in a new location in World Celebration at Epcot, right around the corner from Creations Shop! Sponsored by Coca-Cola, Club Cool in Epcot offers 8 drinks here from around the world. For those also looking for a quick jolt, this is a great option as every drink has copious amount of sugar. If you’re a Club Cool newbie, make sure to try the delicious Beverly.
- Cookie, Cotton Candy, or Ice Cream Samples – As you’re heading down Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, stop by the Confectionary. If it’s not too busy, there will likely be a Cast Member with samples of cookies, cotton candy, or some other sweet. Likewise, anywhere that serves ice cream will let you sample a flavor before you order. Standard practice here is to actually order ice cream after you take the sample, so it’s not entirely “free,” unless you don’t mind breaking custom.
- Water – No, not the drinking fountains! Walt Disney World counter service restaurants will give you a free cup of ice water. (With that said, we highly recommend bringing your own water bottle with filter–Florida water is gross!)
- Ice Cream – This is actually multiple “freebies” all in one. If you take the free Disney Vacation Club tour/pitch, you get free ice cream at the end. Each person who takes the tour is also likely to get a ‘token of appreciation’ for attending. Unlike most timeshare presentations, this isn’t high pressure, but it is highly persuasive. Just remember not to buy into Disney Vacation Club on the spot. (Read our Disney Vacation Club Buying Guide to see why that’s a bad idea.) The tour lasts around 2 hours, which is a lot of time to take away from your vacation just for some “free” ice cream; if you’re not actually interested in owning Disney Vacation Club, you might want to just pay for the ice cream elsewhere.
- Chocolate – If you do go to Disney Springs, the consolation is that Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop offers 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 other restaurants, you are given your cup with the soda already in it. Just remember to follow the refillable mug rules! 😉
- Dining Under Age 3 – At Walt Disney World buffets and family-style restaurants, kids under age 3 eat for free off of a parents’ plate.
Nighttime Spectaculars
- Magic Kingdom Fireworks – The absolute best free spot to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks is from the Ticket & Transportation Center, just to the right of the entrance to the Ferry to the Magic Kingdom. Since the hard ticket parties are expensive, this is a great way to watch those shows for free (or a second time).
- Epcot Fireworks – You can also watch Epcot’s fireworks from most places around the Yacht & Beach Club or BoardWalk. I’d recommend the bridge between the two (nearer the Swan & Dolphin).
- Electrical Water Pageant – A Walt Disney World classic. This is a cute little light parade on Bay Lake outside the Magic Kingdom. Approximate show times 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” classic that we LOVE. So much, in fact, that it was one of our Top 101 Walt Disney World Tips!
Tours
- Christmas Decorations – Visiting resorts year-round is free (and probably such common knowledge that I don’t think it’s worth mentioning here…I’m not going to list every drinking fountain in the parks that offers “free water” or every restroom that has “free toilet paper”), but at Christmas it’s something worth mentioning. Then, you can take our “Self-Guided Yuletide Tour,” which is a great way to spend a non-parks day during the holiday season.
- Restaurant Tours – This is one we’ve never done, but apparently, the restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge offer free 30-minute tours focusing on the culinary selections and architecture. (Temporarily suspended.)
- Resort Tours – Here’s another one that we just learned about and haven’t had a chance to try. Called “The Wonders of Wilderness Lodge” tour, it’s open to any Disney resort-hotel guest. With the richness of Wilderness Lodge, I’m betting this tour is great. We’ve also heard that a few other Deluxe Resorts offer tours. Check with your hotel concierge for which ones and specific times. (Temporarily suspended.)
- Art Classes – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort offers free drawing classes that are open to any Walt Disney World resort hotel guests. The Animation Academy in Animal Kingdom also has drawing classes.
Other
- Hair Confetti – The Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom will sprinkle confetti and “pixie dust” on your kid’s hair for free. We’ve never done this ourselves, but we have friends who have, and it can really make the kid’s day. Our recommendation here would be to actually have their hair actually gelled and colored, as it’s less than $10, quick, and will really make your child’s day. Castle Couture (Fantasyland) also has “pixie dust.”
- Photography – Many guests assume PhotoPass is not useful for them if they’re not going to purchase the service. That’s not true at all–any PhotoPass Cast Member will take photos of you with your camera. Same goes for character attendants.
- First Aid – Dogs barking from walking too many miles at Walt Disney World? First Aid can give you some free Band-Aids if you get blisters. They also have things like Aspirin and other common medicines, but for anything more thorough, you’ll need to visit an urgent care center.
- WiFi – All of the Walt Disney World parks and all of the hotels have free WiFi available. Cell service can be spotty in the parks, causing a serious drain on your phone battery. To save battery life, I often put my phone into Airplane Mode and just turn on the WiFi if I’m not expecting any calls.
- Shopping Delivery – If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World resort hotel, anything you purchase in the parks can be delivered to your hotel for free. This is not available on the last day of your trip, but for all other days, this free service sure beats carrying around what you bought all day! Similarly, each park has a package storage service for items purchased. (Temporarily unavailable.)
- Wake Up Call – Guests of Walt Disney World resort hotels can request a free wake up call from Mickey or Stitch on their hotel phone. Soon, the “Hey, Disney” Alexa service will be able to do even more than that.
- Luggage Storage & Transfer – If you’re staying at multiple hotels, Bell Services at your Walt Disney World resort hotel will transfer your bags. If your flight isn’t until late in the day on your day of departure, Bell Services will hold your bags. Tips are customary in both of these situations.
- Disney Vacation Club Member Perks – From “Welcome Home Wednesdays” to complimentary DVD rental, Disney Vacation Club members receive many unpublicized freebies, plus discounts and more. Check out our list of the Top 10 DVC Member Perks for the best benefits of being a DVC Member.
That wraps up our list of “free” things at Walt Disney World. In reality, much of this is likely built into the cost of a trip, so you’re technically paying for it one way or the other. However, these enhancements would normally cost money in other circumstances (even in some locations at Walt Disney World), so we’re considering them free–or “no added cost” offerings.
As mentioned above, depending upon your definition of free, there are many more (or far fewer?) things that are free at Walt Disney World. We’ve left off most of the regular park entertainment and standard hotel perks off the list as those are normal and to be expected. Ultimately, with all we spend on Walt Disney World vacations, it’s nice to see a list with so many things that are basically added bonuses. We think it really shows the way Disney goes above and beyond, and exemplifies one of the reasons we love traveling to Walt Disney World so much!
For where to eat, try out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews page. If you want to save money on tickets or determine which type you should get, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at unconventional things you should take on your trip. Once you arrive at the parks, our Walt Disney World “Ride Guides”are great for determining what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of these topics and so much more, the best place to start is our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to make the most of your experience!
Your Thoughts
So that’s our list, what’s on YOUR list of the best free things at Walt Disney World? Any other tips or lost-cost options? Any questions about taking advantage of these Walt Disney World freebies? Hearing from you is half the fun–even when you disagree with us–so please share your thoughts in the comments!
Great tips! Thanks! Another free entertainment we always enjoy are the magicians, jugglers, etc that appear nightly along the Boardwalk. Usually near the Flying Fish and the Mercantile Shop under the Boardwalk Villas. Some of our family members have been chosen from the crowd to assist on occasion. We have a great picture of our son-in-law spinning a plate on a stick!
The BoardWalk entertainers are great–totally agree! Thanks for the tip.
Thanks for reminding me of these. I learned a few new things, too! My favorite stop is Club Cool. Your tip about Beverly? Spot on! 😉 My family all agreed!
Another thought about the Photo Pass – getting pictures with every cast photographer you see – a free way to share your trip with family! You will get the website address and password on your free card. The pictures are uploaded usually at least twice a day and grandparents can see where you are and share in your vacation as it is happening! Especially sweet if they have contributed to the expense! 🙂
That’s a great tip–never thought of using it for real-time (more or less) updates for friends and family back home!
In the past if you’re in American Adventure at the right time of the day (when the Fife and Drum corp come out to announce the Declaration of Independence) you can get a free copy of the Declaration! My kids still have theirs from 2007.
We were given leis when visiting the Polynesian (not resort guests) in December 2013.
Whoa…are you sure they still do the Declaration of Independence thing? I haven’t heard about that anywhere and a lot can change in 7 years. I sure hope they still do it!
Yes, they still do this. I was just there a few months ago (May 2014?) and they asked any of the children in the crowd if they wanted to volunteer (about 15-25 did) and they marched around with the men reading the declaration. The kids all got to keep a rolled up scroll of the Declaration of Independence.
I love the free maps you can order online. We don’t use them at the park (especially with My Disney Experience app) but we scrapbook with them after our trip. We’ll order them with our family name and the attractions we love most on them.
Hi Tom!
We will be at WDW March 25th – April 1st and are DVC members staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo). I read that there are black-out dates for pool hopping during this time. How strictly do they enforce this? I would like to think that my husband, daughter, and I are very conscientious and respectful of our fellow vacationers, but we really did want to check out other pools. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Don’t forget about magic cookie hour at Wilderness Lodge! Every saturday from 2-3 they have a free sugar cookie and decorating for kids. I know that Animal Kingdom Lodge does something similar as well.
http://fromnicevillewithlove.blogspot.com/2012/06/disneys-wilderness-lodge-magic-cookie.html
Awesome! Thank you for the tip. Looks fun!
Love the perks and try to use them as much as possible over the years. Thanks for the updates though!
Excited to learn about the hidden Mickey and other books/stickers as well as the transportation cards etc.. My Grandson will be 9 when they come for a visit this year and being a cub scout I am sure this will really be a fun experience for him! 🙂
I was just at WDW about a month ago and flashed my Birthday button at the Wave Lounge and scored 2 free glasses of champagne 🙂 They were also giving away really nice stickers that day at The little mermaid ride 🙂
Did I read right about free VALET parking with a Tables in Wonderland card???!!! I am a DVC member and live in Florida and also have to pay the 15.00 a day resort fee (Don’t get me started on this!) but if it is true my week or more stay will more than pay for the card!!
Love your blog Tom and have been a Disney freak err fan since 71 but your articles have brought me over the edge and rejuvenated my passion TY! 🙂
P.S. I even moved to Fla. in 99 to be close to the mouse house lol Tue story!
Hi! Could you please direct me to your post about the Chase Visa benefits at Epcot? I have a Disney Visa (Chase) card and have a half day planned at Epcot but cannot find your post on it! Thanks!
We took advantage of a lot of these on our last trip. The one that we missed out on was the Art Classes at Hollywood Studios – we left it for too late in the day, and couldn’t do it, and make it to Fantasmic on time. So it will have to wait for the next trip!
I just found your blog and I love it! I am always looking for new tips and ideas to enjoy Disney. My husband and I have been annual pass holders for 3 years and we go to Disney world at least 25 days a year. We have the Tables in Wonderland card. We love the discount on dining but we equally love the free parking that comes with the card. If we go to a park before 5pm, for less than 3 hours, we get reimbursed for parking at guest relations. After 5pm we don’t have to pay for parking at all. We just show our card at the parking kiosk and they don’t charge us.
We are 2 adults with no children so we don’t usually start the day too early. We usually start our days around 11am. We like to start the day with a treat, my personal favorite being an Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake from Liberty Tree Tavern at M.K. It costs about $8.00 after discount and gratuity is added. Parking is $15. Therefore we save $7.00 AND we get an awesome dessert.
Sometimes we start the day with a milkshake or sundae from the 50’s prime time café at Hollywood Studios. On these days we save $9 in parking fees. The TIW card will save us at least $150 in parking this year alone(that savings includes the prices of our food and the $100 fee for the card!)
The Tables in Wonderland card says before 5pm you need to be at the park for dining only, and leave after 3 hours in the park. We usually do leave within the 3 hour window and go to another park after 5pm, but they don’t follow you out to your car to make sure you leave after 3 hours if you want to stay in the park. If anyone has issues with this being “immoral”, than don’t do it. For us, we have spent thousands over the years at Disney(gladly!) but if we can save money on parking we will.
In June 2012, we received free stickers from the captain of the boat that runs between the Ft. Wilderness campground/Wilderness Lodge/Contemporary Resort. Of course, the new Wilderness Explorer program at Animal Kingdom gets you a sticker to wear & you can earn up to 30 merit stickers for the handbook.
Elliot Dyson has been replaced at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter. Tom Casey now performs at Scat Cat Lounge on Friday – Monday nights at 8:30, 9:30 & 10:30PM.
The schedules for the outdoor movies shown at each of the Disney resorts is posted on the first of the month at http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/activity-outdoormovie.php
Can you still push the buttons on the bridge above Kali River Rapids that spray the riders below? I think this counts as a freebie when you consider the fact that Universal charges you for the evil joys of soaking total strangers on Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls.
Tom, you do a great job! Anyone who will take the time to teach others about things is super (especially about Disney). There is always an opinion in every case, along with facts too (you have that difference in the medical field as well). I love reading your take on things & sometimes I disagree but you provide the other side that needs looked at so that a person can make a decision. Keep up the great work!
I didn’t search through the comments to see if anyone mentioned this or not, but another “freebie” comes at a cost. When you purchase your souveniers from the shops in any of the 4 parks and even perhaps downtown disney, instead of carrying it around with you all day, you can request to have it taken directly to your room.
This is something that is nice when we find something that we really liked with small kids so they’re not begging to go back to the store and get the gift or wanting to play with it all day while ignoring the other things at the parks.
Yep, that’s a great one!
Hey Tom,
Just an FYI. You said you’re not sure about the license for the Jungle Cruise. We went back in November 2012 and my daughter was lucky enough to actually “drive” the boat through the cave.
She did received an Official Guest Skipper card. I’m not sure how it works since we’ve road many times and not seen this. She sure was excited and it was definitely the highlight of our day.
FREE BALLOONS!
We stay at Port Orleans French Quarter where they always have balloons at the check in and concierge booths that they will give your child a free balloon if you just ask! We took my 4 yr old several times to get one and we would attach it to our stroller to walk throughout the park that day. I took a black marker to draw on it our favorite disney character, Wall-e!
Don’t know of this has been mentioned, but if you’re staying at Saratoga Springs, when you check in your little princess might be lucky enough to get a free tiara in the lobby. My sister and I were given one a few years ago. You might be able to just ask for one.
Great tips!! The celebration buttons are fun and well worth the time to pick them up. A few years ago my husband and I were visiting Disney World on our anniversary, we wore our buttons to dinner and received a beautiful chocolate cake for dessert that said happy anniversary! It was so special…and FREE!!
I don’t know if anyone else mentioned this in a previous comment so just in case…At the Animal Kingdom Park, children can get a Wilderness Explorer book at any of the WE booths set up around the park. At each booth, kids can do a puzzle, activity, etc. to earn a badge sticker to place in their book. My 7-year-old son loves his and can’t wait to go back to earn more badges. Also, the AK Lodge (and possibly more) of the resort hotels offer free Hidden Mickeys scavenger hunt sheets specific to that hotel. They are available at the check in/guest services counter.
Awesome tips–thanks! How was the Wilderness Explorer game?
I also got a wilderness explorer book for my 7 year old and it was great! Before earning the sticker, you would learn very interesting facts. I was even able to surprise one CM (when learning about his culture – south Asian) when I was able to say thank you in his first language. I would recommend this for anyone with kids (or kids-at-heart!).
we haven’t been since 2006 but back then if it was your birthday you could ask at the park entrance if there was a phone message for the birthday boy/girl or even adult and you were given the phone to receive a birthday wish from goofy .
also on some rides when wearing your birthday button you could be given a birthday card.we stopped in the grand floridean and it was our childs birthday , we had advised them in advance and the birthday person received a character signed birthday card in our room .
if you purchase a year pass, this did not used to be too much more than 2 week pass you used to get free parking in all Disney parks.as on our last 2 visits we have stayed for 4 weeks we saved a load of cash , these passes also gave you a 10 percent discount at world of Disney in dtd we also had a free behind the sceens tour in the world of Disney which was really interesting , but as I said it was in 2006 so it may have changed since then
Another “sometimes” freebie……when you go to the Art of Animation drawing class, sometimes the artist of the day will do a little trivia at the end of class (if there’s still some time to kill). If you get it right, they will give you their drawing that they did when they taught the class. I’ve gotten two drawings that way (felt like such a Disney Dork cause they were semi-hard questions about non Fab Five characters).
Also, when my daughter was small, we took some laminated business sized thank you cards to the parks with us. Whenever a cast member was especially nice or did some small favor for us (taking a group photo, really engaging my daughter in a conversation, letting us ride up front on a ride, etc….) my daughter would give them one of these thank you cards. We were not just willy nilly giving them out….they had to do something a little extra to get one. Because of her little thank you cards, we’ve gotten some nice perks. The highlights have been getting chosen to sit in the front row of the Lion Section at Festival of the The Lion King show in AK, a free frozen banana and a free trading pin. Small things, but well worth the effort of making the cards.
Emily, that is so sweet! What a great idea to show appreciation. I’m sure positive comments and appreciation are rare for the Cast Members. When I was 10, I went to Disneyland for the very first time. I saw a child walk up to Chip and Dale and punch one of them in the stomach. Knocked the wind out of the poor guy. I’d imagine they get much more negativity than people realize. All while having to smile and be sweet to us. Your thank you card idea is inspiring!
One of my fist adult jobs was working for WDW in CA as a cast member. I will never forget a group of military guys who wanted to take a picture with a princess. It was at the end of my “shift” about 200 degrees out but after all 10 or so of them got their pictures one of them gave me a coin with their unit insignia. It was such an honor to receive that coin from him. I still have that coin 20 plus years later and I still go back to WDW every chance I get. Thank you’s that are personable like and seeing kids (young and old) believe are memories that are priceless.