Cyndal BenulloWhen you’re planning a vacation to Disney World, it’s easy to feel like even breathing inside the parks will cost you money. And, while it’s true that a trip to Disney isn’t cheap, there are ways to cut costs. We’ve already brought you a guide on how to do Disney on a budget, but what if I told you I could name 25 completely FREE things to do while you’re there? I don’t mean free, with a catch—I mean totally free! Between the resorts, Disney Springs, and in-park experiences, here are all the free things to do in Disney World on your next trip.
What Are The Free Things to Do in Disney World
Free Things To Do At Disney World Resorts
Resort Hopping
The resort you stay at doesn’t have to be (and shouldn’t be) the only one you see on your trip! Disney allows anyone to visit any resort free of charge, even if they aren’t staying there. This gives you the opportunity to try new restaurants, explore the fun theming of different hotels, and maybe even choose where you want to stay on your next vacation!
Just keep in mind that you won’t be able to park at any resorts you aren’t staying at without a confirmed dining reservation, but there are other ways to reach your destination. Parking is free at Disney Springs, and complimentary bus or boat transportation to all Disney resorts is offered. Additionally, the four theme parks will have complimentary Disney transportation to all resorts.
Resort Scavenger Hunts
While you are out resort hopping, check with the front desk to see if that resort has a free scavenger hunt! Resorts like Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation all feature a free scavenger hunt that takes you to spots you may not otherwise think to look.
The concierge desk is usually where you can find a paper scavenger hunt full of clues to lead you on a search throughout the resort. When you complete the hunt, return the paper to the front desk and receive a prize!
Movies Under the Stars
All Disney resorts offer movies under the stars! Some offer them daily, while others only provide them on certain days of the week, so check your activities guide when you arrive.
During these free movie showings, a giant projector is placed on the resort’s lawn each night, playing a different classic Disney movie. Grab the family and unwind after a long day at the park with your favorite movie!
Chip & Dale’s Campfire Sing-a-Long
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground is home to one of the least-known (but most fun) free things to do in Disney World—Chip & Dale’s Campfire Sing-a-Long. This is Fort Wilderness’s version of Movies Under the Stars, but with an extra twist.
Before the movie begins, a musician will come out and play classic campfire tunes while guests roast marshmallows by the campfire. At the end, Chip and Dale make an appearance! Though they won’t pose for pictures, they will dance the hokey-pokey with your kiddos!
This event happens nightly, weather permitting. Times do change depending on the time of year, so be sure to check the activities guide. You don’t have to stay at Fort Wilderness to attend the show, but you must use Disney’s complimentary transportation to get there.
Disney’s Boardwalk
Outside Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and out the back exit of EPCOT’s World Showcase is where you can find Disney’s Boardwalk. Stroll around the boardwalk to feel like you’ve been transported back to popular boardwalks such as Atlantic City or Coney Island!
Evening street performers, carnival midway games, surrey bike rides, and shopping and dining are just some of the entertainment the boardwalk offers guests. Plus, guests 21 and up can head to Atlantic Dance Hall on Thursday-Sunday nights for a no-cover charge nightclub playing tunes from the 80s, 90s, and today’s!
Poolside Activities
All Disney resorts have at least one pool with free poolside activities daily! Trivia, crafts, and group games such as relays and duck, duck, goose are just some of the many activities the recreation staff put on for anyone lounging by the pool!
In the event of inclement weather, the recreation staff will typically have an indoor location where these activities are conducted, so keep an eye out!
View Animals at Animal Kingdom Lodge
You don’t have to buy a park ticket to Disney’s Animal Kingdom to see some of the animals on the savannas! Guests can make their way to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge from Disney Springs or the theme parks to view over thirty different species of animals for free.
Cast Members are staged at viewing locations throughout the resort to provide information about the animals and answer any questions you might have. Plus, if you book a dining reservation at Sanaa, the animals may even walk right up to the window where you’re dining!
Mickey Wake-Up Calls
With the addition of “Hey Disney!,” Disney’s version of Amazon Alexa that tells stories, plays trivia, and more, comes upgraded wake-up calls!
For those who may not be thrilled to wake up early to rope drop the theme parks, a wake-up alarm from Mickey himself might help! Other select characters are available for the wake-up call as well.
Take a DVC Tour
The Disney Vacation Club Resorts are some of the nicest resorts on the property, and for good reason! Unlike many other timeshares, DVC presentations are low-key, low-pressure, and relatively quick.
Guests can sign up for a free Disney Vacation Club tour at any DVC resort, tour select room options, and learn more about the DVC resorts and the time-share offerings. Sometimes, Disney will run special offers where guests get gift cards for a free tour too.
Watch The Electrical Water Pageant
The Electrical Water Pageant departs from Magic Kingdom every night and makes its way across the Seven Seas Lagoon. This little-known nighttime water parade can be viewed along the water from the following resorts for free:
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Resort
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
Just ask a Cast Member at the resort where the best viewing area is to be sure that you don’t miss it!
Catch Nighttime Fireworks
If you don’t want to bother with a park ticket or crowds, you can see both the EPCOT and Magic Kingdom fireworks shows from outside the parks! The Magic Kingdom fireworks can be viewed from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. And the EPCOT fireworks can be seen from the bridge at Disney’s BoardWalk.
Most of these locations also pipe in the music for the show. Though keep in mind that you won’t be able to see any of the projection or special effects from outside the parks.
View Holiday Decorations
In true Disney fashion, they want you to feel immersed at all levels—especially for the holidays! All of the Disney resorts and Disney Springs put up spectacular decorations for holidays such as Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!
Famous gingerbread houses are built yearly for the holiday season at popular resorts like the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and the Boardwalk. Plus, Easter Egg displays are set up throughout the resorts for guests to view during the spring.
Free Things at Disney Springs
Visiting Disney Springs
This section may be about free things to do in Disney Springs, but we can’t forget to mention that visiting Disney Springs in itself is free! All resorts offer complimentary transportation to Disney Springs, the one-stop shop for dining, shopping, and entertainment.
The great thing about adding a visit here to your vacation itinerary is that there are plenty of free or paid activities to keep all families entertained at Disney Springs all day!
Take Advantage of Free Store Samples
Window shopping is fun for some, but isn’t it always better to have free samples involved? YES!
Some stores throughout Disney Springs offer free samples of their products, including Ghiradelli Chocolate Shop, which provides a free chocolate sample for everyone. Another spot you can get something for free is Basin, which is a bath and beauty store that offers free samples of hand soaps, scrubs, and lotions.
Kids can also build and play with sample LEGOs inside the LEGO store for a free, fun time!
Live Entertainment
Disney Springs has multiple stages for live entertainment, and many restaurants hire performers on certain nights of the week. So, depending on when you visit, you’ll find a variety of singers, dancers, school bands, and more that put on complimentary shows throughout the day.
Plenty of seating is available at the amphitheater locations, so don’t miss a chance to check them out!
Disney’s Free Transportation
Take a Ride on the Disney Skyliner
The Disney Skyliner is a gondola system connecting EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios to Disney’s Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. Guests can take a ride for free to any of the resort locations or theme parks when it’s operating.
A massive perk of the Skyliner is that you don’t have to fold up single strollers, giving this a huge win over options like bus transportation if you have kids. Additionally, the kids will love this ride!
Take a Ride on the Disney Monorail
Like the Skyliner, the iconic Disney Monorail connects some of the most desirable parks and resorts, including Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.
You’ll get great overhead views of the Seven Seas Lagoon and the chance to travel directly inside the Contemporary Resort! Like the Skyliner, guests with single strollers do not have to fold them up, giving parents another reason to take a monorail ride for a breather from the hustle and bustle.
Take a Ride on the Disney Boats
Multiple options for Disney boat transportation are available throughout Disney World. Guests can travel across the Seven Seas Lagoon, the Sassagoula River, or Crescent Lake on various boats.
With so many boat transportation options, you could spend a whole day trying to experience them all! Just note that you must fold up strollers to board all boats, except the large ferry boats that carry guests between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom.
Take a Ride on the Disney Bus System
Disney Buses are the one transportation system that every single resort provides. Though this may be the least “fun” mode of transportation at Walt Disney World, the buses can take you pretty much anywhere you need to go.
Additionally, more and more buses have been equipped with character and movie wraps. One of my son’s favorite games is guessing which bus we will be getting on!
Free Things To Do In Disney World Theme Parks
Wear a Celebratory Pin
Anyone can ask a cast member for pins celebrating certain occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, weddings, and more! Just pick one up at your Disney Resort, Disney Springs, or Guest Services inside the park.
Wear it throughout your whole trip, where others can see it, since cast members actively look out for these buttons. If you’re wearing a happy birthday button, expect cast members to wish you a happy birthday everywhere you go!
Free Water
All dining locations with fountain drinks also offer free water cups. Not only is this a free thing to do in Disney World, but this one actually saves you A LOT of money since water bottles cost about $5+ a piece in the parks!
Simply walk up to the order counter and ask for as many cups of water as you need. During the summer, cast members usually have water cups filled and ready to hand out.
Sample Sodas at Club Cool
Right outside of Creations at EPCOT is Club Cool. Sponsored by Coca-Cola, this store provides free samples of various international soda products. We dare you to try Italy’s Beverly soda and tell us what you think!
Free Concerts at EPCOT
During select nights of EPCOT’s seasonal festivals throughout the year, popular bands and solo artists perform at the America Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure Pavilion.
Popular artists such as Rick Springfield, 98 Degrees, Air Supply, Simple Plan, Plain White T’s, We the Kings, Sugar Ray, and more make their way to the stage for three small set shows per night. Admission to the park includes the concerts at no extra cost, though seating is limited. If you’re at EPCOT when an artist you like is performing, get in line early or purchase a dining package to guarantee a seat.
Play Disney Parks App
The Play Disney Parks app has made dealing with long waits for rides less miserable. Popular rides throughout the parks offer unique game options on the app that you can only play while in line for that ride! This makes it fun for the whole family when you are waiting over an hour for a ride.
Plus, the app even turns into a Star Wars Data Pad when you enter Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The datapad can send you on missions around the land while you help fight the First Order—or maybe even join them.
All Children Under 3 Are Free
Possibly the best “free” part of Walt Disney World is that all kids under 3 are free! There is no catch, either. If you have a child under three years old, they will not require a park ticket and can even eat free at family-style or buffet restaurants!
Planning a trip before your child’s third birthday will save you hundreds of dollars throughout the week!
Comments
Have you done any of these free things to do at Disney World? Let us know in the comments your favorite free activity!
