They say that some of the best things in life are free, and this applies to Walt Disney World as well!
The same place that has you exit each ride through a gift shop has so much value packed into every ticket price at no additional charge!
Disney offers so many extra perks and freebies to their guests; you just have to know where to find them.
Here are the best free things to do at Disney World and nearby.
SIX FREE Things To Do At Disney World’s Disney Springs
1. FREE Chocolate Ghiradelli
Stop by the Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop for a free sample of Ghirardelli chocolate. Simply walk inside the store (not the ice cream parlor) and they will be handing them out. Usually you just need to follow the crowd!
2. FREE Celebration Button from Disney
Stop by the World of Disney Store for a FREE celebration button. Whether you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or anything in between they will give you a fun button to commemorate the occasion!
BONUS FREE DOWNLOAD
Create A Plan For Your Money
These FREE Budgeting Spreadsheets will help you keep a pulse on your money (from the palm of your hand).
3. FREE Splash Pad
Be prepared to get WET! Have the kids cool off at the Splash Pad near the Once Upon a Toy store. It’s jumping water fountains that even the adults will find entertaining. (A smaller one can be found near The Days of Christmas store also).
In the evening that same area turns into a Family Friendly Dance Party Area with Disney Certified DJ. It’s a lot of fun, and they usually have bubbles floating around too!
4. FREE Lego Mini-Build
The Lego Store is a must for kids of all ages and when you stop in on the first Tuesday of every month you’ll get to build a FREE item to take home with you! Register in advance to make sure you don’t miss out (registration opens on the 15th of the prior month)
Check out the FREE Lego Build and Event Calendar here.
5. FREE Concert Entertainment
Live Music and Entertainment can be found throughout Disney Springs but the good concerts can be found mainly on the Marketplace Stage.
6. FREE Relaxing Boat Ride
From Disney Springs you can ride the water taxi to four different Disney Resorts: the Port Orleans Resort (French Quarter), Port Orleans Resort (Riverside), Old Key West Resort and/or Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.
If you are looking for a great time, stop by the River Roost at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. Wednesday through Saturday from 8:30 pm to Midnight, you’ll find the infamous Bob Jackson perform a variety of songs and numbers. You’ll be able to sing and dance along and have some good clean family fun! (Note, you might feel obligated to buy an appetizer.)
Each resort has plenty of FREE fun things to explore also, such as the gift shop and walking trails. At Old Key West, there is even a beachy spot with huge hammocks to lay in. It’s dreamy. (but don’t swim in any of the rivers or lakes… in Florida, you have to assume that every single area of water has an alligator in it).
FREE Things To Do At Disney World’s Boardwalk
Park at the Boardwalk Inn where you can find some fun freebies also!
FREE Fireworks Display
Walk back towards Epcot (called the International Gateway) and stand on the bridge and you’ll have a great view of the nightly Fireworks show.
FREE Entertainment
In the evenings on Thursdays through Saturdays, you will find jugglers, musicians and possibly even a neat balancing act.
This is also a great opportunity to ride the water taxis to Disney’s Hollywood Studios or to Epcot. You can even hop a ride to visit the Swan & Dolphin hotel and even across the pond to the Beach & Yacht Club Resorts.
Explore the Resorts for FREE
It doesn’t matter if you have a park ticket, and you don’t even have to be staying at a resort to visit one of the many Walt Disney World Resorts.
Each resort is its own unique experience with breathtaking lobby areas, restaurants, and sights that can only be described as amazing.
Simply drive up to the hotel you want to explore and just tell the attendant that you are there to explore the resort and maybe catch a bite to eat.
Please note that some resorts will be closed to sight-seeing guests during peak times.
The best time to visit the resorts is around the holidays as many will have unique decorations up, and the Christmas Trees in the Lobbies are second to none. The decorations are up before and after peak visit times too so you’ll be able to enjoy them without the traffic.
BONUS FREE DOWNLOAD
Create A Plan For Your Money
These FREE Budgeting Spreadsheets will help you keep a pulse on your money (from the palm of your hand).
Plus, isn’t is always great to find a FREEbie in the mail!?!
Don’t Miss The Free Disney Printables, Crafts, Games & More
There are a ton of FREE Disney printable crafts, games, and ideas that you can get for FREE!
Here are some of my favorites!
FREE Printables & Crafts:
- Disney Princess Father’s Day Coupons
- Winnie the Pooh Mother’s Day Card
- Disney Princess Mother’s Day Cards
- Mary Poppins Quote Craft
- Disney Princess Pencil Toppers
- Disney Princes Bookmarks, 8 More Disney Bookmarks, Mickey & Minnie
- Printable Disney Princes Paper Dolls: Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, & Aurora
- 3D Paper Dolls: Merida, Snow White, & Mulan
- Valentine’s Day Printables
- Frozen Pop-Up Snowflake Card
- DIY Bambi Lampshade
- Printable Puzzles: Inside Out – Joy & Sadness, The Incredibles, Winnie The Pooh & Eeyore, Mickey & Minnie,
- Crossword Puzzles: Jedi Training, Mickey & Friends
- Family tree worksheet
- Christmas Printables & Crafts
- Thanksgiving printables
- Halloween Printables
- Pumpkin Carving Templates
- Printable Adventure or Activity Books: Up Adventure Book, Brave Activity Book, Jake and the Never Land Pirates Activity Book,
- Menu Planner Printables
- Printable Placemats: Rex, Wreck-It Ralph, Bambi’s Mother’s Day Placemat, The Good Dinosaur, Mickey & Friends Thanksgiving Activity Placemat, Thanksgiving Dinner Calls
- Tangled Banner Craft
Coloring Pages:
Hidden Mickey’s Scavenger Hunt
This is a classic freebie that you don’t even have to go into the parks for!
There are hidden Mickey’s everywhere you go at Disney World, even in Disney Springs!
Start a scavenger hunt and tally up the Mickey’s you find during the day. It’s a classic fun game of who can find the hidden Mickey first!
We use this book to help us find ALL the hidden Mickey’s (sometimes we will give a “clue” as to how many we are all looking for because they can be tricky to find!).
Who says you have to spend money at Disney to have a good time?
There are plenty of free things to do at Disney World without spending every single day at one of the parks.
Remember, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to have a magical vacation.
YOUR TURN: What will you be celebrating at your next Disney visit? Which of these FREE things to do at Disney World will you try to include? Let me know in the comments below!
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