There is certainly no shortage of things to buy at Walt Disney World. Pins, ears, balloons, popcorn. The list goes on and on! But, did you know there are lots of neat things for FREE as well? From things-to-do to things-to-keep to ways to save a few dollars, you can find a bunch of cool stuff that won't cost you a penny! Here we will give you our Top 25 of the best freebies you can find on property.
Disney offers a selection of free buttons to celebrate just about any occasion. Recently, a change was announced to the design of the buttons. You can see the new selection in this photo. You can wear your buttons proudly through the parks and see what extra "magic" they might bring your way. And they best part is, they are also fun collectibles you can collect and take home. The buttons shown here can be obtained from Guest Relations, retail locations and your resort front desk. There are also surprise buttons you can get from Cast Members such as promotion buttons, DVC, Honorary Citizen and lots more. You never know when or where some free magic may fall in your lap!
2. Vacation Planning DVD
Each year, WDW provides a helpful vacation planning DVD that you can have delivered to your home for free! The DVD is packed with information to help you plan your stay plus gives you a sneak peek at all the great stuff happening in the parks. Even though I keep up on all the latest, I am always sure to order one each year that I have a trip planned. I keep it in my trip scrapbook. They are great keepsakes and it is so much fun to watch them and see how the parks have changed through the years! They are also available for Disneyland Resort and Disney Cruise Line! You can order your free planning guide by following this LINK.
3. Free drink refills
Most dining locations will charge you for drink refills. However, there are a few spots where you can get your refills for free! They are: Tortuga Tavern and Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom, Sunshine Seasons and Electric Umbrella in EPCOT, Reataurantosaurus in Animal Kingdom and Backlot Express in Hollywood Studios.
4. Cracker Jacks
Head down Main Street U.S.A to Casey's Corner at opening. Cast Members sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" while handing out bags of Cracker Jacks.
5. Pixie dust
Don't want to spend big bucks at Bibbidy Bobbity Boutique? The Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street U.S.A. will sprinkle confetti and pixie dust in your child's hair for free. Castle Couture in Fantasyland also has pixie dust.
6. Water
Don't waste those precious snack credits (or your cash) buying expensive bottled water. You can receive a free cup of ice water at any Quick Service location.
7. World Showcase Passports
At EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival and the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival you can get a free passport. Each country's kiosk will stamp your passport and you can keep track of the food and drinks you have tried. It's a fun activity and a nice souvenir to take home!
8. Exclusive Meet and Greet
Each day, EPCOT offers a private meet and greet for Disney Chase Visa cardholders at Innoventions West. You get to meet privately with randomly selected characters. Recently, a second exclusive Imperial Meet was added at the Launch Bay in Hollywood Studios where cardholders can meet Star Wars characters as well.
9. Campfire Activities
You can enjoy free campfire and sing-along activities at Fort Wilderness campsites followed by a movie under the stars each evening. Bring your own food or buy smore kits for a small fee. Chip and Dale usually appear for autographs and photos. You do not need to be a resort guest to attend the campfires. You can find similar campfire activities without characters at Beach Club and Grand Floridian. Port Orleans Riverside also offers similar activities on a seasonal basis. Ask the front desk for schedules.
10. Character phone calls
While staying at a Disney resort, you can get a wake up call from some of your favorite characters. You can also get a phone call if someone is celebrating a birthday! Check with the front desk or press the wake up button on your room phone.
11. Lego mini model
The Lego Store in Disney Springs hosts a special event, usually on the first Tuesday of every month for children ages 6-14. They will learn to build a cool mini-model and get to take it home for free. They also have a huge 3000 sq. ft. play area filled with thousands of Lego blocks to play with.
12. Walt Disney World Transportation cards
There are free collectible trading cards for 3 modes of transportation in WDW: bus, boat and monorail. Just ask one of the cast members working these if they have any. Don't be surprised if they say no. They run out quickly. Just keep asking every time you use Disney transportation.
13. Wilderness Explorer Badges
At Disney's Animal Kingdom, you can pick up a free Wilderness Explorers Handbook. In it, kids can complete 30 hands-on challenges to earn badge stickers for their book. They will learn all about wild animals and wild places in the park while collecting fun keepsakes to take home!
14. Pirate's Treasure maps
In Magic Kingdom's latest game, A Pirate's Adventure, Treasure of the Seven Seas, you get the chance to defeat your enemies and find treasure throughout Adventureland. You can stop by the Crow's Nest to receive your magic talisman and free treasure map. Find all the treasures to become a member of Captain Jack Sparrow's crew!
15. More fun and games
When you purchase a Magic Your Way vacation package, Disney will send you vouchers along with your travel documents for free admission to various attractions. These vouchers can include free admission to DisneyQuest, Disney World miniature golf and free play at resort arcades.
16. Sorcerers of Magic Kingdom trading cards
This interactive Magic Kingdom game is played with collectible trading cards. Whether you play the game or not, these cards are great to collect and keep. Each member of your party can get a free pack of 5 cards each day you enter Magic Kingdom. Get yours at the firehouse on Main Street U.S.A. or behind the Christmas shop in Liberty Square.
17. Electrical Water Pageant
Each night, you can visit one of the Seven Seas Lagoon resorts to watch this floating water show. Approx. showtimes:
Polynesian 9 pm
Grand Floridian Resort and Spa 9:15 pm
Wilderness Lodge 9:30 pm
Ft. Wilderness Campground 9:45 pm
Contemporary Resort 10 pm
18. Kids crafts
Check out the Kidcot fun stops in each country of EPCOT'S World Showcase. Your child will receive a complimentary Duffy the Bear cardboard cutout. There are supplies to decorate it. Cast members will stamp their Duffy in each country while teaching kids to say Hello or write their name in their native language.
19. Visit Tri-Circle D Ranch
You can visit Cinderella's ponies and the majestic horses of Main Street U.S.A. Watch the blacksmith make horseshoes and affix them to horses. Also, see the Dragon Calliope, a horse-drawn musical instrument purchased by Walt Disney for Disneyland in the 1950s.
20. Soft drinks
Club Cool, sponsored by Coca-cola in EPCOT, offers free soft drinks samples from around the world. You can sample all of them for free. Don't forget to try the Beverly! It's a cool treat on a hot day.
21. Free samples
Stop by Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop in Disney Springs for a free sample of chocolate! Many times, you can also find free samples at the Main Street Confectionery in Magic Kingdom!
22. Stickers
You can find cast members giving out stickers in tons of places!! Keep an eye out at your resort, parks, restaurants, and everywhere else to score some cool stickers for your photo albums and scrapbooks!
23. Street performers
Visit the boardwalk and you will often find plenty of entertaining street performers. Jugglers, fire-eaters, musicians and comedians. You can find hours of fun, free entertainment.
24. Tomorrowland Speedway Driver's License
This official license if often given out in the queue line for the Speedway. If you don't see anyone handing them out, just ask a cast member!
25. Pirate crew certificate
Take a few minutes to watch Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial in Magic Kingdom. Not only is it a REALLY fun show, but if you are lucky enough to be chosen by Capt. Jack, you will be sworn in as an official crew member and receive this signed certificate to prove it! A great free keepsake for the scrapbook!
BONUS!! 26. Soaps!
Everyone loves the best freebie on property! The resort hotel soaps, shampoos and lotions! I always end up taking a bunch home with me to extend the magic a little longer. Do you???
These are just some of our favorites, but there are plenty of other surprise freebies all around Walt Disney World if you just keep an eye out for them. So take some time to stop and smell the roses and you never know what kind of Disney magic you may find!
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