Things that are free at Disney

I can't think of anything else. I think we covered it all. I can the beach at Poly, and GF. Awesome photo op. My kids LOVED playing in the sand.
 
It's been awhile since I've been, but so excited to go again in Oct.:woohoo:
Do they still do the pulling of the sword out of the stone ceremony? I've heard about it, but never seen it.

They stopped doing the ceremony a number of years ago,though the sword is still there.
 
If you go to Sir Mickey's or Castle Couture behind the castle, you can get pixie dusted there too :)

I've never had a problem getting pixie dust at the downtown Disney BBB. Usually they have fairy godmothers in training standing outside (either in the store but outside BBB or outside outside depending on weather/time of day) who will do it for anyone who asks.
 
Campfire with Chip n Dale at camp wilderness. You can then purchase s'mores :)

Can anyone tell me where to find out the times/locations? Am I correct in saying one can take a boat from the MK to the campgrounds?

On our way next Friday!!

Yes you can. I think it's probably every 20 minutes or so since that's the way those in Fort Wilderness get to and from the Magic Kingdom. We stayed there once and catching the boat back to the campgrounds we were able to watch Wishes in the a boat almost to ourselves. We also caught the Electric Water Parade while going back!
 
Does Epcot still have "KidCOT"? Where children can go to each country and decorate a paper mask?

That was free and my kids loved that when they were younger.
 
blondemom said:
Does Epcot still have "KidCOT"? Where children can go to each country and decorate a paper mask?

That was free and my kids loved that when they were younger.

Yes. And last time we were there they were shaped like Perry and Duffy. Really cute.
 
I didn't read all of the posts so not sure if mention. HOwever, at DHS in the animimation building you can learn to draw a character and take the drawing with you.

You can ask for a cup of ice for free. It sure works good on a hot August day.
 
They hand out cards in the Mickey's Speedway...like driver's licenses. MK

Stroller parking is free...LOL

Jedi training is free DHS

Parades are free...

Probably most things have been mentioned by now. :)
 
Has anyone mentioned Club Cool at Epcot? Tasting beverages from around the world. Beverly ...:drinking1
 
1. Ride the Monorails. Keep in mind that all of the transportation at Disney is FREE and does not require park admission or a hotel key to ride. There are three sets of monorails. One that departs from the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) and goes to EPCOT. Another that leaves from the TTC and only stops at the Magic Kingdom and another that departs from the MK and stops at each of the resorts that surround the Seven Seas Lagoon- Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian. They are relaxing, very air conditioned and the kids love them. They also offer a different and unique view from above.

2. Take a Boat Ride. Like the Monorails the larger boats are FREE transportation. There are several different routes and types of boats on Disney Property. Of course there is the iconic double decker ferry boat that runs between the TTC and MK, but also departing from the MK are smaller boats that provide service to Fort Wilderness as well as to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. Over at the EPCOTs Resort area there are several "Friendships" that provide service between Disney's Hollywood Studios (DHS), the three EPCOT Resorts (Boardwalk, Beach Club and Yacht Club) and EPCOT. Also over at Downtown Disney there are boats that run between the three areas of DTD as well as others that provide service to Saratoga Springs Resort, Old Key West, Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside and wind through some very interesting areas.

3. Watch the "Old Faithful" Geyser. Located at the Wilderness Lodge, the Old Faithful Geyser erupts just about every hour, all day long. While not exactly Old Faithful, it is a fun event to watch with the kids. There are also plenty of walking paths, and the lobby of the Wilderness Lodge is great. Also available at the Wilderness concierge desk is a Hidden Mickey Game for that resort, but I'll get to more about those in a bit.

4. Like Lance Armstrong with Goofy ears- The Tour de Resorts. Disney has some fantastic resorts with great themes and wonderful areas to explore. None of the resorts require an entrance fee, just jump on a bus from one of the parks or Downtown Disney to a resorts of your choice and start exploring. There are usually games and other activities going on at all times.

5. Downtown Disney- There is plenty to do and see at Downtown Disney. Visit the Lego Store to build with blocks and they usually have areas where you can build and race different cars. There is usually someone standing out front of the Ghiradelli chocolate store handing out free samples. Occasionally there is free entertainment (usually some Disney band, pop star, or acts like High School Musical) on the big stage at night. Occasionally they have school bands, show choirs or orchestra competitions. Also there is usually free music and bands performing on the front porches at both The House of Blues and Ragland Road restaurants.

6. Magic Kingdom Fireworks - While best seen from inside the Magic Kingdom, you get a great view of them from either the California Grill at the Contemporary or from the main level, where they often pipe in the music direct from the Magic Kingdom. Even though you are supposed to be dining at the restaurant to see the show, there is a back way to get up to the roof level via the outside stairs on the side of the building. You can also watch the Wishes Fireworks from the Grand Floridian boat dock. Narcoosse's restaurant is nearby and receives the audio soundtrack from the Magic Kingdom, so you can enjoy the fireworks synchronized to the music. There's a little bit of delay due to the distance, but it still works. Seeing the fireworks reflect off of the lake is beautiful. Another option is to view the show from the tiki torch lit path that runs behind the Polynesian.

7. Don't Feed the Animals- The Animal Kingdom Lodge is spectacular, but you don't have to be staying there to enjoy the animals. Once inside the resort, just head to the back of the lobby, go downstairs, and walk outside. You will be located right in the middle of the savanna surrounding the resort. There is an area where you can walk out into the savanna for a better view. They often have guides from the resort pointing out animals and asking question. Keep in mind that the AKL consists of two buildings (Kidani Village and Jambo House) which offer different animals in the savannahs behind each resort. TIP- Make sure to plan your visit early in the morning or just before dusk when the animals are most active.

8. Electrical Water Pageant - Each night, the Electrical Water Pageant passes through the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake, and can be seen at the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. By far the best place to see it is from the Beach at the Polynesian. Plenty of places to sit, nice soft sand and easy access make this a prime place to spend a while watching the special water parade.

9. Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay- The Boardwalk area, located just outside of Epcot is the hidden gem of Walt Disney World. Several Disney street performers (magicians, jugglers, vaudeville, etc....) that appear on weekends (Thursday through Sunday night). They are very entertaining for both adults and kids, and are absolutely free, and don't ask for tips either. If you feel like spending a few dollars and burning a few calories, rent one of the surrey bikes available on the Boardwalk. They will seat between 2 and 12 people, and there is an awesome circular path that goes around the Boardwalk, past the Yacht and Beach Club resorts, and back to the far end of the Boardwalk.

10. Petting Zoo- Little known fact, but there is The petting zoo located at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.

11. Watch a movie- There is a free outdoor movie shown at Fort Wilderness following Chips 'n Dales Sing-a-long. There are also free outdoor movies and campfires on the beaches located at the Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Yacht & Beach Club resorts as well as movies at most other resorts. Movie Schedules located here: http://www.*********************.com/activity-outdoormovie.php

12. Sing a song with a couple of nuts- Chip 'n Dale's Campfire Sing-a-long each night (7pm in Winter and Fall; 8pm during Spring and Summer) at Ft. Wilderness near the Meadow Trading Post is free to all WDW guests, not only those staying at the resort.

13. Downtown Disney has a splash area at the entrance to the Marketplace. There are similar areas inside the parks, but this one doesn't cost anything to get into.... (another little known fact and one that you would not notice without an aerial view is that the splash area itself is a Hidden Mickey.)

14. Play games with Character. At the resorts there are often scheduled games and activities that you can participate in for free. At WL they have a rubber duck race down Silver Creek at scheduled times. At the Beach Club Lilo and Stitch stop by to play hop scotch and other games. My kids also went to the Cub's Den in the afternoon one day for free arts and crafts.

15. The playgrounds located at each resort and the ones located at Fort Wilderness Campground are free and available for all guests to use. Each has a different theme.

16.. Firework schedules vary by season, but generally begin just before park closing at the Epcot resort featuring the "Illuminations" fireworks display which can be viewed from the EPCOT Resorts area. From the Boardwalk, meander up to the back gate of Epcot, or over to Disney's Hollywood Studios around closing time and enjoy the music and perhaps a glimpse of IllumiNations or Fantasmic!. The bridge that goes over to the Swan and Dolphin sometimes has nice views at that time.

17. Have a Hidden Mickey Hunt- Disney Imagineers have hidden hundreds of Hidden Mickeys all over Disney World. What the heck is a Hidden Mickey you ask? Hidden Mickeys are worked into the design of buildings, attractions, furniture, and hotel decor. A Hidden Mickey hunt is free, and many families make a game of finding them while visiting one of the Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, or the Downtown Disney area. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidden_Mickey

18. What? Another Zoo???- The Disney Wilderness Preserve located about 20 miles south of Orlando, at the headwaters of the Everglades ecosystem, is The Nature Conservancy's Disney Wilderness Preserve. Here you can observe native plants and animals located along a 2 1/2-mile trail. The Preserve is open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday-Friday. It's closed on most major holidays. Admission is FREE, though donations are appreciated. Before visiting, please call the preserve at (407) 935-0002, as there may be limited access due to flooding or restoration activities.

19. Do we HAVE to go back to the Wilderness???- Visit Tri-Circle D Ranch (home of the draft horses used to pull the trolleys down Main Street at the Magic Kingdom) at Ft. Wilderness. There are a few farm animals to see and pony rides for very small children from 10 am to 5 pm for $5. There is FREE day parking at Ft. Wilderness and you can get from the day guest parking to the farm area by special buses that run only in the "Settlement."

20. Port Orleans-Riverside offers a seasonal "Campfire on de' Bayou" with stories and sing-alongs around a fire at the Ol' Man Island Fishin' Hole. (No characters attend.) It usually runs in the winter, from Halloween through sometime in March, and only a couple of nights a week (most recently, Sunday and Thursday), weather permitting. Ask at the front desk for a schedule. S'more kits that make enough for about 4 people are sold for about $9. No reservations necessary -- just show up. Cost: FREE to all Disney resort guests.

21. What? They don't serve chicken nuggets?- A t Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge the three restaurants -- Jiko, Boma, and Sanaa -- offer an array of African and Indian dishes. To help folks feel comfortable with trying new tastes and flavors, the restaurants offer pre-dinner tasting tours featuring samples of their dishes. To tour Boma and Jiko, meet at the Jiko podium at Jambo House at 4pm and to tour Sanaa, meet at the Sanaa podium at Jambo House at 4pm.

22. Storytime. Also located at AKL Jambo House are two fire pits- one indoors and one outdoors where they have a nightly story time at the fire pit - ask for the scheduled time when you arrive or check the activity board on the lower level, near the restrooms by Boma.

23. YeeHaw Bob at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort leads a boogy-woogie, rag-time sing-along at the River Roost Lounge in the Port Orleans Riverside resort. This event is free and family friendly. He typically performs on Wednesday - Saturday nights.

24. Elliot Dyson at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort sings and plays several instruments and entertains audiences with a selection of songs you know and love. The event is free and family friendly and typically performs on Wednesday - Saturday nights.

25. CLUB COOL in EPCOT- While this isn't technically FREE since it requires park admission it is a free service once inside the park. Club Cool offers free samples of some different flavored sodas from around the world. Make sure you have your cameras ready for the reaction when the kids try the Beverly soda. Also once you're in the park the little ones can participate in KidCOT which offers different activities at each of the pavilions in the World Showcase while the older ones can go on a mission in the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. Also check out the calendar of events for the week you'll be there as DISNEY has already posted their summer concert series which is free to resort guests. There is also a new game called "Sorcerors of the Magic Kingdom" in which guests choose how to defeat different Disney Villains by casting spells using FREE "Collectible" Spell Cards which can be traded with other players. The game pieces can be obtained in the Fire Station to the left at the park entrance. http://d23.disney.go.com/news/2012/...game-coming-soon-to-walt-disney-world-resort/

26. ABC's of Disney- ALWAYS BE CELEBRATING. Available upon check in at your resort (if staying on property) are celebration pins for various occasions- Birthday, Wedding, Honeymoon, Anniversary, 1st Visit or generic ones that simply state "I'm Celebrating." The free pins are also available at the store located on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. While in the parks cast members will see them and wish you a "Happy (whatever)." They are also handy in getting free drinks or desserts at various restaurants or bars around the resort. They don't require proof of the occasion just walk up and tell them that you're celebrating something.

27. Visit the DVC booths located at various spots around the parks and at each resort. Not only are they a wealth of great information, but they usually hand out free stickers and stuff for the kids. Not sure if they still do this, but schedule a meeting to discuss purchasing a Disney Vacation Club Membership. Even if you don't purchase they give you a voucher for a free counter service meal.
 
Trading cards from Disney Transportation - I read about this somewhere here on the DIS. When we went in Jan 2012, DD asked each of our bus drivers and Monorail CMs and boat drivers if they had any trading cards. Each usually gave her at least 1 she didn't already have. Cool souvenir.

Velcro Frog - from Slapstick Studios in Innoventions in Epcot. (we didn't do it, and I'm not sure if it's still there)

Also in Innoventions: We also got to make a video game featuring ourselves as the characters and it was SO funny! We had a blast doing it - it was such a fun memory moment from that trip!

Habit Heroes in Innoventions - livestrong type bracelet for completing activities.

Sanaa Cultural Tour (AKL)
Wonders of WL
Culinary Tour at AKL
(more info here: http://blog.touringplans.com/tag/free-tour-series/)

artificial flower Lei at Poly... DD came back with one for each kid in her class - they piled and piled and piled them on her when we were eating at Ohana!

There's a spot in The Land where kids get to make Tollhouse Cookies and eat them when they are done. (downstairs in The Land at Epcot)

Speedway license - DD got one when she drove around the track. :-)

Official Pirate Oath scroll - Got it when DD was chosen for Cap'n Jack Sparrow's crew.

we stayed at WL and there was a marshmallow roast every night (free!). Look in the pkg of info they give you at check in - the time is listed there, along with the beach movie times and what movies are playing on what nights.

Start Tours Passport - we printed them online before our trip and brought them along to get stamped. It took a while, but we got them stamped after the CMs rustled up the stamp and an ink pad. (not sure you can print these anymore)

Vinylmation iron-on (pre-trip) - print it out on an iron-on transfer and make your own tshirt!
http://a.dolimg.com/explore/PMPages...er_popup_StarToursIntergalacticAdventure_Intl
 
Trading cards from Disney Transportation - I read about this somewhere here on the DIS. When we went in Jan 2012, DD asked each of our bus drivers and Monorail CMs and boat drivers if they had any trading cards. Each usually gave her at least 1 she didn't already have. Cool souvenir.

Velcro Frog - from Slapstick Studios in Innoventions in Epcot. (we didn't do it, and I'm not sure if it's still there)

Also in Innoventions: We also got to make a video game featuring ourselves as the characters and it was SO funny! We had a blast doing it - it was such a fun memory moment from that trip!

Habit Heroes in Innoventions - livestrong type bracelet for completing activities.

Sanaa Cultural Tour (AKL)
Wonders of WL
Culinary Tour at AKL
(more info here: http://blog.touringplans.com/tag/free-tour-series/)

artificial flower Lei at Poly... DD came back with one for each kid in her class - they piled and piled and piled them on her when we were eating at Ohana!

There's a spot in The Land where kids get to make Tollhouse Cookies and eat them when they are done. (downstairs in The Land at Epcot)

Speedway license - DD got one when she drove around the track. :-)

Official Pirate Oath scroll - Got it when DD was chosen for Cap'n Jack Sparrow's crew.

we stayed at WL and there was a marshmallow roast every night (free!). Look in the pkg of info they give you at check in - the time is listed there, along with the beach movie times and what movies are playing on what nights.

Start Tours Passport - we printed them online before our trip and brought them along to get stamped. It took a while, but we got them stamped after the CMs rustled up the stamp and an ink pad. (not sure you can print these anymore)

Vinylmation iron-on (pre-trip) - print it out on an iron-on transfer and make your own tshirt!
http://a.dolimg.com/explore/PMPages...er_popup_StarToursIntergalacticAdventure_Intl

When we were there last year, the toll house cooking making was unavailable and I was told going away, any confirmation that?
 
Found another free tour.....The Sanaa Cultural Tour is currently offered at 4 p.m. daily. No reservations are accepted, and all you need to do to attend is show up at the Sanaa podium in the Animal Kingdom Villas. The tour is open to all ages and lasts 20 minutes. As resort activities can change monthly, check the Resort Activites Calendar or call (407) 938-3000 to confirm the tour schedule.
 
Toll House Cookies are gone for good in The Land.

I'm sure most have been mentioned:
  • Free ice water at any Quick Service restaurant.
  • Guest Skipper card if chosen on Jungle Cruise
  • Celebration recognition pins at any guest services desk
  • Club Cool in Epcot
  • Free beads from Port Orleans French Quarter
  • Stickers from various Cast Members
  • Kidcot Crafts at World Showcase
  • Wand for girls when dining at Cinderella Castle (not sure what the boys get)
  • Towel animals from resort Mousekeeping if you are lucky enough to get one
  • Free customized park maps at disneyworld.com
  • Free Vacation Planning DVD from disneyworld.com
  • Crystal Palace will bring you a free cupcake (with candle) and signed character greeting card if you tell them you are celebrating something
special.
Photopass Photographers will take photos with YOUR camera at no charge.
 
Toll House Cookies are gone for good in The Land.

I'm sure most have been mentioned:

[*]Free ice water at any Quick Service restaurant.
[*]Guest Skipper card if chosen on Jungle Cruise
[*]Celebration recognition pins at any guest services desk
[*]Club Cool in Epcot
[*]Free beads from Port Orleans French Quarter
[*]Stickers from various Cast Members
[*]Kidcot Crafts at World Showcase
[*]Wand for girls when dining at Cinderella Castle (not sure what the boys get)
[*]Towel animals from resort Mousekeeping if you are lucky enough to get one
[*]Free customized park maps at disneyworld.com
[*]Free Vacation Planning DVD from disneyworld.com
[*]Crystal Palace will bring you a free cupcake (with candle) and signed character greeting card if you tell them you are celebrating something
special.

Photopass Photographers will take photos with YOUR camera at no charge.

I have trouble thinking of this one as "free".
 
I have trouble thinking of this one as "free".

eh, let's call it unexpected then. no doubt the meal is obscenely over-priced. It hurt less that she walked out of there with a souvenir we didn't know we would get. ;)
 
I just want to put a little more emphasis on the Yee Haw Bob show in the River Roost Lounge at Port Orleans Riverside. It is absolutely a fun rollicking time for everybody. You can order drinks and appetizers but it is NOT required.
 

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