Bet You Didn’t Know About These 17 Disney World Freebies
Disney World ticket prices are at an all-time high — and Disney’s Annual Pass program hasn’t gotten any cheaper either. Is it still possible to plan a Walt Disney World vacation on a budget in 2024? You might have to pay to get into the theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort — plus pay to park or stay the night in one of the hotels — but once you’re on Disney World property, there is plenty of secret free stuff to find. Without further ado, here are 17 of our favorite free things to find on a Disney vacation:
1. Celebration Buttons
You don’t need a reason to take a vacation to Disney World, but if you’re celebrating an important milestone — birthday, anniversary, graduation, new job, you name it — the trip can be even more magical. Disney characters may even offer extra magical interactions if they spy you wearing a birthday button or a button commemorating your first visit. Head to Guest Relations or an indoor merch location and ask a Cast Member (Walt Disney World employee) for a celebration button. And just like that, you’re saving money with a free souvenir.
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2. Autographs
Speaking of Disney characters, you can take advantage of special meet-and-greets at each of the parks. Each is free and allows you to interact with your favorite characters, like Mickey and Minnie, the Disney Princesses, and even Pixar and Star Wars favorites.
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3. Water
Feeling thirsty? You don’t have to buy an expensive plastic bottle of water while at the Disney World parks. Instead, just ask any vendor selling food and drinks for a cup of ice water. You can also pack an empty water bottle and refill it at drinking fountains throughout the day. Spending money on water when you can get it for free? That’s just not smart.
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4. Soda
Water isn’t the only free beverage at Walt Disney World. While you’ll pay for Coke products at restaurants at the Disney resorts and parks, there’s one place you can get soda for free: Club Cool at EPCOT. Club Cool is a Coca-Cola shop located in EPCOT’s World Celebration neighborhood. For free, you’ll be able to sample eight different Coke products from around the world.
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5. Transportation
If you’re staying at any of the Walt Disney World resorts, like Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Pop Century, or even the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, transportation around the resort is totally free. You can also ask Cast Members for free transportation cards while aboard. These Disney freebies make great collectibles to commemorate your trip.
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6. Parking at the Hotels and Parks
Free parking at Disney World? Not a chance… unless you’re staying on property or have an Annual Pass. Guests who stay at an official Walt Disney World hotel get free parking at their hotel and at all of the parks, for the duration of their stay. This is a recent returning freebie for Disney guests; Disney had discontinued its free parking perks for several years. Annual Passholders also get free parking at the parks.
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7. Parking at Disney Springs
However, if you’re heading to Walt Disney World Resort by car but don’t have an Annual Pass and aren’t staying at a Disney hotel, there is still one place where you can find free parking — and that’s Disney Springs. If it’s been a while since you’ve been to Disney World, you may know it as Downtown Disney. It’s Disney’s outdoor shopping mall, and its massive parking garages don’t charge a fee.
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8. Live Entertainment — Inside and Outside the Parks
Whether you’re in Magic Kingdom or Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can catch an abundance of live entertainment. Magic Kingdom is the pinnacle of live entertainment, from multiple parades and cavalcades throughout the day to the fireworks show each night. You can also catch castle stage shows each day.
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9. Movies
Each night, the Disney resorts host Movies Under the Stars — one of my favorite free things to do at Disney World. Cozy up with your favorite snack and watch classic Disney movies up on a big screen outside. Depending on the Disney resort hotel, the movie might be poolside or in a clearing surrounded by trees.
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10. Drawing Lessons
Animal Kingdom is packed with rides and animals to check out, but leave time for the free art class at Conservation Station. You’ll have to board Rafiki’s Planet Watch to get there. Before the pandemic, Disney’s Art of Animation, one of the more affordable hotels, offered free art classes as well, but they haven’t come back yet. If you’re interested in art at the resorts, hop on a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge, which has a massive collection of museum-quality African art for visitors to explore, free of charge.
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11. Glow Cubes
Drinks at Disney World are expensive, whether you’re ordering a cocktail or a mocktail. If you’re going to shell out for a special beverage, you may as well find one that offers a free glow cube. These reusable light-up ice cubes are offered in select beverages across the Disney parks. They’re often part of special season menus, so you’ll need to do some digging before your trip. It’s totally worth the cost — adding a glow cube to a cocktail back at home can instantly transport you back to your Disney vacation.
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12. Dining for Little Ones (and Even Some Snacks)
Food at Disney World may be expensive, but little ones — anyone under 3, to be exact — actually eat free. Newborns and toddlers may not appreciate the fine dining offered at some of Disney’s best restaurants, but getting through dinner with one less bill is a welcome reprieve during an expensive vacation.
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13. Pixie Dust
A princess makeover for your little one at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique can cost hundreds of dollars — yes, really. But there’s one special Disney transformation that’s completely free: getting sprinkled with pixie dust at Sir Mickey’s inside Magic Kingdom. Sure, it’s just a Cast Member sprinkling some glitter in your hair. But on a Disney vacation, some whimsy and make-believe are OK, even for adults.
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14. Games
Much of your Disney World vacation will be spent waiting in line — there’s no way around it. The themed queues usually offer enough excitement to make it worth the wait. But if you find yourself bored, you can download the free Play Disney Parks app for some fun games. Some of them are related specifically to the queues you’re in, like Peter Pan’s Flight at Magic Kingdom or Soarin’ at EPCOT.
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15. Disney Genie
Like it or not, you’ve got to pay for Disney’s Genie+ service, which lets you use Lightning Lanes to avoid long lines for crowded attractions. But the Disney Genie service (no plus) is free for everyone — and it’s got some helpful tools. Download the My Disney Experience app to your smartphone ahead of your trip to access Disney Genie, and then check it throughout the day.
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16. Disney Travel Agents
Planning a Disney trip can be overwhelming. Disney travel agents make it a lot easier — and they don’t cost a thing. Instead, Disney travel agents make their money from Disney, and their primary goal is to help you plan your trip stress-free and often at a discount. Travel agents have access to discounts and deals most casual travelers aren’t aware of.
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17. First Aid
Here’s a Disney World freebie you never want to use, but it’s a good one to keep in the back of your mind. You can find first aid stations at each of the parks, and visiting one of these can save you from spending extra money on things like Band-Aids and Tylenol back at the resort. You’ll find all the staples of your medicine cabinet here: cough drops, painkillers, bandages, cold meds, tissues, you name it. There are also on-site nurses in case you need medical attention.
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