Top 10 Things You Can Get for Free at the Walt Disney World Resort

There's nothing inexpensive about a Walt Disney World vacation. From the hotel to the theme park tickets to airfare to food to must-have souvenirs, it's likely that your wallet is going to be a bit lighter at the end of the vacation.


Top 10 Things You Can Get for Free at the Walt Disney World ResortTop 10 Things You Can Get for Free at the Walt Disney World Resort


But, just as there are a million things to spend your hard earned money on at Walt Disney World, there are also quite a few things you can get for free. And what's not to love about free things at Disney? We love free stuff and so we're going to share our top 10 free things.

10. Kidcot Stops at Epcot: In every country throughout World Showcase the kids can stop and pick out a cardboard Duffy or Perry the Platypus and get a stamp that represents that country. On our most recent visit the cast members were also drawing small icons for their country including their country's flags (some with Mickey Mouse added in). And in Morocco, Japan, and China they'll even write your name in their native alphabet. These cardboard figures make great free souvenirs and even better fans on those really hot summer days.

Stop by the Kidcot Stops throughout World ShowcaseStop by the Kidcot Stops throughout World Showcase

9. Animation Academy: You can learn to draw just like a Disney Animator at the Animation Academy in the Magic of Disney Animation. This fun experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios gives guests the chance to learn how to draw a popular Disney character with help from a Disney artist. You get to take home your version of the character and the Disney artist usually gives away his or her drawing to one lucky guest.

8. Agent P's World Showcase Adventure: Kids and grownups can take part in this completely free activity at Epcot! You can pick up your mission instructions and a smartphone at one of the recruitment centers located at the Odyssey Bridge, Norway Pavilion, Italy Pavilion, or near the International Gateway. Once you have your mission help Agent P as he tries to stop Dr. Doofenshmirtz's evil plots in Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Japan, France, or the United Kingdom.

Agent P's World Showcase Adventure is fun and free!Agent P's World Showcase Adventure is fun and free!

7. Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom: Families can also become apprentice sorcerers at the Magic Kingdom as they attempt to help Merlin fight Hades as he tries to take over the Magic Kingdom. To play the game guests can pick up their sorcerer cards at the Firehouse on Main Street U.S.A. or behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square. Using Merlin's map and the cards you embark on an adventure throughout the Kingdom. And, as an added bonus the Sorcerer cards make a great (free) collectible souvenir.

6. Collect Autographs: There are so many places to meet your favorite characters at Walt Disney World that you could fill an autograph book by the end of your vacation. And while you could spend money to buy the autograph book (or you could bring something from home like a T-shirt or baseball hat), standing in line to meet Mickey Mouse and get his autograph won't cost you anything extra.

Collecting autographs at Walt Disney World is a fun activityCollecting autographs at Walt Disney World is a fun activity

5. Chocolate from Ghirardelli: When you're visiting Downtown Disney you want to make sure to stop by the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop because you can get a free sample of chocolate. Free. Chocolate. Those have to be two of the best words ever. Of course you'll also want to swing by the Soda Fountain and order one of their decadent ice cream sundaes. But those aren't free.

4. Driver's License at Tomorrowland Speedway: After racing around the track at the Tomorrowland Speedway at the Magic Kingdom make sure you get your Official Speedway License. It's a fun souvenir, especially for the kids who aren't old enough to drive real cars yet!

Don't forget to pick up your Tomorrowland Speedway driver's license!Don't forget to pick up your Tomorrowland Speedway driver's license!

3. Club Cool: If there is one place you must stop at Epcot it is Club Cool. Located in Future World it's the home to the bubbly beverage everyone loves to hate, Beverly. Of course you can also sample other Coca-Cola beverages from around the world including flavors from Japan, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Peru. A visit to Club Cool is always a fun, refreshing, and free way to pass some time and cool off.

2. Movies Under the Stars: Every night each Walt Disney World Resort hotel presents a free movie under the stars. The movies are shown near the hotel pool or on the beach if the hotel has a beach area. The movie schedule changes every month so always check the hotel's activity guide for the most up-to-date information. Some hotels also have a campfire before the movie complete with s'mores roasting! (The s'mores will cost a little bit of money but the movies are free).

1. Culinary Tours at the Animal Kingdom Lodge: Stop by the Animal Kingdom Lodge for a free culinary tour of Boma and Jiko (daily at 3:45 p.m.) or a cultural tour of Sanaa (daily at 4 p.m.). It's a great (and free) way to learn about the popular restaurants at the Animal Kingdom Lodge without needing an Advanced Dining Reservation.

Enjoy a free culinary tour of restaurants at the Animal Kingdom LodgeEnjoy a free culinary tour of restaurants at the Animal Kingdom Lodge

What is your favorite free activity at Walt Disney World? What would you add to our list? Leave us a comment and let us know!

PrincessK wrote on Tue, 09/09/2014 - 14:01:

PrincessK's picture

Don't forget Celebration buttons!
I love collecting the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Cards, too. We get a new (free)pack every time we go.

Christina wrote on Tue, 09/09/2014 - 14:11:

Christina's picture

You can go to Fort Wilderness Resort and see the horses (there is a boat launch at the Magic Kingdom) that they use in parades, special events, and shows! They are definitely the biggest horses I have ever seen and are absolutely BEAUTIFUL! They also house the original Disney World Calliope and a small history museum that pays tribute to Walt Disney's love for horses.

Melissa miller wrote on Tue, 09/09/2014 - 21:27:

Melissa miller's picture

Watching the fireworks from the many Disney Hotels.
Watching the Electric Parade in Bay Lake.
Petting the animals at the Wilderness Campground.
Checking out every hotel decorations on the holidays!

Joann wrote on Thu, 09/18/2014 - 21:37:

Joann's picture

Boat rides! My favorite two are from Hollywood Studios to Epcot via the Epcot Resorts AND from Downtown Disney to Port Orleans Riverside.

JETL wrote on Tue, 02/24/2015 - 17:04:

JETL's picture

Monorail! You can ride the monorail round-and-round without going into the parks. I've used this a few times to give my little ones a midday nap. And the MK-EPCOT beam is just as scenic as the Resort Loop.

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