If you've ever been to Walt Disney World then you know how awfully expensive it is.
But a trip to WDW needn't break the bank! Here's a list of freebies you can utilize to keep your budget in check.
Visit the Animal Kingdom Lodge
Visit the Animal Kingdom Lodge (something to see in itself!) and walk the commons areas that include an animal viewing section. The back portion of the lobby leads directly to a small safari with amazing wildlife to see.
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Nor do you need to stay at that particular resort to be able to enjoy the free tour. Check with the resort front desk to see if there are any tours that day.
Do a monorail bar hop
This is a form of Disney transportation (public transport of the future) in which you can visit each Disney resort hotel on your bar crawl on the Magic Kingdom monorail loop.
And it’s absolutely free!
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All you have to do is catch a bus ride from Disney Springs to one of the Magic Kingdom resorts of your choosing and start your adventure.
Watch Campfire and Movies
Head over to the the Campsites in Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and enjoy a classic Disney movie under the stars.
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You can also watch campfire movies for free at the following Disney World Resorts:
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Beach Club Resort
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Grand Floridian Resort
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Art of Animation
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Port Orleans-Riverside
This is just a list of a few of my favorite resorts to enjoy a campfire and a movie.
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It’s important to know that many of the Disney Resorts offer “campfire” movies on the lawn depending on the weather and time of year. So, be sure to always check the schedule on or before your visit.
Watch a Geyser Explode
If you head to the back of Fort Wilderness Lodge, you’ll be able to see a geyser reminiscent of Old Faithful erupting every hour on the hour from around 7 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Play with Butterflies
You can visit the Butterfly Garden located in the Contemporary Resort for free. This colorful garden is located on the backside of the lobby near the pool and lake.
Free Art Classes
If you’re in the mood to create, you can take one of the free art classes offered at the Art of Animation Resort.
This class is limited to resort guests, but always check to see if you can register anyway.
​Watch a Free Epcot Fireworks Show
For an exciting visual display, take in the fireworks at Epcot from the Boardwalk Resort area. The best viewing spot is on the bridge right by the bakery shop.
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You can watch the Disney Happily Ever After Fireworks Show for free at the Polynesian Resort.
The perfect spot is around the beach area where you’ll even hear the actual music from the show.
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You can also get a great view for the fireworks from the:
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Ticket and Transportation Center
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Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Enjoy the Electric Water Pageant
You can watch this amazing show on the Seven Seas Lagoon at night. This free water parade features whimsical sea creatures sailing across the lagoon.
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This nightly parade usually happens once around the time of the Disney Enchantment Fireworks Show. You can watch the show from any of the Magic Kingdom Resorts.
Best viewing locations for Electric Water Pageant:
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Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort– Begins at 9:00 p.m.
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Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (including Narcoossee’s) – Begins at 9:15 PM p.m.
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Fort Wilderness Lodge– Begins at 9:30 p.m.
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Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground– Begins at 9:45 p.m.
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Contemporary Resort– Begins at 10:10 p.m.; in instances when the Happily Ever After fireworks show takes place at 10:00 p.m., the Electrical Water Pageant will begin shortly following its conclusion
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Right outside the entrance of Magic Kingdom park – Begins at 10:35 p.m., during Extended Theme Park Hours only
Get Your Free Lei at Disney’s Polynesian Resort
When you arrive in the lobby of the Polynesian Resort, you can get a free lei placed upon your neck even if you’re not a hotel guest.
Free Parking
You can park for free at Disney Springs. If you want to see the other resorts throughout Walt Disney World, you can use the buses for free and you can even do some theme park hopping.
Enjoy the Outdoor Play Area and Fountains
Disney Springs has a free outdoor play area with interactive fountains that are perfect for cooling off on those hot Florida days. My sister and I watched the kids playing in these fountains and they were having a blast!
Play with LEGOs
​The Lego Imagination Center is filled with thousands of LEGO blocks. It also has a free outdoor play area over 3,000 square feet.
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Once a month, there’s a mini model build that usually falls on the first Tuesday. Children ages 6-14 can even take home a free mini model at the event!
Taste Free Chocolate Samples at Ghirardelli in Disney Springs
In the Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop, a Cast Member near the entrance will be there with a basket handing out free squares of Ghirardelli chocolate.
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​The best part about this Disney Freebie is that the samples change for each season! So, be sure to grab your free chocolate sample!
Enjoy Welcome Center Amenities for Free
Inside the Disney Springs Welcome Center, you’ll be treated with free cold water, air conditioning, and some comfy chairs to take a break from all your shopping.
You can also get any additional Disney information you may need from Cast Members inside.
Enjoy the Free Live Entertainment
Disney Springs has so many local bands for you to enjoy. You can find them in areas such as:
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The Westside food truck courtyard area
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Area near Paddlefish
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By the Orange parking garage
Disney Springs entertainment usually starts around 7 p.m. during most evenings during the peak season.
Get a Free Disney Sticker
Throughout Walt Disney World property you’ll find various Cast Members carrying around Disney-inspired stickers.
They love passing them out to the little ones, but don’t be afraid to ask for one for yourself.
They’re always at any of the Disney Vacation Club stands.
Grab a Celebration Button
If you are celebrating a special moment in your life like a birthday, anniversary, or first visit to Disney, then make sure you stop by Guest Services at any Disney Park and receive your very own celebration button.
Pirates Adventure Maps
At the Magic Kingdom you can join the swashbuckling voyage in an interactive game inside Adventureland.
During the game you’ll receive a free map that will help guide you on your journey to hunt for secret treasures! Both the map and the game are free!!!
Free Sweet Treats in the Magic Kingdom
As you enter the majestic gates of the Magic Kingdom, be sure to stop at the Main Street Confectionary to get a free sample of cotton candy or ice cream.
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​Although the “tasting” is meant for you to actually buy something, you’ll be able to experience a variety of flavors instead of just having one.
Collect Disney Park Guide Maps
They are great souvenirs to help you remember you amazing Walt Disney World vacation!
Collect Free Wilderness Explorer Badges
You can collect the Wilderness Explorer Badges at Animal Kingdom like the ones Russell would get in the movie Up.
Get Your Free Wilderness Explorer Souvenir
Become a part of the explorer society with Russell and go on a scavenger hunt all around Animal Kingdom using your Wilderness Explorer booklet.
This is a free activity and a great souvenir to take home.
Hidden Mickeys at Disney World – Find Them All!
If you ask any Disney World aficionado about Hidden Mickeys, they’ll more than likely be able to name you their top 5 – and name you a few Hidden Mickeys at Disneyland.
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Everyone knows what makes up the shape of Mickey’s head: 1 larger circle to form his head and 2 smaller circles to form his ears. But what makes Hidden Mickeys so special is the ability for the Hidden Mickey to subtly make up anything. Mickey can be hidden in wallpaper, paint, within plants, in the sidewalk, etc. In fact, finding Hidden Mickeys have been such a fan-favorite activity at both Disneyland and Disney World for so many years that there are books, websites, and even social media accounts dedicated to showcasing the most iconic and hardest-to-find Hidden Mickeys!
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For a map of Magic Kingdom so you can find these Hidden Mickeys, click here!
Kidcot Stations
In Epcot they normally have paid scavenger hunts and food crawls during the festivals, but all around the world showcase, at all times of year, they have the kidcot stations.
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These little areas give you a traveling suitcase, a card and some stickers. It is TOTALLY adorable for the kiddos, and anyone (i highly recommend this for the adults) can buy a passport to have it stamped.
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These fun areas are for kids in the World Showcase. Each of them has their own unique activity depending on which country you stop in.
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Most of the time it’s coloring related. Plus, the cast members there will interact with the kids and teach them some of their native languages- it’s a really fun way to entertain kids around the World Showcase.
So that you don't forget any of your freebies, make a note of them in your travel planner!