Free stuff at Walt Disney World Outside the Parks
There is so much to do at Walt Disney World, but the fun sometimes comes with a hefty price tag. To prevent sticker shock, here is a list of free stuff at Walt Disney World outside the parks. This compilation includes activities, entertainment, and small items that all have one thing in common; these things are all free stuff at Walt Disney World outside the parks. Because this free stuff is outside the parks, it is completely unnecessary to purchase a park ticket to partake in any of these activities.
Check out our Free things to do Outside the Parks Pocket Guide, and our other great Pocket Guides.
All Resorts Deluxe Resorts Disney Springs Ticket and Transportation Center
All Resorts
Catch a Bus: The internal bus transportation service is free to all Disney guests.
Parking: All Walt Disney World resort guests receive free parking at the parks.
Pools: While Disney does not generally allow pool hopping from resort to resort, you can certainly enjoy the pool at the resort where you are staying.
Recreation: Among the free stuff at Walt Disney World outside the parks, resort recreation is a HUGE perk. From Movies Under the Stars to poolside activities, Walt Disney World resorts offer great recreation options. Follow this link for a schedule of resort activities. These activities are great for non-park days.
Restaurant Recipes: Like the food you are eating at a resort restaurant? Ask for the recipe! The cast members will most likely provide you with one or send a copy to your email address.
Toiletries: Many resorts at Walt Disney World include small travel-sized toiletries with the room you are staying in for your vacation. Some resorts may have large soap dispensers rather than take-home travel-size soaps.
Wake – up call: Want to make rope-drop to your favorite park? You can set up a magical Wake-up call to your room instead of rising to the everyday alarm.
WiFi: There is free WiFi all over Walt Disney World property.
Workout Facilities: It is possible to keep up your healthy habits while on a Disney vacation. The Walt Disney World resorts offer small gyms and running trails. These vary depending on the resort.
Deluxe Resorts
Campfires with s’mores: The Deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World offer campfires with s’mores. At some resorts there is a fee for the s’mores kit. Check your resorts activity schedule for more information.
Animal Encounters: At the Animal Kingdom Lodge, there are animal viewing experiences throughout the day.
Character meetings: You can sometimes meet characters at the resorts specifically the deluxe resorts. For example, Chip and Dale host a free campfire sing-a-long at Fort Wilderness Campground and Cinderella sometimes greets guests at the Grand Floridian.
Extreme Holiday Decorations: The Christmas decorations at the deluxe resorts are something to behold! From the giant trees and wreaths to the life-size gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian, Walt Disney World goes all out for the holiday season.
Fireworks Viewing: Many of the fireworks shows can be seen from outside the parks. Happily Ever After, in particular can be seen from the resorts around Bay Lake and from the Ticket and Transportation Center.
Flower Lei: The Polynesian resort offers guests a free Lei at a desk in the lobby.
Fort Wilderness: If you are looking for free stuff at Walt Disney World outside the parks, Fort Wilderness is a great place to explore. There are walking trails, animals, and more fun things to explore.
Live Entertainment: There are live entertainment options at the deluxe resorts. The Boardwalk often has live entertainment, and there are often musicians entertaining guests at the Grand Floridian Resort. One moderate resort, Port Orleans Riverside, also has live entertainment in the form of comedian Yehaa Bob.
Parade Viewing: The nighttime electrical water pageant can be viewed from the resorts around Bay Lake outside the Magic Kingdom.
Ride a Boat: Most deluxe resorts offer a boat ride to the parks or to Disney Springs if the area is accessible by waterway from the resort.
Tours: Many of the deluxe resorts offer tours of the property. There are free tours at Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge including the Wonders of the Lodge Tour and Culinary Tours. It is also fun to travel to the different resorts, and look at the intricate theming. These self-led “tours” are great activities for days away from the parks, and are especially thrilling when the Christmas decorations are up. Cast members are normally happy to point out interesting features of the resort.
Water-Park like Pools: The deluxe resorts have pools that are beyond the norm. The Yacht and Beach Club in particular have pools that are more like small water parks with slides, sand, and fountains.
Disney Springs
Activities: There are seasonal activities and offerings at Disney Springs. From pictures with Santa, to trying out new merchandise, to meet and greets with authors, there is often something exciting happening in this area.
Irish Dancing certificate: At Raglan Road, guests can receive an Irish Dancing certificate.
LEGO play time: The LEGO store at Disney Springs has areas where guests can build with LEGO bricks.
Live Entertainment: There is often entertainment at Disney Springs. There is a stage across from the World of Disney Store where many performances are held. There are often other live entertainers wondering around Disney Springs, especially on weekends and evenings.
Ticket and Transportation Center
Catch a Bus: The internal bus transportation service is free to all guests at Walt Disney World.
Ride a Boat: Riding the ferry boat to the Magic Kingdom is a free experience that can be quite magical as you glimpse gorgeous views of Cinderella Castle across Bay Lake.
Ride the Monorail: It is completely free to ride the monorail around the Magic Kingdom resort loop and the Epcot Loop.
Watch a Parade: The Electrical Water Pageant can be seen from the Ticket and Transportation Center.
Watch Fireworks: Happily Ever After can be viewed from the Ticket and Transportation Center.
Looking for more Free Stuff? Check out Free Stuff at Walt Disney World Parks! Also take a look at our Walt Disney World without a Ticket page.