I think we can all agree that Walt Disney World is an expensive place, right? On top of tickets, you have food and resort reservations. It can be pretty pricey. I’m still going to Disney World no matter how expensive it gets because it’s the greatest place on Earth! But maybe you want to do a few things that don’t cost anything extra. Or, you just want to take advantage of some free goodies. Either way, it’s a good idea to explore your world outside of the parks. So, here are 10 free activities that you can take advantage of that will help you save a little money, and then spend it on items at the gift shop later!
- Animal Kingdom Lodge: Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of my favorite resorts! It is very close to Animal Kingdom so a quick drive shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes. Take some time to explore the Resort, and then head outside where you can view real safari animals. You might see a giraffe, gazelle, zebra, or perhaps a few flamingos. Viewing these animals is free to anyone, with no reservation required.
- Fort Wilderness: Every night at Fort Wilderness, they host a campfire sing-a-long with special hosts, Chip ‘n’ Dale. S’mores are of course included with this activity. This is then followed by an outdoor screening of a Disney movie. They also have something like this at the Contemporary Resort, so check that out as well if you are staying there.
- Riding the Sky Liner: Taking some Disney Transportation can be free and relaxing. If you aren’t afraid of heights, consider taking the new Sky Liner system around the resorts. This system stops at Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, Riviera, Boardwalk, Yacht Club and Beach Club. The Sky Liner can also take you to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. This gives you a chance to see some breathtaking views. Now you can see the parks from a whole new perspective!
- Art of Animation: If you do decide to take a ride on the Sky Liner, give Art of Animation a try! There, you can walk through the different hotel themes and catch a glimpse of some favorite Disney Characters. Visiting the Cars themed hotels, you can find statues of Lightning McQueen, Mater, Sally, and more. More of a Lion King fan? take a picture next to Simba, Pumbaa, and Timon. Or maybe even with Scar! There is also a Finding Nemo area and a Little Mermaid area to find more famous characters. This resort is great for kids, and is a great photo opportunity to make some memories.
- Grand Floridian: The Grand Floridian is by far one of the most expensive resorts on property. So is is possible to do something for free there? The answer is yes! You can stop at the Grand Floridian lobby to listen to some live musical performances daily. The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra performs ragtime, Dixie, traditional jazz and even some popular Disney tunes. In between these full shows, you can watch a solo pianist playing some great classics of Disney. There are plenty of comfy couches and chairs to sit down and relax. It also does not hurt to take in the amazing scenery of this high class resort!
- Riding the Monorail: Riding the highway in the sky can be fun, if you’re not in a big hurry. Ride around and visit your favorite Magic Kingdom Resorts like Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian. You can also switch over to the EPCOT monorail at the TTC. This is a great way to see the parks from the sky. Remember to take some great pictures of Spaceship Earth as you circle around. You can also ask an attendant for a monorail transportation card to keep as a souvenir.
- Gingerbread Houses: Once the holiday’s rolls around, check out some of the gingerbread houses set up at different resorts! The Grand Floridian has one of the biggest you’ve probably ever seen, I highly recommend checking them out. Take the resort monorail system at the Magic Kingdom and stop at the resorts along the way!
- Disney Springs: Yes it costs money to eat and shop at Disney Springs, but it doesn’t cost anything to enter. You do not need any park reservations and parking is absolutely free! It’s nice to take a stroll and look at all that’s going on at Disney Springs. Plus, there is always some sort of entertainment going on. They have live music everywhere, and you might see some street performers. Maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of the Strolling Piano, which is exactly what it sounds like!
- Swimming: If you’re staying at a Walt Disney Resort, you’ll have free access to the swimming pool. It’s a great idea to take a break from the parks in the afternoon to cool off. Consider going back to your resort to relax, then you will be nice and refreshed once you head back to the parks.
- Celebration Buttons: Okay, so this isn’t really an activity, but it’s still free. If you happen to be celebrating a special event at Disney like a birthday, wedding or an anniversary, stop by guest relations or you can mention it to your resort staff, and ask for a complimentary button. If you wear this button around the parks, you will definitely receive some special attention in your honor!
Thanks again for checking out my blog! Let me know in the comments if you’ve done any of these things, or plan on doing them in an upcoming trip. We know Disney World is expensive, so it’s nice to take advantage of some free stuff!
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