Here are 9 Inexpensive Things To Do At Walt Disney World that you should fit into your next visit.
Go to the Boardwalk in the evening. This is often overlooked I guess because it is at a resort but it is a very relaxing way to spend an evening. It is all lit up and there are carnival-like games that do cost money but also entertainment that is free such as the man that does tricks while on a ladder (a free-standing one). These are interesting! If you want to spend some money there, you could rent a surry and ride around the resort area.
Take a boat ride from Port Orleans Riverside to Disney Springs. This takes about 30 minutes but is sooooo relaxing!! On the way, you will pass the Treehouses (originally designed by Walt, they were closed due to handicap regulations, then used for college interns, now you can stay there through Saratoga Springs Resort).
Browse unique areas of Disney Springs. You can walk around the water’s edge near the Lego store and see the Lego art, visit Rainforest Cafe and TRex (you don’t have to be eating there to visit), and in the summer, you can enjoy the entertainment at the seating area in front of World of Disney. If you want to spend a few dollars here, you could go to Goofy’s Candy Company and custom design your snack. The chocolate dipped Oreo’s are awesome and only a couple dollars. Another option is an ice cream from Girardelli’s (and maybe a free chocolate sample that they are usually giving out).
Buy Souvenir Popcorn Buckets. At any park or at Disney Springs, you can buy a bucket of popcorn for $10. The buckets are usually cute and you can use it as a souvinier and the popcorn is excellent!! I have at least 50 of these, after I cleaned out my stash!
Is someone in your party celebrating something? Get them a pin for the occasion. It’s free at the resort concierge, guest services, or at City Hall at Magic Kingdom. They have them for birthday, wedding, anniversary, and several others. I saw one last week that said “I’m celebrating” and then was blank so anything could be written in. This one was a graduation.
Visit Club Cool in EPCOT. They have free sample Coca Cola products from around the world… be sure you have someone in your family try Beverly but be ready with the camera! (Now that’s priceless!)
Do free activities with kids. There are free craft activities for children (called Kidcot) at most of the countries at EPCOT. You could also do the Agent P missions which are alot of fun for children. There are similar activities in Animal Kingdom.
See the performers at EPCOT. If you’re in EPCOT anyway, check these out–the candy lady in Japan, the children acrobatics at China, the belly-dancer in Morocco, etc.
Participate in resort activities. Several of the resorts have free activities for children. At All Star Music, they have games by the pool and movies at night (most resorts now have movies by the pool). At Fort Wilderness, they have movies and sing along with Chip and Dale. You can also check out the horses.
Don’t miss this list of things to know about meeting characters at Walt Disney World.
Learn more about the Walt Disney World Parks including attractions, secrets, tips and more. Plus my friends at Destinations in Florida can help you plan your perfect Walt Disney World vacation.
This is a guest post written by my friend Chris.
lauren says
I live in Orlando and am a passholder
I adore Disney, and a tip for people with little ones, Downtown Disney has a tiny discount area (discontinued items I believe) and they have mystery grab bags
for food, when you get a burger that is two patttys, you can order an extra bun. at Pinochios, you can order the pizza w/o salad (reduces price) and they do sometimes mess up and give it to you anyway
The The Swiss Family Deathtrap (or Treehouse if you aren’t going up and down in the dark) is a great place to see the fireworks at Magic Kingdom
GO TO PETERPAN AT ROPE DROP!! if you want to ride Peter Pan, rope drop is the only time you can go without a huge line
the ride in the globe at EPCOT now takes your picture, on your way out, make sure you have it emailed to you for FREE
EXPLORE! sometimes there are roundabout ways of getting from a to b, so take the long route and take in the view
Take as many pictures with the photopass as you can and register it online, you can get CD’s of all of the pictures for one price (including ones you put boarders on)
If you can sing, try out for American Idol at Hollywood. you get a pin, a badge, and a number that you take with you! and they take plenty of pictures on a photo pass, which goes back to the above
At check out and at DVC booths, always ask for stickers
Food Quest in Disney Quest has mugs you can refil for just $1
Mary says
concerning the pins.. it was cool.. my daughter and I bouth recieved birthday pins on our arrival and wore them every day.. and at every meal we recieved a free cupcake!! At one quickserve we each got a free desert and even my youngest daughter who was not given a pin was given 2 cakes for her unbirthday!! LOL it was awesome.. a couple of cakes we gave to other kids in line beside us because by the fourth day we were birthdayed out!! LOL.. but it was really awesome the hidden things you find at disney!
Leanne Rader says
Can you tell me what counter service restaurants serve kids meals in lunches boxes, etc? I’ve only ever found a free pail/shovel at the Carribbean Beach food court area. Would love to get some of these other freebies!
Kelley says
These are great tips. But I have another that your readers might enjoy. It’s called the Orlando Magicard. It’s great for those who are not staying on Disney property. It’s free to get the card and with it, you can get discounts on all kind of things like accommodations, attractions, shopping, dining and more. To get one, just go to visitorlando.com and register. I just got my card along with a visitor’s guide and some other pamphlets. It took a couple of weeks to receive it in the mail. It is accepted at some Disney attractions, as well as Universal, Sea World and other fun places to visit.
Kristi says
That’s HILARIOUS about the Beverly drink at the Coca-Cola place in Epcot! I used to work at the Magic Kingdom, and everytime someone came to visit me, we would go to Epcot for that very reason! That stuff is HORRIBLE!!!
Beth says
I purchased a Disney Pin Lot from Ebay (25 pins for $14.00 ie. shipping) and we made our own lanyards. In the car ride down both of my boys will each get half. Luckily, this was a great way to turn off the “Are we there yet” language that seemed to be the only topic of conversation in our car. They spent numerous hours trading and admiring these pins as this was their souviners for our trip. Just $14.00 for two boys and they were thrilled. All Disney parks have employees that you can trade pins with including Downtown Disney.
Theresa says
Great website! My family loves Disneyworld, and we are always on the lookout for free or cheap things to do while we are there.
Megan says
We just back from our trip and this time of year its fun to resort hop to see the Christmas decor, especially at places that have gingerbread creations like the Grand Flordian’s gingerbread house and the Contemporary’s gingerbread tree which are both on the monorail. We love Downtown Disney and if you happen to catch the Festival of Masters weekend, there were lots of sidewalk chalk art to see.
Kelly says
If going to Downtown Disney and must eat. Look into getting a Safari card at Rainforest or T-Rex( same company) if you will eat there more than once it is worth it. I think it costs to get but you get it right back. You get to choose a free appetizer or 10%off I believe and you get preferred seating. We never have to wait when the line is soooooo long!
My kids LOVE the T-Rex cafe. We get a free appetizer with our card. The food portions are HUGE so my husband and I share something and the kids share. Not a very expensive meal afterall!
The also have a small outdoor crushed rock/sand play area for the kids while you wait.
Rachel says
Great ideas!
We just returned from port orleans French quarter a month ago…the boat ride to downtown Disney is just 15 minutes! But there can be a line depending on the time. I loved this!
Angela says
Good pointers…on our first night at Disney, we usually arrive in the afternoon and head to the boardwalk. It is a beautiful area with shopping, food and sights. You can usually find some great deals on Disney Pins from one of the outside vendors also. My son loves when the magician does his show. We always take the friendship boat ride from Hollywood studios and walk across the bridge from the Swan.
Another “hidden” gem is the Trails End Restaurant area. We take the boat ride from the Magic Kingdom (take Hoop de doo boat) and see the beautiful wilderness sights along the way. You get dropped off at the deck. and take the trail up to the restaurant. While waiting, there is a beach area, a large playground, a wrap around porch with rocking chairs and checkers, and if a Hoop de doo show is about to begin, tons of games going on like horsehoes. There is also a trail that wraps around the horse stables that you are welcome to walk. The restaurant is also delicious (country themed- fried chicken, etc.) and reasonably priced, epecially for Disney. It’s a buffet that is under $20 for adults. It’s also rarely crowded which is nice. We always arrive about an hour before our reservations so that we can enjoy all of the extras. The last time, we also took a hay ride ($8 per person) which was a long ride throught the woods. Very relazing…
We also love Downtown Disney, but the Lego area is very crowded. I usually just send my husband and sons in there to enjoy it while I sit outside and enjoy the view of the water. The shows are the best. Free and very entertaining. No where else would you find about 50 families doing the Macarena together. Fun times. Also, if its hot, make sure to pack a suit for kids. The sprinkler area near the toy store is a big hit with the little ones. Its also a good chance for one parent to relax and watch the kids while the other does some shopping in the Christmas shop.
All of Disney is fun, but there are tons of ways to save. There is no way we could go 3-4 times a year if we didn’t have some secrets to saving and having fun for free :)