The Best Free Finds At Walt Disney World

Ever heard nothing is free with the Mouse? I have heard it many times before and I find that it’s just not true. There are many fantastic things that the Walt Disney World theme parks offer with no additional cost. I find there are some great hidden gems at each of the parks that you can do or get for free (most with theme park admission that is)! In order to help you, I am going to share my secrets of the best free finds at Walt Disney World.

Free Soda at Club Cool

Free Coke! Club Cool is located at the front of Epcot and allows you to taste Coke products that are popular all over the world. There are eight flavors in total, they remain pretty constant but from time to time they have swapped out the flavors in favor of new ones.

Free Disney Celebration Buttons

Disney loves to acknowledge when you and your family are choosing to celebrate a special occasion in your life with them. To let them know you’re celebrating you can pick up your free button when visiting a Disney Park. Disney has a button designed for birthdays, an I’m Celebrating… (you fill in the blank), 1st visit and a happily ever after button (weddings, engagement, anniversary). In order to acquire a button, simply ask any cast member or visit Guest Relations at the front of any of the Disney Theme Parks.

Free Disney Photopass

Disney supplies you with your very own personal photographer! Okay… not really, but they do have photographers scattered throughout each park ready to take your photo. The intention is that you will purchase the official Disney photos but any of the photographers will also take a picture with your personal camera in addition to the official Disney shot. So don’t miss a single magical Disney moment and use those Photopass photographers to your advantage.

Free Park Maps & Stickers

This one may seem like a given but park maps are perfect souvenirs and great for scrapbooking! The covers of the maps change as different promotions in the park happen so be sure to grab one for each visit you make to a park. Stickers are with cast members throughout each park, often at character meet and greets.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Free Game

This is an interactive card game that is played throughout the Magic Kingdom. Collect cards and use them to cast spells against various Disney Villains who are trying to take over the Magic Kingdom. If you want to join in the fun your first stop should be the Firehouse located in the front of Main Street U.S.A. there you will start your game. At the Firehouse you will get the map, your Sorcerers Key Card that will track your game progress and a free pack of playing cards. On each return back to the park you can get a free, new pack of cards.

World Showcase Crafts

Kidcot Fun Spots are a great way to get kids interested in learning about other countries around the world. Kidcot Fun Spots can be found at every country throughout Epcot’s World Showcase. At each stop, you and your children will have a chance to customize your souvenir (currently a Duffy the Disney Bear). In addition to coloring and drawing, each country has its own stamp to collect. The cast member at each location can leave you a special message in their language! Is it bad I still have mine saved from when I was a kid?

Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop

You can smell the delicious chocolate of Ghirardelli Chocolate at least two stores away at Disney Springs. It’s always so tempting and leaves you craving more chocolate. The good news is they hand out free samples of chocolate for every visitor that comes into their store.

Free Disney Art Classes

Who doesn’t want free drawing lesson from a real Disney Animator!?! I know I do! Teach to Draw Classes are held everyday at the Art of Animation Resort at 11 am, 2 pm and 5 pm. You can find the drawing area in the main lobby right across from check in. Once you are done with your creative masterpiece you get to take it home with you and they make a wonderful souvenir. I also admit to having stacks of these from when they had a similar class over at Hollywood Studios.

Campfire Sing A-Long with Chip and Dale for Free

How does a night spent under the stars, singing Disney songs with Chip & Dale sound? Well you can join in on the fun with Chip and Dale for free! Roast some marshmallows (s’mores pack sold separately or you can bring your own) and sing along, plus you can even get some pictures snapped and autograph books signed. In order to join in on the fun all you need to do is visit the campsite located at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.

Free Concerts at Disney World

Disney holds free concerts throughout the year at the America Gardens Theatre located outside the American Pavilion in Epcot. The musician line up changes every year with each celebration. There is the Eat to the Beat Concert Series that ties into Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival. Eat to the Beat happens in the Fall and has featured artists such as Hanson, Starship and Sugar Ray. During the Spring you can see the Garden Rocks Concert Series that ties into the Flower and Garden Festival.

Package Pickup/Hold

Isn’t it always so convenient when you bring someone along on your shopping trip so they can hold your bags for you? Well guess what, Disney will do that for free! If you purchase something at Disney World they will hold your items for you at the front of the park until you are ready to leave for the day at no additional charge. Staying on Disney property? Well if you are at a Disney Resort they will bring the items to your hotel room free of charge. In order to take advantage of this free service all you have to do is ask the cashier when checking out.

Wake up Call

Mornings are truly the worst in my opinion but it’s hard to be mad at your alarm clock when it’s Mickey Mouse (or another friend of his). If you are a resort guest you can get a magical wake-up call by calling the front desk of your hotel or by pressing the wake-up call button on your in-room phone!

Become a Wilderness Explorer for Free

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom you can follow in the footsteps of Russell, from UP! and become an official Wilderness Explorer. First, you must complete training by visiting various challenges placed throughout the park. You can collect over 30 different badges by going to all the challenge locations and you can keep your souvenir map!

---

What are some of your favorite freebies you have found at the Disney Parks? If you are looking for ideas of things to do without a ticket we have a whole guide for that too!