Free Things to Do at Walt Disney World

Sure you’ve heard there are a ton of free things to do at Walt Disney World. But are there really? If you’ve ever been to Disney, chances are you saw no free things and the best you can remember is just spending loads of money. We’re here to tell you that yes, there are in fact “FREE THINGS TO DO” at Walt Disney World. This is especially good news if you’ve just spent your hard-earned cash on this once-in-a-lifetime trip to the most magical place on earth. 

Ok, so chances are you’ll want to make sure you do all the things you already paid for on your Disney Vacation. Things like riding rides, sleeping in that expensive Disney resort bed, and using the Disney Dining Plan, if you got it. But at some point, you’re going to want to change things up a bit… and hopefully, you can do that for FREE! You can find Free things at Disney World both inside and outside of the parks. Here are our favorite free things to do at Walt Disney World.

Play the Free Disney Games

Walt Disney World is filled with little games throughout the parks and resorts that can help adda  bit more fun to your trip. Finding Hidden Mickey’s can be played anywhere, as they cover the property, from the resorts, to parks, to Disney Springs. But there are park specific games too, that you may want to make time for. In Magic Kingdom, you can search for Hidden Pascals in the Tangled area and in EPCOT you can grab free passports and stickers at Kidcot. Check out all the fun free Disney Games you can play while on a Walt Disney World Vacation.

• • • Hidden Pascals in Magic Kingdom
    • Hidden Mickeys Everywhere
    • Wilderness Explorers in Animal Kingdom
    • A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasure of the Seven Seas at Magic Kingdom
    • Ducktales World Showcase Adventure at Epcot
    • The Mirror de los Muertos in Epcot Mexico
    • Star Wars Data App in Galaxy’s Edge
    • KidCot Fun Stops in Epcot
    • Smellephants on Parade in Magic Kingdom, Storybook Circus area

Stop at Coca Cola’s Club Cool at EPCOT Park

Take a break and head to Club Cool for some drink sampling! Showcasing popular sodas from other cultures, see which ones you like best! Tasting is FREE, and you can try as many as you like. Grab a cup and try a sip. Club Cool also has tons of Coca-Cola merch for sale if you’re a fan. Located right next to the new Creations shop at EPCOT Park, be sure to stop in.

Visit Disney’s Wilderness Lodge ( or Any Disney Resort)

All Disney Resorts are FREE to visit. And Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is a favorite! The cool air conditioning on a hot day, the throwback cabin-in-the-woods decor, and those S’more coffees you can grab at Roaring Fork’s Cafe. If you’re looking for a dose of wilderness, you don’t have to look any further. Hang out to see the Old Faithful geyser; it erupts every hour on the hour. You can also visit a mini-museum located at the Disney Vacation Villas on this property, which showcases Walt Disney’s train collection. Or if you’re in the mood for cozy, head over to the Wilderness Lodge lobby, complete with rocking chairs, and a fireplace, or stroll through the gift shop. 

While we could find amazing things at every resort to add to the Free list, Wilderness Lodge definitely gives us the most bang for our buck. It’s one of our favorite places to Disney Resort Hop during the day. And if you have the time head to Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds to play at the playground, walk the trails and browse the gift shop.  

Walk the Trails at Disney

Walt Disney World has walking paths everywhere. We mostly like the paths that are lazy but still make us feel like we’re going somewhere. Here are the paths we like best. 

Hollywood Studios to Epcot

This path from Hollywood Studios to Epcot connects the two Disney Parks but also brings you right through the Boardwalk Area of Disney. Allowing for a riverside stroll past the Swan and Dolphin Hotels, through 1920s Atlantic City themed boardwalk, and up to Epcot’s International Gateway. 

Monorail Resorts Path  at Magic Kingdom

Connecting the two resorts with several little beaches, the path from the Polynesian to the Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom means you can avoid the monorail! We love grabbing a coffee at Gasparilla Grill and taking a stroll over to The Polynesian. Perfect for some window shopping, toes in the sand, and a dole whip after lunch. Both resorts offer great views of the Electrical Water Pageant on the lagoon. So if you time your walk in the evening, you’ll be able to see the parade from the path. 

Take a Free Tour

Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts offer free garden tours. But you can grab a tour at any resort to get some inside knowledge on the history and extra tips. Some tours require a reservation or run on a schedule, but they remain free, and it’s a great way to scope out your next potential vacation location! Just check with the resort desk when you visit. 

Visit the Walt Disney World Boardwalk

The Disney Boardwalk is home to the Disney Boardwalk Resorts, restaurants, and shops. It is also one of our favorite places to escape the crowds. The Boardwalk most comes to life in the evenings; complete with magicians, jugglers, and all sorts of boardwalk entertainment you can watch for free while taking in the atmosphere. We also love the beaches and free movies on the lawn over at Disney’s Beach Club. And if you stay after dark, you can see the Hollywood Studios fireworks from the beach without stepping foot in the park. Check out all our favorite things to do on The Boardwalk.

Window Shop at Disney Springs

If hopping over to Disney Springs by car, parking is FREE, generally because it’s just a big shopping center. But you can also visit Disney Springs for free by ferry boat from the Port Orleans Resorts. You can check out all the shops and restaurants on the site here. Once there, you can window shop, play with Legos for free at the Lego Store, grab a free chocolate sample from Ghirardelli, and enjoy live music on most evenings. If you’re visiting during late November or December, walk through the Christmas Tree Stroll for free to get ideas for your own Disney-inspired trees.

Watch a Parade, Fireworks or Show

Surely you have to be inside the parks to take advantage of these things, right? Not really. The Electrical Water Pageant takes place on the Seven Seas Lagoon, and we think it’s best viewed from the beach at Disney’s Polynesian Resort – no resort reservation required. Fireworks can be seen from many places throughout the Disney parks, but a great view can be had from the Monorail’s Ticket and Transportation Center, or from Disney’s Contemporary Resort fourth-floor public balcony. If in the parks be sure to take advantage of these experiences.

See a Free Concert

Head to Port Orleans and stroll the Sassagoula River. Free concerts at Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter are given every Friday and Saturday night to the tune of classic jazz music with New Orleans stylings. Plus you can see live music at the Scat Cats Club Lounge at Disney’s French Quarter Resort too. And if you’re at either resort, you can hop on the ferry over to Disney Springs to make a night of it, all for free. You can also grab free concerts over at the American Gardens Theater in Epcot. Performers fill the stage nightly at many of Epcot’s festivals and throughout the summer too.

Take a Drawing Class

Want to get the drawing skills of a master? Head to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort for a free drawing class anytime from 9 am-4 pm. Classes happen every 30 minutes. These classes are given by the artists on the property, and teach you a thing or two about animation. Just check with the front desk for daily times and a meeting place. Afterward, stroll the grounds at Art of Animation and Pop Century Resort. These perfectly themed resorts are known for their amazing photo opportunities.

Watch a Movie at any Resort

If you’re staying at any Disney resort, you can grab s’mores at many of the resorts and watch a movie on the lawn afterward. Every resort offers Movies Under the Stars in the evening typically starting around 7:30, but take a look at the Resort Recreation Calendar, usually posted in the lobby for movies and time. While the s’mores aren’t free, the ambience and movie is. At Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can roast your s’more over the fire and watch the animals roam the Savannah. In fact, there are tons of things to do at Animal Kingdom Lodge  for free. Just check out the Animal Kingdom Lodge recreation calendar.

Ride the Skyliner or Monorail

You can Resort Hop at Disney World via some good old Disney Transportation and take in the sights. Especially if you’re looking to get out of the heat and away from the crowds. You can jump on the monorail and visit each of the monorail resorts. Or try out the Skyliner to visit the Disney Skyliner Resorts. Be sure to check out the pools, the balconies, the gift shops, and the restaurants. We love Caribbean Beach Resort for some free island time and Sebastian’s Bistro for a budget friendly dinner. 

Take a Boat Ride

If you’re landlocked and don’t get to experience the joys of boating, grab a ride on the ferries to and from Port Orleans to Disney Springs. Disney offers loads of free boat transportation and you don’t have to visit the parks, or pay for the ride to enjoy them! You can catch ferries on the Disney Boardwalk, just outside of EPCOT Park. At the boat launches at Magic Kingdom to 5 different resorts, and just outside Hollywood Studios for a trip to the Swan and Dolphin Hotel area. 

All the Free Things To Do at Disney World

If you’re trying to make the most of your Walt Disney World vacation, be sure to check out these free, fun ideas next time you visit. You’ll get the opportunity to see more, do more, and learn more without going over budget. What are your favorite free things to do at Disney? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list!

Rochelle Mariah

Co-Founder and Director at Polka Dot Pixie Co LLC | Website

Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.

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