10 FREE Things to Do at Walt Disney World! #frugallydisney
Nope, you don't need to spend money to have fun at Disney World!
A Walt Disney World vacation is NOT cheap, especially when you're paying for more than one person. So finding ways to save money or have fun on a dime and not a dollar is important! There are actually many things that are "free" at Disney World (like getting ice water at quick service restaurants or playing Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom) but right now I'm focusing on the ones that do not require a park ticket or a hotel reservation. Most of these activities can be enjoyed by kids of all ages (although I do mention two things that are 21+), so read on and let me know if you're going to be adding any of these to your next trip's itinerary!
1. Get a free pretzel at Wetzel's Pretzels in Disney Springs.
My two favorite four-letter words are "free" and "food." Put 'em together and I'm one happy gal! Download the Wetzel's Pretzel's app and join the rewards program and you'll get a free pretzel! I love them all, but my favorite is an original pretzel with jalapeno cheese dip. (You have to pay for the cheese, but it's worth it! But that's obviously not free, so skip the dip if you want to spend $0.) There are actually a few dining establishments in Disney Springs that have rewards programs that you can join for free things (don't forget to to join the Sprinkles rewards program for a free cupcake on your birthday!), but I can't speak to the specifics of all of them as the terms are always changing.
2. Hit the Boardwalk.
If it's Saturday night, there's a good chance you'll find me getting my groove on at Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney's Boardwalk Resort! It's a hidden gem (with NO cover charge!) that plays some of the best music from the 90s and early 2000s and yes they do play the music videos and yes I WILL do the choreography to "Oops! I Did it Again" and yes for some reason we all once did the Cotton-Eyed Joe to "Old Town Road"??? IDK I can't explain. The online reviews are abysmal but I happen to be obsessed with this place, so you can trust me or you can trust some rando on TripAdvisor it's up to you. You'll find it on the end of the Boardwalk closest to the Swan and Dolphin hotels, right next to Jelly Rolls. (Which I've heard is fun, but there's a $15 cover, so I just bebop right on over to the dance hall to grab a Shirley Temple and get down on the dance floor.) The dance hall is open daily from 9PM-2AM and is 21+. If dancing isn't your jam, or you've got people under 21 in your party, the Boardwalk offers so much other entertainment that you're pretty much guaranteed to have a good time.
3. Watch fireworks from a resort.
One of my favorite places to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks isn't actually in Magic Kingdom at all - it's on the beach at the Polynesian Resort. One major benefit of watching the fireworks from here is you don't have to stake out a spot 2 hours in advance, and you won't be stuck shoulder-to-shoulder with a bunch of other people. Grab a dole whip, find an empty chair or swing, and relax as the Happily Ever After music is pumped in and you enjoy a beautiful fireworks show! Before you do, put your name in at Trader Sam's (Disney's not-so-secret secret Tiki bar, 21+ after 8PM) and you'll more than likely be able to get in around the time the fireworks are over. You'll also be able to see the nightly Electric Water Pageant from the beach at the Poly or the Grand Floridian. This would be a super cute (and cheap!) date, just sayin'.
4. Catch a movie under the stars.
One beautiful summer evening I was headed to the Boardwalk to meet up with some friends and boogie the night away at the aforementioned dance hall, when I stumbled upon a blow-up screen playing Star Wars: The Last Jedi. So I grabbed a pretzel, not free but not a necessity, plopped myself down on the grass, and enjoyed a movie while I waited for my posse to show up! (Also a little kid sat down immediately next to me, like so close he was sitting on my skirt, to eat his ice cream and watch the movie and honestly it was so cute my heart exploded and I almost cried.) Weather permitting, most of the on-property resorts offer nightly outdoor movies and entertainment, just check the schedule in the lobby!
5. Watch the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra.
Okay I'm sure this one is not for everyone but I, personally, love the symphony. (Things I have done: cried alone in the balcony while Ben Folds played "Brick" with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Cried when the BSO played the score to Jaws. Cried when I saw Yo-Yo Ma at Tanglewood with the Boston Pops. I cry a lot. Frequent crier miles earner, right here.) I also love the Grand Floridian - it's such a beautifully decorated property. Add the two together and you've got the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra, which plays most days in the afternoon and evening. (Check the Disney World website or app for exact times.)
6. Check out some live music at Disney Springs.
Basically any time of day you can head to Disney Springs and find entertainment. Whether it's an acoustic performance of your favorite 90s soft-rock hits or a high school band playing "How Far I'll Go" (duh I cried), there's always something going on! Evening and nighttime are your best bets for the most performances happening at once. And at Christmastime, you can walk through the Christmas tree trail and see a display of amazingly decorated trees inspired by your favorite Disney classics! Many of the restaurants also have great happy hour specials, which isn't free but is definitely a cheaper way to enjoy what they have to offer.
7. Go on a hidden Mickey scavenger hunt at Wilderness Lodge.
Okay, I hope you fare better than I did, because I could only find ONE and I'm pretty sure this is for kids. I even got a hint from a cast member in Roaring Fork and still couldn't find them! Scavenger hunts are available at the front desk and when you're done you can turn it in for... something. I don't know, because I didn't finish. I need to try again. I DID run into Chip and Dale, though, so. You win some, you lose some. You can check out my YouTube video here.
8. Have a campfire sing-a-long with Chip & Dale.
Head over to the campsites at Disney’s Fort Wildnerness Resort for s’mores and a movie with Chip and Dale! You can bring your own s’mores kit or purchase one, or just hang out and share some laughs with friends. After the singalong, watch a Disney classic under the stars. This also would be a cute and cheap date!
9. Go on a tour of a resort.
Each Walt Disney Resort is uniquely themed and there is SO much to look at! Seriously, there are resorts I go to ALL THE TIME and every time I do I see something new. There are several resorts (including Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge) that offer complimentary guided tours; just check with the concierge for times. This is a great way to see some things you may not notice on your own! After your tour, grab a snack and wander around, or head to the next resort. You could make an entire day out of resort hopping via Disney's transportation system!
10. Take an art class at Disney's Art of Animation resort.
Art classes are offered throughout the day and taught by a Disney Animator and, no, you don't have to be a guest of Art of Animation to enjoy one! Check with the concierge or on the signage in the lobby for times. And when you're done, definitely take some time to walk around and explore the different areas - there are four distinct themes on the resort (The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars) and each one is AMAZING.
Other places to check out:
- The Disney Wilderness Preserve in Kissimmee. This is not part of Disney property, but it's a wonderful nature preserve with walking and "hiking" trails. (I'm putting "hiking" in quotes because it's Florida and is it really hiking if it's totally flat?)
- Celebration, FL - the town that Walt Disney built! Seriously, the history behind Celebration is SO weird, but it's super cute and I love going there.
What'd you think? What'd I miss? Are we going on a date to the Poly? Are we gonna cut a rug at the dance hall? Let me know!
xx Amanda
*The things on this list are free as of date of posting, February 3, 2020.
A Walt Disney World vacation is NOT cheap, especially when you're paying for more than one person. So finding ways to save money or have fun on a dime and not a dollar is important! There are actually many things that are "free" at Disney World (like getting ice water at quick service restaurants or playing Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom) but right now I'm focusing on the ones that do not require a park ticket or a hotel reservation. Most of these activities can be enjoyed by kids of all ages (although I do mention two things that are 21+), so read on and let me know if you're going to be adding any of these to your next trip's itinerary!
1. Get a free pretzel at Wetzel's Pretzels in Disney Springs.
My two favorite four-letter words are "free" and "food." Put 'em together and I'm one happy gal! Download the Wetzel's Pretzel's app and join the rewards program and you'll get a free pretzel! I love them all, but my favorite is an original pretzel with jalapeno cheese dip. (You have to pay for the cheese, but it's worth it! But that's obviously not free, so skip the dip if you want to spend $0.) There are actually a few dining establishments in Disney Springs that have rewards programs that you can join for free things (don't forget to to join the Sprinkles rewards program for a free cupcake on your birthday!), but I can't speak to the specifics of all of them as the terms are always changing.
2. Hit the Boardwalk.
If it's Saturday night, there's a good chance you'll find me getting my groove on at Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney's Boardwalk Resort! It's a hidden gem (with NO cover charge!) that plays some of the best music from the 90s and early 2000s and yes they do play the music videos and yes I WILL do the choreography to "Oops! I Did it Again" and yes for some reason we all once did the Cotton-Eyed Joe to "Old Town Road"??? IDK I can't explain. The online reviews are abysmal but I happen to be obsessed with this place, so you can trust me or you can trust some rando on TripAdvisor it's up to you. You'll find it on the end of the Boardwalk closest to the Swan and Dolphin hotels, right next to Jelly Rolls. (Which I've heard is fun, but there's a $15 cover, so I just bebop right on over to the dance hall to grab a Shirley Temple and get down on the dance floor.) The dance hall is open daily from 9PM-2AM and is 21+. If dancing isn't your jam, or you've got people under 21 in your party, the Boardwalk offers so much other entertainment that you're pretty much guaranteed to have a good time.
3. Watch fireworks from a resort.
One of my favorite places to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks isn't actually in Magic Kingdom at all - it's on the beach at the Polynesian Resort. One major benefit of watching the fireworks from here is you don't have to stake out a spot 2 hours in advance, and you won't be stuck shoulder-to-shoulder with a bunch of other people. Grab a dole whip, find an empty chair or swing, and relax as the Happily Ever After music is pumped in and you enjoy a beautiful fireworks show! Before you do, put your name in at Trader Sam's (Disney's not-so-secret secret Tiki bar, 21+ after 8PM) and you'll more than likely be able to get in around the time the fireworks are over. You'll also be able to see the nightly Electric Water Pageant from the beach at the Poly or the Grand Floridian. This would be a super cute (and cheap!) date, just sayin'.
4. Catch a movie under the stars.
One beautiful summer evening I was headed to the Boardwalk to meet up with some friends and boogie the night away at the aforementioned dance hall, when I stumbled upon a blow-up screen playing Star Wars: The Last Jedi. So I grabbed a pretzel, not free but not a necessity, plopped myself down on the grass, and enjoyed a movie while I waited for my posse to show up! (Also a little kid sat down immediately next to me, like so close he was sitting on my skirt, to eat his ice cream and watch the movie and honestly it was so cute my heart exploded and I almost cried.) Weather permitting, most of the on-property resorts offer nightly outdoor movies and entertainment, just check the schedule in the lobby!
5. Watch the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra.
Okay I'm sure this one is not for everyone but I, personally, love the symphony. (Things I have done: cried alone in the balcony while Ben Folds played "Brick" with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Cried when the BSO played the score to Jaws. Cried when I saw Yo-Yo Ma at Tanglewood with the Boston Pops. I cry a lot. Frequent crier miles earner, right here.) I also love the Grand Floridian - it's such a beautifully decorated property. Add the two together and you've got the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra, which plays most days in the afternoon and evening. (Check the Disney World website or app for exact times.)
6. Check out some live music at Disney Springs.
Basically any time of day you can head to Disney Springs and find entertainment. Whether it's an acoustic performance of your favorite 90s soft-rock hits or a high school band playing "How Far I'll Go" (duh I cried), there's always something going on! Evening and nighttime are your best bets for the most performances happening at once. And at Christmastime, you can walk through the Christmas tree trail and see a display of amazingly decorated trees inspired by your favorite Disney classics! Many of the restaurants also have great happy hour specials, which isn't free but is definitely a cheaper way to enjoy what they have to offer.
7. Go on a hidden Mickey scavenger hunt at Wilderness Lodge.
Okay, I hope you fare better than I did, because I could only find ONE and I'm pretty sure this is for kids. I even got a hint from a cast member in Roaring Fork and still couldn't find them! Scavenger hunts are available at the front desk and when you're done you can turn it in for... something. I don't know, because I didn't finish. I need to try again. I DID run into Chip and Dale, though, so. You win some, you lose some. You can check out my YouTube video here.
8. Have a campfire sing-a-long with Chip & Dale.
Head over to the campsites at Disney’s Fort Wildnerness Resort for s’mores and a movie with Chip and Dale! You can bring your own s’mores kit or purchase one, or just hang out and share some laughs with friends. After the singalong, watch a Disney classic under the stars. This also would be a cute and cheap date!
9. Go on a tour of a resort.
Each Walt Disney Resort is uniquely themed and there is SO much to look at! Seriously, there are resorts I go to ALL THE TIME and every time I do I see something new. There are several resorts (including Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge) that offer complimentary guided tours; just check with the concierge for times. This is a great way to see some things you may not notice on your own! After your tour, grab a snack and wander around, or head to the next resort. You could make an entire day out of resort hopping via Disney's transportation system!
10. Take an art class at Disney's Art of Animation resort.
Art classes are offered throughout the day and taught by a Disney Animator and, no, you don't have to be a guest of Art of Animation to enjoy one! Check with the concierge or on the signage in the lobby for times. And when you're done, definitely take some time to walk around and explore the different areas - there are four distinct themes on the resort (The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars) and each one is AMAZING.
Other places to check out:
- The Disney Wilderness Preserve in Kissimmee. This is not part of Disney property, but it's a wonderful nature preserve with walking and "hiking" trails. (I'm putting "hiking" in quotes because it's Florida and is it really hiking if it's totally flat?)
- Celebration, FL - the town that Walt Disney built! Seriously, the history behind Celebration is SO weird, but it's super cute and I love going there.
What'd you think? What'd I miss? Are we going on a date to the Poly? Are we gonna cut a rug at the dance hall? Let me know!
xx Amanda
*The things on this list are free as of date of posting, February 3, 2020.