Disney World is a magical place for kids of all ages, but it can also be expensive! For the most all-out Disney experience, check out our Disney VIP tours review. However, if a VIP tour isn’t in the cards, Disney offers many free activities that families can enjoy during their visit. I’m sharing some of our favorite free things to do around the theme parks at Walt Disney World. Some of these things may not seem like “activities” at first glance, but they will still give you plenty to create unique experiences with your kids at Disney World without spending a dime!
Free things to do at Disney World
These ideas are great for not only saving money, some of them are outside the Disney parks, making them a great break from long park days.
Disney World Monorail
“Please stand clear of the doors. Por favor manténgase alejado de las puertas.” It’s a phrase Disney fans never get tired of hearing. This is a free adventure that can be fun no matter what age group you’re traveling with.
Younger kids will enjoy visiting the shops and getting a treat at each hotel while teens will enjoy doing a scavenger hunt filled with hilarious tasks.
Drinking around the world is a popular Disney activity for adults while visiting the resorts.
How to get to the monorail
No matter where you’re staying (on or off Disney property), it’s easy to ride the monorail. Hop on at the Ticket and Transportation Center if you have a car, or catch a bus to Magic Kingdom then catch the monorail.
Kidcot at Epcot’s World Showcase
This fun activity is included in your Epcot park ticket and a fun way to make sure you hit each country in the World Showcase. Each pavilion has a station set up with a cast member where you can collect information cards that tell you about each country. Little kids will enjoy coloring the cards, and older teens (and adults!) will love collecting the cards.
It used to be that the countries had Mickey’s teddy bear, Duffy, on a stick that kids would color and add tags to. This updated version is sponsored by Ziploc and has super cute printed bags that look like suitcases. It’s much more appropriate for fans of all ages now.
Tip: In countries that speak a language other than English it’s fun to ask the cast member to write your name in their native tongue. And don’t be afraid to engage them in conversations about their country. What a great way to learn something cool from someone who experienced it firsthand!
Finding Pascal
Chances are you know about the Rapunzel bathrooms in the Magic Kingdom but did you know that there are hidden Pascals in the rest area? Disney fans and parents are always looking for a new fun challenge to try and this is a little known activity that you’ll love.
It’s one of the Disney World secrets that has been hiding in plain sight. While you’re in the Magic Kingdom, visit the Rapunzel area between the Haunted Mansion and It’s a Small World for this free activity.
Rapunzel’s colorful sidekick is hidden throughout the area. Search the buildings, water, and even the trees in the area to find all of the tricky chameleon’s hiding spots. So far we’ve found ten Pascals hiding, but if you can’t find them all don’t feel bad, even the cast members aren’t sure how many there are.
If you get stuck, make sure and ask a cast member for tips or clues to point you in the right direction. One of the best things about this area and activity is that there are charging stations to charge your phone, tables to eat at, a restroom nearby and it’s all in the shade. It’s the best place to rest at Disney parks!
Tip: If older kids and adults are riding attractions the little kids can’t go on, this is a great place to park the stroller and hang out while you wait!
Movies under the stars
The Disney resorts are a great place to spend time and most have free activities. There is often music and cast members entertaining guests at the pool in the afternoons. Several resorts also have nightly campfires every evening with free marshmallows you can roast. They also sell smores kits for a minimal charge if you prefer to add melted chocolate and graham crackers to your marshmallows.
But the best free activity at select Disney hotels is the outdoor movies under the stars. Each night cast members set up a large screen for Disney movies that you can watch on the lawn of the resort. Which move is playing each night varies by location, so ask at the front desk of the resort to get the most up to date information.
Here are the resorts that have campfires & movies:
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – Boulder Ridge Villas & Copper Creek Villas & Cabins
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge & Villas – Jambo House & Kidani Village
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort & Villas
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – Villas & Bungalows
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter & Riverside
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Spa
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – the Cabins & Campsites
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
These activities aren’t limited to hotel guests, so it’s a great opportunity to tour different Disney resort hotels or have fun after a dining reservation.
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Explore the free activities at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The animals are always out and ready to entertain. With all the observation areas, you are sure to spot animals that you wouldn’t see on other Disney World property.
Ask the concierge for an “Animal Viewing Guide.” This guide tells you all about the animals. Then head out the back doors of the lobby to see the animals including giraffes, zebras and flamingos.
There are free daily activities inside of both the Jambo House and Kidani Village including African drumming lessons, crafts with an artisan, storytelling, and animal demonstrations by Disney cast members throughout the day. Ask the front desk for information on these free activities.
Tip: If your kids don’t want to take part they can just sit while watching from afar and still have fun! This is a great place to spend time without feeling obligated to do anything.
Visit Disney Springs
Disney Springs is packed with things to do for all ages of Disney fans. With so much going on it’s hard not to find something fun in this shopping destination which has grown since its introduction 20 years ago.
From live entertainment, to playing at the Lego store there are countless things families can do for free or very little money out of pocket. Here are a few of our favorite stuff to do with kids, teens, and tweens:
Boat ride
Take a ride on the ferry boats that go from Disney Springs to the nearby resorts. You can get off a few to walk around or even grab a beignet (Port Orleans French Quarter) or stay on the ferry for a relaxing boat ride that loops back to Disney Springs.
Live entertainment
Listen to live music on the stage by the Boathouse. It’s a great time for the whole family. Younger kids will be able to dance and get their wiggles out while older teens enjoy a treat from the gelato shop. Mom and Dad will enjoy being able to grab whatever is on tap at Jock Lindsey’s bar or Wine Bar George.
Water play
There’s also a water feature that’s a great Disney activity for toddlers. Younger kids will enjoy playing in the fountain near the Christmas shop (past Goofy’s Sweet Shop) while tired adults enjoy a minute to rest.
Photo opps
There are different Instagram-worthy photo opportunities that tweens and teens will totally love for their feeds. Check out one or all of these fun and colorful wall murals or unique locations.
- Orange Bird Wall- Celebrate everyone’s favorite bird with a photo in front of the mural painted by Chris Weck in 2019. It’s located around the corner from Erin McKenna’s bakery in the Landing section of Disney Springs.
- Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew- Take a selfie in front of the donut shop’s iconic rainbow storefront. This sweets shop is known for its over-the-top confections if you need a sugar rush. Inside the shop you’ll find a brightly colored donut mural that’s perfect for posing with your donut order.
- The Boathouse is a great place to get a photo with not only the water behind you, but their famous amphicars.
- Visit the Lego store for several unique photo opps with their Disney character building block creations. There are some outside the shop, as well as a few inside the store.
- Outside of World of Disney, there’s a fence to the right of the building that was painted with super cute Mickey Mouse hands making a heart that makes a great IG pic. And while you’re by the World of Disney, this huge store has seasonal displays that are always fun for a post-worthy photo.
The Boardwalk Area at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
The Boardwalk Resort area offers plenty of inexpensive or free opportunities that will keep the family entertained such as watching musical performances by live entertainers, window shopping along Crescent Lake resorts, or enjoying the rocking chairs on the covered porch overlooking the lake. There are also outdoor games set up and an arcade for kids of all ages to play.
You may even enjoy renting a traditional or surrey-style bike to ride around the Boardwalk. Again, they aren’t free but in comparison to park tickets or a big table service meal, renting a bike and grabbing a slice at the Boardwalk Pizza Window is a great way to go!
Ride the Skyliner
The Disney Skyliner is a gondola-style transportation system and offers amazing views, some great photo ops, as well as an opportunity to ride from Disney’s Hollywood Studios to Epcot’s International Gateway at the World Showcase (or vice versa) for free!
Disney’s favorite characters like Mickey & Minnie, The Haunted Mansion, Monsters, Inc., and Pirates of the Caribbean decorate the Disney Skyliner cabins.
The Disney Skyliners take guests between two Disney parks, and four Disney resorts in just minutes – no need for buses or shuttles! The free transportation that can be enjoyed by all ages with no height requirement so don’t worry about being able to enjoy this new system of travel.
It also is completely handicap-accessible so everyone in your family or travel party can enjoy the views from above. The stops the Skyliner makes are:
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Epcot’s International Gateway
Disney fireworks
There’s no better way to end a day at Walt Disney World than with a magical fireworks show. Luckily, you don’t need to have a theme park ticket or spend any money to enjoy them.
Magic Kingdom show
Some nightly fireworks displays, like the show at Magic Kingdom and Epcot, are easily viewed from outside the parks. Magic Kingdom fireworks can be seen for free from any of the Magic Kingdom area resorts on the monorail loop.
Our favorite spot is from the beach or Trader Sam’s Terrace at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. You can enjoy the display from the beach where the Polynesian even pipes in the music, making it feel like you’re almost in the middle of the park, but with less people crowding you. If your stomach and wallet feel like indulging in an inexpensive treat, grab a Dole Whip from Pineapple Lanai to enjoy during the show.
If you’re a Disney Vacation Club member, enjoying the show from the Top of the World Lounge at Bay Lake Tower is a great view. Spots are limited so make sure and check in in the lobby to be able to get a seat.
Watching the fireworks from the Grand Floridian beach is also a great spot to be a part of the action without the price tag that comes with park tickets.
Epcot show
To see the Epcot fireworks, there’s nothing like watching from the Beach Club Resort with something from Beaches & Cream. I recommend The Kitchen Sink with a spoon for each person in your family. It’s a fun experience you won’t soon forget!
I hope you enjoyed learning about the many Disney World activities that don’t cost anything at all or are inexpensive. With choices that include some amazing views, live entertainment, fireworks shows, and rides on Disney’s different transportation, Disney World is the perfect place for families to enjoy together.
What’s your favorite free thing to do at Disney World? If you have another idea, let us know and we’ll add it to the list! And don’t forget to save this post for when you’re in Orlando or planning your trip.
