10 Free/Cheap Things To Do On Your Walt Disney World Vacation
Number one on my list of free things to do has to be Disney Springs since it is most widely known. Disney Springs, or Downtown Disney as it used to be called, is a shopping, dining and entertainment area for people of all ages to enjoy. It recently underwent a MAJOR renovation, doubling in size in June of 2016 when they changed the name and added even more shopping and dining. While obviously there are many things you can spend your money on, you can also enjoy your time without ever spending a dime. You can window shop at the 108 stores including Vera Bradley, Columbia, the Coca-Cola store, Harley Davidson, Sephora and multiple Disney themed shops. If you think you will be too tempted to spend your money while window shopping, try catching one of the numerous entertainment shows that are completely free. From local bands and artists that put on nightly performances anywhere from a rolling piano that roams around with a lady who sings and plays, a group of boys who freestyle rap with lots of audience participation to the waterside stage that hosts bands playing covers of today's hits, Disney Springs has it all. At night, it turns into a hot spot for guest over 21 to have fun and relax with a couple drinks at the multitude of restaurants and bars that are themed like the 1920s, an old airport terminal, an Irish bar with dancing ladies, the Rainforest Cafe and so many more. Furthermore, during the holidays there are even displays set up to celebrate in Disney style including a Christmas tree trail and a visit with Santa Claus.
Left to Right: Christmas tree trail and a man who dresses up in head to toe gold and poses year round.
2. Go Resort Hopping
Before I received my pass to get into the parks, I spent a lot of time resort hopping. Even now I spend time visiting them when I have guest in town just to show them the hidden treasures Disney has to offer. There are over 25 Disney resorts and counting offering a theme for every traveler. Want to feel like you are in the Caribbean? Check out the Caribbean Beach Resort. Want to have a fiesta after a day in the parks? Visit Coronado Springs Resort. Want to take things slow and get close to nature? Head over Fort Wilderness Lodge or even their campground right next door. The list goes on and on and prices range from value to very expensive to stay in but completely free to visit! Some of my favorite include Disney's Boardwalk Resort (See #6), Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter Resorts (try the beignets!) and The Grand Floridian (you may just spot Cinderella and her Prince hanging around). Even during the holidays the resorts go all out with appropriate decorations such as a house made entirely out of gingerbread that cast members sell treats out of at The Grand Floridian, Disney decorated giant eggs set out for Easter and much more!
Top: The Grand Floridian at Christmas, Disney's Beach Club Resort at Christmas
Bottom: The Grand Floridian Marry Poppins water fountain
Bottom: The Grand Floridian Marry Poppins water fountain
3. Take A Boat Ride
Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs all offer a complimentary boat service to and from the surrounding resorts. While it is meant to transport guests to their destination, it also doubles as a fun way to see more of the Disney property. If you take the boat from Disney Springs to Port Orleans Riverside, a journey that takes about 15 to 20 minutes, you will pass Saratoga Springs Resort, one of Disney's golf courses on property, the Treehouse Villas and Port Orleans French Quarter. If you take the boat from the Contemporary to Magic Kingdom, you can see the Polynesian, the Grand Floridian, Magic Kingdom and you can even pass over a water bridge. Essentially instead of the road going over water, the water is above the road in a canal and the Contemporary boat floats right through it. To gain access to the boats, simply park at one of the resorts that offer the boat rides and find the dock. If you are riding the boats by Disney Springs, it is easiest to park at Disney Springs and walk to their docks.
Left: My family and I on a boat ride before dinner at Fort Wilderness Lodge
Right: The view of the Contemporary from the boat
4. Take A Monorail Ride
Referred to as "the highway in the sky", the Walt Disney World property has a monorail system that connects three of Disney's grandest resorts surrounding the Magic Kingdom. It shuttles guests to and from those resorts, Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). Since guests have to park at the TTC to enter Magic Kingdom, they have two options: the ferry boat or the monorail to get to the entrance of the park. While I advise you not to take a leisurely ride at peak operating hours (park open and right after Happily Ever After firework show), riding the monorail around the resorts offers you fantastic views of the Grand Floridian, the Polynesian, the Contemporary resort and the lake that is situated right in the middle of it all. The monorail even passes right through the Contemporary resort! You can get off at each stop and explore the resorts if you would like (HIGHLY recommended) or just ride around and take in the views. Likewise, at the TTC there is a monorail that takes you from the Magic Kingdom to EPCOT. This ride is a slightly longer, nonstop one but offers views of the Disney property and if ridden all the way around, gives you a brief glimpse of the inside of EPCOT. If timed right, this is a great way to peek at the Flower and Garden Festival that EPCOT holds every year in the spring.
5. Watch A Movie Under The Stars
This is probably my favorite thing to do for free at Disney. Every night at the Disney resorts, a Disney film is played on a giant blow up screen under the stars, weather permitting. They are often accompanied by s'mores or a free bag of popcorn they give out to the guest before watching the movies. They can range from old classics to the newest movies just released such as Moana and Thor Ragnarok. Each resort sets their movie up in a different location and you may have to call ahead to see what movie is playing and at what time but I have caught movies at Disney's Boardwalk, Port Orleans French Quarter, the Polynesian and Disney's campground. I recommend bringing a blanket to either sit on or wrap up in if it gets chilly.
This is probably my favorite thing to do for free at Disney. Every night at the Disney resorts, a Disney film is played on a giant blow up screen under the stars, weather permitting. They are often accompanied by s'mores or a free bag of popcorn they give out to the guest before watching the movies. They can range from old classics to the newest movies just released such as Moana and Thor Ragnarok. Each resort sets their movie up in a different location and you may have to call ahead to see what movie is playing and at what time but I have caught movies at Disney's Boardwalk, Port Orleans French Quarter, the Polynesian and Disney's campground. I recommend bringing a blanket to either sit on or wrap up in if it gets chilly.
Watching Lady and the Tramp at Disney's Boardwalk Resort
6. Visit Disney's Boardwalk
Disney's Boardwalk Resort is one of the 25 resorts on property and is themed as turn-of-the-century in Atlantic City. The resort offers beautiful waterside views of the Yacht and Beach Club across the lake and picturesque views of the nightly sunsets. You can stroll along the boardwalk and play carnival styled games, watch street performers or purchase something from the concession stands selling anything from funnel cakes to margaritas. They also have full service restaurants and bars to check out such as the ESPN restaurant, Trattoria al Forna, Flying Fish or AbracadaBar. If you do not want to spend the money for dinner, they are still cool to pop in and check out the decor. If you are looking for night life check out Jellyrolls, the dueling piano bar set at the end of the boardwalk to your left. The Ample Hills creamery and the pizza window are my two go to spots to get a quick snack when I visit.
Disney's Boardwalk Resort is one of the 25 resorts on property and is themed as turn-of-the-century in Atlantic City. The resort offers beautiful waterside views of the Yacht and Beach Club across the lake and picturesque views of the nightly sunsets. You can stroll along the boardwalk and play carnival styled games, watch street performers or purchase something from the concession stands selling anything from funnel cakes to margaritas. They also have full service restaurants and bars to check out such as the ESPN restaurant, Trattoria al Forna, Flying Fish or AbracadaBar. If you do not want to spend the money for dinner, they are still cool to pop in and check out the decor. If you are looking for night life check out Jellyrolls, the dueling piano bar set at the end of the boardwalk to your left. The Ample Hills creamery and the pizza window are my two go to spots to get a quick snack when I visit.
Left: Me at Ample Hills Creamery with my cookie ice cream sandwich
Right: the sun setting over the Dolphin, Beach and Yacht club resorts taken from the Boardwalk
7. Watch Fireworks On The Beach
Every time my mom comes to visit we try to watch the fireworks from Magic Kingdom on the beach at the Polynesian Resort. The Polynesian is a pacific islander styled resort that offers a famous treat known to many Disney lovers as Dole Whip. While the Dole Whip costs, watching the fireworks that come from the park located directly across the lake is free! Make sure to look up the time of Happily Ever After Firework Show for the night you are going and plan to arrive to the Polynesian at least a half an hour early. When you get to the resort, walk passed the pool and straight onto the beach that surrounds the lake. Sit back on the beach and enjoy the views as the sky comes alive.
Every time my mom comes to visit we try to watch the fireworks from Magic Kingdom on the beach at the Polynesian Resort. The Polynesian is a pacific islander styled resort that offers a famous treat known to many Disney lovers as Dole Whip. While the Dole Whip costs, watching the fireworks that come from the park located directly across the lake is free! Make sure to look up the time of Happily Ever After Firework Show for the night you are going and plan to arrive to the Polynesian at least a half an hour early. When you get to the resort, walk passed the pool and straight onto the beach that surrounds the lake. Sit back on the beach and enjoy the views as the sky comes alive.
This picture was taken during the 4th of July from the beach at Disney's Polynesian Resort
8. Watch The Electrical Water Pageant
Disney's Electrical Water Pageant is a 15 minute floating parade that takes place around the Seven Seas Lagoon just outside of Magic Kingdom. Arrive early for the fireworks mentioned above and watch both! You can view it from any of the surrounding resorts at various times in the evening. Click here to see specific times for each resort.
Disney's Electrical Water Pageant is a 15 minute floating parade that takes place around the Seven Seas Lagoon just outside of Magic Kingdom. Arrive early for the fireworks mentioned above and watch both! You can view it from any of the surrounding resorts at various times in the evening. Click here to see specific times for each resort.
A water pageant float
9. Attend The Chip 'n' Dale Campfire Sing-A-Long
Located at the Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, Chip 'n' Dale throw a nightly sing-a-long celebration for guests of all ages to join. Roast marshmallows and sing with the boys as they preform classic old western favorites. There are bleachers and benches to sit on but depending on how good of a seat you want, plan to come at least an hour early. After the show, stay for the free movie under the stars!
10. Watch Yehaa Bob At Port Orleans Riverside
Located at the River Roost Bar inside Port Orleans Riverside Resort, Yehaa Bob is a character unlike anyone you have ever met before. For an hour and thirty minutes twice a night, Yehaa Bob sings, dances and plays the piano to some Disney classics and other familiar tunes. Audience participation is not required but it sure does make it more fun. The show is completely free to watch but make sure to plan ahead for times and days by visiting Bob's page on the Disney website. After the show, make sure to stick around for a free autographed picture of Bob and to pose with him by his piano.
Bonus: Visit Celebration
Okay so this one is not on Disney property but only requires a 10 minute drive to get to! Celebration is a town designed by Disney that looks like it belongs in an episode of Desperate Housewives. From the perfectly manicured lawns, beautiful houses and town center that is charming and adorable, Celebration is a great place to spend the afternoon. If you go during the summer, take a stroll around the lake and stop by the boutiques that line the main street of Celebration. If you go during Christmas time, Celebration does Christmas BIG with lights, an ice skating rink and even snow! Yes you read that right, snow in central Florida! Okay so maybe it's bubbles made to look like snow but that is better in my opinion; all the looks, none of the freezing cold. They also have dancers from local schools and other performances to watch for free. This year my aunt and I took a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the town for roughly 5 dollars per person. If you like cookie dough, check out Wonderland Cookie Dough. The concept is like ice cream scoops but instead it is delicious cookie dough with flavors such as chocolate chip, brownie batter and red velvet.
Located at the Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, Chip 'n' Dale throw a nightly sing-a-long celebration for guests of all ages to join. Roast marshmallows and sing with the boys as they preform classic old western favorites. There are bleachers and benches to sit on but depending on how good of a seat you want, plan to come at least an hour early. After the show, stay for the free movie under the stars!
The chipmunks come out to sing around this amphitheater
10. Watch Yehaa Bob At Port Orleans Riverside
Located at the River Roost Bar inside Port Orleans Riverside Resort, Yehaa Bob is a character unlike anyone you have ever met before. For an hour and thirty minutes twice a night, Yehaa Bob sings, dances and plays the piano to some Disney classics and other familiar tunes. Audience participation is not required but it sure does make it more fun. The show is completely free to watch but make sure to plan ahead for times and days by visiting Bob's page on the Disney website. After the show, make sure to stick around for a free autographed picture of Bob and to pose with him by his piano.
Visiting Bob with my aunt
Okay so this one is not on Disney property but only requires a 10 minute drive to get to! Celebration is a town designed by Disney that looks like it belongs in an episode of Desperate Housewives. From the perfectly manicured lawns, beautiful houses and town center that is charming and adorable, Celebration is a great place to spend the afternoon. If you go during the summer, take a stroll around the lake and stop by the boutiques that line the main street of Celebration. If you go during Christmas time, Celebration does Christmas BIG with lights, an ice skating rink and even snow! Yes you read that right, snow in central Florida! Okay so maybe it's bubbles made to look like snow but that is better in my opinion; all the looks, none of the freezing cold. They also have dancers from local schools and other performances to watch for free. This year my aunt and I took a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the town for roughly 5 dollars per person. If you like cookie dough, check out Wonderland Cookie Dough. The concept is like ice cream scoops but instead it is delicious cookie dough with flavors such as chocolate chip, brownie batter and red velvet.
Left: Outside Wonderland Cookie Dough
Right: Posing in front of the ice rink in the middle of the main street
I absolutely loved going to DW. It was a great time. I have done some of these things you suggested. I didn't know about camp fire sing along. That sounds like a fun things for kids.
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