If you’ve ever taken a Disney World vacation, you know that it can be an expensive endeavor. Ticket prices have increased dramatically since the pandemic, but getting inside the gate is only the beginning. After you factor in food, hotels, transportation, and souvenirs, costs can start to add up. An average family of four will easily fork over 10k to the mouse on a single week-long trip. Believe me, I wish I was exaggerating.
Disney World is expensive no matter how you slice it, but there are ways to save money if you know where to look. Disney will sometimes run promotional discounts on tickets and hotels during the off-season. Experienced vacationers on a budget may also opt to stay off-property or bring packed lunches into the parks to avoid buying $15 chicken nuggets. But if you’re looking for free stuff, no strings attached, look no further. Here are nine things (including food!) that you can get at Disney World for free.
1. Celebrating Buttons
An oldie but a goodie. You can pick up free buttons at any shop, front desk, or ticket booth on the property. If it’s your 1st visit to Disney World, you’re celebrating a birthday or an anniversary, or you just want to wear a blank one for fun, Cast Members have got you covered. If you ask nicely, most CMs will write your name, the date, or whatever else you want on them.
Pro tip: ask for a piece of clear scotch tape to stick over the writing so it won’t fade or wash away in the Florida rain. If you wear your button into the parks, be prepared for a lot of Cast Member interaction. We love to wish people a happy birthday or ask children how they’re enjoying their first trip.
2. Water
Florida is HOT. Orlando easily reaches 90-degree temps in the summer, meaning you’ll want to stay cool and hydrated as much as possible. However, you might be inclined to skip drinking as much water as you should after finding out a Dasani is almost $4 a bottle.
But have no fear. You can get unlimited free ice water from any location that has fountain drinks for sale. I recommend bringing a reusable bottle with you and dumping the cups into it for ease of travel. It’s a real lifesaver if you get stuck waiting in an outdoor queue for an hour.
3. First Aid Supplies
No one wants to think about getting sick or hurt on vacation, but the reality is that it does happen. Fortunately, Disney World has all the essentials like bandaids, Tylenol, Tums, etc. at no cost to you. Each park has its first aid station with certified nurses on staff in case you need anything more serious than that.
If you can’t reach the station for whatever reason, all Cast Members have the training to be able to call a paramedic to your location. You won’t pay a penny unless they have to transport you to a hospital.
4. Feminine Care Products
Unfortunately, this one comes with a bit of a caveat. If you’re in the parks, chances are you will have to pay for them. But certain resort restrooms, and strangely, the one at the transfer station of the Skyliner, have free tampons and/or pads. If you happen to find a bathroom that has them and it’s your time of the month, don’t be afraid to grab a couple extra.
5. Pixie Dust
Pixie Dust and Disney go together like butter on toast, and you can experience the magic for yourself for free. Just stop by Sir Mickey’s in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom for your very own fairy pixie dusting. It’s a fun experience for younger kids and kids at heart. Fair warning: you might have glitter stuck in your hair for a week, but it’s worth it.
6. Stickers
A lot of Cast Members carry stickers with them that fit the theme of their surroundings. For example, you can get Dumbo stickers in Storybook Circus or Chip and Dale ones at Fort Wilderness Resort.
There’s even one Disney World sticker that people spend their whole lives trying to get: the elusive Galactic Hero sticker at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. To earn this prize, you must max out the score on the ride and show a picture of it to the Cast Member at the counter. Give it a try the next time you’re in Magic Kingdom. You might even get to say the Galactic Hero Oath in front of the whole store.
7. Club Cool Soda
You can walk into Club Cool in Epcot any time to sample free drinks at their self-service bar. However, don’t be looking for classics like Coke on tap. Instead, toss back some cucumber-flavored Sprite or Lychee Minute Maid juice, and if you’re feeling adventurous, give the infamous Beverly a try.
As weird as some of the drinks sound, some of them are pretty good, and nothing is funnier than tricking your clueless family member into taking a big swig of Beverly.
8. Marshmallows
Many Walt Disney World resorts have nightly campfires, and no campfire is complete without marshmallows. You can get a stick and a small baggie of marshmallows for free to roast over the fire, and you don’t even have to be a resort guest to do so. If you’re looking for a sweet treat to cap off the night, take a free Disney bus to the closest resort before sunset and ask the CMs at the desk to direct you to the campfire.
9. Drawing Classes
Disney is probably most famous for its animation, and you too can practice your skills with a real Disney artist at both Animal Kingdom and Art of Animation Resort. Times will vary, but if you’re interested in taking a class, just ask any Cast Member at either location respectively, and they’ll be happy to give you the information.
If your art skills are a little lacking, don’t worry. The professionals will guide you step by step, and even if your Simba ends up a little wonky, you’ll still have a souvenir to take home at the end of the day.
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