16 FREE Things To Do at Disney | Fireworks Shows, Skyliner Rides, and More!
Save money at Disney with these free things to do to have an exciting vacation without being overly expensive.
Heading on a Disney vacation this summer?
While most travelers know all about the magic inside Disney Parks, many do not know about all the FREE things to do at Disney World outside of paying for a day at the park! Going to the parks can get very expensive if you plan on visiting them every day of your vacation. Some of the most memorable things to do at Disney are the experiences you don’t have to pay extra for, so we’re going to share a few you may have not known about.
1. If you’re staying at a resort, know that transportation is included.
While staying at a Disney resort, buses are provided to all parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. If you are driving, you get onlineplimentary standard parking at the parks and Disney Springs (which is always free!), but note that resort parking is $15.
2. There are tons of free recreational activities!
If you’re staying at a resort, you can enjoy various recreational activities, including volleyball on a sand court, playing a round of tennis, and hitting up the arcades. At least one pool in each resort area also has countless kids’ games and activities including trivia, scavenger hunts, and charades that are fun for the whole family!
3. Keep an eye out for free events, like yoga classes, at Disney Springs!
Keep an eye out for free events at Disney Springs, too! Most recently, they’ve been teaming up with Lululemon to host free yoga classes. The Disney Springs website has updates for these uponlineing events, and when you select the one you’re interested in, you’ll be redirected to register on Eventbrite. Keep checking back because these classes are constantly being added!
4. Enjoy free celebration pins for all kinds of occasions.
You may be familiar with Disney pin trading, but did you know you can actually get free buttons to celebrate your special day? Whether it’s your first time visiting, an anniversary, or your birthday, Disney offers onlineplimentary pins at Guest Relations locations at Disney Springs and all parks, or at the front desk of your resort. This is a great way for a free souvenir that you can showcase around Disney!
5. Take advantage of the countless photo ops.
Sure, Disney Parks are full of Instagrammable walls, but the resorts are, too (this photo was taken at the Animal Kingdom Lodge)! Lively-themed resorts such as Art of Animation and Polynesian Village Village are various spots for amazing photo opportunities!
6. Watch Magic Kingdom fireworks from one of the nearby resorts!
To celebrate the 50th anniversary, Disney has launched a new firework spectacular at Magic Kingdom known as Disney Enchantment! You can actually view these fireworks across the Seven Seas Lagoon from neighboring Magic Kingdom resorts, including Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Preceding the fireworks, you’ll catch the adorable Electrical Water Pageant from those same resorts!
7. Catch EPCOT’s Harmonious from Disney’s Boardwalk Resort!
EPCOT’s Harmonious is another new nighttime spectacular that features 240 artists from across the globe and your favorite movies! It’s a water show that has fireworks, and from Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, Beach Club Resort, and Yacht Club Resort, you’ll be able to watch the fireworks!
8. Enjoy the live music.
Throughout Disney Springs, you’ll find live music! House of Blues, Raglan Road, and Stargazers Bar are just some of the places you’ll find live music every day. You can view the entire Disney Springs events calendar to make sure you don’t miss out on all the fun!
9. Speaking of entertainment, take advantage of the free street spectacles.
Often there are also street performers such as jugglers, onlineedians, fire-eaters, jazz ensembles, and more performing in the evenings at Disney’s Boardwalk resort. There are also carnival games and other nightlife options on the boardwalk!
10. Enjoy a movie under the stars.
While staying at a Disney resort, almost every night they will have “Movies Under the Stars” where you can sit back, relax, and watch some of your favorite Disney films near the pool areas. It’s such a cozy activity to enjoy with your family.
11. Take a trip on the Skyliner.
Disney’s Skyliner is an awesome gondola experience that takes you to several resorts as well as EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s a fun ride and a great opportunity to explore some new resorts.
12. Enjoy a ride on the Monorail.
Enjoy a ride on the “inner” Monorail that circles the three Magic Kingdom Area Resorts (Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian). This is a great way to orient yourself and get a look at the resorts and an overview of the Magic Kingdom. You can get off and explore each resort or just enjoy the ride and the view. There’s even a monorail that circles around EPCOT!
13. Try resort hopping!
There are tons of Disney resorts to visit, each with a unique style and theme. You don’t have to be staying at one to take a visit! Coronado Springs has beautiful Spanish architecture, Wilderness Lodge has a mini Geyser, and much more. Each resort is extremely unique; there’s so much to see everywhere you turn. Plus, there’s nothing more relaxing than taking a stroll at night at any of the resorts!
14. Watch the animals roaming around Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Animal Kingdom Lodge has its very own Savannah with hundreds of animals! Throughout the day you’ll see tons of your favorite animals, including zebras, flamingos, giraffes, and more. On top of the actual hotel room balconies, there are various viewing areas across the resort where you can sit back, relax, and animal watch.
15. Sing around the campfire.
Gather around the campfire at tons of different Disney resorts! This offer is fully onlineplementary to resort guests as long as the weather is permitting. For specific times, double-check your resort’s recreational activity schedule. Some resorts even have grills you can use if you want to have your own BBQ, too!
16. Use a certified Disney vacation planner.
The BEST thing that is FREE when considering a Disney Vacation is the use of a Certified Disney Vacation Planner! While any travel agent can book your trip for you, only certified Disney vacation planners are specifically trained through Disney to best suit your family’s needs.
Not only that but most offer FREE price watching. That means that if you book your trip and later down the road a special onlinees out for your same stay, your package can be adjusted down to reflect the least expensive package price! Awesome!
