A Disney World expert is sharing the Disney World freebies you may not know you can take advantage of in the parks and resorts.

Let’s face it, a Walt Disney World vacation isn’t cheap. Between saving up for that dream trip in advance and monitoring your budget throughout, it can make a Disney Dad or Mom feel a bit like their pocket is being thoroughly picked. How fun would it be to get your own back and do something special that doesn’t cost an extra cent? The MOST fun! With that in mind, we’ve made a little list of Disney World freebies sure to make you and your team smile!

Disney World Freebies to Plus Up Your Vacation

What we’re looking for here are those little bits of pixie dust that roll up into a magical day to “plus it” for your mouseketeers, or that dress up a “no park day” into something that feels like a bigger bang for your no-bucks! 

Celebration Buttons

These delightful Disney World freebies are available at the front desk of your Disney resort, ticket booths at the theme parks, and Guest Relations locations. There are buttons for birthdays, anniversaries, other celebrations, and “first visit”. Sometimes wearing a celebration button will inspire Cast Members to give you a little “pixie dust” at random.

We often go to Disney for my wife’s birthday and she has been gifted by having her coffee order comped, or a sweet treat bestowed on Main Street, always a lovely surprise. One time, I was carrying her bag with the button on the strap for her, and I was overwhelmed by the cascade of wonderful Disney people wishing me a happy birthday. People were crossing the street to wish me well. I was almost in tears, and it was at least five months until it was actually my birthday. A fun thing to do and a magical souvenir – all for free! 

EPCOT Concert Series

Scheduled in conjunction with the fabulous foodie festivals that run most of the year at EPCOT, Disney presents a fantastic concert series at the America Gardens Theater that makes a wonderful addition to your day at EPCOT, all for the price of zero additional dollars! Depending on the time of year you travel, you may have an opportunity to enjoy performances from the Garden Rocks Concert Series, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, or the Disney on Broadway Concert Series (the Candlelight Processional takes the place of the Concert Series during the holiday season).

Consult your My Disney Experience app for times and performers on your day of choice, but there are often three shows a day at 5:30, 6:45, and 8 PM, and seating is First Come, so enjoy this outstanding Disney World freebie!  

Smellephants on Parade at Storybook Circus

Free fun for little ones to add even more magic to your day at Magic Kingdom! This Scratch and Sniff Scavenger Hunt (yes, you read that right) begins at the ticket booth in front of Big Top Souvenirs near the Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction. There you will collect your illustrated map of the land and a sticker sheet to guide you. Find all 8 Smellephant statues scattered around Storybook Circus using the stickers, the map, and your nose to track your progress!

Yehaa Bob

There are only two groups of people who absolutely must see Yeeha Bob Jackson perform: Those who have never seen his brilliant show of piano and comedy at the River Roost Lounge at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, and those who have. If you fall into either of these groups, you owe it to yourself to take advantage of this joyous, raucous show (with no cover charge!).

This one is a little on the later side, as this evening of Disney standards, songbook classics, and kid-friendly ditties doesn’t start until 8:30 PM, but if it works for some or all of your team, you will be so glad you made the trip! Shows are generally from Wednesdays to Saturdays. Check your My Disney Experience app for show dates and times.  

Club Cool Hosted by Coca-Cola

My kids always loved this self-described “Coke” tail bar in World Celebration at EPCOT—featuring Coca-Cola products from around the world, and the truth is they still do. What could be more refreshing on a hot day than filling and refilling your tiny sample cup with exotic soda products from around the world over and over (and over and over)?

Photo by Laurie Sapp

There are eight different products to sample and a nearly infinite number of flavor combinations to be tried by mixing and matching a little bit of this and a little bit of that. The Cast Members do their level best in a lost cause – the floor here is perpetually sticky, but it’s good, sugary fun, and a favorite Disney World freebie!

Animal Viewing at Animal Kingdom Lodge 

It can’t compete with the number of species on display in the park, but the savannahs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge are home to over 30 species of African wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, gazelles, kudu, and flamingos. There are viewing stations within an easy stroll of the main lobby, where you can also pick up a copy of the Wildlife Field Guide to help you identify the different species. Give yourself time to explore and learn more about African animals and ecosystems during fun programs led by Animal Specialists.

Kidcot Fun Stops

This is a VERY thorough Disney World freebie, clearly devised with the intent of helping Disney Moms and Dads explore the World Showcase at EPCOT by keeping the young ‘uns distracted. They’ll be excited and occupied collecting activity cards at each country throughout the World Showcase with facts and activities featuring the culture and traditions of each country. There are 11 Kidcot Fun Stops to visit, and if your kids are like mine, they won’t let you stop until you’ve visited every single one! Here’s where to find each one:

• Mexico Pavilion (near Mexico Folk Art Gallery) 
• Norway Pavilion (at The Puffin’s Roost) 
• China Pavilion (near the exit of Reflections of China) 
• Germany Pavilion (at Volkunst) 
• Italy Pavilion (outside, near La Bottega Italiana) 
• American Adventure Pavilion (outside, near Art of Disney) 
• Japan Pavilion (in the Bijutsu-kan Gallery) 
• Morocco Pavilion (at the Marketplace in the Medina) 
• France Pavilion (at Souvenirs de France) 
• United Kingdom Pavilion (at The Toy Soldier) 
• Canada Pavilion (at the exit of Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360)

Electrical Water Pageant

The most delightfully corny of all nighttime shows at Disney World requires no park ticket, but patrols the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake nightly, with music pumped out toward delighted viewers on shore.

Photo by Danny Shuster

The display of whimsical sea creatures parading across the waves transforms into a patriotic flotilla arrayed in the Stars and Stripes. It’s all good, old-fashioned fun as only Disney World can do it and a wonderful “kiss goodnight” for a day filled with Disney Magic (and freebies!) You can enjoy the Electrical Water Pageant from the public areas of these resorts:

• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (including Narcoossee’s)
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort