13 Free Things at Disney World You Could Easily Miss On Your Trip

Many guests associate Walt Disney World with a high price tag, but did you know you can find many free items around the theme parks and resort? We've gathered the best free things you can find at Disney World that you should look for on your next trip. 

At Mickey Visit, we are constantly in the theme parks to share the latest Disney news and planning resources like this article for your trip. We also share reveals of favorite restaurants and more.

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1. Celebration Buttons

One of the most convenient and fun ways to kickstart your Walt Disney World vacation and make the most of your Disney trip can begin at hotel check-in! Disney's celebration buttons are a wonderful way to celebrate any occasion or a specific reason you might be visiting Disney.

Disney World offers ‘First Visit, Happy Birthday, Happily Ever After, and I’m Celebrating’ buttons for guests throughout the Disney property. Guests can find these celebration buttons at any resort hotel front desk, guest relations offices in any park, and various merchandise locations across Walt Disney World Resort. 

2. Coca-Cola at EPCOT

What better way to experience the wonders from across the globe than enjoying free Coca-Cola product samples from around the world at Club Cool, located in EPCOT’s World Celebration.

Club Cool is located just next to Creations Shop and offers a “Coke” bar to satisfy any thirst craving. In addition to the free tasting bar, park goers can shop the store for more Coca-Cola licensed products and merchandise.

3. Free Cups of Water

This often overlooked amenity is offered totally free at all food and drink counters and quick-service locations on property. You simply go up and request a free cup of ice water. 

The heat and humidity brought about by the Florida sun and climate can easily lead to dehydration, so Walt Disney World makes every effort to ensure that guests have access to water at all times.

4. Disney Character Stickers

Mickey & Friends-inspired stickers can be found just about anywhere throughout the Walt Disney World bubble. Guests can find these stickers just about anywhere, making them a wonderful memento for kids and adults alike as a fun keepsake. You just need to ask a cast member, most of them carry these stickers around with them. 

5. Free Park Maps

What might be used by some as a mere guide throughout the resort and parks can be enjoyed by others as a special keepsake from a trip to Disney World. Physical park maps can be a fun and tangible way to experience your trip and also take home as a souvenir following your stay at Disney World. You can see digital Disney World maps here.

Printed maps can be located in resort lobbies, the Disney Springs Welcome Center, and at each park entrance. You can also ask a cast member for a park map (more commonly known as “Guidemaps” in Disney lingo), and they will be able to offer assistance in providing you with a map. If you are a planner (as many of us Disney folks are), you can also find printable Disney World resort and park maps by visiting the Walt Disney World official website.

6. Look for Pixie Dust

If you want a touch of pixie dust without the high cost of Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, you can visit Sir Mickey’s, located just behind the castle, or stop by Bonjour! Village Gifts in Fantasyland, right next to Gaston’s Tavern.

At these spots, instead of the Fairy Godmother’s apprentices, a cast member provides the pixie dust, offering a charming, lesser-known way to enjoy a sprinkle of magic.

7. Take Home Your Own Souvenir Drawings

Rafiki’s Planet Watch in Animal Kingdom is home to The Animation Experience at Conservation Station, where park goers are welcomed to enjoy a free drawing class. In this class, a Disney artist instructs guests on how to draw a Disney character. Those attending the class are provided with materials needed for drawing, and they can follow along as the artist instructs.

Guests can follow along by creating their own drawing of the Disney character. Guests can then take this drawing home as a souvenir. Souvenir drawings can be found at other locations on Disney World property during varying times of the year (such as during EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts) as well! The image above is from a similar drawing activity onboard the Disney Cruise Line.

8. Fuel Rod Swapping

While the initial purchase of a fuel rod is necessary (either on property or off-site), Disney World offers free FuelRod swapping stations for guests to keep their devices charged. See details on Disney World FuelRods here.

In the My Disney Experience app, guests can search “FuelRod” to locate the FuelRod kiosks on property. With personal devices being so crucial for navigating your Disney World stay, it is important to know where guests can swap out their FuelRod.

9. “Finding Dory’s Friends” Scavenger Hunt

EPCOT’s SeaBase aquarium is home to the fun for all ages “Finding Dory’s Friends” scavenger hunt. Located in The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion, this self-guided scavenger hunt is totally free and is sure to be a favorite for all.

After enjoying a relaxing ride in one of the “clamobiles” through the East Australian Current in The Seas with Nemo & Friends attraction, guests exit the ride through the 5.7 million gallon SeaBase aquarium, where they will be able to grab a complimentary scavenger hunt booklet and begin the hunt to find Dory’s friends, placing stickers in the area of the booklet when they find the appropriate sea animal. These booklets make for a great keepsake from a day at EPCOT.

10. Annual Passholder Character Magnets

Okay, so character magnets are only free to those who are annual passholders of Walt Disney World Resort. I had to include character magnets in this list because, as an annual passholder myself, these are one of the most fun and tangible items that come with being a Disney World enthusiast.

Character magnet distribution is sporadic and brief, making them a fun experience when they pop up again. 

11. Joffrey's Complimentary Coffee

There is just something about Joffrey’s. Headquartered out of Tampa, Florida, and having served as Disney World’s specialty coffee since 2013, Joffrey’s complimentary coffee can be found in all resort hotel rooms.

Considering this coffee is also sold in the parks, it's a great perk that you can enjoy as a Disney hotel guest.

12. Wi-Fi Available for Everyone

One of the often overlooked amenities of Walt Disney World Resort is the free Wi-Fi capabilities. AT&T is the official wireless sponsor of Disney World, and its complimentary Wi-Fi is available at the majority of public areas on property.

All Disney World parks, hotels, and most restaurants offer Wi-Fi accessibility. Business folks and locals to the Central Florida area have even been spotted working remotely from inside the parks. Connections Eatery is a great, quiet indoor and outdoor space for folks needing to work remotely.

13. Resort to Resort Luggage Transfer/Airport Luggage Transfer

For those guests who enjoy the split-stay lifestyle of experiencing Walt Disney World Resort, the resort-to-resort luggage transfer can be a great option for transitioning from one resort to another. Guests can simply contact the bell services of their respective hotel, and bell services will transfer the luggage free of charge to the new resort that same afternoon or evening!

In addition to the resort-to-resort transfer, airport luggage transfer is also available (with a few caveats). The airport luggage transfer option began earlier this year and offers guests at select value resorts (All-Star Resorts, Pop Century, and Art of Animation) to check bags for Southwest Airlines flights departing from MCO (Orlando International Airport).

Bags dropped at bell services before 1:00 am the evening before a departure day will be available for flights before 1:00 pm the following day, and bags dropped at bell services before 1:00 pm the same day of a flight will be available for flights at least 4 hours before flight departure. The luggage transfer options are one more way Disney helps make the trip as simple as can be at no additional cost. 

READ MORE -Don’t Pack These Items For Your Disney Trip. They Can Cause Headaches and Some Are Banned.

When it’s time to pack for your Disney vacation, it’s important to keep in mind that certain items are not allowed on property. Even though Disneyland and Walt Disney World both have their own set of property rules, it can sometimes be unclear what exactly is allowed and what’s not. There are many items that are completely banned, while others only have certain stipulations that need to be followed. These are the Disney items you shouldn't pack for your trip.

 

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