the $0 disney experience
The $0 Disney Experience – Created by Florida Ride Guy
As a driver in Central Florida, an annual passholder, and a father of six, I know firsthand that Disney isn’t cheap—but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the magic. That’s why I created the "$0 Disney Experience"—a way for families to enjoy Disney’s atmosphere, theming, and entertainment without spending a dime.
✨ What the $0 Disney experience includes: ✨
Ride the Disney Buses – Hop on and off Disney’s complimentary bus system
Soar on the Skyliner – Glide high above Disney for stunning views
Explore the LEGO Store – Build race cars & see giant Disney LEGO sculptures
Step into the World of Disney – Browse the largest Disney store in the world
Epic Disney Photo Spots – Snap pictures with larger-than-life Disney characters
Meet Cinderella’s Ponies & Main Street Horses – Visit Tri-Circle-D Ranch
Campfire with Chip ‘n’ Dale – A free character meet & greet
Picnic & Playtime at Fort Wilderness – Bring Publix subs & let the kids play before the campfire
No tickets? No problem! This experience is 100% free—all you need is time and a sense of adventure!
Stop #1: Disney Springs – Free Parking
The $0 Disney Experience starts at Disney Springs. Unlike the theme parks, there’s no admission fee here, and parking in the garages is completely free.
Once you’ve parked, it’s time to explore!
Build, Play & Snap Photos at the LEGO Store
Take a moment to check out the massive LEGO sculptures outside, featuring beloved Disney characters—perfect for fun photo ops. Inside, kids (and adults!) can build a LEGO race car build and test it on the store’s race track!
Step Into the World of Disney—But Watch Out for Stitch!
The World of Disney at Disney Springs is the largest Disney store in the world. For a fun experience, enter through the door where Stitch sits atop the sign—but be careful! He spits water at unsuspecting visitors. Inside, you’ll find everything Disney, even if you’re just browsing, it’s a great way to soak in the Disney magic.
Check Out the Amphicars at The Boathouse
Over at The Boathouse, you’ll find the amphicars, vintage-style cars that drive straight into the water! While rides on these retro vehicles come with a price tag, watching them splash into the lake is completely free. It’s a cool part of Disney Springs that you won’t see anywhere else.
Optional Low-Cost Experience
A great way to experience T-Rex Café or Rainforest Café without paying for a full meal is by going for dessert only. These highly themed restaurants offer immersive atmospheres with animatronic dinosaurs, jungle storms, and special effects, making them a great stop for the kids and the adults in your group.
To make this even better, get the Landry’s Select Club Card before your trip. Landry’s owns both restaurants, and this card gives you priority seating, letting you skip the wait for a table. The card costs $25, but you immediately get a $25 welcome reward, plus another $25 on your birthday. You can sign up here: Landry’s Select Club—try to do this before your trip so you get the email in time!
Then use your $25 reward to order a Chocolate Volcano at Rainforest Café ($21.49) or a Chocolate Extinction at T-Rex ($24.99). These giant, shareable desserts serve four people and come piled with brownies, ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate drizzle.
Stop #2: Art of Animation Resort – Take the Disney Bus
Next, we’re going to the ride the Disney bus system! From Disney Springs, hop on a bus to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, our Stop #2 in the $0 Disney Experience.
Art of Animation
At Disney's Art of Animation Resort beloved Disney and Pixar films are brought to life through larger-than-life character statues that make for perfect photo opportunities. In the Finding Nemo section, there is a giant Crush the sea turtle. The Little Mermaid area showcases characters like Ariel, King Triton, and Ursula, with King Triton towering at an impressive 35 feet tall. Over in the Lion King section, Mufasa stands proudly atop Pride Rock, keeping watch over the savanna. Car enthusiasts will love the Cars area, where Lightning McQueen and other familiar faces from Radiator Springs are ready to greet guests.
Stop #3: The Disney Skyliner
If you ask my kids, they’ll tell you that the Disney Skyliner is as fun as any ride inside the parks! This gondola-style transportation system glides above Walt Disney World, offering stunning views of the resorts and parks—and it’s completely free to ride.
You’ll board the Skyliner at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and take a short ride to Caribbean Beach Resort, the central hub for the Skyliner. Here, you’ll transfer to the Hollywood Studios line, which will take you to Disney’s Hollywood Studios entrance. Along the way, the Skyliner may slow down at stops, but there’s no need to get off. Just let the cast members know you’re headed to Hollywood Studios, and they’ll wave you through.
Stop #4: Fort Wilderness - Take the Disney Bus
From Hollywood Studios, we’ll hop on a Disney bus to the Fort Wilderness Resort.
The Fort Wilderness resort is large, but the internal bus system runs regularly, making it easy to reach key areas like the Settlement, the Meadow, and the Outpost (near Tri-Circle-D Ranch where you have arrived).
If it’s earlier in the day, Tri-Circle-D Ranch is a great place to visit. Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, this working ranch is home to Cinderella’s ponies and the majestic horses that pull the trolleys on Main Street, U.S.A. You can freely walk through the stables to see the animals up close. If you have young children under 80 pounds, they can take a pony ride for just $8, available from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
If it’s later in the afternoon or evening, Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-Along might be the perfect stop. This event takes place near the Meadow Trading Post, so you’ll want to take an internal bus or walk to the Meadow stop. The sing-along begins at 8:00 PM in the spring/summer and at 7:00 PM in the fall/winter. At the sing a long you will get to meet and take pictures with Chip and Dale. After the sing-along, stay for a Disney movie under the stars.
If you have extra time before the sing-along starts, the picnic tables near the playground offer a great spot to enjoy Publix subs or another picnic meal while the kids burn off energy playing before the campfire starts.
Take the Disney Bus Back to Disney Springs
From Fort Wilderness, we will finish our $0 Disney Experience with a ride back to Disney Springs.