Disney tricks - tips - freebies
Check out Florida Ride Guy’s $0 Disney Experience
I’ve put together a fun-filled day plan of free experiences you can enjoy on Disney property! Meet beloved characters, see live animals up close, ride the Skyliner for breathtaking views, and capture amazing photos along the way—all without spending a dime!
Disney food hacks
publix subs
Disney food can be pricey, so grab subs from Publix as a budget-friendly alternative! They offer online or deli counter ordering, including vegan options. You can bring them into the park using a soft-sided cooler (no larger than 24”x15”x18”), like a backpack cooler, to keep them fresh. It’s a great way to skip long lines, save money, and maximize your park time!
kids meals
One of the best budget-friendly Disney dining hacks is ordering kids' meals at quick-service restaurants. They offer generous portions, include a drink and a side, and are a great value compared to adult meals. Plus, anyone can order them—no child required!
popcorn
Disney World Popcorn is one of the best economical snacks. Buy a bucket (like the one pictured) for $10 or a specialty character bucket (for $20-$30) and get $2 refills for the length of your visit.
refills
Unlimited Soda Refill Loophole – Free refills are rare at Disney, but at Disney Springs, you can get unlimited soda refills while dining in at Blaze Pizza, Chicken Guy, and Earl of Sandwich.
free water
Instead of paying for overpriced bottled water, head to any quick-service restaurant and ask for a free cup of ice water—no purchase necessary! You can also bring a reusable water bottle with you and pour the free water into. This way, you wont constantly be stopping for refills. If you want to switch up the flavor, bring your own drink mix-ins like Liquid IV or Mio to enhance the taste without adding extra cost.
breakfast character dining
Save on character dining by booking breakfast instead of dinner, as it's typically cheaper. At Chef Mickey’s, breakfast is $58 per adult, while dinner jumps to $69. Cinderella’s Royal Table breakfast costs $75, but dinner rises to $88—same characters, lower price!
Get Free Disney Celebration Buttons for Extra Magic!
Disney celebration buttons are a fun and completely free souvenir that can sometimes lead to magical perks. Available at Guest Relations, hotel front desks, and many merchandise locations, these buttons let you celebrate anything from birthdays, anniversaries, and first visits to custom celebrations with the generic “I’m Celebrating” button, where you can write anything from “My First Dole Whip!” to “Survived ‘it’s a small world.’” Cast Members love spotting these buttons and often add extra pixie dust to your day!
Wearing a celebration button has led to free Lightning Lane passes, complimentary desserts at restaurants, special shoutouts from characters and parade performers, and even surprise magical moments like being chosen for a unique experience. Even if you don’t receive a freebie, these buttons make for a fantastic keepsake and a fun way to add extra magic to your Disney trip!
free activities without a park ticket
chip and dale sing along
Held at Fort Wilderness Resort, this free event features a campfire, sing-along, and meet-and-greet with Chip and Dale, followed by an outdoor movie. It typically starts around 7:00-8:00 PM (varies by season). Bring your own marshmallows or buy a s’mores kit at the Chuckwagon Snack Bar. Parking Tip: Tell the guard you’re there for the sing along.
magic kingdom fireworks
Enjoy Magic Kingdom’s fireworks for free from the beach at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort—one of the best non-park views of Happily Ever After! The show is synced with park audio, making it a magical experience without the crowds. Arrive at least 30 minutes early for a good spot. Parking Tip: Polynesian parking is restricted in the evenings, so tell the guard you’re visiting Trader Sam’s, Capt. Cook’s, or Pineapple Lanai for a Dole Whip.
disney skyliner
The Skyliner is a free, relaxing ride connecting EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and the Skyliner resorts: Disney’s Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and Art of Animation. Enjoy stunning aerial views, resort-hop, and, if timed right, catch fireworks from the sky! Parking Tip: Park at a Skyliner resort and tell the guard you're visiting to explore the resort or check out the dining and gift shop.
animals at animal kingdom lodge
The Savanna Overlooks at Jambo House and Kidani Village at Animal Kingdom Lodge offer views of the giraffes, zebras, and more roaming freely. You might even catch a free African drumming session inside the lobby. Best viewing times: Early morning or around sunset. Parking Tip: Tell the guard you’re visiting the lodge to check out the animals.
electrical water pageant
The Electrical Water Pageant is a floating light parade that sails across Seven Seas Lagoon nightly. It stops near the Polynesian around 9:00 PM (check daily times), featuring glowing sea creatures and classic Disney music. Parking Tip: Like with fireworks, tell the guard you’re visiting Trader Sam’s, Capt. Cook’s, or Pineapple Lanai for food or drinks.
splash pad
Let kids cool down at the free splash pad near the Marketplace area of Disney Springs. Located near the Once Upon a Toy store, this area features interactive water jets and plenty of space to play. Perfect for hot Florida days! Bring a change of clothes if your little ones plan to get soaked. Parking Tip: Park for free in the Lime Garage, which is closest to the splash pad.
tri circle D ranch
See Cinderella’s horse and other ponies at Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Fort Wilderness. Open 10 AM - 5 PM with pony rides ($8, cash only) are available for kids 2-8 from 10 AM - 3 PM. Parking Tip: Tell the guard at Fort Wilderness you’re visiting Tri-Circle-D Ranch.
epcot fireworks
Catch Luminous: The Symphony of Us for free from the BoardWalk bridge near EPCOT’s International Gateway. This spot provides great views of the high-level fireworks without a park ticket. Arrive 15-30 minutes early for the best view. Parking Tip: Park at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and say you’re visiting the BoardWalk to explore or grab a snack.
lego store
The LEGO Store at Disney Springs offers free interactive play areas, including build-your-own LEGO figures, racing ramps for LEGO cars, and giant LEGO sculptures for fun photo ops. It’s a great stop for kids (or LEGO-loving adults)! Parking Tip: Park for free in the Lime or Orange Garage and walk to the Marketplace area.
free activities with a park ticket
Collect an EPCOT Passport
Explore World Showcase with a free EPCOT passport from Kidcot Fun Stops in each country. Collect stickers, stamps, and postcards while learning fun facts from Cast Members. It’s a great way to engage kids and create a personalized souvenir of your trip around the world!
DuckTales Adventure in EPCOT
Turn EPCOT’s World Showcase into an interactive adventure with Disney’s DuckTales World Showcase Adventure, a free scavenger hunt available through the Play Disney Parks app. Help Scrooge McDuck, Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webby track down treasures and outsmart villains in different countries around the park. Each mission unlocks hidden effects in the pavilions, such as moving artifacts, secret doors, and talking statues. Play at your own pace, completing as many missions as you like. It’s a great way to engage kids while exploring EPCOT!
A Pirate’s Adventure in Magic Kingdom
Join A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas in Adventureland for a free treasure hunt! Grab a map at The Crow’s Nest and complete missions that activate hidden effects and animatronics around the area. Each completed mission earns a collectible pirate card, and finishing all five may lead to a special prize from Captain Jack Sparrow!
Try to Pull the Sword from the Stone
Outside Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, you’ll find Excalibur embedded in a stone, waiting for a worthy hero to pull it free! While most attempts fail, a few lucky guests have been able to magically lift the sword—though no one knows when or why it happens. Sometimes, a Cast Member or Merlin himself appears for an official ceremony! Even if you don’t succeed, this is a fun, classic photo op in Magic Kingdom and a great interactive moment.
club cool
Club Cool offers a free tasting experience featuring Coca-Cola flavors from around the world. Sample unique sodas like Italy’s bitter Beverly, Peru’s fruity Inca Kola, and Tanzania’s tangy Stoney Ginger Beer. No purchase is necessary—just walk in and try as many as you’d like! It’s a fun and refreshing break while exploring the park, and watching first-timers try Beverly is always entertaining.
Get Pixie Dusted in Fantasyland
For a little extra magic and sparkle, stop by Sir Mickey’s in Fantasyland (near Cinderella Castle) and ask a Fairy Godmother-in-Training for Pixie Dust! They’ll sprinkle glittery fairy dust over your hair while encouraging you to make a magical wish. This free experience is perfect for kids (and adults!) who want to feel like a prince or princess for the day. Unlike Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, there’s no appointment or purchase required—just a little patience, as Fairy Godmothers are sometimes busy assisting royal guests.
Wilderness Explorer at Animal Kingdom
Become a Wilderness Explorer at Animal Kingdom by completing fun challenges to earn free badge stickers! Pick up a field guide near the Tree of Life and visit stations around the park to learn about animals, conservation, and cultures. Earn as many badges as you want, and if you collect all 25, you’ll become a Senior Wilderness Explorer with a special reward!
Batuu Bounty Hunters
Step into the world of Star Wars with Batuu Bounty Hunters, a free interactive game in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios. Using a MagicBand+, head to the Bounty Hunters Guild station near Black Spire Outpost and accept a mission. Your MagicBand+ will flash green when you’re getting close to your target and red when you’re heading the wrong way. Once you locate the bounty, use a thermal scanner at the door panel to claim it and return to collect credits.
Hack with the Datapad in Galaxy’s Edge
Turn your phone into a Star Wars hacking tool with the Datapad feature in the Play Disney Parks app! Inside Galaxy’s Edge, you can use your Datapad to translate alien languages, hack into control panels and droids, and even eavesdrop on secret communications from the Resistance and First Order. Your actions influence how Cast Members and characters interact with you—help the Resistance, and Stormtroopers might interrogate you!
rainforest cafe & t rex cafe
Rainforest Café (Animal Kingdom & Disney Springs) and T-REX Café (Disney Springs) are Landry’s-owned restaurants, meaning you can use the Landry’s Select Club to skip the waitlist and earn rewards! For $25, you get a $25 welcome gift card, a $25 birthday reward, and priority seating—even without a reservation. This is a huge time-saver, especially during peak dining hours. Sign up at landrysselect.com.
Want the immersive dining experience without the high cost? Skip the full meal and go just for dessert! Both restaurants serve massive, shareable desserts, like the Chocolate Volcano at Rainforest Café ($21.49) or a Chocolate Extinction at T-Rex ($24.99). Even better—use your $25 welcome reward to cover the cost! It’s a fun, budget-friendly Disney dining hack that still lets you enjoy the immersive atmosphere.
disney drinking games
Drinking Around the World is an unofficial EPCOT tradition where guests visit each of the 11 World Showcase pavilions and drink a signature drink from each country.
Drinks to Try in Each Country:
Mexico – Margarita from La Cava del Tequila
Norway – Viking Coffee (boozy iced coffee)
China – Tipsy Ducks in Love (bourbon + iced tea & coffee)
Germany – Schofferhofer Grapefruit Beer
Italy – Italian Sangria or Bellini
America – Frozen Old Fashioned or Bourbon Flight
Japan – Sake or Frozen Kirin Beer
Morocco – Frozen Citrus Pomegranate Sangria
France – Grand Marnier Slush or Kir Royale
United Kingdom – Strongbow Cider or Snakebite (beer + cider mix)
Canada – Ottawa Apple (whisky, apple infusion)
Please Remember to Drink Responsibly – EPCOT security will remove overly intoxicated guests, so know your limits!
Drinking without a park ticket? Try the Monorail Bar Crawl!
How It Works
You’ll use Disney’s free monorail system to visit Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Village Resort, and Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, stopping at some of the best lounges on property for drinks.
Monorail Bar Crawl Stops & Best Drinks
Stop 1: Disney’s Contemporary Resort - Steakhouse 71 Lounge
Modern, cozy lounge with craft cocktails and Disney history decor.
Drink to Try: Fig Manhattan – Bourbon, fig, and bitters.
Bonus Option: Outer Rim (quieter bar with lake views, near Chef Mickey’s).
Stop 2: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort - Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace
Tropical, outdoor tiki bar with fun themed drinks and live music.
Drink to Try: Nautilus – A massive rum cocktail served in a submarine mug!
Bonus Option: Tambu Lounge (Try the famous Lapu Lapu, served inside a pineapple!)
Stop 3: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort - Enchanted Rose Lounge
Beauty and the Beast-inspired upscale bar with handcrafted cocktails.
Drink to Try: Lavender Fog – Gin, crème de violette, English breakfast tea, and vanilla.
Bonus Option: Grand Floridian Lobby Bar (Great for a quiet nightcap!)