Fun and Free in the Disney Parks!

Christina SzewczukOctober 6, 2016With so many extravagant add on experiences available at Walt Disney World, it’s easy to overlook the great free stuff that is available too. Here is a list of some fun and totally free* activities and programs available at Disney Parks. There may be some things you will want to add to your list for your next trip!Resort-wide WIFISome hotels charge for WIFI, but Disney offers free WIFI throughout all of it’s parks and resorts.Celebration Pins/ButtonsCelebrating a birthday? Anniversary? Is it your first time at the parks? Get a button to celebrate! These buttons are available at Guest Services in the parks or at the front desk of your resort. Make sure to ask for them when you check in.

My son sporting his 1st Trip pin back in 2012.

Wake-Up CallYou can schedule a wake-up call from a Disney character by calling guest services. You don’t want to miss an early dining reservation or rope drop!Mickey Head StickersThere are many cast members roaming through the parks with Mickey stickers to hand out to kids.Sorcerers of the Magic KingdomThis is a fun interactive game played with cards that takes you to different secret “portals” throughout the Magic Kingdom. The premise of the game is that Hades is trying to take over the Magic Kingdom and Merlin has recruited you to help him stop Hades. You can get a free pack of cards and a map at the Firehouse on Main Street. There you can watch a video and learn how to play. You can get one free pack per person per day as long as you play the game at least once. There are 70 cards to collect plus special cards given at parties and events.A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasure of the Seven SeasThis is another interactive game experience. Help captain jack find the Treasure of the Seven Seas before Captain Barbosa and other enemies get to it first! You are given a “talisman” and a map to complete 5 short quests throughout Adventureland. You get to keep the map and talisman as souvenirs.WDW RailroadTake a ride around the park on the trains of the Walt Disney World Railroad! This is a nice way to take a break, to see the sights or to get back to the front of the park without having to walk! There are stations on Main Street, Fantasyland and Frontierland.Liberty BelleTake a boat ride on a classic riverboat along the Rivers of America. The Liberty Belle leaves from Liberty Boat Landing located in Liberty Square.“Pixie Dust” at Bibbidi Bobbidi BoutiqueAt either location, Magic Kingdom or Disney Springs, your princess can get some “Pixie Dust” in her hair from one of the Fairy Godmothers free of charge.Beauty and the Beast BookmarkIf you volunteer for a part in Enchanted Tales with Belle, you will be rewarded with a special meet and greet with Belle where she gives you a little bookmark printed with her signature. There is also a Photopass photographer on hand to capture that special moment.“The Seas” Aquarium at EpcotEpcot houses one of the largest aquariums in the world and it is included in your park admission! The Seas with Nemo and Friends ride drops you off inside this great aquarium. There are several different sections highlighting many species of aquatic life from sharks to stingrays to jellyfish.Kidcot Stations at World Showcase in EpcotIn each country there are stations where your child can decorate a paper character attached to a stick. We chose Duffy the Bear! This is a great way to take a little break. Kids can sit and color for a bit and if they take the character with them, they can have it stamped at each Kidcot station.

My daughter coloring her Duffy Bear at a Kidcot station.

Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure at EpcotGo on guided adventures using your smartphone or you can get a special “F.O.N.E” device. Begin at Odyssey Bridge and get yourself set up for an adventure in one of the World Showcase Pavilions. There is a different adventure in each pavilion. You can do one or all of them. They take about 15-20 minutes each.Wilderness Explorers Program at Animal Kingdom ParkThis program is based on the movie Up. Kids join the Wilderness Explorers and earn “badges” (stickers) in their handbook as they complete adventures or learn about animals.Look for “Hidden Mickeys”Hidden Mickeys are Mickey head shapes hidden all around the parks, attractions and resorts. They started out as an inside joke between the imagineers and as the park guests started to notice them, they grew in popularity and became more commonplace. Some are more obvious than others! There are websites, blogs and books dedicated to finding these “Hidden Mickeys”.I hope you’ve learned about a new attraction or something unique that interests you. Let me know if you try something new on your next trip and how you liked it! Christina@wishesfamilytravel.com*Please note, some experiences may require park admission.