Disney Freebies and Saving Money
Here are some great Disney Freebies and saving money tips at Disney World. While it is an expensive trip there are ways to save money. I hope these help you save.
Disney Freebies and Saving Money:
One of the best ways to save money is to find free entertainment at Disney World. You can park at Disney Springs or take a bus there and then resort hop! Spend the day checking out the resorts with a variety of transportation options. You can take the ferry to Port Orleans from Disney Springs.
Once you are there you can transfer to any of the parks and take a monorail from Magic Kingdom or a bus to any of the resorts. You don’t even have to be staying at a resort to enjoy the resorts! Several offer free movies in the evenings too! Check with each resort for a complete schedule of daily activities. When we stayed at Art of Animation, we learned they offer free art classes, including non-resort guests.
Stay off season. This is a big way to save money. We like to travel in September, February and early May. Anytime kids are in school this is a great time to go. High season is when kids are out of school so avoid the summer, spring break, fall break and ALL holidays (including long holiday weekends). Also, stay at a Value Resort. We love Pop Century because it is on the Skyliner. When booking look for special discounts and offers that Disney have and be flexible with your schedule and you can get better deals.
Also, if you want to go to the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or the Christmas Party a great tip is to go mid-week. Avoid the weekend parties as they are generally more crowded then. The earlier you go in the season the less expensive the parties will be. You can enter Magic Kingdom early with your ticket, so this is a great day to skip for a park ticket and use your party ticket instead. Spend the morning and afternoon at Disney Springs and enjoying resorts.
Purchase Disney Gift Cards at Sam’s Club in advance and save a little money. I do suggest getting the Disney Credit Card though as it is a great way to earn points to apply towards your vacation.
Build in a Pool Day. Skip a day at the parks and stay at your resort and enjoy all of the amenities. This is a great way to save money and still enjoy all the Disney Magic. You also get a free round of miniature golf with your stay, so this is a great time to enjoy!
Be sure to pack your own snacks and food so that you can save money. We always bring our own breakfast and snacks and just eat one meal a day (use Walmart Instacart if flying). They do provide hot tea and coffee in the rooms, and I added honey and used the hot water from the resort quick service. Another tip is that you can order off the kids’ menu at any quick service location with no questions asked! It is always more than enough food and includes two sides and a small drink.
Celebration Buttons – Stop at Guest Services (also located at resorts) and pick up a free button! Birthdays, Anniversaries, Honeymoons and your first visit! Often times these buttons lead you to experience “pixie dust” moments, maybe a cast member tells you Happy Birthday or it can often lead to an upgrade or free things!
Pixie Dust – If you are in the park, be sure to stop at Sir Mickey’s Shop, right next to Princess Fairytale Hall in Magic Kingdom and ask for the cast member to pixie dust you. She will sprinkle you with real pixie dust while she says a wish over you. We did this with our daughter years ago. Warning it is pixie dust that won’t wash out easily.
Free Cupcake – I am sad to report that Giardelli Chocolate no longer gives away free pieces of candy in their store at Disney Springs BUT you can sign up for a Sprinkles Birthday Club and you will get a free cupcake on your birthday month! They are located in Disney Springs. You can also sign up for other freebie clubs too!
Photo Pass Pictures – You don’t have to purchase this package or even the pictures to ask a photo pass photographer to take your picture. After they take it with their camera, they will also take it with your camera too! For FREE! This includes using any props they may have on hand.
Birthday Freebies – At all of our character dining experiences, I received a free signed birthday card from the characters. Also, I always got a special dessert too! Be sure to include on your reservations when you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary.
Freebies for the kids. Often at the sit-down dining experiences you can pick up a freebie for your kids. Like stickers, coloring books and crayons. This is a great way to keep them entertained. Also, we did the Kidcot stations with our kids in the past and that was a lot of fun! Be sure to ask a cast member at the Disney Transportation Center for a free collectible souvenir transportation card.
Water – You can get free filtered water at any concession stand that sells fountain drinks. This is a great way to save money! Also, bring a refillable water bottle and fill it yourself at any water fountain filling station. This is also filtered water.
First Aid – We visited the first aid station in Epcot and received free Tylenol and sinus medicine. It helped keep our day happy and stress less once we received the free items!
Coke Samples – Stop in at Club Cool and enjoy a FREE sample of some unusual coke products. from different countries. around the world. It is a unique experience and be sure to check out “Beverly” cola.
Also, one more money saving tip is to pack your own ponchos that you pick up at the dollar store and take them with you to Disney in case you have a poncho moment!
Well, this is a summary of what I know. If you have some additional freebies or ways to save, please leave a comment below!
Disney Tips:
Walt Disney World Packing List
The Best Gluten Free Food at Walt Disney World
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Melissa is a football and soccer mom who has been married to her best friend for 24 years. She loves sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.
