These are some things to help you save money at Disney World and to be able to take home a few survivors at no cost.
- Celebration pins. Celebrating a birthday, engagement, anniversary, wedding or family reunion while at Walt Disney World? There are pins to mark these milestones and they’re absolutely free. Stop by hotel’s front desk or Guest Relations at any of the parks and ask for one. Even if you’re not celebrating you can grab a more general “I’m Celebrating” button.
- Trading Pins Disney Pin Trading is an interactive experience where guests can trade Disney pins with Cast Members and other guests. It’s fun for the whole family and creates fun “pin pals.” Start a new collection or exchange pins for the ones you’ve always wanted. While Disney trading pins are not free, actually trading them is. There are Trading Pin boards you can find around the resorts and gift shops, and Cast Members wear lanyards for trading.
- Transportation cards. Do your children love Disney transportation? If you approach the cast members working at any transportation station and ask, you will be given a set of cards. There are cards with Disney characters and the different modes of transportation on them.
- Stickers. When entering Disney theme parks, many times Cast Members will be passing out Mickey Mouse stickers. When in doubt, ask a greeter or even a photographer.
- Park Maps. These are at the entrance of each park and what I find really cool is that they have Disney Park maps in different languages! Why not pick up one to take home for your scrapbook or put it in a frame as a way to remember your fantastic vacation!
- Pixie Dust. Stop by the Disney Store at Downtown Disney and ask for a FREE Fairy Dusting from the ladies at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. You can find similar fairy dust at the Barber shop on Main Street and by the castle at at the dress shop.
- Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Cards. If you stop by the Firehouse (on left as you enter Main Street), you can show them your park ticket (or scan Magic Band) to get a set of sorcerer Mickey cards. Most people get them to play the game, but even if you don’t play, these character cards are collectible and great FREE Disney World Souvenirs!
- Treasure Map. Go to A Pirate’s adventure and get a free treasure map to Adventure Land.
- Character Autographs. What would a trip to Walt Disney World be without seeing some of your kids’ favorite characters! instead of buying an autograph book, we brought plain white pillowcases which the characters signed with fabric markers
- E cards. Innovention and Test Track s e-cards (postcards that are emailed to friends and family) from Epcot.
- Get a Drink Club Cool in Epcot offers weary Epcot (You know what EPCOT stands for, right? Every Person Comes Out Tired) walkers eight drinks from around the world (all of which are types of Coca-Cola brands). Taste as much of the beverage samples as you want for as long as you want.
- Free Wifi free WIFI offered at all of the resorts and parks
. - Wilderness Explorer Program. At Animal Kingdom. Journal at the Wilderness Explorer headquarters and gather stickers as they complete various activities through the park.
- Flower leis. Guests staying at Disney’s Polynesian Resort automatically receive flower leis upon check-in, but those who are not staying there can stop by the front desk to say “Aloha!” and ask for flower necklace souvenir of their own.
- Restaurant photos. When you arrive at certain character-dining restaurants, remember to smile! You’ll have your photo taken with one of the characters by a professional photographer. Restaurants like Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and the Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella’s Royal Table will give each party a souvenir photo at the end of the meal to take home.
- Housekeeping “mousekeeping” as Disney calls it – sometimes leaves guests little surprises when they go back to their room. They’re not always guaranteed, but they can vary from towels folded to look like animals wearing sunglasses, a signed photo by the Big Cheese himself, Mickey Mouse, and more.
- Jedi diploma. You can get a diploma is through the Jedi Training Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If your child is like mine and loves Star Wars, then this is a very fun event that is free! For your best chance for your children to be a part of this, one needs to go first thing to sign up their children.
- Shampoos & Soaps. Those staying at resort or taking a Disney Cruise, can get FREE Disney Shampoos , lotions & soap. Use them and save the shampoo bottles to refill with your favorite shampoos.
- Free Water. I’m not talking about the water fountain water here, although obviously that is free. Visit any counter service restaurant or refreshment stand that serves drinks and ask for a cup of ice water. If they don’t give you water, they will give you a free cup of ice. We let the ice melt, which doesn’t take long on a hot day.
- Enjoy Ice Cream Take the Disney Vacation Club tour, and you will receive free ice cream at the end for your entire family in a private ice cream parlor. A running joke in my family is if we ever remodel the living room, we should definitely put in an ice cream parlor. Families that take the tour sometimes receive Disney gift cards and various Disney goodies depending on the current promotion.
