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Free Experiences around Disney World

Have you ever considered the free experiences around the Disney World Resort that do not require a ticket to any of the four theme parks? We took a few days while traveling in Florida and stopped in at Fort Wilderness Campground to explore the possibilities. Here are all the free stuff we discovered around Disney World.

In order to have access to some of the experiences at Disney World it is best to stay on property in a Disney Resort. Recently, we were camping around Central Florida and decided to take a few days at Disney’s Fort Wilderness campground. Walt Disney World’s first resort, Fort Wilderness can be a destination unto itself, there is so much to do there. We explored everything to do in the campground and all around the Walt Disney World Resort. No park tickets needed.

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Free Experiences at Disney World Fort Wilderness Campground

Magic Kingdom Fireworks

The Magic Kingdom Fire Works can be experienced from the beach at the Fort Wilderness Marina. The marina also plays the music from the park’s show on the speakers. I will let you in on a secret we discovered a few years a go. Along the beach to the right of the marina, Space Mountain and the top of Cinderella’s Castle are visible. (Be Sure to bring a flash light the lighting is very low over on that section of the beach). The best part, you don’t have to fight the park crowds once the show is over.

Electrical Water Pageant

Don’t take off so soon when the fire works are over. Hang around to catch the Electrical Water Pageant. The Electrical Water Pageant consists of 14 lit up floats that include sea monsters, King Triton, and Dolphins. The Pageant plays original music, as well as, music from different Disney movies from over the years. The pageant makes its way over to Fort Wilderness at about 9:45 pm each night. Fun fact: The Electrical Water Pageant is the longest consecutive running parade at any Disney Park. It first set sail back in October of 1971. I can remember this parade from my trips as a kid.

Chip and Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long

The Chip and Dale’s Campfire Sing-a-Long is one of the best kept secrets at Walt Disney World. The Campfire Sing-a-Long is a must do when staying at Fort Wilderness. Only people who have stayed at Fort Wilderness would know about the completely free character experience. That’s right, a character experience that is free and no park ticket is necessary. Bring your marshmallows to roast on one of the two large fire pits and be prepared to dance and sing with Chip and Dale.

There is a Camper inspired food truck to get snacks or a s’mores kit if you forgot yours. Once all the dancing and singing excitement dies down, then there is a classic Disney movie on the outdoor screen. Each night the outdoor theater shows a different movie (all Walt Disney World resorts have an outdoor movie weather permitting). There are several resorts across Walt Disney World that offer campfires click here to check out the list.

The Pool

Fort Wilderness Campground has a nice pool with a water slide and splash area for the little ones. The pool is a great way to beat the Florida heat. The Hot Tub is a terrific to relax in, in the evening after a long day of exploring. The afternoon pool party is a great way to entertain the kids during the afternoon heat. The pool party offers different games and music for several hours around the pool area. See your resort information guides for the times. Games such as giant Connect 4, trivia, and more are all directed by cast members.

Other free things do at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground

Fort Wilderness offers several playgrounds, basketball courts, and jogging trails through out the campground. Tennis courts are available near the main pool and don’t forget your pole because fishing is also available. Don’t forget your bikes. Explore some of the trails behind the campsites and you may find some interesting things. For example, remnants of the Fort Wilderness Railroad. Fort Wilderness is the only place in Walt Disney World that bikes allowed. Cinderella’s Ponies are housed at the Tri-Circle D Farm at the Settlement in Fort Wilderness. (No Petting). Stop by and you can occasionally catch the farrier giving the ponies a new set of shoes.

Pony Rides

Speaking of ponies, not quite free but close enough to be mention, are the pony rides. The pony rides are located at the Tri-Circle D Ranch, near the Outpost. In order to ride the child must be 2 years old, under 80 pounds and no taller than 48″. The cost of the experience is only $8. Our girls loved this experience when they were little and were very sad when they out grew it. By the way it is cash only so the magic band won’t work for this experience. Call (407) 824-2832 for more information. Tri-Circle-D Ranch’s has other offerings, including horseback trail rides, wagon rides and private carriage rides.

Take a boat ride.

Fort Wilderness offers free boat transportation on Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. Boats sail directly to the Wilderness Lodge, the Contemporary Resort, and Magic Kingdom. Depending on your captain the trip can be informative with interesting information about Bay Lake some of the its history. Bus transportation is available to the other three parks, Disney Springs, and the two Water Parks. From any of those destinations you will find transport to the other Disney resorts on property.

Free Experiences at Other Disney World Resorts

Did you know, staying at one of the resort hotels on Walt Disney World property allows you to explore the other resorts on property? The only thing off limits, besides the rooms, is the pool area,as that is for guests of that resort only. There are many difference experiences to have at the Walt Disney World Resort. The experiences are as different as the on property Resorts themselves. Each resort on Walt Disney World property is designed around a theme and have experiences based on that theme. I will talk about a few examples we visited on our most resent trip.

Resorts with direct transportation from Fort Wilderness

Wilderness Lodge

The Wilderness Lodge offers a Yellowstone National Park feel including its own smaller version of Old Faithful. Fire Rock Geyser erupts 120 feet into the air every hour on the hour, and is a site to see. Take a look around the lobby where the spring bubbles up that is the head of Silver Creek Stream. Follow the Silver Creek Stream out of the building to find a 15 foot waterfall. Sit on the porch and enjoy the wooden rocking chairs for a while and just enjoy the atmospheric. The Wilderness Lodge offers a free Wonders of the Lodge tour. The tour details the history and inspiration of the Wilderness Lodge.

Contemporary Resort

The Contemporary Resort is one of the two original Walt Disney World Resorts the Polynesian being the other. In the Contemporary, catch a ride on the world-famous monorail from inside the hotel. Yes, the Contemporary is the only hotel at Walt Disney World the monorail actually passes through the hotel’s tower. There are several out door games available to play such as giant Connect 4, corn hole, and Ping Pong. Have your camera ready for a great photo op with the Mickey ear statue. We like to get our girls photos in the ears every visit to see how they have grown. There is even a stand for your camera.

Honorable Mention Resorts for Fun Free Experiences at Disney World

The Polynesian Resort

The Polynesian Resort is a great one to visit for those seeking an island vibe. A boat or monorail ride away from the Contemporary, the Polynesian is a great resort to visit for some adventure. The Polynesian has the best viewing for the Happily Ever After Fireworks because it is directly across the Seven Seas Lagoon from the Magic Kingdom. Grab a Hammock on the beach and enjoy. In the Great Ceremonial House be sure to catch the Torch Lighting Ceremony every evening Tuesday through Saturday. Head to the lobby to have a Hula dancing lesson. Listen to Polynesian story telling in the Ceremonial House at 8:30pm. Don’t forget to go by Pineapple Lanai to try the famed Dole Whip. It is the same popular snack available in the parks (with a much shorter line). The snack is not free, but so worth it.

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Animal Kingdom Lodge, in our opinion, is the best resort to visit because of the abundance and uniqueness of the experiences. The Animal Kingdom Lodge with it’s beautiful architecture and cultural guides is like stepping onto another continent. The Lodge has two main buildings Jambo house and Kidani Village with activities at each. The resort has 3 separate savannas. These are different savannas from the Animal Kingdom park. The savannas display grazing animals including giraffes and zebra surrounding the hotel with different viewing locations. The viewing locations have cultural guides available to talk about the animals or their home country. We met a wonderful cast member from Kenya who was a pleasure to talk with. At night in certain locations the resort offers night vision goggles for a very unique experience.

One of the most surprising activities that we discovered at Animal Kingdom Lodge was the children’s experience “String of Memories” beads activities. The activities consist of four activities at Jambo House, three at Kidani Village, and one activity can be completed at either location. The activities take place at different times and some are only on certain days. Our daughter discovered the Animal Enrichment activity and had so much fun. The cast members were very informative and friendly. Be sure to stop by Boma at 1:30pm to decorate a free cookie. Round out your visit to Animal Kingdom Lodge by stopping by the African Storytelling at Ogun’s Fire pit.

Free Experiences at Disney World’s Disney Springs

Disney Springs is a great place to spend part of your day with several free activities to partake in. Sample some honey in Savannah Bee Company. Be sure to try the whipped honeys. Go by Ghirardelli chocolate and get a free piece of chocolate. The kids can have some play time in the Lego Store‘s play place. Lego tables are available so kids can build till their hearts content. Take some selfies with the Lego statues around the store.

Photo Op

There are several photo opportunities all over Disney Springs for fun keepsakes. Stop by the back entrance to the Marketplace to get a great Christmas card photo. Check out the store Disney Style to get your photo in a tea cup. After that take a look up to see one of the old Sky Buckets hanging from the ceiling. Get your picture on a “Hog” in the Orlando Harley Davidson store. Get a hug from the Coke bear in the Coca-Cola Store.

More Disney Springs

To beat the heat and enjoy some fun the kids can splash around in the splash zones. There are two splash zones in Disney Springs Marketplace. One located between Once Upon A Toy and Earl of Sandwich and a smaller one near the back entrance to Disney’s Days of Christmas. Don’t worry there are benches near by for the adults to relax while the kids get wet.

See Live performers on the stage across from the World of Disney Store. The Princess Parade is a really cute sight to see. The kids will love to dig up some bones at the Paleo Zone at the T-Rex Restaurant. Be sure to check out the view from the Coca-Cola Lounge on top of the Coca-Cola Store. Take a boat ride to Port Orleans Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort, or Old Key West Resorts. Along the way you get to see the Tree House Villas. We love to stop in at Port Orleans French Quarter to have beingnets.  

Free Experiences at Disney World Boardwalk

Disney’s Boardwalk area is a free shopping and dinning area. The area is surrounded by the Boardwalk Inn Resort, The Beach Club Resort, and The Yacht Club. The Boardwalk area is a replica based on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. The area can be reached by taking a bus to Hollywood Studios. Once at the Studios take a boat or a walking trail is available to the Boardwalk. A bus is also available to the Boardwalk resorts from Disney Springs. While at the Boardwalk you can catch free street performers and the Fireworks from Hollywood Studios. Take a tour of the resorts while you are there. We walked around in the Boardwalk Inn hotel. The decor was really neat as it is based on the old boardwalks of the past.

It is not free, buy stop by Beaches and Cream Soda Shop and have some very yummy ice cream. The shop serves the similar ice cream as the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street in Magic Kingdom. If your brave enough, try the Kitchen Sink Sundae that Beaches and Cream is famous for. We have not tried the Kitchen Sink Sundae (it is on our list). However we have enjoyed a Mickey Kitchen Sink Sundae which is much smaller and the sink is way cuter. (Just a note; Beaches and Cream will be closed for refurbishment from August 2019 to December 2019.)

To Sum it up

In conclusion, Walt Disney World does not have to break your budget. Likewise, you don’t have to spend all your time in a crowded park. There are many free things to do while staying at Disney World. These were some of the things we found during our four days at Fort Wilderness. We were busy every day and had a great time. There are even more resorts to explore that we did not get into in this article. Get out and make some discoveries the next time you decide to visit Walt Disney World. Make your trip your own and see what you can find while you travel, rest, repeat.