More Free Things to do at Disney World

Who doesn’t love free? Especially after having spent a fortune travelling to Disney World, tickets, accommodation and purchasing quite a few more souvenirs that we should have... Certainly not us! 

Here at WDW Info And Pics we’re always on the lookout for free things to do at the Disney World Resort in Orlando so here are some of our favorite things to do without spending a dime.

Tour the WDW Boardwalk

Stroll along Crescent Lake and take in the sights and sounds along Disney’s BoardWalk Entertainment District, reminiscent of beachside turn-of-the-century East Coast. A number of shops line the Boardwalk, offering plenty of window shopping opportunities.

Watch the game or catch a live interview at the ESPN Club (no need to purchase anything),which often hosts live radio sports shows. Or why not take take in the marine-themed fine art at Wyland Galleries? Just remember to keep your wallet in your pocket : )

Take in the Electrical Water Pageant

One of the few original opening shows at Disney World that continues to this day, the pageant takes place nightly (weather permitting) on the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake, and features floating sea creatures lit by hundreds of bulbs! 

You can see it outside the entrance to Magic Kingdom Park or from the beaches and docks alongside Disney’s Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness and Contemporary resorts.

Visit Downtown Disney


There is no charge to visit Downtown Disney and there are several FREE (or almost free) things to do while you’re there.

Of cours, kids love the LEGO Imagination Center, where they can dig through the giant tubs of LEGO bricks, create a “masterpiece,” and even race their figures on ramps. Inside the store, there are computers where the kids can play games and design LEGO structures. (FYI: The huge LEGO statues outside the store make for great family photos.)

Hunt for hidden Mickeys

One of our very favorite things to do is to keep an eye out for the famous mouse ears that are interspersed throughout the park. Believe me when I tell you there is nothing quite like the thrill of being the first one in your group to announce “I spy a hidden Mickey …” that no one else has seen before!

Strike up a conversation with a stranger

Sometimes the introverts among us need a little bit of nudging, but one of the best ways to pass the time while waiting in line is to strike up a conversation with a stranger. After all, people come to the parks from all over the world! It’s always interesting to hear where people are from and what they’ve enjoyed about their trip.

And don’t forget about cast members! It should come as no surprise that they love talking to guests. Even better, cast members have tons of insider knowledge about the parks and can offer suggestions to make your trip much more memorable.

Make Your Own Duffy the Disney Bear Souvenir

Located in each country’s pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot are these convenient little rest areas called KidCot Fun Stops.

They’re great for when your little ones (or you) need a break from the crowds and they’re also great for a FREE souvenir. The kids can take their time coloring their own Disney the Duffy Bear souvenir. We even got Duffy himself to hold the one we made!

Catch a fireworks show from outside of the park

The beach at Disney’s Polynesian Resort is a popular (and romantic) location for watching the fireworks show outside of Magic Kingdom. The beach at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is another fireworks-viewing destination, although it is hampered right now by construction. 

Another popular place to catch the fireworks is from the boat launch at the Ticketing and Transportation Center. Like at the Polynesian, the show’s music is piped in for full effect.

Visit the animals at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge plays host to more than 30 species of African wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, gazelles, kudu and flamingos. You don’t have to be a Disney resort guest to see the magnificent animals, which can be observed from the elevated ‘kopje,’ or rock cropping, which allows guests to view the animals from yards away.

Trade Your Disney Pins


The initial Disney Pin investment isn’t free, but trading them with Cast Members at the Disney parks and resorts certainly is

Wear a Celebration Button


There’s always a reason to celebrate when you’re at Disney World, so don’t forget to stop by Guest Relations to pick up your FREE Celebration Button. Wear it proudly during your trip and you’re sure to get lots of special attention!

What are your favorite FREE things to do at the parks? Share yours on Twitter!

10 Special Events at Disney World

As seasoned WDW fans are well aware of, Disney World offers plenty of fun and endless entertainment possibilities throughout the year...

The four theme parks at Walt Disney World - Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom - are the main focus of attention drawing in visitors during the year, but what not everybody knows is that practically all year round there are also special events taking place at the Disney World Resort in Orlando - and these special events are not always in the parks! In today's post, we summarize 10 unique experiences that you should not miss should they coincide with your next trip to WDW.

10. Mardi Gras

A little-known event on Mardi Gras is the mini-parade through Disney’s Port Orleans Resort. Several departments of the resort build floats on golf carts. The floats are judged and then parade through the grounds. During the parade they throw New Orleans-style trinkets (beads, candy, doubloons) to the guests who line up to watch. 

9. Disney World Marathon

In January each year, the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon highlight an entire running weekend at Disney World Resort. Other highlights include Goofy’s Race-and-a-Half Challenge, Family Fun Run 5K and Kids’ Races. There are other races throughout the year: The Princess Half Marathon in February, the Expedition Everest Challenge in May, and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Ten-miler in October.

8. Atlanta Braves Spring Training

The Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball team hold their Spring Training season at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex starting in February. After a period of workouts, the Braves play a series of games against major rivals at The Ballpark at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.

7. Epcot International Flower And Garden Festival

All throughout Epcot you will find more than 100 topiaries as well as special actives (for kids and adults!) and gardening workshops. Don’t forget to stay after dark for the Illuminated Gardens.

6. Easterat Disney World

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Bunny at the Magic Kingdom and hunt eggs in Epcot. Many hotels offer Easter activities and Grand Floridian Resort pastry chefs usually display elaborate edible Easter Eggs in the lobby.

5. Star Wars Weekends at WDW

This is a summer (usually in May and June) special event at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park that celebrates George Lucas' classic sci-fi movie series.

4. Epcot International Food And Wine Festival

I love this event because you can sample the regional cuisine of 6 continents all in one place. This six-week event starts at the end of September and runs through the beginning of November. Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $3 to $8 each, and recommended wines and beers make perfect pairings at each kiosk.

3. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at WDW

The party is held on selected nights in September and October each year. It is offered from 7:00 pm to midnight, after the regular closing of Magic Kingdom, and requires separate admission. Everyone is welcome to dress up and trick-or-treat. There is a special parade and fireworks.

2. WDW Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Just like the Halloween party, this party is held after the regular closing of Magic Kingdom and requires separate admission. Admission to the event includes complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, “snow” on Main Street, holiday stage shows, carolers, two performances of the holiday parade, and a special fireworks display. Plus, most of the major attractions will be open.

1. Christmas at Disney World

Besides the party, there are so many special events happening at Disney World. In Epcot, World Showcase transforms into a splendid display of international holiday traditions and storytelling.

Also in Epcot is the Candlelight Processional, a celebrity narrator presenting the Biblical Christmas story, plus a large choir and an orchestra performing traditional religious Christmas carols. 

At the Magic Kindgom, Cinderella Castle is decorated for the holiday season with a “Dream Lights” effect that makes the Castle seem to be covered in ice. And don’t forget the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This elaborate holiday decoration display incorporating millions of Christmas lights, fake snow and various holiday vignettes.

What are your favorite special events at Disney World? Feel free to share them with us on Twitter.

The Flower and Garden Festival at WDW

Temperatures are on the rise in sunny Orlando just in time for one of our very favorite events — the Epcot International Flower And Garden Festival.

This annual event at Disney World runs from March 6 through May 19 2013, and it features some of the most amazing topiaries ever seen. It takes Disney more than a year to prepare for the event, which showcases more than 30 million blooms. Here’s an overview of this year’s festival for those of you planning to attend.

Topiaries and Blooms at Disney World

You’ll find more than 100 topiaries throughout Epcot during this event, plus 240 floating mini-gardens, flower towers and other blooms throughout the park. For the first time ever, Illuminated Gardens in Future World and World Showcase will twinkle and glow over the gardens and topiaries each evening.

Mike and Sully from “Monsters University” will make their topiary debuts this year. They join many, many other Disney favorites, including the inseparable Phineas and Ferb, who will be available for photo ops behind Spaceship Earth.

We’re most looking forward to visiting Tinker Bell’s Butterfly House, featuring fairy topiaries of Tinker Bell, Fawn, Vidia and Terrence, as well as hundreds and hundreds of colorful butterflies. You might not know that up to 10 species of 1,000 native butterflies will be drinking from Cape Royal plumbago, passion flower, coral honeysuckle, blazing star and butterfly bush among other nectar plants!

Food plays a central role in this year’s celebrations and the entrance to Epcot feature oversized topiaries of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck in a cookout scene made from more than 15 varieties of flowers, plants and other garden materials.

According to an official press release issued by Disney World representatives:

“The 14-foot-tall Goofy topiary will bobble an anniversary cake while Donald and Daisy play badminton, Mickey fires up the grill, Pluto swipes a link of hot dogs and Minnie chills out on a colorful blanket of blossoms.”

Food

Making their debuts this year are 12 “garden marketplaces,” similar to the kiosks at the Food And Wine Festival, that will feature a number of culinary creations and cooling libations, including the

much-balyhood Spiced Rum Dole Whip. Each of the marketplaces will feature a produce and herb garden.

Here are a few of the Garden Marketplace menus:the full list:

Florida Fresh – World Showcase Promenade

• Watermelon Salad with pickled Red Onions, Baby Arugula, Feta Cheese and Balsamic Reduction
• Shrimp and Stone Ground Grits with Andouille Sausage, Zellwood
• Corn, Tomatoes and Cilantro
• Angel Food Cake with macerated Florida Berries
• Florida Orange Groves, Hot Sun, Tomato Wine
• Florida Orange Groves, 40 Karat, Carrot Wine
• Orange Blossom Pilsner
• Strawberry Slush – Non Alcoholic

Jardin de Fiestas – Mexico

• Tacos de Carnitas (Pork Tacos topped with Tamarindo salsa, served on a flour tortilla with Chicharrón)
• Tostada (Crab tostada served with Chipotle Mayo and Valentina Salsa)
• Flan de Guayaba (Guava Custard)
• Conga Fruit Punch – Non Alcoholic
• Corona Light Draft Beer
• Rosita Margarita
• Organic Tequila Flight

Playareas at the Festival

Debuting this year is a circus-themed “Land of Oz” play area based on the “Oz: The Great and Powerful” film that opened March 8. There is an interactive play zone made of giant flowers as well as midway-style games and a variety of Oz-like plants.

Topiaries Lightning McQueen and Mater play host to an interactive “Radiator Springs” play zone on the Test Track Walkway.

Flower Power Concert Series Lineup

Each weekend, you’ll be able to enjoy classic tunes from the 60s and 70s during the Flower Power Concert Series. Show times are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. at America Gardens Theatre:

April 5-7 The Turtles featuring Flo And Eddie


April 12-14 Paul Revere & the Raiders


April 19-21 The Village People (new!)


April 26-28 The Orchestra, Featuring Former Members of ELO and ELO II


May 3-5 Tommy Roe (new!)


May 10-12 Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone


May 17-19 Starship starring Mickey Thomas

Each Friday, Saturday and Sunday at noon and 3 p.m., you can get tips and tricks from some of DIY and HGTV’s most popular designers in the Festival Center. More than half of this year’s speakers are new to the festival, including Florida’s David Bromstad (speakers are subject to change).

April 5-7 Meg Caswell, “Meg’s Great Rooms”


April 12-14 Jason Cameron, “Desperate Landscapes,” “Man Caves”


April 19-21 Sara Peterson, editor, HGTV Magazine


April 26-28 Carter Oosterhouse, “Million Dollar Rooms”


May 3-5 Casey Noble, “Design on a Dime”


May 10-12 Dan Faires, HGTV.com’s “DanMade”


May 17-19 David Bromstad, “ColorSplash,” “Design Star All-Stars.”

Epcot International Flower And Garden Festival is included with regular admission to Epcot. If you have a Park Hopper ticket, it’s a great way to begin (or end) a few days of your trip!