20 Fun Free Things To Do At Disney World You Don’t Want To Miss (2025)

No tickets needed. No dining expenses necessary. Just fun, free attractions and activities at Walt Disney World Resort.

Plain and simple.

Free Disney attractions like the Skyliner, monorail, and boats. Free Disney entertainment like fireworks shows, jazz bands, and nightly concerts. Free activities like movie nights, campfire sing-alongs, and watching African animals at a savanna.

All of which don’t cost a cent–neither on park admission tickets nor on dining to access its corresponding show.

And likewise, all fresh for 2024.

I just got back from a Walt Disney World vacation not long ago, so there’s no better time to get you ready for yours!

Related Reading: Best Rides At Magic Kingdom

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List of the Best Free Things to do at Walt Disney World

You’ll find in this post that Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, Disney Springs, and Disney’s BoardWalk Resort are a sort of trifecta in free things to do at Disney World. They each have a myriad of complimentary attractions and activities.

But, many other Disney hotels and sites across property also offer their own free entertainment. So, let’s dive in!

1 – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna

To start, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is worth a visit if you’ve never been! It’s gorgeous. And to boot, you can watch African animals in the savanna from a rocking chair.

This overlook (photo above) area is upstairs, off the back right of the lobby. It tends to be a hidden gem for animal watching and is not often busy. 

You can also roam the grounds for closer views and photos of the animals.

2 – Tri-Circle-D Ranch

Over to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground, the Tri-Circle-D Ranch allows you to meet the “happiest horses on Earth.”

The stables are open daily for guests to visit Cinderella’s Ponies and Main Street USA’s horses. Shetland Ponies, Clydesdales, Arabians, and Belgians are just a few of the breeds here that amount to 90 horses in total.

3 – Scat Cat Club

At Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, you’ll find this charming New Orleans soiree along the left side of the lobby building.

It’s free to visit and has live jazz music during the evenings on weekends. Just be aware that it’s a super popular spot, so snag your seat early!

4 – Atlantic Dance Hall

Along Disney’s BoardWalk, the Atlantic Dance Hall hearkens back to the vintage ballrooms of yesteryear. Being an Art Deco ballroom nightclub, the Atlantic is a prime spot for dancing and music.

It’s something of a hidden gem, as it’s often free of crowds. And with its 21+ age restriction, it’s also free of kids.

It also has a nice balcony over Crescent Lake.

​5 – The Monorail

The Walt Disney World monorail is a classic Disney World novelty!

You can enjoy a picturesque ride around the Seven Seas Lagoon and visit the Polynesian, Contemporary, and Grand Floridian. Alternatively, you can take a ride across Disney property and into Epcot, circling around Spaceship Earth.

Fun Fact: The Epcot monorail line was meant to split off on the left side of Spaceship Earth to head to Disney Springs.

It would’ve passed between Horizons and Universe of Energy (now Mission Space and Cosmic Rewind). So, this is why Universe of Energy, Horizons, and World of Motion (Test Track) were built with “show ready” backsides.

6 – Magic Kingdom Fireworks

You can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks show for free from the top of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Just take advantage of the stairwells on the sides of the hotel closest to the park, and you can get a great view of the show from above.

The Contemporary also has an observation deck on the fourth floor that allows free public access for fireworks viewings. This deck also plays the music from the fireworks show, but the view isn’t as good as it is from the upper stairwells.

7 – Port Orleans River Stroll

Both Port Orleans resorts are so beautiful to walk around! And there’s a less than 10-minute walk between the two that goes along the river–making for a really peaceful Disney excursion that will also yield some beautiful photo ops.

It’s a very underrated, stop-and-smell-the-roses option!

8 – Epcot Fireworks

In addition to catching the Magic Kingdom fireworks for free, you can also enjoy the Epcot fireworks for no cost.

The bridge between the BoardWalk and the Yacht & Beach Club offers great views of Epcot’s nightly fireworks show. Other outside viewing spots include the Epcot International Gateway and the top of the Disney Springs Orange parking garage.

9 – Disney Skyliner

You can enjoy chill bird’s eye views of Disney World with the free Disney Skyliner. Plus, you can resort hop between the Riviera, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and Art of Animation.

Each of those resorts have fun, complimentary activities like movie nights, scenic trails, and more. Not to mention, Pop Century and Art of Animation have an interesting bit of Disney history behind them.

10 – The Electrical Water Pageant

Fireworks and boat rides aren’t the only free things to do at Disney World by the Magic Kingdom. An eccentric nighttime parade floats around the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.

With plenty of campy music and twinkling sea monsters, the Electrical Water Pageant can be viewed from the shores of the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness Campground.

11 – Boat Rides

There are several free boat rides that you can take around Disney World. Highlights include the boat ride from Magic Kingdom to Fort Wilderness Campground and the boat ride from Disney Springs to Port Orleans.

Fort Wilderness has a lot of free outdoor activities like tetherball, checkers, campfires, the horse ranch, movie nights, and more.

12 – Chip n Dale’s Campfire Sing Along

Fort Wilderness Campground has nightly campfires, starting at 7:30pm, weather permitting. These include complimentary campfire classics like roasting your own marshmallows (or outright torching them if you’re like me).

And Wednesday nights through Sunday nights, Disney characters Chip and Dale will be joining the campfire festivities to host a sing-along, pose for photos, and sign autographs. The campfire will be followed by an outdoor movie night under the stars.

13 – Disney’s BoardWalk

Disney’s BoardWalk Resort is another hotspot for free activities in a Coney Island style atmosphere, between its BoardWalk and the Atlantic Dance Hall.

Live performances from musical artists to stilt walkers to contortionists and more, movies under the stars on select nights, and a glimpse of Epcot’s fireworks can all be enjoyed at the BoardWalk.

14 – Movie Under the Stars

Where better to catch a classic Disney movie than at Disney itself?

The majority of Disney resorts host outdoor movie nights where you can enjoy a film on the beach, on the lawn, or even in a pool (although in that case, it’s limited to resort guests). 

Some unique spots to watch a movie under the stars are Fort Wilderness Campground, Yacht & Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, and the Contemporary.

15 – Disney Springs Live Entertainment

There are a great many free things to do at Disney Springs! The Springs is a great place for live music, with free concerts daily that feature different talented artists.

Plus, there are more boating opportunities and even free samples at spots like Goofy’s Candy Co.

16 – River Roost Lounge

Heading back to Port Orleans, but this time to Riverside, the River Roost Lounge is a club nestled between the General Store and the Dining Hall.

The Roost is home to the beloved Yehaa Bob Jackson piano show that often runs Wednesday nights through Saturday nights. And like Scat Cat, the Roost is a popular spot on show nights, so be sure to grab a seat early!

17 – Grand Floridian Piano Music

If you are doing a Magic Kingdom monorail excursion or are swinging by Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort for some Victorian ambiance, spend a little time in the lobby to catch a performance of the Grand Floridian Pianist.

The showtimes often run at the top of the hour, or just fifteen minutes past, and feature a variety of Disney classics played on a grand piano. It’s another lowkey, overlooked option amongst the free things to do at Disney World.

18 – Beachside Tetherball

Tetherball, in case you don’t know, is like a volleyball attached to the end of a rope that’s attached to the end of a pole. The goal is to wrap the ball/rope completely around the pole before your opponent gets the chance.

Back at Fort Wilderness Campground, its beaches along Bay Lake have a few tetherball spots set up. So, if you’re in the mood to hit something as hard as you possibly can, boat over to that Fort Wilderness beach. You’ll be able to spot the abandoned Discovery Island too! (Don’t try to go.)

Pro Tip: Try to hit the ball from the topside with your hand angled downwards so that the ball swoops low on your side and high on the other side (preferably over your opponent’s head).

19 – Jogging Trails

There are a lot of jogging trails around Disney World property–far more than I even realized–with the majority of Disney resorts having at least one. On average, they’re one mile long but some range up to four miles in length.

Some of the best nature trails include the Fort Wilderness trail (scenic and shaded), Caribbean Beach (scenic), and BoardWalk (4 miles long).

20 – Raglan Road Live Entertainment

Topping off back at Disney Springs, Raglan Road has daily shows during the evenings on both its main stage and its patio stage.

The shows feature singers, bands, and Irish dancers. And while Raglan is an Irish-themed pub, you don’t have to buy anything to enjoy the free outdoor live performance.

Free Things to do at Disney World by Category

Here are some quick recommendations for fun and free things to do at Disney World for particular groups and occasions.

Free Things to do at Disney World for Adults

Several free Disney excursions tend to be more appealing to adults. These include:

• Atlantic Dance Hall
• Scat Cat Club
• Disney Springs Live Entertainment
• Disney’s BoardWalk Resort
• Boat Rides

Some of these are exclusive to adults while others are more catered to adults. 

It’s not to say that kids won’t love the music and vibe of Scat Cat’s, but adults enjoy the Club far more than the little ones (who tend to prefer more flashy bells-and-whistles entertainment).

​Free Things to do at Disney World for Families

Naturally, Disney has a ton of complimentary offerings that are family-oriented. A few highlights of these are:

• Chip n Dale Campfire Sing Along
• Movie Under The Stars
• Tri-Circle-D Ranch
• Magic Kingdom Fireworks
• The Electrical Water Pageant

These options appeal to both adults and children alike, so they’ll make perfect additions to your Disney bucket list!

Free Things to do at Disney World for Your Birthday

Happy birthday! Here are some of the best free offerings at Disney World to enjoy on your special day:

• Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna
• River Roost Lounge
• Epcot Fireworks
• Disney’s BoardWalk
• Tri-Circle-D Ranch

These experiences offer upbeat entertainment or unique animal encounters. And, what better way to celebrate your birthday at Disney World for free than seeing wild animals and fireworks?

Free Things to do at Disney World FAQs

Is there any part of Disney World that is free?

Yes, pretty much all of Disney property outside of the parks is free to visit and often has free activities and entertainment to enjoy, as listed above.

Is Disney World free on your birthday?

Visiting Disney World property (outside of the parks) is free year-round. Disney World parks are not free on your birthday, though. But, you can get a free celebration button on your birthday.

Can you ride Disney gondola for free?

Yes, you can ride the Disney gondola for free. It’s a great way to resort hop between Caribbean Beach, Riviera, Art of Animation, and Pop Century.

Can you go to Disney BoardWalk for free?

Yes, you can go to the Disney BoardWalk for free and enjoy musical performances, stilt walkers, contortionists, movies under the stars, and Epcot’s fireworks at no cost.

Can you ride Disney Monorail for free?

Yes, you can ride the Disney monorail for free. You can either take the route that circles inside Epcot or do the Magic Kingdom resort loop.

Can you go to Downtown Disney World for free?

Yes, you can go to Downtown Disney World for free. It has complimentary shows daily at different venues such as Raglan Road, Waterside Stage, and Waterview Park.

Can you get into Magic Kingdom for free?

No, you can’t get into Magic Kingdom for free… unless you’re under 3 years old.

Can you walk around Disney Springs for free?

Yes, you can walk around Disney Springs for free. It has a lot of free entertainment that you can enjoy. Plus, some eateries offer free samples (like Goofy’s Candy Co).

Is EPCOT free to enter?

Technically, yes if you want to play with semantics. You can enter Epcot for free via the monorail, as it rolls through Epcot’s Future World (yes, I know it’s not called that anymore) so you can get a great bird’s eye view of the park.

But, you can’t get past the ticket gates of Epcot for free. So while you can ride around the park from above, you can’t walk around the park or ride its attractions for free.

Wrap Up

There are plenty of free things to do at Disney World; so, if you poke around more of the resorts and Disney Springs, you’ll undoubtedly find more options that aren’t on this list yet.

And sometimes, the best Disney World freebies are the ones you can make from home in your own kitchen! So, be sure to check out some fun Disney World recipes that you can add to your cookbook.

Cheers to enjoying the most magical place on Earth without breaking the bank!

What are your favorite free things to do at Disney World?

For more Disney World travel guides, you can also check out:

• Best Roller Coasters At Disney World
• Guide: Deliveries To Disney Resorts
• Best Rides At Magic Kingdom
• All Walt Disney World Ride Lengths
• Abandoned Disney Attractions

Thanks for reading!