Downtown Disney is a great place to spend part of a day or evening. At Downtown Disney, there are shops to window shop at, restaurants, benches to sit and people watch from, and some occasional free entertainment at night, courtesy of Disney. Disney Resort guests can take a Disney bus for free to Downtown Disney, and parking is free for guests traveling by car. Disney guests staying at Port Orleans, Saratoga Springs Resort, and Old Key West Resort can visit Downtown Disney by taking one of the free water shuttle boats from the resorts.
If you want a free “water shower,” take a walk by the World of Disney Store with the giant Stitch icon at the front. Every so often, Stitch squirts water out of his mouth onto unsuspecting guests and kids who stand in line for a free squirt.
2. The Lego Store
The Lego Store is located in the Marketplace area of Downtown Disney. At the Lego Store, children can build their own Lego creations at tables outside of the store. This is a free activity for children, and parents can join in the fun or marvel at some of the displayed Lego creations in the Lego Store windows. The larger-than-life Lego creations outside of the Lego Store are great photo opportunities for families.
3. Ghiradelli’s
Ghiradelli’s is the place to go for any chocolate lovers. Located in the Downtown Disney area, guests passing by the shop will often see a staff member handing out chocolate square samples. Go to Ghiradelli’s for a free chocolate treat and then try to walk away before the wonderful smells of chocolate and hot fudge sundaes in the Ghiradelli ice cream shop pull you in. Otherwise, the chocolate sample is free.
Disney’s Boardwalk area is a destination in itself. Guests at Disney World can visit by car, or by one of the Disney busses that goes to the Boardwalk Resort area. Designed after the Coney Island Boardwalk, the Disney Boardwalk area has carnival games, shops, restaurants, a bakery, and entertainment. Interactive shows take place outside, right on the Disney Boardwalk, with magicians and other entertainers. Disney’s Boardwalk can also be reached from Epcot and Disney-MGM Studios.
5. Fort Wilderness Campfire
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort hosts a nightly campfire and sing-along. Disney Resort guests may attend the evening campfire free of charge. A Disney movie is shown, and marshmallows are available. Fort Wilderness is located near Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, in the Magic Kingdom Resort area.
6. Ride the Monorail
A ride on Disney’s Monorail can be a free activity for children, or adults, who want to experience this original transportation system. The Disney Monorail drivers often let families join them in the front seat, if requested before boarding.
7. Take a Free Boat Ride
The Disney Friendship boats travel back and forth between Disney-MGM Studios, Epcot, and the Boardwalk/Beach Club Resort area. Disney guests can catch a free boat ride at any of these locations. Disney guests staying at one of the Downtown Disney Resorts can take advantage of the peaceful boat rides between Downtown Disney and the Downtown Disney Resorts (Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Port Orleans, and Port Orleans French Quarter).
8. Watch the Fireworks
Nightly Disney fireworks can be viewed from several of the Disney Resort beaches near the Magic Kingdom. Firework schedules vary by season, but generally begin just before park closing at the Magic Kingdom. Epcot features the “Illuminations” fireworks display, and the Magic Kingdom has the “Wishes” fireworks display each night.
Disney Imagineers have hidden hundreds of Hidden Mickeys all over Disney World. Hidden Mickeys are hidden in the design of buildings, attractions, furniture, and hotel decor. A Hidden Mickey hunt is free, and many families make a game of finding Hidden Mickeys, while visiting one of the Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, or the Downtown Disney area.
10. Go Around the World
If you’re planning a day at Epcot, children can take a trip around the world, at Disney’s World Showcase at Epcot. Kidcot Fun Stop stations are positioned at the different countries in Disney’s World Showcase. Children can creat unique masks at the Kidcot Fun Stops, adding decorations and designs at each stop at a “county.” Cast Members supervise the Kidcot stations, and kids can create, color, stamp, and design their own mask at the tables set up in each Disney Epcot country. If children visit all 14 of the countrues at Epcot, they can earn a special gift at the end. The gift is usually a small Disney poster.
