Free Things To Do At Disney World - Outside of the Theme Parks

You can rent boats at any of the many marinas at Disney World but there are several boats throughout the resort that you can ride for free without needing a park ticket:

1. Boats run between the Magic Kingdom resorts and the Magic Kingdom theme park.

2. There is a ferry that runs between the Ticket & Transportation Center and the Magic Kingdom.

3. There is a boat that runs between the Epcot resorts and the "International Gateway" entrance to Epcot.

4. There are boats that run from Old Key West and Saratoga Springs resorts to Downtown Disney.

5. There are boats that run from Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter resorts to Downtown Disney.

6. During certain hours, there may be a boat that goes between the two sides of Downtown Disney.

There are a couple of monorails at Walt Disney World and they're a enjoyable way to see a bit of the Walt Disney World resort complex. You don't need a theme park ticket to ride the monorails.

1. The resort Monorail runs between Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Contemporary Resorts and the Magic Kingdom and Ticket & Transportation Center.

2. The Express monorails between the Magic Kingdom and the Ticket & Transportation Center.

3. The Epcot monorail runs between the Ticket & Transportation Center and Epcot.

Recommended route:

1. Park the car at - or take a Disney Bus to - Disney's Wilderness Lodge. Go through the resort, past the pool and see the artificial geyser go off every 30 minutes, on the half-hour during daylight hours. Afterwards, head to the boat dock.

2. Option 1: Shorter boat ride - take the boat to the Magic Kingdom. Option 2: Longer boat ride - Take the boat that goes to the Ft. Wilderness Campground and the Contemporary resort. Exit at either the Magic Kingdom or Contemporary resort, depending on which boat you rode.

3. Ride the Monorail to the Ticket & Transportation Center. Ask to sit in the front (limit- 4 people). You may have to wait for the next monorail to get into the front and they may not let guests do this at certain times, especially after dark.

4. From the Ticket and Transportation Center - take the Ferry Boat to the Magic Kingdom. If you used the Disney bus system, you may want to catch your resort bus here.

5. If you drove - from the Magic Kingdom, take the water launch back to the Wilderness Lodge to return to your car

This nightly floating parade can be seen from the Magic Kingdom area resorts. You don't have to be a guest of the resort to enjoy this and there's no charge to watch. My favorite to watch the Electric Water Pageant.is from the beach at the Polynesian Resort. It is simple and a little old fashioned but enjoyable just the same. I like to get a Dole Whip (Pineapple soft-serve ice-cream type dessert) from Captain Cooks, (the resort's food court) to take with me to watch.

Typical times:
9:00PM - Floats past the Polynesian Resort
9:15PM - Floats past the Grand Floridian Resort
9:35PM - Floats past the Wilderness Lodge
9:45PM - Floats past the Ft. Wilderness Campground boat dock
10:05PM - Floats past the Contemporary Resort.

These times may be adjusted slightly depending on when there are fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. The Polynesian Resort beach area is a great place to watch the fireworks too.

The Campfire Sing-Along with Chip and Dale is free and a lot of fun and is offered every evening, weather permitting.

If you're staying on Disney property, go to the nearest theme park and take the bus (or boat from Magic Kingdom) to Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground and take the campground's internal bus system to the Meadow Recreation Area for this event. If you drive, you'll have to park the car and take the campground's internal bus system to the Meadow Recreation Area.

Times vary depending on the daylight hours but you can Click Here To See The Movie Schedule

Here is how the evening typically progresses:

Firelighting - Disney has two firepits where you can roast marshmallows (bring your own or buy them there)

Campfire Sing-Along - A Disney employee (called a "Cast Member") will play the guitar and lead guests in a sing-along. Chip and Dale will go come to you at your seat for photos and to sign autographs.

Outdoor Movie - A Disney movie is shown on an outdoor screen.

The Fort Wilderness Campground also has a hay ride every evening but there is a fee for this.

Click Here For All The Details On the Campfire Sing-Along with Chip and Dale

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (resort hotel) has several of their own Animal viewing areas that you can view at no cost. Just pass through the resort to the other side to see the animals.

There are also two fire pits - one indoors and one outdoors and they have a nightly story time at the fire pit - ask for the scheduled time when you arrive or check the activity board on the lower level, near the restrooms by Boma (a restaurant).

The resort itself is incredibly beautiful and the gift shop here has some very unique items.

While the Animal Kingdom Lodge does have a couple of very good sit-down restaurants, my family even enjoys getting a relatively inexpensive meal from the food court. Whether permitting, we enjoy sitting outside at the tables that overlook the pool.

Here's another suggestion that isn't free - Adults might enjoy the Victoria Falls lounge which features African wines and spirits, Windhock Beer, Kenyan Coffee, and handpicked loose teas from Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Click Here For Lots of Pictures of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort

See the Lego Store sculptures - they always impress us.

The Characters in Flight balloon isn't free but it is still neat to see, even if you don't ride it. It's especially pretty at night.

You can sometimes take a boat from one side of Downtown Disney to the other. You can also ride a boat from the Market Place Area to Old Key West & Saratoga Springs or to Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter resorts.

DJ Dance Party - Downtown Disney's West End Plaza. Mini-street dance parties from 6:30PM - 9:30PM. They do have periodic breaks through the evening so check back if there's nothing going on the first time you pass by.

Live Entertainment - click on the "Downtown Disney" tab at http://www.wdwent.com/ to see who is performing during your visit. There may be music at the West End Plaza, in front of Fulton's Crabhouse, or on the Waterside stage.

World of Disney - this is a huge Disney gift shop with themed rooms and some Animatronics throughout the store. We've seen employees engaging children in games and activities at times during the day.

Magic Masters - See sleight of hand demonstrations during store hours.

YeeHaw Bob at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort. Bob Jackson is a very fun performer who leads a boogy-woogie, rag-time sing-along at the River Roost Lounge in the Port Orleans Riverside resort. This event is family friendly. He typically performs on Wednesday - Saturday nights. No cover charge. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase.

Elliot Dyson at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort. Mr Dyson sings and plays several instruments and entertains audiences with a selection of songs you know and love. This event is family friendly. He typically performs on Wednesday - Saturday nights. No cover charge. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase.

Parasol Parade at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort:The housekeepers of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort hotel take part in a Parasol Parade every Monday and Friday morning at 8:00AM, weather permitting. Check your Grand Floridian recreation Calendar to confirm date and time. The parade starts at the Grand Floridian Marina and slowly makes its way through the Victorian Courtyard and around the pool.

Auntie Kau'l Brandt has been serving as a "cultural ambassador" to Disney's Polynesian Resort since it opened in 1971. Five days a week, you'll find her at the desk near the children's television area of the Polynesian Lobby where she greets guests, answers questions about Hawaiian culture, teaches hula, plays the ukelele, and leads children in craft activities. She is a very special part of this very special resort so take the time to meet her.

At Build A Better Mouse Trip, we are convinced that everyone can benefit with good touring plans - this is even more important during holiday travel seasons. During busy times, a good plan will absolutely keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the lines - our clients typically wait less than 20 minutes for rides, even thrill rides and headliners. During less crowded times, a good plan factors in shorter park hours and fewer performance times. But the most important benefit of a good plan is that everyone gets to ride and see the things that they are looking forward to because everyone's priorities are included in a plan that tours the parks efficiently and effectively.

We offer three great options for touring plans at no extra cost to you when you book your Disney vacation through Build A Better Mouse Trip:

1. The Unofficial Guide To Walt Disney World is an excellent guide book with great standardized plans. A great resource.

2. Tour Guide Mike Subscription - this fantastic website is a great option for anyone who loves travel planning.

3. TouringPlans.com subscription - the online side of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. This is the best option for busy people who need something quick and easy. The printable theme park touring plans are excellent.

There are two ways that I can provide the touring plans and any other planning help you need at no charge to you:

Free Option #1: If you book a new reservation through us, we'll provide custom touring as our thank you to you. We will also help you put together an itinerary that puts you in the least busy park for each day of your vacation and we'll make dining reservations on your behalf.

Free Option #2: If you made your existing Walt Disney World vacation package reservation yourself, it is possible to have Build A Better Mouse Trip added to the reservation as the "Agent of Record". Your price, benefits, and confirmation numbers stay the same - we just become your travel agent.

With either option, Disney will pay us a commission they would've kept for themselves and we accept that commission as payment-in-full for all planning services.

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