Do you have a bucket list? Most of us do whether it’s just a list in our head or written on a piece of paper. As Walt Disney himself said,”If you can dream it, you can do it.” and those dreams deserve a spot on your bucket list. Whether we check items off our bucket list or not it makes us happy to think about what is on our list and makes us Dream Big.
Whether you are you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort now or in the future it’s time to create your Disney Vacation Bucket list! Yes, it deserves its own Bucket list. What is different about this list is I guarantee you will be checking things off your list sooner than you think! Why, because there are so many things to do at the Walt Disney World Resort, many of which are free or at a cost that fits every budget. So sit back, check out the list and pin this post!
I have created a Disney Vacation Bucket List Printable for you so you can start your own. Make it a family activity and create one together. It’s a great way to get excited and learn about what everyone wants to experience to make your family vacation great. Read on about lots of free and fun things to add to your list!
Having traveled to Disney for many years as a DVC member and being a former Disney Vacation Specialist we have done many things available at Disney. From behind the scene tours, Pirate fireworks cruises, mini golf, sailing on the Grand Yacht and having a Fairytale Wedding. We do still plenty of other activities on our Disney Vacation Bucket list because there is just so much to do and see.
Many people know about the popular vacation extras like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, dining in Cinderella’s castle, holiday parties and dessert parties in the parks so I am not going to talk about them today. I wanted to let you know of some free and fun things that you may NOT have known you can do at Disney when planning your next Disney Vacation.
There are plenty fun and magical experiences outside of all the rides to try. Many are even free and some at various costs! Here are a few of my top picks for FREE and FUN experiences. Use these to get started on your own Disney Vacation Bucket List! So take some extra time to pick a few out with your family to make an even more memorable vacation!
FREE Things to add to your Disney Vacation Bucket list!
FREE– Celebration Pins– Stop by any guest service desk to pick up your pin to wear. Birthday, wedding, Anniversary, Just married or I am celebrating pins are available. Be sure to wear them, you never know what kind of magical surprise you may get.
FREE–Movie under the Stars-Enjoy a free outdoor Disney movie. Many resorts offer movie nights, check with your resort for scheduling.
FREE–Sing-A-Long with Chip and Dale and nightly Movie-Located at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground and free to all Walt Disney world guests. Sit back 30 minutes before the move for a sing-a- long with Chip and Dale characters before the nightly movie. Other resorts like Port Orleans, The Grand Floridian and Beach Club also offer similar seasonal activities. Check with the resorts for times.
FREE–Electric Water Pagent – This is usually visible on Bay Lake starting around 9pm from most Magic Kingdom area resorts it passes resorts at different times so be sure to check with the resort so you don’t miss it.
FREE–Sorcerer of the Magic Kingdom Interactive Scavenger Hunt-This one is really fun for the whole family. Located in the Magic Kingdom Park. Sign up for the game at the Firehouse station at Main St. USA. You will receive a Key to the Kingdom card, a pack of collectable spell cards per person and a map to complete 9 magical quests. You can go back each day to receive a new pack of cards and new game quests to complete.
FREE– Character Wake Up Calls– Schedule a free character wake up call in your Disney resort room. Just pick up the phone and kit the “wake up” button to set your time. Usually its Mickey or Stitch so be sure to put it on speaker in the morning so everyone can hear.
FREE– A Pirate Adventure– An interactive mission in Adventure land. Pick up your map and get started just past Pirates of the Caribbean. It will take you on an adventure to find 5 treasures throughout Adventure land. You will need your Magic Bands for this one. Complete up to 5 maps.
FREE–Club Cool- Epcot– Not only can you can sample free Coca Cola Beverages( be sure to try the Beverly!) from around the world but did you know if it’s your Birthday you get a free slushy? Just be sure to where you birthday pin (free at all parks at guest services) and head on over to the slushy counter to grab your free Slushy of your choice!
FREE Wildness Badge Program– Animal Kingdom- A Self guided missions that send your around the park collecting 30 sticker badges to place in your free Wilderness Explorer Field Guide you can pick up at any Wilderness lodge station. Fun for kids and educational.
FREE Water– Don’t use your snack credits on the meal plan for water, save that for something good like a rice crispy treat! Instead visit a kiosk that sell fountain beverages and ask for a cup of ice water. It’s Free!
FREE Transportation Cards– Fun for kids to collect thought out their vacat It gives the info about each form of transportation at the Walt Disney Resort. We had fun collecting these on our last trip as well. Again a friendly cast member informed us about them. Just ask any cast member working on the monorail, busses or boats. They all grab a stack for the day but once they are out they are out. We collected about 20 on our last visit.
FREE– Meet and Great with Mickey and Gang 5×7 photo– If you are a Disney Visa card holder be sure to bring it to Epcot and get a free photo with Mickey and Gang. Stop by the photo store to pick up your free print.
FREE-The Disney Wilderness Preserve– Many people don’t know about this one. In fact I only found out about it recently and is on our bucket list for our next trip. Just 20 miles south of Walt Disney World is the beginning of the Everglades ecosystem an 11,500 acre Disney Wilderness Preserve owned by the Disney Company to help with conservation, protect and restore the wetlands. You can hike the 2-½ mile trail to check out native wildlife. Be sure to bring the necessary supplies like sunscreen and water to drink. It has limited hours open November –March and April-October so be sure check the website before going. Visit Disney Wilderness Preserve website.
FREE–Disney Boardwalk– Free entertainment. I am always sad to hear people have never been to the Disney Boardwalk. It’s one of our favorite resort areas. At night the boardwalk wakes up and lights up and there is free fun family entertainment throughout the night by traveling performers. For a small cost you can also rent a surrey bike, play boardwalk games and have a scoop of ice cream to finish out the night.
Tip: Always ask a cast member; it never hurt to ask if you are not sure of something. Some of the best advice or info has come from cast members I have talked to over the years.
OTHER FUN THINGS TO ADD TO YOUR DISNEY VACATION BUCKET LIST!
Fireworks Cruise– Enjoy a dessert party on a pontoon boat or the Grand Yacht for a spectacular view on Bay Lake of the Magic Kingdom Fireworks show. One of our favorites is the Pirate & Pals Fireworks Voyage with Captain Hook, Smee and Peter Pan, includes all you can eat goodies and sailing on an adventure full of laughs and jokes on Bay lake with a prime viewing of the Magic Kingdom Fireworks show. $$-$$$
Celebration custom cakes– Pre order a specialty cake to be delivered to participating resorts and restaurants around Walt Disney World. You can call Cake-Ordering Hotline at 407-827-2253. There are a few standard cakes but most cakes are all custom made so you can submit images to the chefs to have them design your own. $-$$
Harmony Barber Shop– Located in the Magic Kingdom just off of Main Street USA. If you have a little one ready for their 1st haircut they offer a package complete with a certificate and Mouse Ears. Adults and kids can get cuts too. $
Carriage rides– Take a 25-minute romantic ride or family carriage ride on a horse and buggy at Fort Wilderness Campground, Port Orleans Resort and even a Holiday sleigh ride. $$
Park Tours– Disney parks offers everything from Family Magic tours, educational tours in Epcot to Star wars tours at DHS. Tour prices start from $20 and up. We really enjoyed the Magic behind the Steam train tour. All ages can attend and it was an interesting look back to Walt’s love of trains. $-$$$
Pin Trading– Purchase a pin trading set with a lanyard at one of the gift ships or online before your trip to get started. You can walk up to any cast member to trade pins. So if you see one you like get ready to trade one of yours. Don’t give away your good pins! It’s a fun activity for kids. Always watch for pin sales on Disney shopping or a at local Disney outlet and use these to trade. Remember, you can trade with anyone who is wearing pins but they don’t have to trade with you. Only cast member are obligated to trade all the pins they have. $-$$
Dinner shows– There are 2 dinner shows at the Walt Disney World Resort. Both are on the dining plan. The Luau and the Hoop Dee Doo Review. If you have a chance our favorite is the Hoop Dee Doo Review. Be sure to try it at least once. You will have a blast and the food is yummy too! Plus it includes all you can drink beer and sangria. $$
Amphicar Tours– Located at Disney Springs at the Boat House Restaurant. It’s the only place in the world to ride in these guided tours of these vintage cars that ride on land and water. This is such a fun treat for your family. Something that most people will never get to do. It can be costly around $125 but a perfect gift if you have someone celebrating something special. You only live once so go for it! $$$
Jelly rolls – Disney Boardwalk -This is for folks over 21. Get entertained by dueling pianos and guest sing-a-longs. These guys know every song, it’s so much fun! Get there early to grab a table. There is small cover charge to enter. Enjoy a drink and then stroll on the Disney Boardwalk at night. $
Golf and Mini- golf– If the parks close early head over for a round of Mini golf at Disney’s 2 miniature golf courses Fantasia Gardens and Fairways by the Disney Boardwalk or Winter Summerland by Blizzard Beach Water Park. If you are an avid golfer you can schedule a tee time and the 3 Disney 18 hole golf courses, you can even the rent clubs. Not enough time head to Disney’s Oak Trails golf course for a 9 hole round, great for families & kids who golf together. $-$$$
Pressed pennies– save your quarters and pennies at home, pop them in an empty mini M&M container and bring them along on vacation. Have your kids save them up all year long. There are Penny machines everywhere! Each one cost 50 cents plus a penny. Kids can collect their favorites. Overall it’s a relatively inexpensive fun things the kids can do throughout the Resorts. You can pick up penny holders books in any gift shop. $
Ghostly Spirit Portraits– located inside Memento Mori shop by the Haunted mansion. This is fun if you are a Haunted mansion fan like us. Pose for an 8×10 lenticular ghostly image of yourself that reveals your Disney spirited side. $
Disney Water Parks- Many times overlooked because there is just not enough time because everyone is in a rush. I am guilty. Be sure to schedule some swim time and head over to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon lagoon if it’s in your budget and time allows. You can add these to your park ticket pass at guest services. $$
$=Under $50 $$=Over $50 $$$=$100 or more
One last thing I want to say is enjoy your magical trip! You spend months planning your vacation from what parks you will be visiting, where you are dining and to what shows and rides to see. Remember to take some time to relax, think outside the box, maybe plan ½ days in the parks and take breaks or take a swim or a nap. It’s going to make your vacation more enjoyable! Going commando style can be exhausting and you will end up needed another vacation just from your Disney Vacation and you won’t want to go back. Trust me on this! Been there done that. Remember you do not have to see everything and you won’t but that’s ok. It gives you something to look forward to for your next visit.
**All these experiences are subject to change but are available currently at Walt Disney World Resort.
Comment below what is on your Disney Bucket List?
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Thanks for the info, Daniella! We just started planning a trip for January. The boys have never been, and we’re going to surprise them with the trip. We’re taking my mom too. It’ll be her 70th birthday while we’re there!
OH, How fun! You will have a blast!
This is a fantastic list! We never buy bottled water when we visit the Disney parks. We have insulated metal water bottles. Put some ice in there and the water stays cold the entire day! Much better than a disposable cup and saves so much money over the course of our vacation ☺️❤️♻️
There’s so much free fun stuff! I wonder how much of this translates to Disneyland…
That’s a good question and probably another post for Disneyland! I will have to do my research
This is a great article! I’d love to stay at the Boardwalk someday!
I had no idea there was a Disney Wilderness Preserve! This has definitely been added to my Disney Bucket List!
Wow! I did not even know the Disney Wilderness Preserve existed! This is a great list
I had heard about it and my mom actually went. I hope to check it out someday soon.