Get out of your hotel room (and the theme parks) and have some family fun without spending a single cent.

You’ve already spent enough money on your Disney World vacation, so why not add something that’s enjoyable, uniquely Disney, and doesn’t cost you anything extra? 

While it’s easy to raise your eyebrows at all of the costs associated with a Disney trip, you might be surprised to learn that there’s actually quite a lot of fun to be had for free – especially if you’re already staying at a Disney World Resort hotel. 

Every Disney World Resort hotel offers an array of different activities throughout the year. Many of these are completely free for guests, and they’re a great way to increase the value of your hotel stay (and keep the kids entertained without adding another day of park tickets.)

Whether you’re looking for something for toddlers, tweens, or any age in between, the following free activities are all among our favorites when we stay at an on-property resort.

1. Hike, Run, or Hang Out With Horses at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Tri-Circe-D Ranch offers some unique experiences. Photo by Danny Shuster

It’s no secret that we love Disney’s Fort Wilderness – it’s a fantastic resort for families, offering a blend of hotel rooms, cabins, and campsites to suit every kind of vacationer. And when it comes to free activities, there are a ton available for every age group.

If you and the kids love staying active or exploring on foot during your vacations, Fort Wilderness offers a 3.1-mile path you can walk or jog along. With plenty of shade along the route, it’s a great way to explore Disney World’s surrounding environment and get a little nature in the mix.

Or, if your family is interested in hanging out with some animals, head over to Tri-Circle-D Ranch near Fort Wilderness. Here, you can check out the stables and meet some of Disney’s famed horses for free. What kid (or adult, for that matter) wouldn’t want to meet the horses who accompany Cinderella’s carriage or ferry guests in the Main Street, U.S.A. vehicles?

2. Roast S’mores Over a Campfire

Feeling outdoorsy, but not necessarily outdoorsy enough to commit to camping at Fort Wilderness? Every one of Disney World’s hotels offers old-fashioned family fun in the form of complimentary campfires –and yes, the experience includes s’mores!

Weather permitting, you can join an outdoor campfire at all Disney World hotels on select nights and help the kids make their own s’mores while you enjoy some, too. 

Some resorts also offer other activities during the campfire, like sing-alongs or stories led by Cast Members, but you’ll want to check the activities schedule at your exact resort to find out more.

Some of these campfires take place on the beach, in open courtyards, or over fire pits out on the savanna. The theming of the fun varies from resort to resort, so every time you stay somewhere new, it’s like a whole new experience for the kids.

3. Enjoy Movies Under the Stars

Yes, even Fort Wilderness offers Movies Under the Stars! Photo by Jeff Chiu

After you enjoy a campfire complete with s’mores, you can enjoy another family-friendly Disney World resort offering that’s free: Movies Under the Stars.

All Disney World Resort hotels offer Movies Under the Stars, which is a complimentary outdoor movie screening that follows the campfire activity mentioned above. Guests of all ages are welcome, and you can catch beloved Disney and Pixar movies while you’re hanging out at your hotel for the evening.

Check your hotel’s Recreation Calendar to find out when and where Movies Under the Stars will take place during your stay.

4. Play Games, Read Books, and More at Community Halls

Staying at a Disney Vacation Club resort? Whether you’re taking an afternoon break from the theme parks or spending a resort day exploring all your hotel has to offer, make some time to take advantage of one of the unique perks of booking a DVC resort: the Community Halls.

Community Halls are only found at the following Disney World DVC resorts: 

• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village
• Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
• Disney’s Old Key West Resort
• Disney’s Riviera Resort
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Inside these spaces, kids and adults can enjoy games like foosball, air hockey, pool, ping pong, and more. You can rent DVDs to watch in the comfort of your own room, check out books to read inside the hall or elsewhere throughout the resort, or join any group activities available. 

Depending on the resort and the day, you may find arts and crafts on the schedule or some family-friendly competition. Either way, the Community Halls are a great way to get out of your room, have some fun, and enjoy your resort’s amenities without spending any additional money.

5. Play Bocce at Disney’s Riviera Resort

Sometimes, kids and adults alike need to get some of that extra energy out – and there’s no better way to do so than to head over to Disney’s Riviera Resort to play a round of bocce.

While bocce is a slow-moving game, it’s one you and the kids can play outdoors. Hit the court, divide into teams, or play against one another as you try to get your balls closest to the dedicated markers.

If your kids are too young to play bocce or you find the game just isn’t exciting enough to keep them engaged, no worries! The lawn at the Riviera is a great place to let them play, run around, or simply hang out and move around as they please. 

Plus, since you can take the Disney Skyliner to and from this resort, that in itself is another exciting free resort activity that kids of all ages will love. We’ve found firsthand that this is an especially exciting activity for kids 5 and under, who could ride the Skyliner all day long and be thrilled each time!

6. Watch Animals in Action at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

You don’t have to spend multiple days in Disney’s Animal Kingdom if you’re hoping to save some money on theme park tickets. Instead, you can head over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (or one of the two DVC resorts here, Jambo House or Kidani Village) to sit back and let the whole family watch the animals wander across the savanna.

Across this resort, there are four savannas in total and more than 30 different species of African wildlife you can see. Whether you choose to relax in one of the indoor spots and gaze out the tall windows or head outdoors for a closer POV, you can see zebras, giraffes, gazelles, and more right there on the hotel grounds. 

One of the best places to take the family for some free animal watching? The patio at the back of the hotel’s lobby, where there are designated animal-viewing platforms and even some rocking chairs.

7. Watch the Magic Kingdom Fireworks

The view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the beach at the Polynesian. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Lastly, if you’d prefer to hang at the resort and get comfy instead of heading back to Magic Kingdom for the fireworks late in the evening, great news: You can catch the fireworks for free from certain Disney World Resorts.

If you’re staying at (or don’t mind resort hopping over to) one of the four Magic Kingdom area hotels, you can easily see the entire fireworks display without leaving the resort grounds. And these hotels have some pretty stellar views!

Some of the best places to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks for free? Here are our favorites:

• The 4th floor outdoor patio at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (located just past Fantasia Market)
• Out on the beach at Disney’s Polynesian Resort
• The docks near Gasparilla Island Grill or Narcoosee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

At both the Contemporary and the Polynesian Resort, the audio for the current fireworks spectacular is piped in – so you’ll get almost the full experience, all without setting foot inside the theme park!