Most of these activities have been suspended for the time being. Movies Under the Stars are still being shown on select nights at all Disney resorts that are open.
At Walt Disney World, there are so many fun activities and things to do that don’t cost you extra money at the resorts. Of course there are always the fun paid activities too (make your own Mickey ears, paint your own ceramics, fun runs, arcades, boat rentals, and more), but for this blog post, we’re going to focus on the free things you can do and see at the Disney Resorts.
Before we go any further, I want to be clear that these are ideas for those staying at the Walt Disney World Resorts. Sister resorts (resorts that share activities or amenities) are fine for guests to go in between to enjoy the activities, but as a general rule, it’s best to enjoy the activities at the resort you’re staying at. If you’re dining at a resort or just enjoying the free entertainment or animal watching, anyone can enjoy these, but please keep in mind we never want to take away from the experience for the guests paying to stay on Disney property.
- Playgrounds can be found at almost all of the Walt Disney World Resorts
- Water slides at the moderate and deluxe resorts
- Disney Trivia at many of the Disney resorts
- Scavenger hunts at some of the Walt Disney World resorts (you can find those here)
- Basketball courts and tennis courts at all Disney Vacation Club resorts
- Karaoke at Coronado Springs (and Stargazers Bar at Disney Springs)
- Usiku Festival every night at Animal Kingdom Lodge: Kidani Village
- Enjoy the Community Halls at Boardwalk Inn, Bay Lake Tower, Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, and Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Morning yoga at most of the Disney resorts
- Lilo’s Playhouse is open twice a week and has video games, movies, board games, and crafts (video tour here)
- Workout rooms can be found at all deluxe resorts and Coronado Springs
- Some deluxe resorts have saunas (Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary)
- Spirit of Aloha fire performer at The Polynesian Tuesday through Saturday (weather permitting)
- If you have Memory Maker, you can take pictures at the picture studio at Grand Floridian
- Water aerobics at a few Disney resorts
- Enjoy seeing the animals on the savanna at Animal Kingdom Lodge and asking the guides questions
- “Movie Under the Stars” on select nights at all resorts
- Free popcorn for Movie Under the Stars at many Walt Disney World Resorts
- Night time pool parties at many of the Disney resorts
- Free marshmallow roasting at all Walt Disney World Resorts on select nights (some have Hershey’s bars and graham cracker packs you can purchase as well, but we generally bring our own)
- Chip N Dale’s Campfire Sing-a-long at Fort Wilderness
- Take a guided tour of Old Key West
- Check out board games or movies for free if you’re a DVC Member at some DVC resorts
- Polynesian cultural activities every Wednesday
- Take a culinary tour of Boma and Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge: Jambo House (this one includes free samples!)
- Be taught how to draw a Disney character at Art of Animation
- Color and make crafts at all Walt Disney World Resorts (see their activities sheet for each resort’s specific times and activities)
- Play the oversized games all around Contemporary Resort
- Bay Lake Tower has their own outdoor games and access to the ones at Contemporary as well
- Poolside activities at all Walt Disney World resorts (some include fun prizes too)
- Disney movies and Disney channel on the in-room TV
- Bingo (we’ve played this at Wilderness Lodge and Beach Club Villas)
- Pin trading (this is only free if you already have pins)
- Visit with characters at certain resorts (we’ve seen them at Beach Club, Contemporary/Bay Lake Tower, Wilderness Lodge/Copper Creek/Boulder Ridge, The Polynesian, Fort Wilderness, and Boardwalk usually for about an hour in the afternoon: ask the front desk of the resort you’re at if and when characters come out as it’s never on the schedule)
- Plan a fun photo shoot around the resort (you’d be amazed the pretty areas you may find)
- Club Level guests can rent movies and board games for free
- Watch park fireworks from your resort
- Most resorts do extra games and activities for the holidays and some even get special characters
- Play musical instruments at Animal Kingdom Lodge certain times of the day
- Listen to the live music/shows at Port Orleans: French Quarter, Port Orleans: Riverside, Coronado Springs, The Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and The Boardwalk
Photo shoot at Art of Animation 
Decorate an ornament for Christmas in July 
Fire performer at Polynesian 
Chip reenacting the Titanic scene 
Scavenger hunt at Riverside 
Found Minnie at Boardwalk
There are so many things to see and do at Walt Disney World. Always ask for an activity sheet when you check in if you aren’t given one because the activities change based on availability, time of year, and holidays. We hope you’re able to enjoy some of these fun and amazing free activities the next time you stay at one of the Walt Disney World Resorts.
