7 Unforgettable Free Disney Park Experiences
Planning the perfect vacation for the whole family.
Planning a Disney trip with young kids, expectant mothers, or others in your group who can’t ride all the rides? Hakuna Matata! Disney parks are designed for all ages, so everyone can enjoy the magic. Even if you have to sit out a few of the parks’ iconic “E-ticket” attractions, there’s still more than enough to do. Don’t believe us? Here are seven (mostly) free, non-ride experiences for all ages to get started.
1. Fireworks, parades, and musicals, oh my!
Okay, number #1 alone includes more than seven options, which means we’re off to a great start! Disney parks are internationally recognized for their many fantastic fireworks, parades, nighttime spectaculars, pop-up entertainment, musicals, and more. Several parks feature almost enough of these shows to fill an entire day, ranging from shorter character experiences (The Disneyland Bootstrappers, Casey’s Corner Pianist) to lengthier productions (The American Adventure, Fantasmic!).
Personal favorites include The Tiki Room, the Amazing Spider-Man, World of Color, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, Festival of the Lion King, the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln… and one more that deserves its own special mention later on this list. Suffice it to say, you’ll have more than enough to dazzle you with Disney entertainment.
2. Explore the parks… at night
It really is as simple as it sounds. Disney parks come alive at night, offering a completely transformed experience. As the sun sets, you’ll step into a whole new world filled with glittering lights and a fresh wave of magic.
With a little imagination, you can transform a tired walk through the parks’ most congested areas into a real-life adventure story fit for Indiana Jones. Embark on a thrilling late-night quest for Penny, the glass elephant in Disneyland’s Adventureland, hunt pirates and ghouls through the lamp-lit streets of New Orleans Square, or keep one swing ahead of the sword at the Morocco Pavilion in Epcot. These are the kinds of memories that will stick with you for a lifetime.
3. Coffee break in Cafe Orleans
Legend has it that Walt Disney used to enjoy his coffee at Café Orleans (formerly Creole Café) in New Orleans Square, and you can still see his espresso machine on display in the restaurant today! Walt chose this spot to watch guests immerse themselves in the park, and it’s easy to see why — the views here, with a sweeping panorama of the Rivers of America, are simply stunning, especially at night.
While reservations are typically needed to enjoy the iconic Monte Cristo Sandwich, you can save a bit by finding seating nearby with similar views and bringing your own snacks. If you’re lucky, the outdoor patio may clear out later in the evening, allowing you to snag a walk-up. For a simple, affordable meal, we recommend the Chicken Gumbo Soup ($11) paired with a Freshly Brewed Joffrey’s Coffee ($4.75). Soak in the sights and sounds of this charming area and feel the magic as you walk in the footsteps of Walt himself.
4. Journey of Water
If you’re visiting Disney World with kids, chances are you’ll have a Moana fan in the group (Moana is Disney’s most-streamed movie ever, and Moana 2 grossed over $1 billion at the box office). This makes Epcot’s latest Moana-themed area an absolute must. It’s not exactly fair to compare Journey of Water to a splash pad or waterpark — it’s more of a lush garden trail where guests can experiment with water. It might not sound like much, but the attraction is very well-executed and more than pulls its weight. Plus, it’s an enjoyable escape from Florida’s notorious summer heat.
5. Disneyland Fantasyland Character Encounters
When it comes to character experiences, Disneyland has Disney World beat. It’s hard to describe other than to say that meeting characters in Disneyland feels more… magical. Disneyland specializes in organic, unplanned character encounters, which enhance the storybook feel Walt aimed to capture with his park. On our last trip alone, we rode the King Arthur Carrousel with Mary Poppins, Bert, and the Disneyland Band, joined Peter Pan’s Lost Boys (ask him to give you a Lost Boy name), watched as Chewbacca pestered guests attempting to enjoy a meal at the Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, and so much more — none of which we planned.
Exploring Fantasyland, in particular, is the perfect option for character fans. Whereas in Disney World you typically have to wait in line to meet your favorite characters, here they simply “show up.” You never know when you might run into Gaston, the Evil Queen, Captain Hook, the Mad Hatter, Pinocchio, or the Genie, but that’s the beauty of Disney magic.
6. Ride a Main Street Vehicle
The vintage Horse-Drawn Street Car, Jitney, Fire Engine, and Omnibus all contribute to the timeless charm of Disney’s most elegant land. What many guests may not realize is that you can actually hop aboard the classic vehicles for a picturesque drive — right down the middle of Main Street, U.S.A. It goes without saying that cruising down the iconic street is especially magical at night (see #2). If you can wait for the park to clear out a bit, a ride on the second story of the Omnibus along a tranquil Main Street is one of the most memorable ways to wrap up your day.
7. Luminous The Symphony of Us
I’ll be honest: I didn’t expect I would enjoy Walt Disney World’s Luminous The Symphony of Us. I was wrong. Epcot’s breathtaking nighttime spectacular is exactly that: spectacular, in every sense of the word. I’m a huge fan of California Adventure’s World of Color, but Luminous has quickly surpassed it as one of my all-time favorite Disney entertainment experiences. If you can keep the kids up for this dazzling 9 P.M. display of fireworks, fountains, and lights, Luminous will make for the perfect finale to a magical day.
That’s all for now. We hope these recommendations help you enjoy the perfect Disney vacation with your whole family!
Check out our Disney/Travel column for additional planning guides.