25+ Amazing Disney Freebies

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If you love visiting Disney parks, this is a must-read list! Any kind of money-saving tips helps at Disney World.

1. Magic Bands

If you book a Disney resort package or Annual Pass, you will receive a free MagicBand.

2. Celebration Buttons

Are you celebrating a wedding, birthday or anniversary? Snag FREE buttons at Guest Relations. When you wear them around the park, the Cast members will give you extra attention.

3. Coke Samples at Club Cool

Cool down at the park with free samples of Coca-Cola products at the Club Cool at Epcot.

4. Trading Cards

This is a very cool freebie. They are called “Disney Transportation Collector Cards” and can be picked up at the Disney Transportation Center.

5. Ice Water

Beat the heat and ask for free ice water at any counter service restaurant.

6. Stickers

Snag free Mickey Mouse stickers at different points of the park like Wilderness Explorers. There are 30 in total to collect.

7. Soda

Guests can sample sodas from all around the world at Club Cool Hosted by Coca-Cola at EPCOT.

8. Free Concerts @ Epcot

Go over to the America Gardens Theater for free concerts. They are normally held during the Flower and Garden show, Food and Wine, etc.

9. Wi-Fi

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available at all Walt Disney World theme parks, hotels, and Disney Springs. AT&T is one of the park’s official sponsors.

10. Free Desserts

Mention it’s your birthday or anniversary and you will receive a free dessert or champagne toast in your honor.

10. Pressed Pennies (or close to free)

These are fun to collect and cost 51 cents in total. The pressed penny machines are all over the parks.

11. Transportation

The buses, boats, and monorails are all free and make it easy to park hop.

12. Nightly Movies

Many of the resorts offer kid’s programs, featuring free nightly movie nights.

13. Boat Rides

The boat rides are a fun way to see Disney. Leave from Port Orleans to Disney Springs loop, the Magic Kingdom loop and more.

14. Art Classes

The Art of Animation Resort offers art classes where you can learn to draw popular Disney characters. They are free to everyone.

15. Birthday Freebies

They include:

  • Starbucks freebie

  • Earl of Sandwich’s Loyalty Club- free sandwich

  • Sprinkles Perks- free cupcake @ Disney Springs

  • Shula’s E-club- free entree @ Dolphin Resort

16. Kids Programs

From pool games to art and crafts, many of the Disney Resorts offer free kids programs.

More Free Things to do at Walt Disney World

  • Visit the different resorts, walk around & take in the details and atmosphere.

  • Ride the monorail — ask to ride up front in the driver’s cab, & don’t forget to ask for your free co-pilot license.

  • Go to Downtown Disney, you don’t have to go in any of the shops, just sit back & take in the atmosphere, look at the lego sculptures, people watch, let the kids play in the fountains…

  • Go to the Fort Wilderness campfire. Take your own marshmallows to roast over the fire, & a blanket to sit on while you watch the film.

  • Go to one of the Magic Kingdom resorts & watch the electric water pageant from the beach.

  • Watch the MK fireworks from the beach of the Grand Floridian or Polynesian, or from the California Grill at the Contemporary.

  • Spend time on the beach at one of the MK resorts, paddle your feet in the lake or relax in a hammock.

  • Take the free tour at the Wilderness Lodge, or ask for the list of hidden Mickeys, & go on a hidden Mickey hunt.

  • Visit the petting farm at Fort Wilderness.

  • Take a boat ride from one of the resorts — Wilderness Lodge to MK; Boardwalk to Epcot or MGM; Dixie Landings to Downtown Disney, etc.

  • Take the free garden tour at the Yacht & Beach Club Resort, or the free tour of the Grand Floridian.

  • Visit the BoardWalk in the evening to watch the entertainment & take in the atmosphere.

  • Watch the MK fireworks from outside the California Grill on the 15th floor of the Contemporary Resort.

  • Walk along by the Sassagoula River from Port Orleans Riverside to French Quarter.

  • Go on the nature walk at Fort Wilderness.

Win a Trip to Disney

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You could win a magical Walt Disney World® Vacation for 4 from Coca-Cola! 
Entering is simple…

1. Snap a pic that captures that magic you feel when your life is touched by Disney magic
2. Post to Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #ShareTheMagicSweepstakes

Share your photo by 5/30/17 for your chance to win! Remember, your social account must be public for us to count your entry. Good luck!

 

Disney Le Creuset Cookware

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So pretty, love this!

The limited edition blue-enameled cast iron soup pot is decorated with the signature BEAUTY AND THE BEAST rose with an oversized gold knob bearing the inscription, “Be Our Guest.” Starting today the limited quantity of five hundred pots is available for purchase at williams-sonoma.com, lecreuset.com and Le Creuset Signature Stores. 

On Saturday, March 4th, Williams Sonoma stores across the country will host the Beauty and the Beast Junior Chef Cooking Class with movie-inspired kid friendly recipes created in collaboration with Le Creuset. To find out more details contact your local Williams Sonoma store or visit: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/pages/store-events/store-events/junior-chef-classes.html  

Apply for Disney Parks Panel

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That special time of year is almost here. We’re looking for new moms, dads, and grandparents to join the Disney Parks Moms Panel in 2017.

If you consider yourself a go-to person who is always on the lookout to help family and friends plan a magical Disney vacation, you could be a great applicant for the Panel. 

The Disney Parks Moms Panel consists of real moms and dads who help other Guests online by answering their vacation planning questions using their own personal Disney experiences. 

Are you comfortable communicating in written form to help Guests around the globe at DisneyParksMomsPanel.com? Are you a stickler when it comes to grammar, spelling and punctuation? If you answered yes to these questions, we want to hear from you. 

Round One of the Disney Parks Moms Panel Search begins at 12:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 and close at 12:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, September 14, 2016.

LEGO Disney Mini Figures

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I need to collect them all! They will be on sale in May.

The LEGO Group today announced its 18th collection of LEGO®Minifigures starring some of The Walt Disney Company’s most beloved characters inspired by stories from across the entire Disney universe. Eighteen new minifigures bring to life in LEGO form for the first time the playful personalities of some of the most iconic characters from Disney classics such as Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland to Disney•Pixar favorites like The Incredibles and Toy Story.

Disney Animated Classics Characters
From Disney’s collection of timeless animated characters, the LEGO Group introduces minifigure versions of the beloved Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse characters, their temperamental friend Donald Duck, and his leading lady, Daisy Duck. Enthusiasts of 1950s Disney stories will appreciate the inclusion of Alice and the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and Captain Hook from Peter Pan, and the evil witch Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty. Disney fans will also love minifigure versions of Ariel and Ursula from The Little Mermaid and the belovedGenie and Aladdin from the fictional city of Agrabah featured in Aladdin, plus the ultimate alien friend, Stitch, from Lilo & Stitch.

Disney World Ticket Price Changes

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According to the Associated Press, annual pass prices will remain the same — i.e. pretty steep — while single-day tickets will change depending on whether it's considered a "value," "regular," or "peak" day. Here's the price breakdown:

  • Value tickets will cost $105 at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and $95 at Disneyland.
  • Regular tickets will cost $110 at Magic Kingdom and $105 at Disneyland.
  • Peak tickets will cost $124 at Magic Kingdom and $119 at Disneyland.

By comparison, single-day tickets previously cost $105 at Walt Disney World and $99 at Disneyland. This change can, in part, be attributed to the major success of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Disney's plan to develop extensive lands inspired by the film, which will definitely attract droves of adults and little ones alike.

While seasonal pricing may affect those hoping to visit during the holidays and other peak times, it can help families aim for those value days and avoid all those crowds and long lines.

EXPIRED-Disney Diamond Day Sweeps

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Enter Disneyland Diamond Days Sweepstakes word of the day for your chance to #win the weekly prize! Each week they will be an extraordinary, only-Disney-can-do Weekly Prize, a trip to Disneyland Resort, including Dazzled Mickey Mouse Ears, blue, white and red diamonds,  Disney Character Party Experience Packages, Disneyland Resort Experience Packages! What is the Diamond Days word of the day? Enter to win, good luck!

 

Disney Big Thunder Ranch BBQ Ribs

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Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups Citrus Roundup BBQ Rub (recipe follows)
1 (4-pound) rack pork spareribs, trimmed of excess fat
1/2 cup water
1 cup favorite barbecue sauce

Instructions:
1. Sprinkle Citrus BBQ Rub on both sides of ribs, rubbing the meat to adhere. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 8 hours, or overnight. 
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place ribs in a roasting pan or on a baking sheet, and pour water into pan. Cover with foil and roast for 1 hour. 
3. Remove the pan from oven and uncover. Pour off any excess water. Evenly coat top of ribs with barbecue sauce. Return pan to oven and roast for 30 minutes more. 
4. Remove the pan from the oven and cover lightly with foil. Let ribs rest for 10 minutes. 
5. Slice the ribs between each bone with a serrated knife. Serve immediately.

Citrus Roundup BBQ Rub
Citrus Roundup BBQ Rub Ingredients:
2 1/2 tablespoons lemon pepper
2 tablespoons seasoning salt
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1/4 tablespoon cayenne pepper.

Citrus Roundup BBQ Rub Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Stir to combine.

Disney S'Mores Bake

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S'mores Bake
Serves 8
1 (10.5-ounce) box fudge brownie mix
1 (1-pound) bag large marshmallows
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons hot fudge sauce, warmed
8 graham crackers

Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 cake pan with cooking spray. Prepare brownie batter per package directions and pour into prepared cake pan. Bake 20 to 22 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging to it.
Turn oven to broil.
Place marshmallows over brownies. Leaving oven door ajar, place marshmallow-topped brownies under broiler 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until marshmallows are golden brown, watching very closely to avoid burning.
Drizzle hot fudge sauce over top of toasted marshmallows.
Take half of the graham crackers and break them into planks; crush other half of graham crackers into crumbs.
Sprinkle crushed graham crackers over top of toasted marshmallows, and place graham cracker planks randomly into toasted marshmallows. 
Serve immediately.

Disney Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe

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One of my absolute faves! 

Ingredients: 
1 egg
1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons water
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
8 slices egg bread (challah works well), sliced 1/2-inch thick
8 thin slices ham
8 thin slices turkey
8 thin slices Swiss cheese
3 cups canola oil
Confectioners sugar
Blackberry preserves

Directions: 
Line a cookie sheet with paper towels; set aside.
Whisk the egg and water together in a mixing bowl. Add flour, salt, and baking powder and whisk thoroughly for 2 to 3 minutes or until smooth, scraping sides of bowl.
On one slice of bread, arrange 2 slices of ham, turkey, and cheese, covering the bread evenly. Place another slice of bread on top and slice each sandwich in half diagonally.
Heat oil to between 365 degrees F and 375 degrees F in a 10-inch pan. Do not let the oil reach a higher temperature than this; if the oil starts to smoke, turn the heat down. Dip half of the sandwich into the batter, allowing excess to drain, and very carefully place into the oil. 
Repeat with the other sandwich half. Cook 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Place the cooked sandwich on the prepared cookie sheet in a warm oven until ready to serve. 
Repeat with the other three sandwiches.
Cook one at a time, and allow the oil to reach the desired temperature between each. 
Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar and serve with blackberry preserves on the side.

Photo Source: Disney Parks
Recipe Source: Disneyland Parks via D23