Disney theme parks offer a variety of complimentary items and services to guests, ranging from practical necessities to collectible souvenirs. These offerings are available to all visitors, Annual Passholders, and Magic Key holders, though availability and eligibility vary. The following information details the specific freebies and perks currently available at Disneyland and Disney World, based exclusively on provided source material.
Complimentary Items for All Guests
Visitors to Disneyland Resort can access several free items and services without requiring a pass or special membership. These offerings focus on convenience, hydration, and commemorative keepsakes.
Hydration and Convenience Staying hydrated is essential during a day at the parks. Guests can request free cups of ice water from any counter-service restaurant location. While standard cups are typically small, some locations may accommodate requests for larger cups. For those bringing their own refillable water bottles, multiple refill stations are available throughout the resort.
For transportation needs, an air pump is available in the esplanade, located next to the stroller, wheelchair, and ECV rental building outside the Disneyland Park main gate. This allows guests to inflate tires before or after their visit.
Souvenirs and Collectibles Disneyland provides several no-cost keepsakes: - Celebration Buttons: Available at almost any store in both theme parks and at Guest Relations kiosks. These buttons commemorate occasions such as first visits, birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, honeymoons, and graduations. - Replacement Balloons: If a purchased balloon pops, a Cast Member will replace it when guests bring the remnants of the original balloon. - Stickers: Janitorial Cast Members (identified by all-white attire while sweeping) and those conducting surveys often distribute stickers. - Indiana Jones Adventure Decoder Cards: Available upon request from Cast Members at the attraction entrance, though supplies may run out. - Mother's Day Flowers: On Mother's Day, complimentary carnation flowers are distributed at the entrances to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. These are available only while supplies last and typically run out by mid-morning.
Dining and Entertainment - Birthday Desserts: Most table-service restaurants provide a complimentary dessert for birthdays. Guests must mention the birthday celebration when making reservations. - Animation Academy Artwork: Guests can learn to draw Disney characters with step-by-step instruction from an animator at the Animation Building in Disney California Adventure.
Photo Opportunities - On-Ride Photos: Photos are taken on attractions including Space Mountain, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, Incredicoaster, Radiator Springs Racers, and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. For most attractions, guests can photograph the display screen and enter a code in the Disneyland app to download a higher-resolution version. For Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, photos can be emailed for free.
Storage Services - Free Package Check: Purchases can be held at select locations: Stroller Rental area (esplanade), The Star Trader, Port Royal Curios & Curiosities, or Pioneer Mercantile (Disneyland Park), and Elias & Co., Sarge’s Surplus Hut, or Avengers Vault (Disney California Adventure). A receipt is required, and limited-edition items are excluded. - Luggage Storage: Disneyland Resort hotels provide free luggage storage on arrival or departure days through Bell Services at the entrance.
Special Event Freebies During special events or park milestones, limited-quantity complimentary items may be offered. Examples include commemorative pins and maps for Disneyland anniversaries, Mickey hats for D23 Day, and themed plates with a Sip and Savor Pass at the Disney California Food & Wine Festival. These are not announced in advance.
Attraction-Specific Perks - Grizzly River Run Lockers: Located next to the giant grizzly bear statue at the ride entrance, these lockers are free for up to two hours. They are intended for keeping possessions dry during the ride. - Disneyland App Jobs: The Disneyland app allows guests to complete jobs for digital rewards.
Magic Key Holder Freebies
Magic Key holders, who purchase an annual pass, receive exclusive complimentary items and perks throughout the year. Past offerings have included special buttons, pins, posters, bags, and photo opportunities. Current details are updated weekly in the Mickey Visit Disneyland This Week news update. Access to these perks requires a paid Magic Key membership.
Magic Key holders also receive parking benefits at certain dining and spa locations: - Napa Rose: 5 hours of complimentary valet or self-parking with restaurant validation. - Tenaya Stone Spa: 5 hours of complimentary valet or self-parking with a minimum purchase of $135 USD (receipts cannot be combined). - Great Maple Modern American Eatery and Small Bytes (Pixar Place Hotel): 3 hours of complimentary self-parking with validation.
Disney World Annual Passholder Freebies
Disney World Annual Passholders currently have access to two specific freebies in the parks.
EPCOT Creations Shop Freebie From December 8 through December 18, 2024, Passholders can pick up a recipe card and matching stencils at Creations Shop in EPCOT. This item is an Apple Pie recipe from Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, accompanied by two stencils. This freebie is identical to a holiday gift previously mailed to Passholders and allows recipients to complete their collection or obtain the item if they did not receive the mailer.
Animal Kingdom Freebie At Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Passholders can receive a free Mufasa postcard. This promotional item celebrates the theatrical release of the film Mufasa on December 20, 2024. The postcard features an image of Mufasa on the front and a blank space for writing on the back.
PhotoPass and Snacks Disney World Annual Passholders can access special PhotoPass photo opportunities throughout the parks, which change seasonally. Passholders should look for Cast Members wearing lime green shirts to locate these spots. While not every PhotoPass location offers AP exclusives, inquiries are encouraged. Additionally, exclusive Passholder snacks are occasionally available, particularly during EPCOT festivals. It is noted that these snacks are not free and must be purchased. Passholders can also add Disney PhotoPass to their pass for $99, granting access to all digital photos and ride photos taken during visits throughout the year.
Conclusion
Disneyland and Disney World provide a range of complimentary offerings that enhance the guest experience. All visitors can benefit from free hydration, celebration buttons, and certain storage services. Magic Key holders and Annual Passholders receive additional exclusive perks, including collectible items, special photo opportunities, and parking benefits. Availability of specific items and services is subject to change, and limited-quantity freebies are often distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.