Looking for Disneyland freebies? Here’s just a sample of what you can get for free at the Disneyland Resort during your vacation.
Disneyland Freebies No Tickets Needed
Gone are the days of the free birthday ticket from 2009 and most things at the Disneyland Resort cost more than a pretty penny. But here we have gathered up what few things actually are FREE at Disneyland so you can enjoy your vacation without spending a fortune.
Vacation planning is so easy when you take a look at my video gallery on Facebook. I’ve reported on site with food reviews, hotel tips, entertainment offerings and so much more.
These videos are a great way to get a feel for the Disneyland Resort, especially if this is your child’s first visit. Kids will also enjoy watching clips of their favorite characters and see new rides to explore.
Looking to surprise your kids with a Disneyland trip? Read my tips on how to pull it off.
Disneyland Freebies The Happiest Blog on Earth
Advice right here is free! I’ve written 200+ articles on Disneyland planning and always have lots of Disneyland freebies to share. Here’s some of our most popular Disneyland planning posts to help you get started.
- Free Parade Seating Guide
- Tips for Opening Disneyland
- Simple Guide to Disney MaxPass
- Best Spots to take Photos at Disneyland
Looking for more in-depth information? Let me plan out your entire day at the parks or purchase one of our printable Disneyland Plans.
Disneyland Freebies Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney is a shopping and entertainment district, located outside of the two Anaheim theme park gates but totally within the Disney bubble.
Downtown Disney is a great place to people watch, enjoy a little Disney magic and scout out souvenirs. If you have limited time at Disneyland and California Adventure, I suggest you visit Downtown Disney on a day you don’t have tickets to the parks, like your arrival or departure day in order to maximize the free-ness of it.
Looking for the best place to eat at Downtown Disney? I’ve got all the details right here!
Disneyland Freebies Visit Disney Hotels
Can’t stay at the hotel? No reason why you can’t stop by and see the Disney magic that extends into the resort hotels including the Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian and Paradise Pier. It’s a magical Disneyland freebie that’s yours for the taking.
Explore artifacts from Disneyland on display throughout the hotel, check out the shopping and while you’re there you may even run into some Disney characters roaming the lobby! Read my article on how to save at Disney hotels just in case you decide to book a stay.
Another tip? You don’t need to be a guest of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa to enjoy a tour of this Disney hotel. Stop by the Guest Services desk for availability and times. Tours are recommended for ages 14 and up, since they are walking tours. You don’t need to be a guest of the hotel. Contact 714-781-4636 for more details.
Disneyland Freebies Free Tickets
Disneyland Freebies Included with Tickets
Disneyland Maps are FREE! When you enter the gate, make sure to grab a map or two. Kids absolutely love these! Keep them as souvenirs and let the kids create their own plan of attack during your visit.
Disneyland App is FREE! Download the Disneyland App now and read more about how the app can help you plan your trip even before it begins here.
Celebration Buttons at Disneyland are FREE! A reader in the comments reminded me of the long-standing freebie to get birthday buttons, I’m celebrating buttons, first visit buttons and more. You can pick them up at City Hall or various shops around the parks.
Water at Disneyland is FREE! You’re shocked aren’t you? Yes, water from water fountains is free. So are cups filled with ice cold water, complete with a paper straw. Ask for one at any restaurant in the park- it’s free! I make a habit of asking for a cup of water any time I order food. It’s always nice to have on hand, even if I’m ordering a soda.
Sack Lunches at Disneyland are FREE! We bring in snacks, uncrustables and bottled drinks to get us through the mornings. Once we kept leftover pizza in a cooler in the car and brought that in to eat while we were waiting in line. Cold pizza never tasted so good.
FASTPASSES at Disneyland are FREE! FASTPASSES are still free, but the digital Disney MaxPass will cost you. Make use of FASTPASS options. FASTPASSES are free with admission and give you a “reserved” spot in line, telling you when to come back for minimal wait time. Grab a FASTPASS, then check out rides or attractions that don’t offer a FASTPASS to make the most of your time.
Rider Switch Options at Disneyland are FREE! Got a little one but still want to enjoy the big kid rides? Easy! Take turns riding and waiting with the kids with the Rider Switch pass.
Photographers at Disneyland take your picture for FREE! You don’t have to pay to get great family photos at Disneyland. Just hand over your camera to the photopass cast members staged right in front of the castle and other sweet spots throughout the parks. They will take photos of your entire group for free! Or get all those photos and more as a free perk of Disney MaxPass.
More Disneyland FREEBIES!
Of course once you get into the park, all the rides and attractions are “free” but we’d also like to note a few special experiences to be on the lookout for when you’re at the parks:
- Mark Twain Riverboat Wheelhouse, steer the boat and enjoy a view like no other from the Rivers of America.
- Musical Chairs with Mad Hatter at Refreshment Corner on Main Street at about 2:00 pm.
- Parades, shows and live entertainment are all free, including Frozen!
- Character encounters throughout the park.
- Broken souvenir? Dropped your ice-cream cone? Get it replaced for FREE (keep receipts just in case).
My readers chimed in on Facebook . . .
Dory said, “Molly the messenger in DCA will give you a hand written message from a character. My son received one from Groot. Also the “citation” from the policeman in DCA! Both are super cute & we put them in a shadow box. Another freebie is STICKERS! So many cast members pass out free stickers throughout the resort & park.”
Kayla said, “I haven’t remembered to get one yet, but the map of the jungle cruise. I think you ask the CM at the exit, or maybe the skipper. Oh and dessert on your birthday at the sit down restaurants!”
[…] on their age, some toddlers may even still be FREE at Disneyland and you can grab discount Disneyland tickets for Mom and Dad here. Besides the freebie factor, […]
At any of gift shops when exting a ride. You can get a free Just Married button when you tell cast member at the gift shop you were just married on your honeymoon. It's pretty cool to we're if don't mind everyone telling you congrats, and it's great souvenir for memories.
I don't know why I left out the buttons! You can get birthday buttons and 1st visit buttons too. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
When I worked in the Disneyland stores about twenty years ago I would collect a business card from each store I worked at. Each store in the park had a business card with the store name on it. Pretty fun to make a collection, and most people didn't know they existed. All free. I don't know if the cards are still done today, but check it out.
Free food from earl of sandwich for your birthday and at sign up $30 at naples catal or tortilla Jo's if you have more than one email join a few times so you have a few coupons
Great list! I love that you mentioned walking through the Disneyland Hotel. So many fun things to see!