Free stuff at Disney?

[garyb3529]

Anyone have experiences with receiving free stuff at Disney? When my wife and I went on our honeymoon and wore the bride and groom mickey ears we received a free drink. Plus this past week, when waiting to pay someone on the other side kept asking the CM questions for about 5 minutes. She finally came to our side and asked if we were going to have a magical day, I told her yes and she said ok, i tried to hand her money and she said have a magical day.

[Return_of_Phos]

On my last trip me and my family were eating at Pecos Bill and while we were eating my brother discovered a piece of plastic inside his BBQ sandwich. When he showed it to a cast member the cast member offered him a free item from the menu http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh134/odomjud/Smilies/celebrate016.gif

[NiccyT]

:pixiedust::pixiedust::pixiedust:On one of our Many trips to disney a cast member saw that I was upset about something and gave me a free tinker bell towel and license plate and told me to have a magical day :):pixiedust::pixiedust::pixiedust:

[disneyobsessed808]

got a free balloon and card signed by pooh and the gang for my birthday trip.

[lintman]

Are we talking the five finger discount?

Only kidding.

We went to Disneyland on the day of the 50th Anniversary and they gave everybody Mickey ears as they went through the gates and every time you turned around they were stuffing cup cakes in your face. I still have four sets of Golden Mickey ears from that day. It was pretty sweet.

[disneyobsessed808]

Are we talking the five finger discount?

Only kidding.

We went to Disneyland on the day of the 50th Anniversary and they gave everybody Mickey ears as they went through the gates and every time you turned around they were stuffing cup cakes in your face. I still have four sets of Golden Mickey ears from that day. It was pretty sweet.

Did you save any of the cupcakes? :rofl:

[geious]

During the DLR Passholder sale at WOD I got a freebie (think it was a picture frame).

[garyb3529]

I'm just amazed how they allow the CM's to give free stuff away. If I worked there everyone I came across would be having a "Magical day" FREE VINYLMATION'S FOR EVERYONE ;)

[MsDisneyFan]

Wow, I've been missing out :lol: kidding. I just haven't received anything for free in Disney.

[BrittLee]

On our first trip to Disney World, we were staying at the Polynesian, garden view room. They gave us a free upgrade to theme park view. I cried. :lol: The view was amazing, we could see the castle perfectly. Being able to wake up and see the castle from your bed? Absolutely insane, and I am so grateful that we got that chance!

[jrey508]

Anyone have experiences with receiving free stuff at Disney? When my wife and I went on our honeymoon and wore the bride and groom mickey ears we received a free drink. Plus this past week, when waiting to pay someone on the other side kept asking the CM questions for about 5 minutes. She finally came to our side and asked if we were going to have a magical day, I told her yes and she said ok, i tried to hand her money and she said have a magical day.

My wife and I went on our honeymoon in January and she was wearing her wedding ears. While at Epcot we past America and one of the cast members there stop us and said "we have been looking for you all day, there is a call for you". I freaked out. I thought one of my family members were hurt or something and couldn't get through to my cell. He took us inside to a phone, he gave it to my wife and it was Mickey and Minnie wishing us a happy honeymoon. He then took us to the food stop there in America and we got a free apple fritter and he gave us a wedding certificate congratulating us.

Also, this wasn't from Disney but when we were there on our first day of our Honeymoon, we went to the Polynesian Resort Dine IN show and a nice family next to us paid to develop photos they took of us when we first came in to eat. They were really nice. I guess when you go to Disney, everyone is nice.

[disneyobsessed808]

at the ap sale i went to, the first thing we got was a clear vm, and then a kooky pen at the second.

[boochamp]

On our last trip to DL my son was obsessed with this spinny Buzz Lightyear thingy. Well he lost it down the well in Mickey's backyard so we had to buy him another one. Well he lost that one too (don't remember where) and my wife was so irritated that she walked up to a CM in one of the gift shops and said "I'm sorry... but my son here has lost this toy twice already. We have bought it 2 times and I really don't want to buy it a third. Is there anything you can do to help him out?" The CM just laughed and handed him another one and told him not to lose that one. It was awesome! They didn't even think about it.

[disneyobsessed808]

I remember I got a dream fastpass at DCA/DL in October of 2006 during the "Year of a Million Dreams"

[Goldie's Mom]

Hi!

My story is from a WDW visit 10 years ago. We were at MK waiting for a parade to begin, and a Cast Member who was entertaining and walking around gave me a free pin of Cinderella's Castle. I later found out that Cast Member was famous for giving away pins, and his name was Skip. I was so lucky that a famous person gave me a pin, and I didn't even know who he was!!! Wow!!! :) Thank you, Skip, wherever you are!!!

Regina in NC

[Vinyl Chaser]

OK *cracks knuckles* lets start from back in the day
When i was 5 i was 2 inches 2 short for splash mtn and i was really upset, then some guy in a suit came out and gave me a "fast pass" for the ride that worked for an entire year (this was before fast passes existed)
Durring the "year of a million dreams" celebration i was on the safari in animal kingdom and everyone on our tram won a fast pass to every ride in the park and a cool lanyard
later that same week i was entering the magic kingdom and they pulled me aside and asked me to choose between 3 pouches, i ended up getting a free seasonal pass (i was told one of them had a night stay in cindys castle :( )
For my 18th birthday i went to the candy shop on main street and they gave me a free rice krispie treat
For my 21st birthday (last march) i got a free rice krispie treat in MK (same place) and every drink i baught had a few "extra" shots in them thanks to the wounderful cast members
AND FINALLY! a few weeks ago i baught a burger from the starlight cafe in tomorrow land and it was under cooked so they gave me a free menu item =D
(incase anyones woundering my friends take me to gambling because im really lucky some times)

[Petpika]

At Epcot, my friend and I were playing the video game thing under Mission Mars and they gave everyone free fastpasses for all the rides in Epcot. Pretty sweet!

[princess]

My boyfriend and I took a Disney World vacation about two weeks ago and to my surprise he had proposed to me in front of the cinderella castle. We were given free "just engaged" pins and everywhere we went it was a free cupcake! Particularly in Cinderella's Royal Table where they brought us candle lit cupcakes and a signed card by all of the princess'. Pretty awesome experience, certainly memorable. :happy:[COLOR="Silver"]

[sosumya]

Never gotten anything free.. but the cast members have sometimes been cool on rules for trading, we have flash mobbed the stores before getting strangers to join in on the trading.. it makes it really fun and has gotten some people to buy mystery boxes to try for themselves!

[Vinyl Chaser]

My boyfriend and I took a Disney World vacation about two weeks ago and to my surprise he had proposed to me in front of the cinderella castle. We were given free "just engaged" pins and everywhere we went it was a free cupcake! Particularly in Cinderella's Royal Table where they brought us candle lit cupcakes and a signed card by all of the princess'. Pretty awesome experience, certainly memorable. :happy:[COLOR="Silver"]

WELL! u just convinced me, weather my GF likes it or not thats where im proposing to her =D

[20thingamabobs]

My fiance proposed to me in WDW at Animal Kingdom Lodge back in May. We too wore our "free" Just Engaged buttons and received free cupcakes, champagne at dinner, and a free 45-minute rental of a Sea Raycer at the Polynesian. We'd never rented one before so it was fun to try something new and got some cool pictures... plus, it would have cost $40 normally...

For birthdays, you almost always get a cupcake at sit down restaurants. At the Plaza, they actually announced it to the whole place and then sang to me...

[Vinyl Chaser]

My fiance proposed to me in WDW at Animal Kingdom Lodge back in May. We too wore our "free" Just Engaged buttons and received free cupcakes, champagne at dinner, and a free 45-minute rental of a Sea Raycer at the Polynesian. We'd never rented one before so it was fun to try something new and got some cool pictures... plus, it would have cost $40 normally...

For birthdays, you almost always get a cupcake at sit down restaurants. At the Plaza, they actually announced it to the whole place and then sang to me...

=D!!! my girl looked at me like i was crazy but im gonna do it lol

[Panzee]

My fiance proposed to me in WDW at Animal Kingdom Lodge back in May. We too wore our "free" Just Engaged buttons and received free cupcakes, champagne at dinner, and a free 45-minute rental of a Sea Raycer at the Polynesian. We'd never rented one before so it was fun to try something new and got some cool pictures... plus, it would have cost $40 normally...

hopefully you put on some sunblock before you rode the Sea Raycers.. I got a horrible sun burn from it

[buzzcoleman14]

At Magic Kingdom last September my family got free mickey ears before riding in the afternoon parade! :)

[iVinyl]

We got a "free" shopping bag from D Street, recently. You had to spend $50 to get it. And since D Street is our favorite place to shop, spending $50 is easy!! It's a really nice shopping bag and we use it all the time. :)

[jrogue]

My family was family of the day the last time we went to the Magic Kingdom and we helped open the park! :) We got free pins from Skip afterwards (there was 6 of us!!)

[PreludeVTEC01]

During my niece's first visit, the CMs left a wonderful gift basket for her in the room our second day there. It wasn't cheap stuff either. There was a picture frame, autograph book, tiaras, and a lollypop. I thought that was awfully nice of them.

[docj44]

When a pin fell off my lanyard because I lost a rubber Mickey back, I happened to be in front of the times board at Animal Kingdom and a cast member saw and immediately wrote me voucher to get a free bag of locking pin backs.

[Vinyl Chaser]

Disney stores giving out free 25th anniversery mickey ears on march 28th to celebrate there 25th anniversery (first 250 guests i believe at participating stores)

[2zon]

not sure if this already has been mentioned, but you get a free Tortilla at the end of the Mission Tortilla factory tour in California Adventures.

[tbpinc87]

i believe a few years ago everyone who paid for parking received a special parking pass with a free disney trading pin on it. but i have no clue which pin it was its been a while....

[Babyface3308]

Last year I got free tickets to Mickey's not so scary Halloween party. It was awesome

[applejacks03]

Free stuff!

Last trip to WDW (early Feb 2012) I got a call before heading up there. They upgraded us from the All-Stars Music to the Wilderness Lodge ... for free. So, we got a Deluxe resort for the price of a Value. It was really neat.

But that's not all...

Same trip, we had an ADR to have lunch at Tony's Town Square in MK during the afternoon parade. We checked in at the desk and was taken to our table. I later found out it was the manager who seated us. On the way to the table, she was telling us about the re-release of Lady and the Tramp (since that's what the restaurant is themed after). As we walked onto the porch, she said we were special VIP guests. On the table were paper streamers, three trading pins themed after the restaurant, and a copy of Lady and the Tramp on Blu-Ray and DVD. It was awesome. It made our day!

[tbishop]

Free stuff!

Last trip to WDW (early Feb 2012) I got a call before heading up there. They upgraded us from the All-Stars Music to the Wilderness Lodge ... for free. So, we got a Deluxe resort for the price of a Value. It was really neat.

Wow! That's literally amazing. Did they explain how this came about? Like, was it just great luck or did they overbook the All-Star, etc.? Do you go up a lot? WOW! :-)

[thebutcher]

From someone that attended a leadership conference at Disney - Apparently if you ask for a cast member for something bad enough, ie. a free water, they'll give it to you. They want everyone to have a positive experience in the park and they know they'll make that money back elsewhere. I'd never do this, you'd need to be quite the low-life really... or in dire emergency ie. dehydration and nearing "passing out".

[K.P.]

From someone that attended a leadership conference at Disney - Apparently if you ask for a cast member for something bad enough, ie. a free water, they'll give it to you. They want everyone to have a positive experience in the park and they know they'll make that money back elsewhere. I'd never do this, you'd need to be quite the low-life really... or in dire emergency ie. dehydration and nearing "passing out".

All of the restaurants will give you free ice water just for the asking and not just some tiny little courtesy cup -- 5 large cups of ice water and no purchase? -- no problem.

As to other free stuff... My wife and I got $180 worth of free wine at Victoria and Albert's because they had to ask us to move up our reservation by 1 night.

I got to be Veteran of the Day at the Magic Kingdom. I was part of the honor guard that lowered the flag on Main Street, got a special pin, a certificate, and a bunch of free photos.

[Anders Limpar]

All of the restaurants will give you free ice water just for the asking and not just some tiny little courtesy cup -- 5 large cups of ice water and no purchase? -- no problem.

As to other free stuff... My wife and I got $180 worth of free wine at Victoria and Albert's because they had to ask us to move up our reservation by 1 night.

I got to be Veteran of the Day at the Magic Kingdom. I was part of the honor guard that lowered the flag on Main Street, got a special pin, a certificate, and a bunch of free photos.

Lucky you, that is a lot of free wine.

Unfortunately, I have never gotten anything free in WDW.

[lily0805]

at the annual pass event and the world if disney store the were handing out free vinylmations to people in line.

[Bethan]

We had a lunch ADR at the Plaza restaurant in MK and we were the 100th guests of the day! We got a certificate presented by the mayor of main street and free desserts. It was kinda pointless since we were on the dining plan so had desserts already, but the gesture was there :)

[Boggerbret]

We got a free Dole whip, and then the next day at Epcot I got a free Funnel Cake cuz I walked up right at closing and they shut the register off, but still had a hot fresh one so he gave it to me! and Our last night we got a free Mickey ice cream bar from a vender that had one left and just asked us if we wanted "more Magic" lol

[nephilimz]

Today I was given 5 extra packs of SOTMK cards ^_^

[Theporembskis]

We've been blessed with free stuff a few times at WDW. Once my wife lost her sunglasses at Small World and the woman at the nearby shop gave her replacement glasses for free. Once we were trading vinyls and had pulled out our traders and the cast member really liked our U3 Puzzle piece. She explained to us how parents of autistic children like that one because of the blue outlined puzzle pieces. I told her to pick one from her blind box, and whatever it was, I'd trade her the puzzle piece one for it so she could make sure it went to someone who was looking for it. We traded and then she asked us to wait a moment. She disappeared for a few moments and then returned and gave us vouchers for free Mickey bars for me and my family. A wonderful moment we shared with our sons about giving back and how good things can happen.

[harveyvinyl]

got a free breakfast at the french quarter because we were up sitting in the food court at 6am because we were awake so early

got upgraded to lagoon view at grand floridian because it was my birthday :D

[mshalloween]

got upgraded to lagoon view at grand floridian because it was my birthday

Ooooh, we check in to Coronado Springs on my birthday this year.. I might have to try to get a better room :)

[mbblong01]

Ooooh, we check in to Coronado Springs on my birthday this year.. I might have to try to get a better room :)

Try it! It doesn't hurt to try! :clap:

[FirstConfetti]

Well, when I was really little and was watching the parade in MK, Cinderella's fairy godmother came over to my sister and I, opened up a compartment in her wand, and gave us neclaces with "3 magic wishes". That same trip, a CM pulled us aside and asked if we wanted to pin trade for a "rare pin", not knowing anything, we both traded and both ended up with the "Ruff" CM Lanyard series 2 pin. It was a very awesome trip.

[harveyvinyl]

Well, when I was really little and was watching the parade in MK, Cinderella's fairy godmother came over to my sister and I, opened up a compartment in her wand, and gave us neclaces with "3 magic wishes". That same trip, a CM pulled us aside and asked if we wanted to pin trade for a "rare pin", not knowing anything, we both traded and both ended up with the "Ruff" CM Lanyard series 2 pin. It was a very awesome trip.

What were the 3 magic wishes

[Engel]

When a pin fell off my lanyard because I lost a rubber Mickey back, I happened to be in front of the times board at Animal Kingdom and a cast member saw and immediately wrote me voucher to get a free bag of locking pin backs.

I always lose those mickey heads... I must buy one of those packages with MANY, because it is annoying. i don't ever plan on buying more pins from disney, the mickey head is always lost and I feel down after. I will spend my money on vinyls instead. :p

and no, i never got anything free there. but i only went twice and to disneyland paris. i have never been in the USA

[danimaroo]

Both during our honeymoon and then our one year anniversary we were SHOWERED with free stuff. Looking forward to our 2nd anniversary trip in January. :)

Lots of free desserts, cards signed by Pooh and the gang wishing us happy anniversary, random fast passes pretty often, and PLENTY of cheerful well wishes. I absolutely love spending my anniversary in Disney World. :)

[Disneyfanforever]

Aww I just read through and all of them are so sweet..esp. reading the ann.,honeymoon,engagement kinds.
I sometimes get irritated with the park but its so sweet to hear how the park gives back randomly.

When I hear about all the year of a million dream stories..I so wish I had tickets that year lol.

I guess my family or I have never gotten anything "huge" but lots of great sweet gestures...that were sooo lovely!
Pretty much 1 for each of us at some point...except my brother.

My sister for her birthday a couple of years ago was walking through the bakery store and one of the CM's stopped and brought her out a baked lollypop thing..and we stayed for parade that night and the fairy godmother on her float waved to her and wished her happy birthday..that really made her night!

My mom on her b-day last year we were walking though the emporium and a sweet CM got the store to wish her happy birthday and he got down on one knee and sang to her...it was the sweetest!!!:love:

I went for my birthday last year and sadly didn't get anything magical..matter a fact only like 3 cm wished me happy birthday..I know that's awful to say..but there is something magical about a cm wishing you happy birthday lol.

One time though when I was at the park I had gotten dizzy and we rented a wheelchair for the rest of the day and when we headed over to MK on our way in a lovely man stopped us and gave me a pin...i'm not a pin person but it was a beautiful pin..with the castle on a cloud with tinkerbell..he knew me so well!! It was one my sweetest disney memories.:pixiedust:

[Figmentfan0787]

On our second trip as a couple, I bought a disney florist package and When we got to the room there was a picture frame and a bunch of other free goodies. Cant wait to see what happens when I pupose next trip!

[Disneyfanforever]

Aw early congrats..you'll have to keep us updated with what happens and ofcourse all the engagement joys hehe:D

[gmommy1]

When my son first got involved with vinyls, he was trying to decide if he should keep the one he just opened or trade it. He went back and forth but couldn't decide. He was maybe six years old. He looked younger until he talked. The CM let him take the one he would have selected had he traded and keep the one he was going to trade. We left the store and made sure we filled out a card for that CM for making my son's day extra special. It wasn't because my son got his way. I would have left with my son getting nothing. My son didn't realize the CM had let him keep the original one until he opened the bag and found it in there.

[Disneyfanforever]

When my son first got involved with vinyls, he was trying to decide if he should keep the one he just opened or trade it. He went back and forth but couldn't decide. He was maybe six years old. He looked younger until he talked. The CM let him take the one he would have selected had he traded and keep the one he was going to trade. We left the store and made sure we filled out a card for that CM for making my son's day extra special. It wasn't because my son got his way. I would have left with my son getting nothing. My son didn't realize the CM had let him keep the original one until he opened the bag and found it in there.

Aww how sweet!! I bet that made his day!!:D

[Ill_jc]

Cant wait to see what happens when I pupose next trip!

When are you going? =]

I'm hoping to do the same in may next year, my GF is disney orientated and she will go mental!

[Ale8414]

Oh man, I think if my bf proposed at Disney I'd have a heart attack out of joy! Lol you guys are awesome !
Check out you tube, there are a few Disney proposals that are awesome and can help you out, you don't need to spend a ridic amout of money to pull off a great proposal there. Planning is key ( trust me from experience, I've helped plan proposals before - not at dw- I'm an event production manager and event planner ) the other key to a magical proposal ;) is to incorporate personal details... I don't wana give any ideas on here in case any of the lucky women read this lol so if you need help or have questions shoot me a pm , I can give you advice from the planner perspective and from a perspective of someone who wants a Disney proposal :)

When are you going? =]

I'm hoping to do the same in may next year, my GF is disney orientated and she will go mental!

[Disneyfanforever]

If I ever got proposed to at Disney and it was the right place and done right i'd go mad too(in a good way!) There are lots of romantic places...long as he didn't like do it in line for a ride or something lol. I read a story on someone's blog one time and their future hubby proposed to her in one of the countries at sunset....how freaking romantic!:love:

[mariemb]

When we were in Disney in May we were at Hollywood Studios and it was early in the am at Hollywood Studios, on openng weekend of Star Wars Weekend. We had just left Darth's Mall and were getting some breakfast at the outdoor eateries right in front of the Tower of Terror. My husband and I both ordered a sausage egg and cheese something and 2 ojs. And 2 cinnamon rolls. We were going to split the sanwiches and cinnamon rolls with the kids (I love the dining plan but it was too early and too hot for that much food!) But they were out of cinnamon rolls.... then they were out of sausage for one sandwich.... then they only had 1 oj... the cast member helping us was a really sweet girl and talked to us all through out our order and she apologized profusely. My husband is a restaurant manager so almost nothing ruffles my feathers I am easy in that sense I just said can I have bacon instead on the sandwich, I'll have an iced tea instead of the oj and we don't realy need the cinnamon rolls anyways... She swiped our dining card and asked if we liked cake we both looked at each otehr laughed and said yes.. she said do you like chocolate? I said well duh! I'm a woman of course I love chocolate! She laughed and asked if we liked carrots? My husband said Hannah (the CM's name) My wife makes an amazing carrot cake with cream chees icing that is to die for we love carrots ! She said good! And handed us a tray with our sanwiches, the iced tea, oj, 2 bottles of water, a slice of chocolate cake, a slice of carrot cake, and 4 granola bars. She said please have a magical day. It was a great experience and it further made my husbands mind up that Disney was AMAZING! It was his and our kids first trip and being a restaurant manager it is really hard to WOW him but Disney WOWED my hubs.

[DisneyMike&Kelly]

I have not gotten anything free at Disney. Took a survey once thinking I might but no such luck! IT would be nice sometime!!

[aspen_snow04]

I'm hoping to do the same in may next year, my GF is disney orientated and she will go mental!

I proposed at DL and my (now) wife probably couldn't speak (minus a yes) for a good few hours! haha. I purchase a brick with our engagement date that in in the esplanade!!

[YoungGun]

Wow some of these stories are amazing to be honest, I have never received anything free from Disney except a random fastpass for Lights, Motors, Action lol.

[tandedobbs]

I haven't gotten anything for free at Disneyland, yet. I'm hoping that when we go in November and wear our "Just Married" and "Happily Ever After" pins, maybe we'll get a fast pass or something? That'd be wonderful! :) Everyone's stories about getting free things are great!

[Figmentfan0787]

Im planning to purpose at WDW on our next trip next year. she just had major surgery on her knee and she wouldnt be able to walk wdw at all till then. Im gonna go to the Cinderellas royal table (her favorite) and I dont know when but Im going to have our waitress bring out the ring on a platter being held by the groom vinylmation (which she doesnt know i have).

[mshalloween]

I'm excited to get birthday and I'm celebrating pins next week for my birthday trip! I wonder if Universal has anything like that since we'll be going there too. :idea:

[crazybones27]

Im planning to purpose at WDW on our next trip next year. she just had major surgery on her knee and she wouldnt be able to walk wdw at all till then. Im gonna go to the Cinderellas royal table (her favorite) and I dont know when but Im going to have our waitress bring out the ring on a platter being held by the groom vinylmation (which she doesnt know i have).

I believe for wedding proposals in the Castle they do have a special dessert they can bring the ring out on if you'd like also. I believe it's a white chocolate glass slipper or something. :)

[SherKhan72]

I'm excited to get birthday and I'm celebrating pins next week for my birthday trip! I wonder if Universal has anything like that since we'll be going there too. :idea:

I do believe I've seen birthday buttons at Universal too. Btw, Happy Advance Birthday!!!

[YoungGun]

Im planning to purpose at WDW on our next trip next year. she just had major surgery on her knee and she wouldnt be able to walk wdw at all till then. Im gonna go to the Cinderellas royal table (her favorite) and I dont know when but Im going to have our waitress bring out the ring on a platter being held by the groom vinylmation (which she doesnt know i have).

Very clever idea with the groom vinyl. I know it is a while away, but I hope it all goes smoothly for you.

[Wreck It]

Was wearing my birthday pin a couple of weeks ago when I was in Disney for my birthday, and we were eating at The Hollywood Brown Derby (Great Restaurant!) and I got a free chocolate mouse, complete with a birthday candle! (My parents didn't even mention it to the waiter, he just must have seen my pin!) After dinner we stopped at the desert/candy shop on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood Studios and the Cast Member at the cash register gave me a free chocolate covered marshmallow on a stick!

Moral of the story?
If you are at Disney for your birthday, don't be afraid to go ask for a birthday pin! The concierge at your hotel will gladly give you one, and write your name on it.
You will get lots of "Happy Bithday!"s from cast members all around the parks!

[evelover2]

I was recently there with my 2 yonger nieces and we were in the candy eporium on main street watching the make some chocolate covered pineapple when she brought one around the window and gave it to the girls for free! it was so sweet and they loved it!