While there’s no denying that Disney vacations are magical experiences, they’re also pricey ones. Between tickets, hotel stays, transportation, and food, a single trip can quickly get out of hand – and out of budget – for many visitors to the parks. Purchasing souvenirs in addition to the necessities can be overwhelming. Even for those who can afford it, shelling out $20 for a pair of fancy mouse ears can be frustrating. There is plenty of information out there on how to get Disney merchandise for cheap (the internet is a wonderful thing), but I’m here with a list of 10 items to get for free. I can’t promise mouse ears or T-shirts, but there are trinkets that can serve as excellent mementos of your memorable Disney World vacation available at no cost.

10. PHOTOS!

Okay, this wasn’t much of a secret, but I had to put it in. Other than the memories stored inside your very own lovely brain, photos are probably the best possible vacation souvenir. Whether they’re candid or posed, shots of the park or shots of you, photographs capture special moments and, assuming you have a camera and/or a cellphone, are free. Note: the Disney PhotoPass service, while handy, is NOT free, so if you want something for nothing, you’re going to have to a) take the photos yourself, b) get a friend or family member to be the photographer, or c) wrangle an unsuspecting passerby into taking group photos (beware of camera snatchers).

9. Key to the World Cards and Magic Bands

I’m sorry to say that Magic Bands (colored wristbands with all of that particular guest’s Disney trip information in-coded) are only free to those staying in Disney hotels or Disney passholders. If you do happen to be fortunate enough to be staying in a Disney hotel, be a Disney passholder, or decide to purchase a Magic Band for whatever reason, be sure to hang on to them.  But every guest has a park ticket, or key to the world card. Sure, the park admission was hardly free. But the ticket itself, rather than being thrown away after returning home, can be saved.

8. Mickey stickers

Cast Members are constantly handing out these cute little white stickers with a Mickey face printed in the center. I would be surprised if you don’t come across a few on your trip anyway, especially if there’s a child in your group, but if not you could probably request one from a cast member or guest relations.

7. Belle’s Bookmarks

In Enchanted Tales with Belle, guests wait in Belle and Maurice’s cottage before stepping through the magic mirror portal (a gift from the Beast to Maurice) and landing in the Beast’s castle on the night Belle and the Beast fell in love. There, under the instruction of a friendly wardrobe, adults and children alike are invited to take part in putting on a show for Belle. At the end, guests are rewarded with a Belle bookmark. Not only does this slip of paper serve as a souvenir, it’s useful as well.

6. Kidcot Duffy

Duffy the Disney Bear is a friendly little globe-trotting stuffed bear who serves as the mascot for World Showcase Kidcot Fun Stops. While you can purchase a plush Duffy for $30, flat, cardboard Duffy-on-a-stick are free for children at any of the Kidcot Fun Stops scattered throughout World Showcase. Kids can take their cardboard Duffy from country to country, decorating them as they go. At each country they can receive a stamp and a little background information about the country’s culture. They serve as great souvenirs. I still have some of mine from back when they were cardboard masks and Cast Members would sometimes write your name out in their native language.

Duffy at Kidcot by Sam Howzit, on Flickr

5. Maps

Maps of the park are available at every park entrance. Not only do they serve as a great way to relive your vacation, they come in several languages. It may seem silly, but a map of the Magic Kingdom in French makes for a unique souvenir. In addition, both the maps and the parks themselves change frequently, so by saving one you retain an image of the park as it was during your visit.

4. The Sum of All Thrills Card

In Epcot, there is an exciting attraction called The Sum of All Thrills. After a brief video introduction, you get to design your own rollercoaster. Then board a simulator and experience your very own thrill ride! How could you possibly take this experience home as a souvenir, you ask? Well, you get to take the card that holds your thrill ride information home with you. Go to MathMovesU.com, type in the code, and relive your adventure. There are other games and activities on the site as well.

3. Character signatures

Sure, the autograph books cost money, as do the fancy Disney pens. But bring your own pen and paper, and, as long as you’re willing to wait in line, you can gather a book chock full of Disney character signatures. It’s a more meaningful souvenir, in my opinion, than a cheaply made toy anyway.

2. Character drawings

In Hollywood Studios, enter the Disney Animation building and join the Animation Academy. There, a cast member will take you through a step-by-step process to draw a specific Disney character. Even those convinced they don’t have an artistic bone in their body can cobble together a decent drawing. Not only will you have your own Disney-magic-infused art piece to take home, but usually the instructor will ask the audience a bit of Disney trivia surrounding the character being drawn. If you’re the first to raise your hand with the correct answer, you then get to take the cast member’s drawing home.

1. Special Event Buttons

These big, round, pin-on buttons are available at resorts and guest relations areas. Each one commemorates a different occasion. There’s an array of these neat pins for a variety of celebrations. Not only are these buttons freebies in and of themselves, but they often lead to other freebies and plenty of congratulations. This is especially the case with the Happy Birthday pin. 

These are 10 concrete souvenirs. But I can’t count the number of times my family and I have gotten little gifts here and there from the cast members. Balloons, flowers, chocolate Mickey statues, Soarin’ Mickey ears, costume jewelry, and more. True, these unexpected treats are more likely to happen when staying at a deluxe hotel or being in the company of a cute kid. So grab a small child (preferably your own), and get out there! But now, armed with knowledge of Disney freebies, you don’t have to depend on extra special cast member surprises to come home loaded with free Disney souvenirs.

Kathryn Blanco is Disney Editor for Wandering Educators

All photos courtesy and copyright Kathryn Blanco, except where noted