CELEBRATION TOWN CENTER

Celebration is a master-planned community less than 10 minutes from Walt Disney World ®Resort. Perfect for relaxation and strolling, Celebration Town Center is their central shopping, dining and entertainment hub. It also features free, family-focused events all year long, such as exotic car shows, fall’s Oktoberfest, and Now Snowing, a holiday celebration with faux snow.

DISNEY SPRINGS®

Featuring free admission and free, covered parking, the open-air Disney Springs ® dining, shopping and entertainment district at Walt Disney World ®Resort invites you to enjoy remarkable architecture, natural beauty and free family fun that includes live performances and other entertaining interludes. For instance, kids can build as many LEGO ®figures as they want at The LEGO Store, and the whole gang can hop on free ferries that travel to and from several different Walt Disney World resort properties — even if you’re not staying at them.

DISNEY'S BOARDWALK

Located within walking distance of EPCOT ®and Disney’s Hollywood Studios ®, and featuring free admission, Disney’s BoardWalk will transport you to charming, turn-of-the-20th-century Atlantic City. As you stroll along a Coney Island-style boardwalk, take in free evening entertainment that includes jugglers, comedians and even fire-eaters. Like Disney Springs, Disney’s BoardWalk is connected to Disney’s complimentary ferry system via the adjacent Disney’s BoardWalk Villas.

OLD TOWN ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT

Get a feel for Florida communities of yesteryear, complete with authentic architecture and distinctive storefronts, at this free attraction in Kissimmee just minutes from Walt Disney World. In addition to paid attractions, dining and shopping, Old Town has a robust schedule of free events featuring classic car shows and live entertainment.

PROMENADE AT SUNSET WALK

Adjacent to Margaritaville Resort Orlando in Kissimmee close to Walt Disney World, Promenade at Sunset Walk is home to dining venues, nightlife, retailers and more. They also host a regular lineup of free entertainment and events, including numerous holiday celebrations.

FARMERS MARKETS

If you want to sample some local flavor, look into our free farmers markets. Held at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando, the Orlando Farmers Market is held on Sundays. On Saturdays, you can take in the Winter Garden Farmers Market close to Walt Disney World, the Winter Park Farmers' Market north of downtown Orlando, and the Lake Nona Farmers Market in its forward-facing namesake community close to Orlando International Airport. (Please note that farmers markets are subject to cancelation or rescheduling.)

NATURE PRESERVES

In addition to serving as a terminus for the West Orange Trail (more on it in a bit), the Winter Garden area has numerous nature preserves. Of particular note is the Tibet-Butler Preserve, which features 438 acres of pristine wilderness that encompasses many bodies of water in the Butler Chain of Lakes, officially recognized by the state as Outstanding Florida Waters.

About 35 minutes east of our tourism districts, Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area is another local nature preserve worth visiting. Named for a spectacular, 200-year-old live oak tree that survived after being split down the middle, Split Oak features a mixture of trails and unpaved roads through diverse wildlife habitats, including the 5.3-mile North/South Trail.

About an hour and a half north of our tourism districts, Ocala National Forest is home to the world’s largest contiguous sand pine scrub forest. You can enjoy activities such as swimming, picnicking, fishing and even hunting, although you’ll need a permit for the latter. And 25 minutes east of downtown, the 80-acre University of Central Florida Arboretum offers biking and self-guided tours through more than 600 plant species.

PARKS & GARDENS

The Orlando area is home to numerous parks, state forests and gorgeous gardens with free entry. In downtown Orlando, for instance, the 43-acre Lake Eola Park offers relaxation, concerts and events, and even outdoor yoga on Sunday mornings.

Near downtown in the Audubon Park Garden District, Harry P. Leu Gardens has free admission on the first Monday of select months. What’s more, Audubon Park is connected to the Cady Way Trail, which in turn is part of the larger Orlando Urban Trail, which meanders around six lakes with two bridges that provide access to picturesque vistas and shade from live oak trees.

In Winter Park, about 25 minutes from downtown Orlando, Mead Botanical Garden features scheduled hikes and educational activities, plus live entertainment. Nearby, Kraft Azalea Garden is great for picnicking, hiking and fishing.

Close to SeaWorld ®Orlando and Universal Orlando Resort, Dr. P. Phillips Community Park features a splash pad and a nature trail. And 20 minutes east of downtown Orlando, Blanchard Park has an 8.1-mile paved road for bicycling, running, rollerblading and walking, as well as fishing spots and playground equipment.

WEST ORANGE TRAIL

This 20.8-mile paved trail runs from Winter Garden near Walt Disney World to Apopka, west of Orlando’s main tourism districts. Hiking and biking are free, and the trail also features playground equipment and other amenities. If you didn’t bring bicycles with you, you can rent them from West Orange Trail Bikes & Blades Co., which offers delivery to area hotels.

MONORAIL MAGIC

Hop on board the Monorail for a scenic tour of the park. With three different Monorail rides to choose from, you can take in the stunning sights of Walt Disney World free of charge! 


Here's the lowdown:

The "inner" Monorail circles the three Monorail resorts (Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian) and provides a great overview of the Magic Kingdom. You can get off and explore each resort, or just enjoy the ride and the view.

The express Monorail only goes between the Ticket and Transportation Center and Magic Kingdom, but it provides the same view as the "inner" Monorail. However, it tends to get more crowded.

The Monorail to Epcot is also a nice trip, and on the way to Epcot from the Ticket and Transportation Center, you take a quick turn through Epcot for a great view of the park.

    To get on the Monorail, you'll need to get to the Ticket and Transportation Center. If you're driving, you'll need to pay a parking fee. If you're not driving, there are other transportation options available like the bus from Disney Springs or a taxi.

    SKYLINER SENSATION

    Take flight on the Disney Skyliner cable-car system for a unique, bird's eye view of the park. Each cabin can hold up to 10 people, so bring your friends and family along for the ride! 


    Here's what you need to know:

    • There are Disney Skyliner hubs at Art of Animation/Pop Century Resorts, Caribbean Beach Resort, Riviera Resort, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios. Each hub is themed to reflect the nearby resort or theme park.
    • You can get off at one of the Skyliner resorts and take a stroll, enjoy the hotel's theming, or visit a lounge or restaurant for a bite.
    • If you're driving to one of the hubs, you can usually self-park for free. However, if the parking lot is full, they may limit you to 3 hours or only allow guests with dining reservations to self-park.
    • If you're afraid of heights, the Skyliner may not be for you. The gondolas are mostly windowed, and you can feel like you're up higher than you are.

    Plan ahead and choose the best transportation option based on your location and preferences. Happy exploring!