Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Plan a visit to the Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds. Park for free at the front of the resort, and catch a Disney bus back to the ranch. The Walt Disney World website explains that the Tri-Circle-D Ranch is home to the horses that are seen in the Magic Kingdom Park, as well as to Cinderella's ponies. The ranch provides an opportunity to see these animals without paying to enter the theme park.
Downtown Disney is a shopping, dining and entertainment complex. Admission to Downtown Disney and the adjoining parking area is free. The Walt Disney World website explains that Downtown Disney consists of three sections: Downtown Disney West Side, offering unique shops, Pleasure Island, and Downtown Disney Marketplace, offering a large selection of Disney themed shops. In addition to Downtown Disney offering a large variety of shops to browse for free, there are frequent concerts held on the stage at the Marketplace. Middle and high school bands from around the country often perform, with performances from d.j.s and other performers occurring occasionally. Downtown Disney offers free seasonal activities as well, such as a chance to meet Santa near Christmas. These events typically are not published, you just have to stop by and see what is happening.
According to the Walt Disney World website, Disney's Boardwalk is a "quarter-mile entertainment, dining and shopping area." Located on Crescent Lake, Disney's Boardwalk is a nice place to watch Epcot's fireworks, people watch, and browse the shops. Admission to Disney's Boardwalk is free, as is parking. While fairly quiet during the day, Disney provides a variety of free entertainment in the late afternoon and evening. Magicians and street performers often roam the area, as well as live musicians and musical groups.
View the nightly Electrical Water Pageant. Lighted floats sail past the resorts on Disney's Bay Lake. Park at Disney's Polynesian Resort, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Wilderness Lodge, or Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds and head to the beach to watch the Electrical Water Pageant. Parking at the resorts is free, as is pageant viewing. Most nights the pageant starts its trip around the lake at nine o'clock at night