What free stuff have you ever got at Disney?

[Spike-in-Berlin]

wow.. sounds like the original poster complains a lot for free stuff!

I have been to the World 38 trips and have never had anything stolen or have I cared if there is a smudge on the window! lol Mousekeeping has always been amazing and we always tip them. Heck, I have left money on the table for them and they have never touched it. So I realized I needed to leave a note with it. I have stayed all levels of hotels and receive the same great Disney service over and over again.

In all of my trips, I have only had 2 CM's that were not having a good day... But I know everyone can have a bad day when you are dealing with guests that probably started the tude... lol

Wow sounds like you are really a ........ Because never something was stolen from you it can't happen to others? And because you only experienced two rude CMs it must be the fault of the guests? And because you had the "great disney service" everyone else must have had the same flawless experience? Ever read trip reports here? Or read in the resort hotels forum about what others happened at Disney resorts which, in the real world, not in the imagination of Disney fanboys, have an increasing reputation for the decreasing quality?

 

[Courtney6682]

I'm aware that ultimately Disney make a profit out of you but what if any, 'free' stuff have you been given at Disney? Over the years apart from paper fast passes (issued after our AP had issues) or a couple of drinks I've had replaced after spilling them on the tray, the best thing I've been given was a free Rock n Roller coaster t-shirt. For some reason they were doing a promotion for something or other and set up a table out front of the ride and just started handing out these great black t-shirts with 'Alliance Tour' and a guitar on the front and tour dates on the back. They were really good quality too and today I'm sporting it hence me thinking about this thread idea.

So come on, what 'freebies' has anyone else been given?

A free 40th anniversary pin in May of 2011...bday cards signed by all the characters with stickers inside for my daughter's 13th in feb of 2013...

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Soaps and shampoos from the Resorts !!!

A guided tour of R'n'RC - as we walked towards the standby line, a CM approached us and asked if we were riding. Having said "yes" he escorted us to the front of the line, pointing out interesting facts about the building, the studio etc. He got us on the next car, in the front seats, and then presented us with a free ride photograph afterwards. We bought the photo frame in the gift shop as a way of thanking Disney

The best "Freebie" we got was on Boxing Day 2008. In MK, nice and early and we'd just ridden BTMRR. As we exited the ride there were two CMs handing out Dream Fastpasses. (A plastic card with 9 FP on for MK rides, to be used that day, on a lanyard). My daughters both got a Dream FP and the CMs started to walk away but they handed out one for the wife and I when they realised we were one family. We still have the four Dream FP, all unused.

 

[TaraWdopeyfan]

My girls have gotten the free stickers several times. They also get the beaded necklaces from POFQ from the CM's. And last year we got a free cupcake in HS because we happened to get the magic tray.

 

[bethymouse]

That was my favorite promo! Did you win in the parks? I sent in the postcards each day, and won a pair through that. It was so excited getting a box marked from Disney in the mail and not knowing what was in it! But I think it would've been even more exciting to win in the parks.

Yep- won in the parks! My Dad's scooter had a pair just laying in the basket. We thought someone had just misplaced them or something. We were interviewed by a man, and I really thought we'd won something big, but the boys just got buttons for their 1st visit ( 4 years old).

 

[minsmk]

My Dad got a free mini chocolate cake from PB's on his birthday.

Once I was pretty sick (I caught some sort of flu/headcold.) and it was the last day of our trip. We were over at DHS and I really wanted a Turkey Leg. I went up and ordered it with my dad and the cm sad "If you do the chicken dance i'll give it to you for free." Me being a funny person anyway did the chicken dance and he gave it to me! I said that I would give him the 8 dollars but he refused. I thanked that cm so many times lol.

I think thats about it...

 

[DizneyPryncess]

Yep- won in the parks! My Dad's scooter had a pair just laying in the basket. We thought someone had just misplaced them or something. We were interviewed by a man, and I really thought we'd won something big, but the boys just got buttons for their 1st visit ( 4 years old).

That is an awesome story! Those little magic moments are what I have always loved about Disney!

 

[Tobe]

I didn't ask for the tickets for TL, they were handed out to ALL about 20 guests from the CS which had waited for the bus for more than 90 minutes. And the problem IS with WDW, the deteriorating quality of the resorts, especially concerning the cleanliness of the rooms is already notorious, many resort guests have recognized them and decided to not stay on property anymore, only some Disney fanboys still seem to ignore the facts, that Disney charges extraordinary, sometimes outright insane prices for resorts of sometimes less than mediocre quality. If you search pages like Tripadvisor etc. you will find a lot of examples, even die-hard WDW fans often can't ignore this fact any longer. We decided not to stay at a WDW deluxe resort again because of these issues. And I really don't know where I "turned my back to the cast members", In always treat them friendly and with great respect and, yes, you are completely out of line.

What I meant is that when you have left the cast members presence after complaining about this that and the other thing, they probably have a few four letter or "curse" words they are saying about you behind your back. And while it is very true that there are plenty of negative reviews about Disney hotels on travel sites, most still rank pretty high on the travel sites as far as being good hotels and having fairly high guest satisfaction reviews. It is a well known fact that people who have a bad experience are far more likely to post about a bad experience than people who have had a good experience are likely to post about it. And while I like Disney a lot, I do not deny there is plenty to criticize about the level of service and maintenance at the World as of late. And I do complain to cast members when it is warrented but major problems on 4 out of 5 trips is a bit too much not to wonder if you have somewhat unrealistic expectations. And for the record I do understand having high expectations when you are paying the ridiculous prices they charge for deluxe resorts but expecting perfection is only going to lead to disappointment.

Thank you for getting rid of the derogatory term and I mean that sincerely.​

 

[Goofnut1980]

We visit every month or so, have stayed at Value to Deluxe Villas (I'm a DVC member) and we've never experienced anything like this. Yes, we've waited for buses (but never 90 minutes) and staff have always been very nice and helpful. While waiting for our FP for Wishes the other night, I had a lovely conversation with a CM intern (I hope she becomes a permanent CM - she is an absolute gem) and ran into her the next night walking down main street during MNSSHP. She remembered me and thanked ME for talking to her. I gave her a hug and said I hoped to see her when we visit again in October and November.

However, I've experienced guests from hell on a regular basis (which you sound like - another entitled individual).....

We are DVC and go about 3 times a year... prior to DVC we were rack rate all resort levels, and never had issues like these major ones people keep saying. We were treated the same at all levels. The one time we had an issue at POFQ waiting on a bus. It was about 45 mins and we hadn't seen a MK bus. I simply called the front desk who put me in touch with Disney Transportation and they apologized and dispatched a bus immediately from another route. Bus was there in less than 10 mins. It's easy for people to complain, but unless you do something to fix the situation all you can do is complain. My partner always says - See a problem; Own a problem. I called and like magic, bus arrived.

 

[thomas998]

I'm aware that ultimately Disney make a profit out of you but what if any, 'free' stuff have you been given at Disney? Over the years apart from paper fast passes (issued after our AP had issues) or a couple of drinks I've had replaced after spilling them on the tray, the best thing I've been given was a free Rock n Roller coaster t-shirt. For some reason they were doing a promotion for something or other and set up a table out front of the ride and just started handing out these great black t-shirts with 'Alliance Tour' and a guitar on the front and tour dates on the back. They were really good quality too and today I'm sporting it hence me thinking about this thread idea.

So come on, what 'freebies' has anyone else been given?

Food poisoning... Oh, and once one daughter was given a free pin... Otherwise nothing free to speak of.

 

[Shadowgate]

In 2005 we celebrated out 10th Anniversary at Cinderella's Royal table and received champagne glasses and a signed card from all the princess.

During the Year of a Million Dreams my daughter received a limited edition pin. And during waiting for our first ride of the day at Magic Kingdom we and 20 other where handed Dream passes! Based on the picture I have it was on 02/23/07 and was pass number 1050!

 

[DfromATX]

Not sure if this counts or not, but once we had already booked our trip we saw an ad about receiving gift cards for certain resorts. I wasn't sure if it would apply to us since we were already booked, but I called anyway, and yay it did. Since we had 2 rooms at Pop, we got 2 $300 gift cards! I'll never forget that. Other than that, my husband got a voucher for a free shirt because a waiter spilled some tea on him.

 

[Marc Gil]

I remember when a cast member randomly gave me dream ears and lanyards during The Year of a Million Dreams. What I was really hoping for was the castle suite, but I still wear my YOAND lanyard to this day.

Recently, all I have been given are stickers, the Maleficent button from Heroes and Villains, the Planes pin, and I got a cookie sample from the bakery at Frontierland the other day.

 

[FlyTriPacer]

We got a PIN to upgrade to the base room at SSR from Pop back in 2009. When I called WDW to use the PIN, I asked if there was anyway we could get a 1-bedroom room instead and the CM gave us that upgrade too. We had a kitchen, bed in the den, master bedroom, bathroom with tub and shower, and washer/dryer (and detergent) for the price of a standard Pop room. It was great and secretly hope is happens again!

 

[bigorangeandy]

Me and my wife were celebrating our anniversary a few years ago and were wearing the bride and groom Mickey ears. We were waiting to get on Soarin' when a CM came over and whispered that when the ride ended just stay seated and we could ride a second time, that was great. We also got a piece of cake with our lunch for free that day. It was wonderful walking around all day and having everyone wish us a happy anniversary.

 

[RiceCrispyMickey]

I had free birthday cupcakes at Kona Cafe during our last trip. (our server gave us two because my husband was with me!)

My friend also got free fries at SSR because the cast members behind the counter were singing and she joined in!

 

[The_Wilsons]

we won a competition for a free 1 week holiday in WDW. whilst there we was only meant to have a tour guide for one day but they decided to give us the Vip guide for the whole week. As a last minute surprise as i mentioned i was going to propose i was given a free meal at citricos and then the grand one yacht to propose on for an hour.

we have found out that all you need to do is ask and you get free stuff. We go again next month and just by calling disney we have got 4 vip fast passes to use and had an anna and elsa fast pass booked 6 months before we travelled.

 

[micknminnie]

Once my sons were given free smoothies from Auntie Gravity's just for being there. On another trip my daughter lost a flip flop as she was getting on to Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin. She was crying because there was no way we could reach down and get it. Upon exiting the ride a CM gave us a voucher for a new pair at the gift shop. On our latest trip my sons were the first to enter Club Cool for that day and were given free coke slushies.

 

[Nick Wilde]

Once my sons were given free smoothies from Auntie Gravity's just for being there. On another trip my daughter lost a flip flop as she was getting on to Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin. She was crying because there was no way we could reach down and get it. Upon exiting the ride a CM gave us a voucher for a new pair at the gift shop. On our latest trip my sons were the first to enter Club Cool for that day and were given free coke slushies.

I wonder if they do this all the time?....... I know I got a free game at the Frontierland Shooting arcade for being the first one there and I'm pretty sure this happens every day.

 

[righttrack]

Nice stories. So many CMs go the extra mile.