This last weekend I was at a gathering when I got cornered by a woman "oh my gawd! You might not know me but I know you" was certainly an interesting way to get my attention before she quickly said she was following my Disneyworld trip online and wanted to know how I was able to afford a trip that was going to cost her and her offspring a few thousand dollars. Since alcohol is a wonderful thing, she became side tracked and wandered off before I could ask how exactly she was planning on spending several thousands of dollars on a weeklong trip for two people. While I know that Disneyworld is expensive, it's not a $1,000 a day expensive. However this started to get me thinking about tips that I could give for free things that you can do there to get more bang for your buck.

Animal Kingdom Lodge: feel free to wander around the hotel and check out their African art displays also, as the front desk / concierge as they do random free tours of the hotel (tours are also offered at BoardWalk Inn, Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, and Yacht Club)

Check out the Animals: Ask the concierge for an "Animal Viewing Guide" which tells you about all the animals on Disney's savana then sit back (the second floor has a better view) and watch as they roam around back.

Wilderness Explorers: just like boy/girl Scouts the kids get a list of "challenges" that they need to complete in order to collect different badges

Movie Night: every night at Fort Wilderness they play a different Disney movie under the stars with a free campfire sing-a-long with Chip & Dale (some other hotels do this randomly throughout the year so ask at check in)

Mickey Hunt: Ask the front desk for a "Hidden Mickey Hunt" guide book and try to find all the hidden Mickey's within the resort

Old Faithful: check out the gushing geyser for hour spurts between 7am - 10pm

Butterflies: check out the butterfly garden for free (also at Contemporary Resort)

Kidcot: here kids can make a souvenir at 11 different stations

Festival: depending on the festival ( food & wine, holidays, or flower & garden) there will be different demonstrations / workshops and concerts so check before you go

Club Cool: try different samples of varies coke products from around the world - currently closed due to Epcot renovations

Parking: if you are driving in then ask a lot attendant for a free 3-hour parking permit

Performers: there are roaming street performers so make sure to check them out

Atlantic Dance Hall: disco that normally doesn't have a cover charge

Interactive fountains: basically a free waterpark

Welcome Centre: free ice water, air conditioning, a place to sit, and photos of the history of the area

Lego Imagination Center: free indoor play area and Monthly Mini Model Build hosts a once a month get together where kids (ages 6 to 14) can build a free mini model that they can take home

Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop: normally they give out free chocolate samples

House of Blues, Raglan, and Chef Art Smith's Homecomin': free / cheap (cost of a drink and/or snack) live music

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom: stop by the Fire Station on Main Street USA or behind the Christmas Shop in Liberty Square to get a pack of playing cards (one pack per person per day). Also make sure to grab a free map as to where the game is played when you get your cards. If you've never heard of the game (like me) these cards give you clues for hidden bits of magic around the park (think the magic wands at Universal Studios). We saw people playing these all over the park and it looked like a lot of fun.

License Cards: At Tomorrowland Speedway and the Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction you can ask a cast member for an "Official Speedway License" or "Disney License"

Stickers: cast members usually have free Mickey Mouse stickers and Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café has Sonny Eclipse stickers if you ask

Monorail: for a great overview of the area leading up to the Magic Kingdom pop on the Monorail and ride from the Polynesian to the Magic Kingdom

Electrical Water Pageant: just before the fireworks at the magic kingdom, head to the Contemporary resort and stand our front by the water. Here there will be some barges with what look to be Christmas lights (they were) drift down the river to music. This is actually the original light display that was put on for the opening of the Magic Kingdom.

Grand Floridian Society Orchestra: enjoy ragtime, Dixie, and jazz played live throughout the day at the Grand Floridian Resort

Buttons: if you are celebrating something ask for a celebration button. These used to be rare souvenirs but are now easily found (except for the engagement ones, those are harder to find)

Trading Cards: at the Disney Transportation Center ask for a collectible souvenir card that will feature one of Disney's various modes of transportation

Get lei'd: if you visit the lobby at the Polynesian Resort you can ask for a complimentary lei

Learn to draw: The Art of Animation Resort has daily free art classes - these have moved to Rafiki's Ranger Station in the Animal Kingdom so you'll need park entry

Boat ride:

- Cruise Crescent lake: stops at Epcot, Boardwalk, Yacht/Beach club, Swan/Dolphin, and Disney's Hollywood Studios

- 2 different Magic Loop

* stops at Magic Kingdom, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness

* stops at Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and Magic Kingdom

- Sassagoula River: stops at Disney Springs, Port Orleans, Old Key West

Is there anything I'm missing? What tips do you have?