14 Disneyland Freebies - Free and cheap souvenirs

That's right you heard me: FREE. Disneyland costs an arm and a leg, and I want you to get your money's worth. Most of these are actual, hold in your hands and take home with you, free and memorable souvenirs. At the end, I will list under-a-dollar honorable mentions.

Free, that is, after you have paid the price of admission. I will first list the Disneyland freebies and then California Adventure in case you did not get the park hopper pass, or are only visiting one of the two parks.

Free Stuff at Disneyland

(1) MAPS

As soon as you walk in, Disneyland maps and Entertainment schedules are free for you to take. You may be thinking, but "What do I need a map for if I know my way around the park?" Or "I'm not planning on seeing any of the shows or parades." Trust me, I said the same thing, and regretted not taking them. In fact, take ten. They are great keepsakes for each trip especially when the park is constantly changing. Entertainment changes, and parades, and park events, even attractions. I made the mistake of not getting a map last time I was at the parks, and months later ended up BUYING some off ebay to make a duct-tape/park map wallet. 

I love my map wallet.

 I have seen maps decoupaged onto coasters, and many other items. They're also just nice to look at and remember where you went and what you did at the parks. Like I said, the parks are constantly changing: one year I went when the new Buena Vista Street of California Adventure was under construction, so there was a detour route. Years before that, the Paradise Pier looked wildly different without World of Color. Maps become "vintage" maps quickly, and might even be worth something - whether of nostalgic value or monetary value. 

(2) BUTTONS 

Some Cast Members at Disneyland have buttons on hand, but not all, so the one place I know will have a ready supply is City Hall. After you enter the park, walk through the left side tunnel and just on your left will be City Hall. This is one of the main information centers of the park. The buttons available are:
"Happy Birthday"
"I'm Celebrating"
"First Visit"
"Just Married"
"Just Engaged"
"Just Graduated"
And although I haven't seen them before, I hear there are also "Family Reunion," "Happily Ever After," and "Anniversary" buttons.

City Hall also has park maps in different languages for those interested.

Attraction Freebies

These are usually limited supply so they are more for kids than adults:
 
(3) Ride Autopia and you can get a free driver's license while waiting in the queue. (Pay an extra $5 to add your photo to it)

(4) After exiting Jungle Cruise, you can get a map of the river if you ask nicely (and possibly make an animal sound).

(5) The Fire Engine driver on Main Street sometimes hands out Fireman's badge stickers to riders (and if you sit in the back, you get to ring the bell all you want).

(6) If you ride the Mark Twain Riverboat, ask the cast member if you can ride in the Pilot's Wheelhouse (I have heard rumors that this is becoming more exclusive and not as available to the public as it used to be). You'll get to help blow the whistle, ring the bell, and afterward receive a Pilot's certificate.

"Piloting" the Mark Twain was the highlight of my last trip for sure!

 
(7) If you are able to ride the Lilly Belle Presidential car on the Disneyland Railroad, you get a special luxury car ticket. You have to make a reservation to ride this car, and it does not take passengers on very hot days. It is a special experience that most guests wait for an hour at opening for, but I would say that if you have the time, it wouldn't hurt to ask.

I am sorry to say that Haunted Mansion is NO LONGER giving out Death Certificates. Don't even ask. In fact I hear it has been SEVERAL years since they have done this, and websites that report to the contrary are wrong. I believe it is because they did special edition giveaways during the 50th anniversary.

I am also under the impression that Indiana Jones no longer has the decoder cards for the hieroglyphs in the queue. But the decoder is available online.

(8) BEADS

While in New Orleans Square, you may catch the Royal Street Bachelors playing at the French Market. They like to hand out Mardi Gras beads to guests.

This is from my most recent trip. We were just sitting eating Mickey-shaped beignets, and got to enjoy a show! They handed out beads after.

(9) Pictures and Characters Signatures

The best keepsakes are the pictures you take! Which I am terrible at. Rule of thumb, get the obligatory picture in front of the castle, and use your phone to take pictures of the preview screen displaying on-ride pictures for free. 
Rides that take on-ride pics are:
Space Mountain,
Buzz Lightyear Astro-blasters,
and Splash Mountain.

(With Buzz Lightyear Astro-blasters you can actually have your picture and score emailed to you for free.)

Otherwise, the best pictures are with characters, in attraction queues, and with food (I'm not kidding, take a picture with your churro). While with characters, there is always a cast member accompanying them to take your picture for you, and if you have an autograph book, get it signed. I have also heard of guests taking plain matte frames to get signed and then put you favorite park picture inside. How cute is that? Every character is prepared to give a signature, just offer a pen and something to write on.

Free Stuff at California Adventure

Free Food

I realize these are not keepsakes, but it is free!

(10) At the Boudin Bakery Tour you can get a free slice of Sourdough bread. If you use your puppy-dog eyes, I bet you could get it without having to take the "tour."
(11) Step into the Ghiradelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop and get a free square of chocolate.
(Both are located at the Pacific Wharf between Cars Land and Paradise Pier)

Drawings! 

This is my drawing of Goofy - I'm pretty proud.

(12) Go to Animation Academy in Hollywoodland and learn to draw a Disney character! This room is super air-conditioned which is great for really hot days, and gives you a chance to rest your feet for 12 minutes. You get to keep your drawing. Don't trash it, everyone's drawing is unique and special. So it doesn't look professional, who cares?! YOU made it! That's cool! I am obviously really enthusiastic about this. Exclamation points!!! Yeah!

Attraction Freebies 

(13) At the Redwood Creek Challenge by Grizzly Peak, kids can get a Wilderness Explorer map and "earn their badge." It's a bit of a scavenger hunt where you complete each "challenge" and scratch off the badge you earned. But it's another free paper keepsake for the scrapbook! Also great for the Up! lovers out there.

(14) California Adventure also has maps and buttons. Cars Land has land-specific buttons as well. Attractions with on-ride pictures are:
California Screamin',
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror,
and Radiator Springs Racers.

Honorable Mentions
The following freebies are either super cheap, free with purchase, or just complimentary items.

(1) Free water - stop buying bottles, and just ask for water in a cup. Possible charge for ice or the cup itself, but that is still going to be under a dollar. (But really you should just bring your own bottle, as long as it isn't glass.)

(2) Wishes - Only cost a penny! (or whatever change you have on you at the time) Find Snow White's wishing well next to the castle and drop a penny in. There is also a fountain in New Orleans Square and on Buena Vista street, and a well next to Minnie's House in Toon Town. 

(3) Free refills:
Rule of thumb is, if you fill the drink yourself, you can refill it for free. But if they fill it behind the counter, then they need to issue you a new cup which is not a refill. Also any full service sit-down restaurants inside the parks will give you free refills.
Refill stations are at: Pizza Port (Tomorrowland), Rancho del Zocalo (Frontierland), Plaza Inn (Main Street), and Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta (Paradise Pier). Just in case - KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS. You can also get coffee refills at Market House (Starbucks) on Main Street.

(4) Penny Press - Literally my favorite souvenir, I have been collecting them from all over the country. Only 51¢ and there are multiple options at each press. There are several land-specific and ride-specific penny presses all over the park. (They have also been adding Quarter presses that cost a dollar, so if you're a collector, bring a lot of change!)

(5) Keep the bags from merchandise purchases.

(6) Antenna toppers are super cheap as well. Even if you don't have a car antenna, they make cute collectibles. You could use them for diy mobiles or Christmas ornaments!