Orlando Freebies Your 2018 Guide To Free Food Entertainment And Special Offers

Orlando, known worldwide for its theme parks and attractions, also offers numerous freebies and special deals throughout the year for both residents and visitors. This comprehensive guide covers verified free offers available in Orlando during 2018, organized by category and occasion. From Election Day promotions to Mother's Day treats, Father's discounts, birthday freebies, and complimentary entertainment experiences, Orlando provides numerous opportunities to enjoy the city without spending a dime.

Election Day Freebies in Orlando

During the 2018 Election Day on November 6, Orlando businesses showed their civic pride by offering special promotions to voters who wore their "I Voted" stickers. These freebies provided an additional incentive for citizens to participate in the democratic process while enjoying various products and services.

Several restaurants and food establishments participated in this promotion: - 4 Rivers Smokehouse offered a free cupcake to voters displaying their "I Voted" sticker - 7-Eleven provided free coffee through their mobile app - Luisa's Cellar offered the first drink free for those with their voting sticker - Miller's Ale House provided $5 off the bill for sticker wearers - World of Beer charged only $1 for the first Election Day beer - The Brass Tap hosted Yappy Hour from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with special deals for sticker wearers

Beyond food and beverages, other businesses joined in: - Gold's Gym offered free admission to voters who brought their "I Voted" sticker and valid voter card - Uber and Lyft provided free or discounted rides to polling stations, with a special "Get to the Polls" button in their apps to help voters find their nearest polling place

These Election Day freebies demonstrated how local businesses encouraged civic participation while offering valuable incentives to Orlando residents.

Mother's Day Freebies in the Orlando Area

The 2018 Mother's Day season brought numerous free offers and special deals at restaurants throughout the Tampa and Orlando areas. Many establishments honored mothers with complimentary meals, gifts, and discounts during the weekend celebration.

Several restaurant chains participated in Mother's Day promotions: - Abuelo's Mexican restaurant chain distributed gifts to moms at all locations, with items varying by region and including free shirts, flowers, or free entrée bounce back cards - Another Broken Egg Cafe provided moms who dined in on Saturday or Sunday with a free $10 Brunch Buck, redeemable May 14-27 - Arooga's offered moms a free meal with the purchase of another meal and a beverage, with dine-in service only and a limit of one discount per check - Beef 'O' Brady's at participating locations allowed moms to eat free with a meal purchase of "equal or greater value up to $10" - BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse presented moms with free wine glasses at participating locations during Saturday and Sunday while supplies lasted - Duffy's Sports Grill provided moms with a free glass of wine and a $10 MVP bonus added to their rewards account, usable through June 16 after signing up for the MVP loyalty program - First Watch offered moms a free box of chocolates while supplies lasted - Fogo de Chão provided dining moms with a card for a free meal to be redeemed May 14 through July 12

These Mother's Day freebies allowed families to celebrate without additional expense while restaurants showed appreciation for mothers in the community.

Father's Day Freebies and Discounts in Orlando

Father's Day 2018 brought numerous free admission offers and discounts at Orlando's premier entertainment venues and attractions. Many establishments recognized fathers' contributions by providing complimentary access or special pricing during the holiday weekend.

Several Orlando attractions participated in Father's Day promotions: - SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium and Madame Tussauds Orlando offered Florida residents $5 off admission with online ticket purchases throughout Father's Day weekend, with operating hours from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. - The Florida Aquarium provided free admission for fathers with the purchase of a full paid admission on Saturday and Sunday, requiring ticket purchases at the onsite aquarium ticket booth - Crayola Experience allowed fathers free admission with the purchase of a child's admission, with operating hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Medieval Times Orlando offered free admission for dads with the purchase of one full-priced adult ticket throughout Sunday - The Orange County Regional History Center provided free admission to fathers on Sunday, with operating hours from noon to 5 p.m. - Mennello Museum of American Art offered free admission for fathers on Sunday, with operating hours from noon to 4:30 p.m. - Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park gave dads free admission with the purchase of one full-priced single-day admission ticket, with operating hours from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Daytona Lagoon allowed fathers to swim free with the purchase of a water park ticket, with operating hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. - Skate World Lakeland included free skates and skate rentals from 2-5 p.m. for dads on Father's Day - Bok Tower Gardens provided free admission for all dads on Sunday, with operating hours from 8 a.m. to an unspecified closing time

These Father's Day offers provided numerous options for families to celebrate without significant expense, with many of Orlando's most popular attractions participating in the promotions.

Birthday Freebies Available in Orlando

Orlando residents and visitors celebrating birthdays in 2018 could enjoy numerous complimentary offers from both national chains and local establishments. Many businesses provide birthday perks as part of loyalty programs or as standard promotions.

Nationwide birthday freebies available in Orlando included: - Medieval Times offered free admission with the purchase of regular admission, allowing celebrants to enjoy the "epic sword fighting, the drama, and the four-course feast inside a replica 11th-century castle" - Regal Entertainment Group provided free birthday popcorn to members of the Regal Crown Club, requiring sign-up for the loyalty program - AMC Theatres offered birthday benefits including free popcorn (and additional perks for higher-tier members)

While the source material doesn't provide specific Orlando-only birthday freebies beyond these national chains, it notes that "there are tons of national brands offering free things to do on your birthday in every major city" and mentions that city-specific freebies were available in Orlando, though details aren't provided in the source material.

These birthday freebies provide entertainment options that can make birthday celebrations more special without additional cost, particularly for those willing to join loyalty programs.

Free Entertainment and Attractions in Orlando

Beyond special promotions, Orlando offers numerous free entertainment options and attractions available year-round. These free experiences provide visitors and residents with enjoyable activities that don't require admission fees.

Among the most significant free attractions in Orlando are: - Disney Springs®, the open-air dining, shopping, and entertainment district at Walt Disney World® Resort, offering free admission and free, covered parking - Disney's Boardwalk, located within walking distance of EPCOT® and Disney's Hollywood Studios®, also featuring free admission and transporting visitors to "charming, turn-of-the-20th-century Atlantic City"

These Disney properties offer "remarkable architecture, natural beauty and free family fun that includes live performances and other entertaining interludes." The source material highlights that Orlando has "a wealth of memorable experiences that are free to enjoy, including tennis on some of the world's most advanced courts, free wine tastings and vineyard tours, and hours of no-cost entertainment."

The article notes that visitors can "discover more than 30 ways to enjoy Orlando on any budget," with these free options providing "great value with magical fun" for those looking to experience Orlando without spending on admission fees.

Event-Specific Freebies: Podfest 2018

Orlando's Podfest Multimedia Expo 2018 provided attendees with numerous freebies and promotional items. According to coverage of the event, participants were able to "snag all sorts of freebies" at the conference.

Among the specific free items mentioned were: - A free Xbox One game - A free ebook titled "100 Travel Tips"

The event also featured a promotional giveaway of "a 15 CD order of our promotional CD duplication service" for listeners of the associated podcast.

These event-specific freebies demonstrate how Orlando's conferences and expos often provide tangible value to attendees beyond the educational content, with brands and vendors using promotional items to increase visibility and goodwill.

Tips for Finding and Utilizing Orlando Freebies

Based on the verified offers available in 2018, several patterns emerge that can help Orlando residents and visitors locate and maximize freebies:

1. Special Occasion Promotions: Many businesses offer special deals around holidays like Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Election Day. Planning visits around these times can yield additional savings.

2. Loyalty Programs: Several offers required signing up for loyalty programs (like Duffy's MVP program or Regal Crown Club). Enrolling in these programs can provide ongoing benefits beyond one-time promotions.

3. Proof of Participation: Some offers required proof of civic duty (Election Day stickers) or relationship (mother/father status). Having appropriate identification or documentation may be necessary.

4. Time Restrictions: Many offers were limited to specific dates or times, with some requiring advance online purchases or having limited operating hours during promotional periods.

5. Location Variations: Some offers varied by location, with participation dependent on specific franchises or venues rather than entire chains.

6. Mobile Apps: Several offers required the use of specific mobile apps (like 7-Eleven's app for free coffee), indicating that downloading relevant apps before visiting can be beneficial.

7. Supply Limitations: Many offers were subject to availability "while supplies last," suggesting that visiting early in promotional periods increases the likelihood of receiving free items.

By understanding these patterns, consumers can better plan their freebie-seeking activities and maximize their value from Orlando's promotional offerings.

Conclusion

Orlando in 2018 offered a diverse array of freebies and promotional opportunities across multiple categories and occasions. From Election Day incentives that encouraged civic participation to Mother's Day and Father's Day promotions that honored parents, businesses throughout the city provided numerous ways for residents and visitors to enjoy products and services without cost.

The free offerings extended beyond dining and retail to include entertainment venues, attractions, and special event promotions. While many of these offers were time-limited and subject to specific conditions, they demonstrated how businesses used promotions to attract customers while providing genuine value.

For those seeking free experiences in Orlando, the key to maximizing these opportunities lies in understanding participation requirements, timing visits strategically around special occasions, and taking advantage of loyalty programs and mobile apps that often unlock additional benefits.

As promotional strategies continue to evolve, consumers should stay informed about current offers while recognizing that many successful freebie programs require some form of engagement, whether through signing up for programs, visiting during specific times, or providing appropriate documentation.

Sources

1. Free stuff from Podfest 2018
2. Election Day Deals in Orlando
3. Mother's Day Freebies and Deals
4. Father's Day Freebies and Discounts in Orlando
5. Birthday Freebies
6. Free Things to Do in Orlando