Free and fun things to do at Walt Disney World on Valentine’s Day

Beginning today — Valentine’s Day — guests will find a few surprises in the Walt Disney World parks for the sweetest of holidays. Best of all — they do not require advance reservations, booking a FastPass or even an extra charge! So get ready to impress your honey without any stress.

As is the tradition, on February 14, the Disney princess meet-and-greets also will include each young woman’s prince. Being able to get photos with the royal couples is a rare occurrence, usually limited to Valentine’s Day, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, so take advantage if you can! See our video of the pairs out together last year in the Magic Kingdom.

Also in the Magic Kingdom is the Cinderella Castle projection show, “Celebrate the Magic.” This amazing 10-minute show has various seasonal segments, including one for Valentine’s Day that was introduced last year. “Celebrate the Magic” will be shown twice tonight — at 9:45 and 10:35 p.m. Unlike when you watch the parade, there is no need to stake out your spot on the curb ahead of time to watch this show. Just step onto Main Street, U.S.A., and enjoy the magic. The Magic Kingdom is open from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Feb. 14.

New this year are complimentary screenings of “Blank – A Vinylmation Love Story” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The film is a 39-minute, stop-motion, animated short that tells the story of an unpainted Vinylmation figure in search of his lost soulmate. It’s the first of 12 episodes created by Disney Interactive Entertainment on the fifth anniversary of the collectible figures.

Show times are 11:30 a.m. and 1, 2:30, 4 and 5:30 p.m. today (Feb. 14) through Monday (Feb. 17) in the Premiere Theatre. Walt Disney World passholders can attend a special screening at 10 a.m. Feb. 14 and Feb. 16, and Disney Vacation Club members can attend a screening at 10 a.m. Feb. 15 and 17. Both groups are welcome to attend any of the other shows, which will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no charge for the movie, but theme-park admission is required.

Can’t make it to Disney World for Valentine’s Day weekend? “Blank – A Vinylmation Love Story” can be seen online for free here.

If you fall in love with the figures, Disney is offering some special merchandise for a limited time at Hollywood Studios and online at http://www.DisneyStore.com/Blank. Through Feb. 23, guests can purchase 3-inch, create-your-own Blank and Bow figures, T-shirts and D-Tech on Demand cases for the iPhone 4/4S and iPhone 5/5S. In addition, Hollywood Studios will be selling just a few sets of 3-foot Vinylmation figures that resemble Blank and Bow. One pair will be signed by the Disney Interactive team who worked on the short. There also will be 50 blank, 3-inch Vinylmation figures with custom artwork by Disney Design Group artist Thomas Scott.

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