Official 2009 Disney Parks website is online - New Parades - Free BD admission

[Darkbeer]

www.disneyparks.com/celebrate

The new parade will be called "Celebrate Today!" and will be offered at both WDW and Disneyland.

Free Admission on your Birthday, with a chance for Annual passholders to get a Gift Card instead with the value of a current one day/one park ticket. (Currently $69 at Disneyland).

[Darkbeer]

Walt Disney World Press Release


A Disney 'First' Launches 'Celebration Vacation' Travel Trend

NEW YORK, Sept. 18 -- Everyone who visits a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park on their birthday in 2009 can get in free, as Disney Parks embraces a newly identified family-travel trend called "celebration vacations."

A June 2008 survey of approximately 4,600 adults conducted by Ypartnership reveals that vacationers are increasingly motivated by events of high "personal significance" -- milestone anniversaries, and birthdays, weddings and honeymoons, graduations and reunions and more. Seventy percent of respondents revealed they have taken a vacation primarily to celebrate a special occasion.

In 2009, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts will lead this growing trend with new entertainment and services that allow guests to turn their personal milestones into magical Disney experiences.


And to kick it all off: a first-ever opportunity for guests to receive a free ticket to one of the Disney theme parks on their birthday in 2009.

"Birthdays are the one occasion that we all share every year," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, at an announcement event today in New York. "We thought a free birthday ticket would be the icing on the cake as we extend this new 'celebration vacation' trend to Disney Parks."


"The motivations revealed in this fascinating piece of work suggest that vacations are increasingly viewed as an appropriate way to either recognize or reward the participants for some event of great significance in their lives," said Peter C. Yesawich, whose marketing services firm conducted the survey. "As such, we call them 'celebration vacations'."

Research showed that when families take that "celebration vacation" they are looking for destinations that provide activities for children and -- better yet -- activities that adults and children can enjoy together, Yesawich said.


"Given these findings, it's not surprising that Disney Parks topped the list of destinations where families would most like to celebrate these special occasions," he said.

Respondents rated these as the top destinations for a celebration: Disney theme parks (40% combined), Hawaii (18%), Florida {other than Walt Disney World Resort} (13%), Europe (13%) and the Caribbean (12%). Interestingly, respondents without children in their household mentioned Walt Disney World Resort as the preferred destination for a "celebration vacation" with a comparable frequency to those with children (33% versus 27% respectively). The same was true among respondents over 55 years of age versus those between 21 and 34 years of age (34% versus 29% respectively).


"We see our parks as the ideal setting for a personal celebration," Rasulo said. "Guests can immerse themselves in their favorite stories and their favorite characters, creating a visit they'll never forget.

"And when our cast members get involved, it feels as if the entire park is celebrating along with you."


At Walt Disney World Resort, guests can add on to the fun, choosing from more than 200 experiences ranging from breathtaking (magical fireworks cruises, sunrise safaris, diving the depths with undersea creatures) to mirth-making (Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, character dining, kids' pirate adventures). At Disneyland Resort, celebrants can book more than 50 magical experiences including "My Disneyland Birthday Party" and guided tours that reveal Walt Disney's inspiration for Disney Parks.

With all there is to do in Disney parks, guests can tailor their celebration with favorite attractions, favorite characters and special experiences. Maybe they have a "princess" day with themed meals, shows, attractions and perfectly princess merchandise at Disneyland. Or they turn Walt Disney World "wild" with trail riding, bass fishing and parasailing.

Thanks to new Web tools, guests can discover magical experiences, unique events, dining enhancements and more. The planning tool is accessible by way of www.disneyparks.com.


Disney Parks also is presenting park experiences with memory-making in mind, including street parties in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Park, a Tomorrowland video dance party (Walt Disney World Resort), a celebration barbecue and festive birthday party (Disneyland Resort) and colorful park decor.

Disney parks are the ultimate setting for any celebration, turning a special occasion into a magical Disney experience. And with the opportunity of free admission to a Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort theme park on your birthday in 2009, it's even more special. All it takes is a valid ID including proof of birth date. Guests can get more details and start the process by registering their birthdays at www.disneyparks.com.


Free theme park admission details:

To receive free admission to one of the Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme parks on your birthday in 2009, guests must bring valid ID including proof of birth date. Guests who already hold a valid multi-day ticket they will use on their birthday may choose from other birthday treats instead, however, no cash refunds or credits will be given. To register your birthday and find out more details, visit www.disneyparks.com/celebrate

[DVC Mike]

Cool.

[mkymsehi]

Originally Posted by Darkbeer

www.disneyparks.com/celebrate

The new parade will be called "Celebrate Today!" and will be offered at both WDW and Disneyland.

Free Admission on your Birthday, with a chance for Annual passholders to get a Gift Card instead with the value of a current one day/one park ticket. (Currently $69 at Disneyland).

Amazing, I never thought I'd see the day Disney gave away something for FREE!

[SpacePotato]

VERY Impressed!

[MasterGracey]

Originally Posted by Darkbeer

The new parade will be called "Celebrate Today!" and will be offered at both WDW and Disneyland.

Is this parade expected to debut following the 2008/2009 run of A Christmas Fantasy? Or will it roll out later?

[Darkbeer]

The announcement said "Spring 2009".

And it is sounding like it might not be a "parade" but instead just a large Entertainment event, where the Entertainment staff comes out on Main Street and has a celebration. Think Block Party Bash. And I have been told that it will be an addition, and not replace the Parade of Dreams.

[JafarFarAway...]

Sounds good, I'm all for memory-making

[MasterGracey]

Originally Posted by Darkbeer

The announcement said "Spring 2009".

And it is sounding like it might not be a "parade" but instead just a large Entertainment event, where the Entertainment staff comes out on Main Street and has a celebration. Think Block Party Bash. And I have been told that it will be an addition, and not replace the Parade of Dreams.

Ah, must have missed that part of the announcement. Thanks for the info, Darkbeer

[MickeyMousePal]

sounds good can't wait.

[Craigroy8287]

I really like the website.

[Hakuna Makarla]

wow this is big!! So this is the anouncement they have been talking about !! how nice, a free day for your birthday..... !!

[Snow_White_Raven]

The thing that bothers me though is that majority of people come not on their exact birthday but around their birthday. Proof positive with Miley Cyrus' Sweet 16 which is the actual launch party for the new campaign. Her birthday is actually on November 23rd however they are celebrating her birthday on October 6th. I have a feeling that this fact is going to cause quite a few concerns from guests who are trying to budget a Disney "Celebration Vacation".

[Disney Village]

Originally Posted by Snow_White_Raven

The thing that bothers me though is that majority of people come not on their exact birthday but around their birthday. Proof positive with Miley Cyrus' Sweet 16 which is the actual launch party for the new campaign. Her birthday is actually on November 23rd however they are celebrating her birthday on October 6th. I have a feeling that this fact is going to cause quite a few concerns from guests who are trying to budget a Disney "Celebration Vacation".

Not quite sure how this ties into the 2009 birthday celebration. The Miley Cyrus thing is a special promotion not related to the 2009 celebrate promotion. Its an apples to oranges kind of thing.

The free birthday admission seems pretty strightforward to me...get in free on your birthday. I don't see where there will be a lot of confusion.

[Darkbeer]

Originally Posted by Disney Village

Not quite sure how this ties into the 2009 birthday celebration. The Miley Cyrus thing is a special promotion not related to the 2009 celebrate promotion. Its an apples to oranges kind of thing.

Have you been to the Disneyparks.com/celebrate website? The Miley 16th party is part of the events listed for the "What will you celebrate?" promotions, and is directly tied into the marketing campaign