Celebrate Your Birthday Free at Disney: New Promotion Launched

Building off of the Year of the Million Dreams campaign, Disney is not content to rely on its brand name to continue bringing people into the world of fun at a Disney theme park. Disney continues to entice travelers with new park additions, resort features and unique offerings. Yesterday, Disney announced its “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign which is a first in Disney history allowing visitors to any Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park free admission in 2009 on their birthday.

When planning this amazing free opportunity, Disney executives have thought of everything even providing alternative “birthday gifts” for those who already have a ticket for their birthday visit or for season pass holders. The key is the traveler has to go to Disney on their actual birthday.

The birthday promotion is being unveiled as Disney embraces a newly identified family travel trend called “celebration vacations.”

In this new national trend, American families are hitting the road to mark life’s special occasions - birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, reunions and more - with a “celebration vacation,” as stated in a Disney release. A nationwide survey of nearly 4,600 adults conducted by Ypartnership - co-author of the influential National Travel Monitor - showed that 70 percent of U.S. leisure travelers have taken a vacation with the primary purpose of marking a special occasion in their lives - a “celebration vacation,” as Ypartnership President and CEO Peter Yesawich termed it.

“Birthdays are the one occasion that we all share every year,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. ”We thought a free birthday ticket would be the icing on the cake as we extend this new ‘celebration vacation’ trend to Disney Parks.”

Disney parks provide the perfect setting for this new style of vacation that celebrates the special occasions in life, Rasulo added. 

Whether a guest is celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, Quinceañera or any special occasion, Disney parks already are filled with favorite characters, world-class attractions and entertainment, and legendary guest service - exactly the “something for everyone” that trend-watchers say families look for in a “celebration vacation,” as explained in the launch release.

Ypartnership research showed that when travelers take that “celebration vacation,” families are looking for destinations that provide activities for children and - better yet - activities adults and children can enjoy together. “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,” Yesawich said. 

Having celebrated our child’s birthday at Disney, I can tell you that this is an opportunity to not miss. And, considering the price of admission, Disney’s birthday promotion is a welcomed one during tough economic times. When celebrating your birthday at Disney, be sure to do the following extras:

• Go to Town Hall in Magic Kingdom and let the cast member know it’s your birthday and you’ll receive a free birthday button. When riding the rides and partaking in other park attractions, the cast members will acknowledge your special day, which is great for the kids, not so much for me as I have a milestone coming up!
• If staying at a Disney resort, let the guest services staff know you are celebrating a birthday and typically you will receive a special keepsake delivered to your room!
• Make reservations for character dining ahead of time if you want the extra celebration touch on this day. You can reserve ahead of time up to 6 months. You can work with a special department too to arrange for a birthday cake too. This is an extra cost, but it is worth it! 

As part of the 2009 birthday party, Disney has added even more customization options to make everyone’s birthday special. Depending on the Disney park travelers are headed to, guests can order everything from special dining to princess tea parties, from yacht cruises to treasure hunting on a pirate sailing adventure, from a quiet trail ride to parasailing thrills.  

Among add-on experiences guests can choose to customize their “celebration vacation”: 

• Custom Bakery Cakes and Signature Desserts: Disney chefs create an unforgettable finale to a special dinner with a beautifully decorated cake themed to any occasion or a new line of celebration desserts.
• For Lovebirds: Sweetheart dinners for two in which couples can clink “Celebrate Today!” champagne flutes.
• Family Portraits: Capture the memory with a portrait session with Walt Disney World photographers.Build a custom photo album with Disney’s PhotoPass.
• Personalized Souvenirs: Mark your occasion with personalized Mouse ears, character T-shirts and collectible pins.
• Decorate Your Disney Guest Room: Step into a resort room decorated to fit your celebration theme with confetti, banners, surprises and more.
• Stay Inside a Dream Theme: Book a themed guest room at either destination - princess-themed or Mickey-inspired at Disneyland or - coming in 2009 - pirate-themed at Walt Disney World Resort.
• Set Sail: Book a private romantic cruise on a yacht or set your party afloat on a shared magical fireworks voyage.
• Go Inside the Magic: Behind-the-scenes tours take you inside the storytelling, adventure and history of Disney Parks.
• Disney Story Book Experiences: Choose from pirate adventures, tea parties, princess makeovers and more - all with the magic of Disney.
• Disneyland Parties: “Celebration Roundup and Barbecue at Big Thunder Ranch,” all-new, is a full-blown party complete with frontier entertainment, goodie bags and a surprise treat for everyone - no matter what they’re celebrating.”My Disneyland Birthday Party” features cake decorating, party hats and even Mickey and Minnie pay a visit.  

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 or call 407/W-DISNEY.

Photo Credit: Walt Disney World

Top Photo Caption:

FREE ON YOUR BIRTHDAY - It’s party time at Disney Parks during 2009. As part of a special park-wide celebration, everyone who visits a Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort theme park in 2009 gets in free on their birthday. Disney Parks have embraced a new travel trend called “celebration vacations.” Wondrous new entertainment and special services such as character greetings can be booked to help guests transform personal milestones such as birthdays and anniversaries into magical Disney experiences. (Paul Hiffmeyer, photographer)

Mickey & Goofy Photo Caption:

LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN — Chef Mickey Mouse and Chef Goofy are baking up fun surprises as Disney Parks embraces a new travel trend called “celebration vacations.” Disney Parks will lead the growing trend with new entertainment and services that allow guests to turn personal milestones such as birthdays and anniversaries into magical Disney experiences. As part of the celebration, everyone who visits a Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort theme park in 2009 can get in free on their birthday. (Gene Duncan, photographer)