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.”
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.” In 2009, Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts lead this growing trend with new entertainment and services that allow guests to turn their personal milestones into magical Disney experiences
What anchors the celebration is unprecedented for Disney Parks: first-ever opportunity for guests to receive a free ticket to one of the Walt Disney World or Disneyland 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. “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 guests are responding – everyone from quadruplets from Michigan to a California grandmother marking birthday No. 107. In fact, more than two million guests planning to spend their birthday at Disney parks registered online in the first few months of “What Will You Celebrate?”
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.”
“The special moments in your life become truly magical when you celebrate at a Disney park,” Rasulo said. “Sharing a milestone at Disney connects families, friends and generations.”
Nationwide Survey Reveals ‘Celebration Vacation’ Trend
A nationwide survey of nearly 4,600 adults conducted by Ypartnership – co-author of the influential National Travel Monitor – revealed 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 Chairman and CEO Peter Yesawich termed it.
Respondents mentioned a broad range of events worth celebrating with a special vacation, from milestone birthdays and anniversaries to a first vacation with children, school graduation, a job promotion, even recovery from an illness.
Whenever something positive happens in their lives, people seek ways to celebrate them and make them more special, and vacations are clearly perceived as both an appropriate and desirable way to do so. This is particularly true in the current economic environment with more travelers placing a higher value on the emotional investment they make in their vacations, said Yesawich.
“Time does pass quickly and there is a growing trend to slow our frenetic lifestyles and really focus on the things that matter,” he said. “And it’s clear that families on these ‘celebration vacations’ are looking to truly commemorate moments in their lives – in special places everyone can enjoy.”
The research showed that when they take that “celebration vacation,” families are looking for destinations that provide activities not just for children, but destinations that offer activities that adults and children can experience and 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.
Turning Life’s Special Moments Into a Personal Disney Celebration
“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 150 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 enjoy more than 50 magical experiences, including “My Disneyland Birthday Party” and unique Disneyland guided tours.
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 water skiing.
Even before the Ypartnership findings, Disney noticed the celebration trend happening in its parks, Rasulo noted. For instance, guests have visited the parks to propose marriage, celebrate a child’s passage into high school, or pull the whole family together for the golden anniversary of their parents. “But Walt Disney World and Disneyland are now poised to champion milestone vacations for families and friends in a breakthrough way,” he said. “We’re asking our guests, ‘What will YOU celebrate?’
“Part of the celebration is all the firsts that magically happen at Disney parks,” Rasulo said. “Guests become the star of their own celebration. It could be a first trip to Disney or a first family vacation without the stroller. We want to make a first visit – and every visit – even more memorable.”
Even if they’re not celebrating, Rasulo said, guests will be immersed in a “Celebrate Today!” spirit, making every day a party.
Making it Easier than Ever to Plan
Planning any event can be a challenge. With Disney’s new celebration planning tools, it’s easier than ever for guests to plan celebrations large and small, customizing and personalizing each experience and tending to all the details, from a special cake to an elaborate one-of-a-kind celebration that only Disney could create.
Thanks to new Web tools, guests can discover magical experiences, unique events, dining enhancements and more.
Disney’s planning services allow guests to stay focused on what really matters – the people closest to them. And vacation packages make celebrating at Disney right for any budget.
Customizing Your Celebration
Depending on the Disney park they 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. Or they can opt for magical experiences for their group – from a special celebration roundup experience at Disneyland Resort to, at Walt Disney World Resort, a Magic Kingdom fireworks cruise, to special entertainment.
Among add-on experiences guests can choose to customize their “celebration vacation”:
- In-Room Celebrations: Step into a resort room full of personalized gifts and surprising delights designed to celebrate special occasions.
- For Lovebirds: Sweetheart dinners for two in which couples can clink “Celebrate Today!” champagne flutes.
- Celebration 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.
- Stay Inside a Dream Theme: Book a themed guest room at either destination – princess-themed or Mickey-inspired at Disneyland or pirate-themed at Walt Disney World Resort.
- 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.
- Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage: Meet up with Captain Hook and Smee before shoving off on a shared voyage around Seven Seas Lagoon at Walt Disney World Resort. Enjoy a breathtaking view of “Wishes” and returning to shore, meet none other than Peter Pan.
- 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 in 2009, is a full-blown party complete with frontier entertainment, festive goodies 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.
Celebrating in the Parks
Disney has unwrapped all-new
entertainment with memory-makers in mind, allowing guests to focus their celebration on favorite characters, favorite attractions and favorite stories to create a custom celebration in the park. New park experiences this year for all park guests to enjoy:
- Street Parties: Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Park come to life with daily interactive street parties. The call to “Celebrate Today!” goes out to guests, music floods the streets, dancing kicks into high gear and the parks become “the happiest party on Earth.” The fun is nonstop during “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It!” at Walt Disney World Resort and “Celebrate! A Street Party” at Disneyland Park.
- Park Décor: The parks are decorated with colorful banners, balloons and festive party hats – as if awaiting your celebration.
- Buttons: New, complimentary celebration buttons will help Disney cast members and fellow guests recognize you and your celebration.
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.
“We believe Disney parks are uniquely positioned for any celebration and offer the ultimate setting for marking a cherished milestone,” Rasulo said. “People trust Disney to make an occasion truly magical. And now more than ever, Disney will help guests seize those special moments and turn them into memories that will live forever in their hearts.”
For more information or to book a Disney “celebration vacation,” guests can visit www.disneyparks.com, call 407/W-DISNEY (Walt Disney World Resort), 714/781-4000 (Disneyland Resort) or contact their local travel agent.
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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.
Walt Disney World Public Relations – 407/566-6397
Media-only news site: www.wdwnews.com
Disneyland Resort Public Relations – 714/781-4500
Media-only news site: www.disneylandnews.com
Ypartnership / Claire Kunzman – 407/838-1810
e-mail: claire.kunzman@ypartnership.com
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