Mumbai: 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 partnership 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.
"Birthdays are the one occasion that we all share every year," said Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Jay Rasulo. "We thought a free birthday ticket would be the icing on the cake as we extend this new celebration vacation trend to Disney Parks."
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.
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).
At Walt Disney World Resort, guests can add on to the fun, choosing from more than 200 experiences ranging from magical fireworks cruises, sunrise safaris, diving the depths with undersea creatures to 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.
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 décor.
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. Guests can get more details and start the process by registering their birthdays at www.disneyparks.com.
