LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Sept. 24, 2008  – Establishing itself at the forefront of a newly identified family-travel trend called "celebration vacations," Walt Disney World Resort will launch customized entertainment and services in 2009 that enable guests to turn their personal milestones into magical Disney experiences.  

“We see our parks as the ideal setting for a personal celebration,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. “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.”  

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. Vacationers are increasingly motivated by events of high “personal significance” – milestone anniversaries and birthdays, weddings and honeymoons, graduations and reunions, and more.  

“The motivations revealed in this body 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,” according to Yesawich.  

To kick-off this effort, both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts will offer a special gift to everyone who visits – they will be admitted to the theme park for free on their birthday in 2009.  

“Birthdays are the one occasion that we all share every year,” Rasulo said at an announcement event last week 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.”  

Other findings indicate that when families take that “celebration vacation,” they are looking for destinations that provide activities for children and activities that adults and children can enjoy together. The Ypartnership study also revealed that 40 percent of respondents rated Disney Parks as the top destination for a celebration.  

“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.  

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 effort is being supported by a creative marketing campaign that will combine traditional advertising, online and special events to reach out to potential guests. Disney Parks will embark on a 30-city, national tour this fall, asking residents, “What Will You Celebrate?” Colorful vehicles – a party on wheels will roll out the fun from town squares to Times Square, featuring thousands of free Mickey Mouse balloons, a chance to win a “celebration vacation” to a Disney park and the opportunity to register for a special birthday celebration surprise. Disney characters and ambassadors also go on-air with fun celebration moments.  

Walt Disney World Resort guests may tailor their vacation with favorite attractions, beloved characters and more than 200 special experiences, such as magical fireworks cruises, sunrise safaris or princess-themed tea parties. Disney World is also rolling out new park experiences, including interactive street parties in Magic Kingdom, a high-energy video dance party in Tomorrowland and colorful décor throughout the parks.  

To make it easier and more convenient for guests, Disney is also introducing new Web-based, vacation-planning tools that make it easier for guests with varying budgets to plan celebrations large and small, customizing and personalizing each experience.  

For more information and fact sheet on Celebration Vacations, click here.