So much for the big announcement!

[UKDEB]

If this (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-disney-free-tickets-birthday-091808,0,1881178.story) is the extent of it, what a letdown!

[Pinky166]

Oh thats disappointing. :sad2:

[LORNA ANN]

Could not agree more, people from the UK will not benefit as they purchase there tickets in advance so to turn up on there birthday & show ID wil do what exactly ?:confused3

[poppie123]

Would would you get then if it was your birthday whilst you were there but already have a 14 day ultimate ticket and were not planning on visiting again for a couple of years?????

[earthelves]

Pity This Wasn't Starting This Year,Its My Birthday When We Go On Our Christmas Vacation:woohoo: :woohoo: How Would You Qualify For Free "Entry" If You Have An AP??? So Even If It Had Started This Year I Would Have Still Been Paying For My Entry As I Have An AP:) :)

:goodvibes :goodvibes

[poppie123]

Could not agree more, people from the UK will not benefit as they purchase there tickets in advance so to turn up on there birthday & show ID wil do what exactly ?:confused3


Get them sod all :rotfl2: !!!!!!!!!!!

[LORNA ANN]

Get them sod all :rotfl2: !!!!!!!!!!!

Thats what I thought :confused3

[DjdBrit]

It will get all of us State side sod all too. I don't know anyone who doesn't buy multi day passes so how is this going to help anyone??? Even those who live locally will most likey have annual passes anyway... Still trying to figure this out!

[poppie123]

Thats what I thought :confused3

I would hope they get something. Bit unfair really if they do get sod all. Maybe they could give them a voucher or something to spend in their shops.

[Snowy-girls]

I have just read this myself and do find it quite disappointing.As others have said most of us Brits buy our tickets before we leave+most American's have AP's.I think they should give the equivalent onto a gift card to spend that day in the stores.
It is dd7 8th birthday whilst we are there next year and we will be going to Magic Kingdom for the day(and hopefully will be eating in Cinderella's Castle :cool1: ).But a free ticket for her is'nt going to be any good(sorry if that sounds ungrateful,but i am sure you know where i am coming from).x.

[bazzanoid]

I would hope they get something. Bit unfair really if they do get sod all. Maybe they could give them a voucher or something to spend in their shops.

$50 in Disney Dollars maybe?

[madmumof2]

Is this supposed to be the big thing to replace YOMD? It's rubbish!

Like djdbrit said, who buys single tickets? The only people that would possibly do that are the few that did not plan to do Disney, but would if they got in free. Hardly a big number.

[disneyholic family]

definitely a letdown....

[wayneg]

It is what they are calling a bridge year before the next major celebration in 2010, 55th anniversary. Not impressed with the Birthday idea.
We go for about 8 weeks a year, have done for a few years, buy annual passes, Halloween tickets, Pirate party tickets, spend a fortune in the parks, they get $1,000's a year out of me but can't travel on our birthdays as we have to stick to school hols but someone that can go in on their Birthday maybe only go in once in 5 years will get the gift.
At least with the current promotion its totally random, a chance every day we are there.(DS got a dream Mickey bar )
I don't find this one fair but congrats to everyone that can get it.

Disney's page for it. It does state on this site for passholders and multiday tickets there is no cash refund or credit but not read all th info yet, there is a bit to read in FAQ's. rules and terms etc. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/index?name=WhatWillYouCelebratePage

[wayneg]

found the relevent info for AP holders or multiday tickets
Q: I am a Passholder (or have a valid Multi-Day Ticket or a Seasonal Pass that I will use for admission on my birthday in 2009), so I don't need to take advantage of this offer. If I register, is there anything else I could receive on my birthday?

A: Yes, you have several options which are available for you to select once you arrive at the Park with your confirmation message and your proper ID. You can receive:

A birthday fun card in an amount equal to the price of a 1-day Magic Your Way base ticket* for you to use on your birthday for merchandise, recreation or fun activities at select participating locations at Walt Disney World® Resort; or
A special birthday FASTPASS® badge+ for certain attractions at the Theme Park you visit on your birthday; or
A 1-day Magic Your Way base ticket for you to use any time until your next birthday.

[Snowy-girls]

There is an alternative guys :cool1: ...................................
Taken from the Disney site FAQ's...............
Q: I am a Passholder (or have a valid Multi-Day Ticket or a Seasonal Pass that I will use for admission on my birthday in 2009), so I don't need to take advantage of this offer. If I register, is there anything else I could receive on my birthday?

A: Yes, you have several options which are available for you to select once you arrive at the Park with your confirmation message and your proper ID. You can receive:

A birthday fun card in an amount equal to the price of a 1-day Magic Your Way base ticket* for you to use on your birthday for merchandise, recreation or fun activities at select participating locations at Walt Disney World® Resort; or
A special birthday FASTPASS® badge+ for certain attractions at the Theme Park you visit on your birthday; or
A 1-day Magic Your Way base ticket for you to use any time until your next birthday.

*Ticket price at gate, excluding tax. Adults receive card in the amount of an adult ticket; children (ages 3-9) receive card in the amount of a child ticket.

+The number of birthday FASTPASS badges issued is limited and may not be available after 11am. Valid Theme Park admission required. FASTPASS for birthday celebrant and up to 5 members of his/her party.



have i read this right?There is an equivalent for muti day+AP buyers.x.

[Dimplenose]

Is this supposed to be the big thing to replace YOMD? It's rubbish!

Like djdbrit said, who buys single tickets? The only people that would possibly do that are the few that did not plan to do Disney, but would if they got in free. Hardly a big number.

But how many people visit alone? If it was possible to visit on my birthday I'd still have to buy 3 tickets to get the rest of the family in!

[gavvy]

I see Ebay being flooded with 1 day passes!

a $75 giftcard would be nice though- thats a big chunk out of a nice meal, or a lot of dole whips!

[jockey]

I just booked last week to go for my birthday in 2009, I will be happy with the gift card :)

[Snowy-girls]

I just tried to sign dd up online,but if you are from somewhere else other than US or Canada then you don't need to.You just take passport of the birthday person to a will call window to get your gift card or birthday fastpass badge.I am pretty sure dd is going to love a gift card to the equivalent of a childs ticket to spend on her birthday :cool1: .x.

[mandymouse]

I just tried to sign dd up online,but if you are from somewhere else other than US or Canada then you don't need to.You just take passport of the birthday person to a will call window to get your gift card or birthday fastpass badge.I am pretty sure dd is going to love a gift card to the equivalent of a childs ticket to spend on her birthday :cool1: .x.

I just tried to register for this too. Although the 'big announcement' is a bit pants, I'll be there for my birthday in January and I'll let you know how I get on ::yes::

[Snowy-girls]

I just tried to register for this too. Although the 'big announcement' is a bit pants, I'll be there for my birthday in January and I'll let you know how I get on ::yes::

Yes,thanks Mandy :thumbsup2 .Now i know more about it and there is a substitute for the likes of multi day tickets,AP's etc,it is still something for nothing+dd will love the gift card :thumbsup2 .x.

[mandymouse]

Yes,thanks Mandy :thumbsup2 .Now i know more about it and there is a substitute for the likes of multi day tickets,AP's etc,it is still something for nothing+dd will love the gift card :thumbsup2 .x.

I think I'll go for the giftcard too. I'll either buy myself something or put it towards my O'hana birthday breakfast that morning (if I can use it there) :)

I think it's a nice idea, especially as I'm usually thrilled just to get a birthday badge ::yes::

[Dimplenose]

I'm always a bit miffed that I can never have a birthday badge as I work in a school and my birthday (and the rest of my family's for that matter) is firmly in term time - I'm really miffed now. Why can't they have a theme that gives everyone a chance to benefit?

I'll enjoy my holiday anyway - perhaps I should make myself an unbirthday badge.

[wayneg]

I'm always a bit miffed that I can never have a birthday badge as I work in a school and my birthday (and the rest of my family's for that matter) is firmly in term time - I'm really miffed now. Why can't they have a theme that gives everyone a chance to benefit?

I'll enjoy my holiday anyway - perhaps I should make myself an unbirthday badge.

Libby,
Nothing to stop you getting a Birthday badge. Its doesn't have to be your birthday to get them, just be celebrating your birthday at Disney is enough even if its not the correct dates. We got DS one in August even though is Birthday was in July. Next August we are going in to get Anniversary badges for our 20th Anniversay in Sept.:goodvibes

[paulh]

what a let down,i still love YOAMD promo.would even accept it be on for ever.
Basicly this new promo is 25% of entry for a family of 4,if there is a b/party in the group
Now if they did the same discount for every ticket up to an AP would be more impresed
IE buy an AP for everyone in family on your birthday but you dont have to pay for yours
This ne promo works out better for the locals
Paulh

[Frances999]

I like the idea! Especially with the different options available if you already have your admission media. A shame about the announcement though! :goodvibes

[SammieG]

i think its great :) Its something for nothing.... and more fair than the YOAMD... as anyone CAN go on their birthday if they really wanted to.

The chances are I wont.. but i think its a great idea :)

[Dimplenose]

. as anyone CAN go on their birthday if they really wanted to.



No I can't - I'd lose my job.

[Gaynor]

It's a bit of a disappointment after the YOAMD promo. I would have loved to take my daughter for her 13th birthday next year but it's in November and I work in a school so can't take time off then!

[alisonbestford]

I just tried to register for this too. Although the 'big announcement' is a bit pants, I'll be there for my birthday in January and I'll let you know how I get on ::yes::

I'll be there for mine, in April, so will be interested to know :thumbsup2

[JohnnySharp2]

I'll be there for mine, in April, so will be interested to know :thumbsup2

That looks very close to when we go Alison - the 7th. :)

Birthday's in our family - mine and Julie's both in June and Joshua's is November.
No chance of us going during these month's.

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

Well I hope there is an alternative,and by the sounds of it there could be.We plan on going back next year and will be there for our DD'S 4th birthday! ..so will see :thumbsup2

[alisonbestford]

That looks very close to when we go Alison - the 7th. :)




We fly on the 6th, from Manchester,Virgin flight with Jetsave :thumbsup2
Home on the 20th :upsidedow

[LORNA ANN]

I have just read this myself and do find it quite disappointing.As others have said most of us Brits buy our tickets before we leave+most American's have AP's.I think they should give the equivalent onto a gift card to spend that day in the stores.
It is dd7 8th birthday whilst we are there next year and we will be going to Magic Kingdom for the day(and hopefully will be eating in Cinderella's Castle :cool1: ).But a free ticket for her is'nt going to be any good(sorry if that sounds ungrateful,but i am sure you know where i am coming from).x.

Both my sons birthdays next year when we visit Jan. & Oct. but we will have AP so no good to us !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LORNA ANN]

I just tried to sign dd up online,but if you are from somewhere else other than US or Canada then you don't need to.You just take passport of the birthday person to a will call window to get your gift card or birthday fastpass badge.I am pretty sure dd is going to love a gift card to the equivalent of a childs ticket to spend on her birthday :cool1: .x.

Sorry just read this sounds ok to me. Hope it works will be intresting to see how easy it is DS birthday in Jan when we visit so be great if he gets little suprise:thumbsup2 ....

[JohnnySharp2]

We fly on the 6th, from Manchester,Virgin flight with Jetsave :thumbsup2
Home on the 20th :upsidedow

Blimey, we fly on the 7th , from Manchester, Virgin, for 14 nights also!

[Little Flower]

I read on the DIS info website that there are going to be alternatives seeing as how a free day would be no use to us brits with our pre-paid multi day tickets.

Have a look at this link http://www.wdwinfo.com/Disney2009Celebration.htm

[alisonbestford]

Blimey, we fly on the 7th , from Manchester, Virgin, for 14 nights also!

Maybe see you around then ;)

No idea where we're staying yet - could be in the car if I don't get a move on........:rotfl:

[JohnnySharp2]

Maybe see you around then ;)

No idea where we're staying yet - could be in the car if I don't get a move on........:rotfl:

:)

We are all sorted, Polynesian and then a Terre Verde Villa, just need to book the car, unless there is room for us to sleep and use yours?

[SammieG]

No I can't - I'd lose my job.

Sorry to hear that... are you not allowed a day off?

I cant go on my bday either as my son is in school.. but actually i could if I REALLY wanted to... i just wont take him out of school. the same goes for the rest of our familly... but it IS possible.. unlike the 10 weeks we spent at disney for YOAMD and we never got a thing! :)

Not that Im complaining about either. We go for the parks and the atmosphere.. not the free stuff! :)

[wideeyes]

There is no way we can go for our birthdays which are both in January as DD school will not allow time of during the middle of the year however I think it is a nice gesture from Disney. During YOMD we won mickey ears twice this holiday however nothing last year.

[Dimplenose]

Sorry to hear that... are you not allowed a day off?



I work as a classroom assistant (ironically I went back to work to help pay for holidays!) and the school have been quite flexible when I've NEEDED time off for family weddings. But with my birthday being the middle of January there is no way I could incorporate that into a WDW trip.

My kids are in important years at senior school so that's another reason not to go for any of our birthdays (early December, mid-Jan, early Feb).

Never mind, being at WDW is better than any birthday I've ever had.

[Chilly]

Seems a bit of a rubbish promotion to me really. However I will be there for my birthday but will have a multi-ticket so will get the gift-card or something.

Have I missed something, where do you need to register?

[wayneg]

Seems a bit of a rubbish promotion to me really. However I will be there for my birthday but will have a multi-ticket so will get the gift-card or something.

Have I missed something, where do you need to register?

You can't register from UK, just goto the window provided at the park on your birthday with proof of your birthdate.

[Snowy-girls]

Seems a bit of a rubbish promotion to me really. However I will be there for my birthday but will have a multi-ticket so will get the gift-card or something.

Have I missed something, where do you need to register?

Me +Mandy have tried registering,but any other residents apart from US+Canada don't need to.You just need to take your passport+show your multi day pass or AP pass at any Will Call Window+you can then collect your gift card.Adult gets the equivalent of a one day ticket before tax.Child gets the one day ticket before tax.To spend only on that day.x.

[DisneyJo]

I don't like it either but that's because we always go in August due to school commitments and none of our birthdays are then so we miss out!!!

[disneyholic family]

now that i see the alternatives, it's a very generous promotion for the locals..
they're going to bankrupt disney.....how can they possibly give gift cards to all the locals in florida and california??..
i assume the gift card will be for use on a larger purchase, but maybe not..

either way, it will be a big chunk of change for disney.....lots of locals have APs, so they'll go for the gift card (i certainly would)..
something for nothing...

[Laurafoster]

Typical, the first year we are going and there wont be a birthday in the party ;)

And to think i persuaded my husbad it would be better to go for our wedding anniversary instead :rolleyes:

[Scrap_Vamp]

My birthday is in January and, even if I wasn't a teacher, couldn't go then as we're saving for our wedding trip in August! However, it is my SIL's birthday during that trip, as well as her first Disney visit, so hopefully she will be able to get a gift card :)

[amackay]

I was very disappointed to read about the new celebration. I just think it will be fairly pointless for most UK visitors who tend to travel during school holidays/summer periods (so unless your birthday is in that timeframe, not much point)

[wifey]

We try to go every two years or so not always in school holidays. We save up and do without stuff to get there so once we decide when to go we try to fit it around a special occasion. For instance our last two trips were DH's birthday and a few years back for our son who was turning one but we couldn't get the time off work for his actual birthday. Before that it was our delayed honeymoon, next year's trip is to celebrate 16 years of marriage and 18 years of being together. We think it's worth celebrating even if we can't be there during the week of our anniversary but two weeks later. For us it still deserves to be recognised as an achievement. We probably will not get the chance to go again out of school holidays after next year because DS will be preparing to go to comprehensive school and get his school work done and take exams etcetera.

[SimonV]

I've been looking at this from every angle and simply can't, for the life of me, see this is any kind of 'attraction' that would really make people decide to go to WDW (beyond the obvious draw of the parks themselves).

Is anyone really likely (especially from the UK) to book a special trip just on the basis of getting a free day's entry for one person in a group or a $75-value gift card for spending in the parks?

The YOAMD had a limited appeal, IMHO, and was fun for those who were the various beneficiaries, but this has even less to appeal to long-haul visitors.

But, as several people have pointed out, it may well be of benefit to people within a short driving distance who might be only irregular visitors (which includes quite a few people in Florida and Georgia). Sadly, the current economics show that destinations are focusing more on short-haul visitors in a bid to offset the negative effects of increased fuel costs. This is where places like Disney will concentrate their attention for the short term at least, and that means there will be no real (extra) incentive for visitors who are likely to fly in.

I'm pretty sure this is a marketing promotion rather than anything dreamed up by the Imagineers (if it isn't, Disney are in BIG trouble in the ideas dept!), hence 2009 will be something of a fallow year for UK visitors. Unless you are attracted by the big new coasters at Universal and SeaWorld.

My feeling is that 2010, when Universal will have the Harry Potter island open at IoA, will see a LOT more activity and marketing from Disney to combat the competition. But they are quickly running out of time to announce anything significant they may have up their sleeve (at least one major new 'dark' ride for the Studios park, and, possibly, a new coaster at DAK).

This is only a stop-gap measure, therefore, and a pretty feeble one for us Brits :sad2:

[TracyK]

I've been looking at this from every angle and simply can't, for the life of me, see this is any kind of 'attraction' that would really make people decide to go to WDW (beyond the obvious draw of the parks themselves).

Is anyone really likely (especially from the UK) to book a special trip just on the basis of getting a free day's entry for one person in a group or a $75-value gift card for spending in the parks?

The YOAMD had a limited appeal, IMHO, and was fun for those who were the various beneficiaries, but this has even less to appeal to long-haul visitors.

But, as several people have pointed out, it may well be of benefit to people within a short driving distance who might be only irregular visitors (which includes quite a few people in Florida and Georgia). Sadly, the current economics show that destinations are focusing more on short-haul visitors in a bid to offset the negative effects of increased fuel costs. This is where places like Disney will concentrate their attention for the short term at least, and that means there will be no real (extra) incentive for visitors who are likely to fly in.

I'm pretty sure this is a marketing promotion rather than anything dreamed up by the Imagineers (if it isn't, Disney are in BIG trouble in the ideas dept!), hence 2009 will be something of a fallow year for UK visitors. Unless you are attracted by the big new coasters at Universal and SeaWorld.

My feeling is that 2010, when Universal will have the Harry Potter island open at IoA, will see a LOT more activity and marketing from Disney to combat the competition. But they are quickly running out of time to announce anything significant they may have up their sleeve (at least one major new 'dark' ride for the Studios park, and, possibly, a new coaster at DAK).

This is only a stop-gap measure, therefore, and a pretty feeble one for us Brits :sad2:

Couldn't agree more :sad2:

Tracy