Early reports on coming announcement...

[disreport]

WDW News Today reporting the following on tomorrows announcement:

-Disney has dropped the proposed Magical Celebrations name and will simply be using two primary phrases (”What will you celebrate?” & “Celebrate Everyday”) to promote this new 2009-only celebration.

-Guests who attend WDW on the day of their birthdays will be offered a special gift throughout 2009: the choice of a free birthday 1-day park ticket, $75.00 merchandise gift card, or 4 fastpasses per person per party of up to 6 guests.

-Although already previewed on the official Disney pin trading website, Disney will be introducing some new personalized pins that will feature magnetic name badges that can be removed and interchanged.

-As far as entertainment offerings, the Magic Kingdom will be adding a Stitch Dance Party in Tomorrowland, repackaging the Disney Dreams Come True Parade yet again, and introducing a once-daily Magic Kingdom Street Party on Main Street U.S.A.

 

[maryannlandin]

Wow. $75 gift card?!?!? That's awesome!

 

[ChristusG]

Seriously? They are giving people stuff on their birthdays???? That's awesome!

 

[Jillpie]

Wow, that birthday offering is amazing! We are arriving in April, they DAY after my DS17 birthday, darnnit! I imagine they will have very strict I.D. qualifications for this one. I can't believe we're missing this one by just one day.

 

[BelleBeast]

How will they really be able to verify this? I know they can look at Drivers Licenses but what will they do for children?? Seems to me this can go badly..

 

[Orlando313]

Forgive me for being a bit skeptical, but has this truly come from the mouth of The Walt Disney Corporation yet?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[bellaDisneydncr]

Wow! If this is all going to happen- it is going to be awesome!!!

 

[Justin M]

Forgive me for being a bit skeptical, but has this truly come from the mouth of The Walt Disney Corporation yet?

The official press event is tomorrow in New York City. I'm sure more details will be publicly available after the official announcement. I'll be there to see and hear it first hand, so hopefully I'll be able to help explain things when I get back!

 

[tink76]

I look forward to hearing what is said tomorrow

 

[Cool-Beans]

I think it would be great for Disney to do it...but people will be lying their butts off - faking birth certificates and such - to get the freebies.

I still wish there were some way for Disney to do something nice for people who were actually in the parks on their ACTUAL birthday - especially kids. Let all the folks who are celebrating the birthday they had 2 months ago or will have a month later wear the button and buy whatever celebration stuff they want (why not celebrate it any time?), but do something nice for people who are really celebrating their actual day.

I just don't see how it is possible.

 

[Jillpie]

I think it would be great for Disney to do it...but people will be lying their butts off - faking birth certificates and such - to get the freebies.

I still wish there were some way for Disney to do something nice for people who were actually in the parks on their ACTUAL birthday - especially kids. Let all the folks who are celebrating the birthday they had 2 months ago or will have a month later wear the button and buy whatever celebration stuff they want (why not celebrate it any time?), but do something nice for people who are really celebrating their actual day.

I just don't see how it is possible.

I don't know, I don't think people will go to the trouble of getting a fake birth certificate. I think it'll be just like the cruise line, you either show your license and/or a birth certificate with a raised seal. Very hard to fake that I think. And to go to that trouble for fastpasses or 75.00? nah, just don't think it'll happen.

 

[bradk]

actually, just to put another spin on it. it puts someone whose birthday is in July for example at an advantage over someone whose birthday is in May. one is a likely vacation time while the other isn't as much.

it's also quite likely the ticket will be good that day only. so there's not much advantage to a family visiting for a week or so. are you gonna buy a 6 day ticket instead of 7 just at the chance of a free ticket?

there's no way it'd be good for any period of time. eBay would crash from all the new auctions.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Rumors and News board. We'll soon see how accurate it turns out to be.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I don't know, I don't think people will go to the trouble of getting a fake birth certificate. I think it'll be just like the cruise line, you either show your license and/or a birth certificate with a raised seal. Very hard to fake that I think. And to go to that trouble for fastpasses or 75.00? nah, just don't think it'll happen.

You don't think someone would dummy up a birth certificate for $75.00? You have a higher opinion of people than I do.

I know PLENTY of folks who would do it. Hell, I'd have done it once upon a time.

 

[safetymom]

The official press event is tomorrow in New York City. I'm sure more details will be publicly available after the official announcement. I'll be there to see and hear it first hand, so hopefully I'll be able to help explain things when I get back!

Thanks Justin for reporting back to us.

 

[Jason71]

You don't think someone would dummy up a birth certificate for $75.00? You have a higher opinion of people than I do.

I know PLENTY of folks who would do it. Hell, I'd have done it once upon a time.

Actually, $75 per day for the length of your stay. Use it at MK Monday, EPCOT Tuesday...

Unless this is an 18+ thing requiring a license, I see no chance of it working. Even then, I have a hard time believing it, unless the $75 requires an additional $200 purchase or something.

 

[labattblue]

Wow! If this is all going to happen- it is going to be awesome!!!

"all what is going to happen"? I must have missed the "awesome" part. Call me when Disney announces that some new attractions are going to be built other than glorified kareoke.

 

[Twilightlover]

BOOOO My birthday is the end of Jan. and I can't take off to go to Disney during the school year. I'm going for my 30 1/2 birthday and anniversary. I wounder if that will count?

 

[Jynohn]

I received a survey from Disney about a month ago asking about the birthday idea. They wanted to know if I'd be interested in a free ticket on my birthday, and I said no, since I am an AP holder. Later in the survey, they asked about the possibility of a gift card or front of the line access all day for four members of your party on your birthday. While the idea is nice, I certainly hope it's not the BIG announcement we've been waiting for. I wouldn't make a special trip to Disney for a $75 gift card.