January-April 2009: Celebratory Spirit Reigns at Walt Disney World

12-19-2008

Floral-Fest, Braves Baseball, Disney’s Dreamers and Magical Marathoners

LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN: Chef Mickey Mouse and Chef Goofy are baking up fun surprises as Disney Parks embraces "celebration vacations" with new entertainment and services that allow guests to turn personal milestones such as birthdays and anniversaries into magical Disney experiences. As part of the celebration, everyone who visits a Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort theme park in 2009 can get in free on their birthday. (Gene Duncan, photographer) 0826AS_1642GD42569745.jpg

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The party's ready to begin at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida with a Disney Parks "first" -- guests can get free admission to a Disney theme park on their birthday in 2009. It's all part of a travel trend called "celebration vacations," with Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort asking guests "What Will You Celebrate?" throughout the year.

But that's not the only cause for celebration. In early 2009, Walt Disney World Resort will bloom with bursting color during the 16th annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival; host 100 exemplary teens from across the country in a one-of-a-kind enrichment workshop; once again host the Atlanta Braves on its "field of dreams" at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex; and be the site for the 26 most magical miles on Earth for the Disney Marathon Weekend.

A snapshot of what's springing up in early 2009 across the Florida Vacation Kingdom is HERE

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 'American Idol' is "Going to Disney World!"

Disney Parks to create attraction based on the television and pop culture phenomenon

"WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO NEXT?": After being crowned the newest "American Idol" Wednesday night May 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, singer David Cook became the first singer ever to star in the famous "I'm Going to Disney World!" commercial. It's all in celebration of an "American Idol" attraction opening at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. in January 2009. The interactive attraction will bring all the excitement of the popular television show to Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park.    AmericanIdolExterior358258617.JPG

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Walt Disney Parks and Resorts will create an "American Idol" attraction that will bring the television and pop culture phenomenon to life at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, according to Jay Rasulo, chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts; Simon Fuller, CEO of 19 Entertainment; and Keith Hindle, executive vice president of FremantleMedia Licensing.

The attraction, slated to debut January 2009, will be located at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park and will follow the model of the high-energy show. Disney guests will be able to experience the challenge of auditioning, the rush of performing on stage in competition, or the thrill of judging the performances in a live interactive entertainment setting with all the glitz and glamour of the distinctive "American Idol" set.

The full story is HERE

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