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 In 2009, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts are offering new entertainment and services that allow guests to turn their personal milestones, such as birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, reunions and graduations, into magical Disney experiences.
As part of a special park-wide celebration, everyone who visits a Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort theme park in 2009 will get FREE park admission on their birthdays. Basically, Disney is offering a one-day, one-park ticket to any of its six theme parks located in the U.S. Below is information on how it works at the Disneyland Resort.
For information on the "What Will You Celebrate" Event at the Walt Disney World Resort, click here.
How Do I Get a Free Birthday Ticket?
 To start the process, go to disneyparks.com and register. You may register yourself, your children or any other members of your household up to and thru December 31, 2009. Children who do not live in your home must be registered by the parent or guardian with whom they reside. You must be 13 years of age or older to register. Next, print he reminder email with its confirmation message that you will receive 2 weeks prior to your birthday. On the day of your birthday, bring proper ID and your confirmation email to the Main Entrance ticket booths at Disneyland or Disney's California Adventure theme park. It will be exchanged for a Birthday Ticket good for admittance to the park on that day. Online registration is not necessary to receive your free Birthday Ticket, but it will streamline paperwork at the park.
What sort of ID Must I Bring to the Park?
Proper ID includes, Driver's License including a photo, State-issued or Government-issued photo ID, or a Government-issued Passport. Those under 18 may also use an original or certified copy of a Birth Certificate as ID.
Does Everyone Qualify for a Free Birthday Ticket?
The free Birthday Ticket is available to almost everyone with few exceptions. There are no restrictions on state or country residency and you do not need to stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel to get one. The promotion is open to all but Cast Members, their families, and employees of sponsors and their families. Children under 3 are not required to have an admission ticket to enter the theme parks, and therefore, do not qualify for a free Birthday Ticket or any of the other birthday gift selections.
Can I Use My Free Admission on a Day Other Than My Birthday?
No. You must use your free ticket on the exact date of your birth. If your birthday occurs on February 29th, however, you may take advantage of free admission to a theme park on either February 28, 2009 or March 1, 2009.
Can I Upgrade My Free Birthday Ticket?
Yes. The free ticket can be upgraded to another ticket type on your birthday, but you will need to pay the difference in cost between a single day, single park ticket and the upgraded ticket price. You can check Disneyland's web site to figure the cost of an upgrade. The value of the free Birthday Ticket does not include tax, and is $72 for and Adult Birthday Ticket and $62 for a Child's Birthday Ticket.
What if I Have an Annual Pass or Purchased Tickets as Part of a Vacation Package?
There are several options available to you once you arrive at the Park with your confirmation message, your proper valid ID, and your Passholder Pass or Multi-Day Ticket. To make your selection, go to the park Will Call window outside of any major Disney theme park and choose from one of the following Birthday Gifts:
- A Birthday Fun Card in an amount equal to the price of a 1-day/1-park ticket for you to use for certain purchases, including select merchandise, stroller rentals, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique packages, tour experiences, Photopass services, and more at participating locations throughout Disneyland Resort.
- A Birthday FASTPASS Exchange Card (BFEC), good for a certain number of select attractions in a single park on your birthday.
- A 1-day/1-park ticket for you to use any time until your next birthday. This ticket is different from the free Birthday Ticket and can not be upgraded.
Seasonal Passholders whose birthdays fall on blocked out dates may receive a free Birthday Ticket for admission to one theme park on their birthday. Unlike the 1-day/1-park ticket good for 12 months (an option for certain passholders and multi-day ticket holders), the Birthday Ticket can be upgraded or used to renew or upgrade your Seasonal Pass.
Guests using other forms of complimentary ticket media for admission on their birthday are not eligible to receive Birthday gift options.
What If I Purchase a Southern California City Pass, Do I Get a Free Birthday Ticket?
The answer is yes. In fact you, you can choose from any of Disney's birthday treats, the Birthday Fun Card, the Birthday FASTPASS or the Disneyland Resort 1-Day/1-Park Ticket that can be used any day during the 12 months following your birthday. Just follow the same instructions as for Annual Passholders above.
How Does the Birthday Fun Card Work?
Adults will receive card in the amount of an adult ticket; children (ages 3-9) receive card in the amount of a child ticket. At Disneyland, an adult Fun Card is a $72 value and a child Fun Card is a $62 value. Below are a few other rules that pertain to the Birthday Fun Card.
- The Birthday Fun Card may not be used towards the payment of Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort Hotel room night folio charges, or a Disney Cruise Line reservation aboard Disney Cruise Line, the purchase of any Disney Dollars or gift certificates/cards or towards the purchase of any food and beverage items (that are not pre-packaged), alcohol, cigarettes, spa services and products, or personal services such as face painting, caricature drawings, hair braiding, and hair wrapping.
- At the Disneyland Resort, the Fun Card is not accepted at Disneyland Resort Operating Participant locations or any other locations or kiosks that are not owned and operated by the owners of the Disneyland® Resort, including but not limited to, Midway Games, Names Unraveled, Jewel of Orleans, Silhouette Studio, Portrait Artists, Parasol Cart, Heraldry Shop, Crystal Shops (Crystal Arts & Crystal d'Orleans), Paradise Pier Face Painting, Airbrush Tattoos, Rubio Portrait Artist or at Downtown Disney® District locations except World of Disney®Store, Marceline's Confectionery, Disney Vault 28 and Disney's Pin Traders. The Birthday Fun Card is also not accepted at Disneyland®Resort outdoor vending carts.
- No portion of the Birthday Fun Card balances will be redeemed for cash or be replaced if lost, stolen, or damaged.
- While the Fun Card must be picked up on your birthday (except in the case of birthdays falling on February 29th), it currently has no expiration date. However, Disney notes in the fine print that terms are subject to change, so it's best to use your Fun Card as soon as possible. You may split the balance of any Birthday Fun Card between several participating locations.
How Does the Birthday FASTPASS Exchange Card (BFEC) Work?
 This is a good question, and currently there seems to be some conflicting info. What we do know for sure is that the FASTPASS (FP) may only be used in a single park for a single day and is good for the birthday celebrant and up to 5 members of his or her party. Disneyland FPs may be gotten at the kiosk in Tour Guide Gardens next to Disneyland's City Hall. Supplies each day are limited and should be obtained as early as possible. It is suggested that you get them no later than 11:00 a.m.
Basically, after obtaining a your Birthday FASTPASS Exchange Card for you and the members of your party, insert it (or them) into a “designated” FASTPASS (FP) machine and receive FPs for up to six people for that attraction. You must also choose the rides or attractions for which you will use your BFEC. The card is valid for 4 select attractions and you will be given a list of choices. You may choose two from an A attraction list (Donald) and two from a B attraction list (Daisy). There are also reports that you simply hand the FPs to cast members at designated rides and that these actually come as four different FP tickets (2 Donalds and 2 Daisys). Donald attractions are the more popular rides such as Splash Mountain, California Screamin’, Tower of Terror, Soarin' Over California, and Space Mountain. Daisy attractions are for the less busy rides like Autopia, Big Thunder Mountain, Big River Run, Mulholland Madness, and Buzz Lightyear.
Regardless of when you receive your FP, you may ride at any time of the day. It's reported that Disney keeps one “birthday” FP machine open at each attraction even when the others are closed.
Is There More to Disney's "What Will You Celebrate" Event than Free Admission on Your Birthday?
You bet there is! From deeply discounted vacation packages to free birthday buttons, celebratory balloons, one-of-a-kind experiences, birthday-themed meals, customized cakes & parties and room decorations, Disney has tailored options to help celebrants mark their special occasions in magical fashion.
Also, don't miss out on a great souvenir. The 2009 Disney Dollar series is available in $1, $5, and $10 denominations. This year's series is themed to "What Will You Celebrate?" and is available at several locations inside of Disneyland, including the Disneyana store and the Emporium, both on Main Street.
For information on Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets, Tours, Entertainment, Restaurants, and other Southern California Attraction Tickets, such as Universal Hollywood and Seaworld San Diego, click here.
  
 
  
January 25, 2009
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