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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 birthday. 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 Walt Disney World Resort.
For information on the "What Will You Celebrate" Event at the Disneyland Resort, click here.
 How Do I Get a Free Birthday Ticket?
To start the process, go to disneyparks.com and register yourself, your children or any members of your household your wish. Parents with children that do not live with them may register them as well. You may register thru December 31, 2009 and you must be 18 or older to register. Next, print the confirmation message you receive. On the day of your birthday, bring proper ID and your confirmation email to the entrance of one the theme parks. Although online registration is not necessary to receive a free Birthday Ticket, it will streamline paperwork at the Guest Relations window. Certain windows have been designated to handle birthday admissions, as well as the kiosk inside of the security checkpoint of the Magic Kingdom.
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 Walt Disney World 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, but you will need to pay the difference in cost between a 1-day Magic Your Way base ticket and the upgraded ticket price. You can use our handy Walt Disney World Ticket Calculator Comparison Chart to figure the cost of purchasing a ticket upgrade. The value of the Free Birthday Ticket does not include tax, but our ticket calculator does. Therefore, you will need to add $5.14 to the "difference in price" for each Adult ticket upgrade calculation and $4.42 to the "difference in price" for each Child upgrade calculation.
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 Walt Disney World theme park (or the ticket window when using the International Gateway back entrance to Epcot) and choose from one of the following Birthday Gifts:
- A Birthday Fun Card in an amount equal to the price of a 1-day Magic Your Way base ticket for you to use for certain purchases including select merchandise, recreation, tour experiences, and more at participating locations at Walt Disney World 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 Magic Your Way base ticket for you to use any time until your next birthday. This ticket is different from the Free Birthday Ticket and may 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 Magic Your Way base 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.
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 Walt Disney World, an Adult Fun Card is a $79 value and a Child Fun Card is a $68 value
- 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 Walt Disney World Resort, the Fun Card is not accepted at China, Japan, and Morocco pavilions at World Showcase in Epcot®, Arribas Brothers, Basin, Basin White, Cirque du Soleil, Curl by Sammy Duval, Ghiradelli, House of Blues, Hoypoloi, LEGO Imagination Center, Magic Masters, Magnetron, Niki Bryan Spas, Orlando Harley Davidson Store, Planet Hollywood, Rainforest Cafe, Richard Petty Driving Experience, Rubio Balloon Arts, Sammy Duval Watersports, Sosa Cigar, Starabillias, Sunglass Icon, Surrey Bike Rental, Virgin Megastore, Wyland Galleries and any other locations or kiosks that are not owned and operated by the owners of the Walt Disney World Resort.
- 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.
Some suggested uses for the Fun Card mentioned in the accompanying brochure are stroller, wheelchair and ECV rentals, prepackaged food items and snacks, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique packages, merchandise at Disney owned stores, tours and recreational activities (with the exceptions noted above), PhotoPass Services and golf cart rentals at Fort Wilderness. It's best to ask before initiating purchases.
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 may only be used in a single park and for a single day and is good for the birthday celebrant and up to 5 members of his or her party. Supplies each day are limited and should be obtained as early as possible in the day. 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 members of your party, insert it (or them) into a “designated” FASTPASS (FP) machine of your choice and receive FPs 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).
Currently, it is being reported that birthday guests have been able to choose all 4 choices from a single list and get multiple FPs for the same ride. 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.
Available attractions for the Birthday FASSPASS at Walt Disney World parks are as follows:
Magic Kingdom
Donald: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan's Flight, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain
Daisy: Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Jungle Cruise, Mickey's PhilharMagic, Stitch's Great Escape
Epcot
Donald: Soarin', Test Track
Daisy: Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Living with the Land, Maelstrom, Mission Space
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Donald: Rock n Roller Coaster, Toy Story Midway Mania, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Daisy: Lights Motors Action Extreme Stunt Show, Star Tours, Voyage of The Little Mermaid
Animal Kingdom
Donald: Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris
Daisy: Dinosaur, It's Tough to Be a Bug, Kali River Rapids
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 in-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 now available in $1, $5, and $10 denominations. This year's series is themed to "What Will You Celebrate?" and is available at theme park or Downtown Disney Guest Releations or at concierge desks at Disney hotels.
For more information on the Birthday Fun Ticket, read one Senior's Birthday Trip report published 1/26/09 in the Magically Speaking news letter.
For information on current Walt Disney World specials that can save you money, click here.
June 19, 2009
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