Enough with the Dreaming. It's Time to Celebrate.
-Disney Will Toss a Free Park Ticket into Birthday Goodie Bags

For the past two years, the U.S. Disney parks have been celebrating the Year of a Million Dreams (technically, the Years of a Million Dreams Each) by randomly awarding "dream" prizes to guests. For 2009, the theme will be will be "What will you celebrate?" at Disney's Florida and California resorts. Piggybacking the "celebration vacation" trend it says travelers have been embracing, the Mouse will be inviting visitors to commemorate milestones and events such as anniversaries, graduations, and reunions at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. And get this: Throughout 2009, birthday boys and girls (of all ages) will get a free pass to a Disney park on their special days.

Of course, Disney is hoping there will be a gang of paying well-wishers accompanying the birthday freeloaders. In addition to the free tickets (to receive the freebies, guests have to register online before their visit and show a valid ID at the gate proving that it is their birthday), the parks will be selling birthday party packages, special dinners, and other celebration enhancements as part of the yearlong event. The birthday bashes will kick off in high style (and even higher prices) when Miley Cyrus publicly celebrates her Sweet 16 party at Disneyland on October 5.

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Photo: Cheesecake? M. Mouse will join birthday bashes and other celebrations at Disney parks in 2009. Disney, 2008. Used with permission.