Disney is set to announce their marketing campaign for 2009 for the Disney Parks, “What will you celebrate today?”. This is an interesting direction, targeting celebrations, and honestly, kind of a let down from the great Year of a Million Dreams that I think really captured what Disney is about. For the most part, this will not change the Disney going experience for the seasoned Disney expert. What is of interest to us is the free admission to any Disney park on your birthday. Sweet!

Yep, you heard me right, free admission on your birthday.

This promotion will only run for 2009, and you only have one birthday in 2009, so you better take advantage of it!

Just head on over to DisneyParks.com, and soon there will be a link to register. You don’t need to register, you can just show up at the park on your birthday and get in free. Registering does allow you much quicker access once at the parks though. Once registered, you will receive a form to take with you to the parks, along with some information on required ID to confirm your birthday. So, that is great and all, but what do I do if I already have a park pass. Disney has really thought this one through. If you don’t need the free park pass, for whatever reason, such as you are an annual passholder or you already have MYW tickets as part of your package, Disney gives you some options to choose from:

1. One park pass good for one day in any Disney park, good for one year from your birthday.
2. A Birthday Fun Card for use in the park on your birthday equal to the value of a one day park pass at that park (so, about $75 at WDW, a bit less at Disneyland).
3. Fast Passes for each person in your party, up to a total of 6 people, for use on any ride in any of the parks that day.

For me, this is the thing that makes this promotion work, an extra incentive to make Disney your destination on your birthday.

Watch for more information to be made available today as Disney makes their big announcements.

Disney Top 10 Tips to planning your WDW vacation

So, what is our favorite tip?

#6: Plan and Book Early – Make sure you start your planning as early as possible. Planning early allows you time to figure out where you want to stay, gives you the best opportunity at getting the resort and room type you want, and get discounts on your reservation. You will also then have plenty of time to make dining reservation and any other plans you need. We usually plan 12 months in advance for our trip.

Planning early allows you plenty of time to watch for future discounts (hello MouseMisers!). It is always good to give yourself plenty of time in planning, a rushed Disney vacation is better than a week at work for sure, but given time, you can make your Disney vacation just that much better. Take some time to check out their site, they offer some great tips for your Disney vacation.