Year of a Million Dreams October 1, 2006 – December 31, 2007
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Disney Makes History!
Magic Kingdom Opens for Only One (Very Lucky)
Family As Disney Parks Kick Off 'Year of a Million Dreams'
During 'Year of a Million Dreams' Celebration Disney Cast Members to Award a Million Magical Dreams
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Disney Makes History!
Magic Kingdom Opens for Only One (Very Lucky)
Family As Disney Parks Kick Off 'Year of a Million Dreams'
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Oct. 4, 2006) — For the first time in history, a family today had the Magic Kingdom all to themselves. They entered the park to a view never seen before by any Disney guest — Main Street, U.S.A. completely empty, no other guests, no Disney cast members, just a red carpet stretching out a welcome.
The family had their pick of favorite attractions. There were no lines. Because no one else was there.
This unprecedented moment in Disney history was all part of the launch of Disney's "The Year of a Million Dreams" celebration, during which literally millions of dreams will come true at Florida's Walt Disney World Resort and California's Disneyland Resort.
"The Year of a Million Dreams" is a first-of-its-kind event celebrating the individual dreams of Disney Park guests from around the world. So Disney made the Spangler family from Randolph, Ohio — winners of an online sweepstakes used to help kick off the celebration — the ultimate, one-of-a-kind Magic Kingdom VIPs. Disney Parks literally rolled out the red carpet for the Spanglers on Main Street, U.S.A. at Walt Disney World Resort.
But there were more surprises in store. As the Spanglers reached the center of Main Street, U.S.A., fanfare trumpeters broke the morning silence from atop the buildings lining the street and the familiar strains of "Be Our Guest" began to play — a signal for a whole lot of smiles. Appearing almost magically to form a receiving line fit for royalty were 1,500 Disney cast members and Disney characters, beaming and bubbly.
For the Spanglers, their morning was nothing short of incredible. In a park that hosts millions of guests each year, Magic Kingdom attendance was four as Ray and Tammy Spangler and their children, 13-year-old Derick and 11-year-old Ashley, walked toward Cinderella Castle between rows of smiles lining the red carpet. "It was amazing," said Ashley. Derick chimed in, "That was awesome!" With their Disney VIP host leading the way, they rode their favorite attractions, met their favorite Disney characters, appeared on ABC-TV's "Good Morning America" and lived out a dream.
"This is beyond the dream," Ray said. "This is something that you can't even think of dreaming of, yet we have it."
As the lands of the park filled in behind them with other guests, the Spanglers dined with Disney royalty in Cinderella Castle during A Fairytale Lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table and were named grand marshals for the "Disney Dreams Come True" parade. They were to conclude the day with an "unbirthday party" inspired by the "Alice in Wonderland" story and then enjoy exclusive viewing of the Magic Kingdom fireworks spectacular "Wishes."
For Tammy Spangler, winning this most remarkable experience was a dream-come-true — but one she figured was probably a proverbial "pipedream" when she entered the sweepstakes.
"I hardly ever enter these things," she said, "but Disney's the most fun we've ever had on vacation, so when I discovered the contest when I was [online], I entered it. But I really didn't figure we'd win, not in a million years."
But this is "The Year of a Million Dreams" and the Spanglers won't be the only ones finding their dreams come true at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.
During "The Year of a Million Dreams" celebration, literally millions of dreams will come true.
"Our guests the world over have told us they believe a Disney Park is the place 'where dreams come true' and that something magical happens when they walk through our gates," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "And that's never been more true than during 'The Year of a Million Dreams' as we bring more magic to life than ever before."
Dreams to surprise and delight guests and unique experiences will be hallmarks of "The Year of a Million Dreams."
As part of the celebration, extra-special dreams will be awarded through a random process as part of the unique Disney Dreams Giveaway. With the sprinkle of a little pixie dust by day, a vacationing mom might be chosen to spend that night with her family in a new royal suite inside Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort, or at Disneyland, a lucky guest may be surrounded by All Things Mickey that night in a new Mickey Mouse Penthouse overlooking the Disney domain in California.
Disney Vacation Club memberships, traveling around the world as a parade grand marshal in each Disney theme park, sporting exclusive pins and Mouse ears — dreams from fun to fantastic will shower down on guests during the celebration. Other amazing dreams-come-true: magical Disney Cruise Line sailings; Adventures by Disney vacations; a private shopping spree for Disney merchandise; Dream FASTPASS badges to enjoy many popular park attractions; special park after-hour events; or a visit to Walt Disney's apartment at Disneyland including a dining experience.
For the overnight stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite, a Walt Disney World guest at the parks or Downtown Disney will be selected randomly by early in the afternoon almost every day beginning in late January. The guest and up to five members of their party will begin their dream-come-true night that evening at Cinderella's Royal Table, the popular restaurant located in Cinderella Castle.
Can't be in the parks? You may still have a dream-come-true through a mail-in entry (details at disneyparks.com/rules). For example, mail-in winners could win prizes such as the Disney Vacation Club membership, grand marshal of a Disney parade around the world, exclusive trading pins or Mickey Ear Hat. (Some prizes, such as the Castle and Mickey Mouse Penthouse stay, require same-day use so mail-in winners will receive a prize of comparable value.)
Dreams will be awarded every day at Disney parks and Downtown Disney in Florida and California. While workers complete the Cinderella Castle Suite (opening late January 2007) and Mickey Mouse Penthouse (opening December 2006), the other fantasies begin Oct. 1 as Disney launches enough dreams to make Tinker Bell blush.
And all it takes: a tap on the shoulder by Disney cast members on special assignment as the Dream Squad during the magical year.
Meanwhile, thousands more Disney cast members — famous for guest service every day of the year — will be creating an unprecedented number of Magical Moments during this magical year. They're taking Disney friendliness to new heights with personal interactions marked by special surprises.
Amazed guests might find themselves leading the countdown and sprinkling pixie dust to open a Disney park in the morning. Or they might join the performers on a float in "Mickey's Jammin' Jungle" parade. Or aboard Cinderella's Golden Carrousel they might suddenly find a Disney princess sidesaddle on the next horse.
More pixie-dusted Magical Moments: being selected to be guest of honor in daily park parades; getting a Tinseltown rush doing a celebrity-style handprint ceremony; being Official Wildlife Spotter on a Disney's Animal Kingdom safari.
"Disney cast members have a rich history of making this magic, treating guests to legendary service and special moments," Rasulo said. "During 'The Year of a Million Dreams,' those moments go stratospheric as our cast members reinforce Disney parks as the place where dreams come true."
A first-of-its-kind Disney spectacular, "The Year of a Million Dreams" also includes a whole lineup of immersive entertainment that draws guests into the middle of the action.
Guests can enter into magical worlds, living the buccaneer life by being a pirate of the Caribbean, "getting royal" with a Disney prince or princess, or joining in the dancing and singing "High School Musical" pep rally. Guests at Walt Disney World Resort might be welcomed to saddle up cowboy-style with Woody and the Disney-Pixar gang.
As if thousands of dreams bestowed daily aren't enough, Disney guests will also be treated to major new attractions and shows debuting at Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts as part of "The Year of a Million Dreams."
On top of an already magical year, special entertainment and programs will be in place at the parks and resorts so guests can follow their dreams, whether it's a princess or pirate, adventurer or space explorer. Guests will be able to customize their visit to a Disney park to pursue the Dream Paths of their choice with online planning tools and technology to help them become the hero or princess they've always dreamed of being.
For more information about "The Year of a Million Dreams" celebration, guests may visit disneyparks.com. For more specific information about the Disney Dreams Giveaway, visit disneyparks.com/rules.
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During 'Year of a Million Dreams' Celebration Disney Cast Members to Award a Million Magical Dreams
From an Overnight Stay inside Cinderella Castle to a Dream FASTPASS, Dreams Big and Small to Come True During a First-of-its-Kind Celebration That Also Features New Attractions and Entertainment at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts
BURBANK, Calif. — From an overnight stay inside Cinderella Castle to a Dream FASTPASS, dreams big and small will come true at Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts during Disney's "Year of a Million Dreams," a first-of-its-kind celebration of the individual dreams of Disney Parks guests.
The year-long celebration, beginning Oct. 1, 2006, at Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, will feature the debut of an incredible lineup of new attractions and entertainment at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts, plus new technologies that allow guests to customize their Disney park experience.
And, for the first time, during "The Year of a Million Dreams" celebration, Disney cast members will award a million dreams — both large and small, including many "money-can't-buy" experiences — to guests selected through a random process as part of the unique Disney Dreams Giveaway.
"Throughout this incredible celebration, special dreams and unique experiences once thought impossible will be awarded by our cast every day," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "Disney parks are always the place where dreams come true — but even more so during 'The Year of a Million Dreams.' "
The "impossible" includes the creation of over-the-top, overnight experiences for winning guests at both East and West Coast resorts: a royal bedchamber inside Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort and a Mickey Mouse Penthouse at Disneyland Resort, both expected to be complete by January 2007.
A day of royal treatment will end with a night of enchantment inside Cinderella Castle for a different lucky guest each night. Cinderella's royal bedchamber, now under construction at Magic Kingdom, will allow Disney guests to stay overnight inside the park and enjoy a view shared only by Tinker Bell. The lavishly decorated bedroom will be located in a space originally planned as an in-park apartment for the use of the Disney family.
And for a lucky Disneyland guest, each night, the all-new Mickey Mouse Penthouse at Disneyland Hotel will pour on the Mickey charm and include magical views overlooking both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure parks. The extraordinary penthouse will be decorated in all things Mickey, with finishing touches by none other than Minnie Mouse herself.
In addition, during the year-long celebration, other Disney dreams both large and small will be awarded in the Disney Dreams Giveaway, such as:
* Traveling to each Disney resort around the world to serve as grand marshal in a Disney parade.
* A variety of unique Disney vacation experiences.
* Admission to special parties and other extraordinary experiences in the Disneyland and Walt Disney World parks.
* Private meetings with favorite Disney characters.
* Or, a Dream FASTPASS ticket with unique access entitlements to some of Disney's most popular attractions.
New Attractions and Entertainment Planned for the "Year of a Million Dreams"
Throughout "The Year of a Million Dreams" celebration, Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts will debut major new attractions:
Walt Disney World Resort in Florida
"The Seas with Nemo & Friends" — Epcot's newest attraction picks up where Disney-Pixar's "Finding Nemo" left off. Amazing technology gives the stars of the film the appearance of swimming amid the live marine life of the 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium in The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion (formerly The Living Seas). Guests aboard "clam-mobiles" float amid a coral reef where they meet Mr. Ray and his class on a field trip. They soon learn that Nemo has wandered off. A journey to find the playful clownfish ensues. Along the way, familiar characters such as Dory, Bruce, Crush and Marlin join in the search. In the musical finale of the attraction, Nemo is happily reunited with his class and friends. (Late 2006)
"Finding Nemo-The Musical" — At Disney's Animal Kingdom, the undersea world that charmed audiences worldwide in the Disney-Pixar motion picture "Finding Nemo" will come to life in an all-new musical stage show. Featuring original songs by Tony Award-winning "Avenue Q" composer Robert Lopez and a cappella musical "Along the Way" composer Kristen Anderson-Lopez, "Finding Nemo-The Musical" will immerse guests in the story of Marlin and Nemo, an overprotective clownfish father and his curious son, through a dazzling production that combines puppets, dancers, acrobats and animated backdrops. The enclosed, air-conditioned Theater in the Wild will transform into an undersea world through innovative lighting, sound, special effects and the theatrical puppetry of Michael Curry who designed the richly detailed character puppets seen in the Broadway version of Disney's "The Lion King." "Finding Nemo-The Musical" will be staged several times daily. (Late 2006)
The Laugh Floor Comedy Club — Magic Kingdom guests will laugh, joke, sing songs and match wits with the beloved animated characters from the Disney presentation of Pixar's "Monsters, Inc." in an engaging and interactive attraction being created by the Disney Imagineers. The Laugh Floor Comedy Club features one-eyed hero Mike Wazowski, who has opened a comedy club to collect laughs that will generate electricity for the monster world of Monstropolis. As Monster-of-Ceremonies, Mike recruits two comedian wanna-bes whose slapstick humor delights and engages audiences. The fun reigns at a 400-seat theater in Tomorrowland. (Early 2007)
Disneyland Resort in California
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage — Inspired by Disney-Pixar's "Finding Nemo," this all-new E-ticket adventure will take guests on a real (and unbelievable) underwater excursion. (Summer 2007)
Rockin' Space Mountain — Space Mountain is getting a new twist. Thanks to new lighting and technology, Disney's classic attraction will become a new experience in which rockets will rock it through the greatest concert in the universe. An all-new soundtrack will fit the exciting twists and turns of Disney's rocket classic. (Spring 2007)
Additionally, special entertainment and programs will be in place at the parks and resorts to accommodate the desires and wishes of would-be Disney Princesses, pirates, adventurers and space explorers. Guests will be able to customize their visit to a Disney park to pursue the Dream Track of their choice with on-line planning tools and in-park technology to help them become the hero or princess they've always dreamed of being.
For more information about "The Year of a Million Dreams" celebration and the Disney Dreams Giveaway, visit www.mydisneyparks.com. Look for future announcements with the details of the Disney Dreams Giveaway. No purchase necessary and subject to official rules which will be available Oct. 1, 2006. Odds of winning any prize will depend on the number of eligible entries. Void where prohibited.
©Disney
Every day, complete Official Rules for the Disney Dreams Giveaway are now available. Among the prizes to be awarded during the Year of a
Million Dreams Celebration are:
3 Memberships in the Disney Vacation Club (220 points at Saratoga Springs Resort, including annual dues)
3 Grand Marshal World Tours (15-day/14-night trip for 4 people, visiting Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disneyland Resort Paris, Walt Disney Studios Paris, Tokyo Disneyland Resort, Tokyo Disney Sea, and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort).
1 Adventures by Disney "Viva Italia" vacation package (9-day/8-night trip for 4 people to Italy)
2 Adventures by Disney "Cities of Knights and Lights" vacation packages (8-day/7-night trip for 4 people to London & Paris)
1 Adventures by Disney "Path to Pura Vida" vacation package (7-day/6-night trip for 4 people to Costa Rica)
2 Adventures by Disney "Quest for the West" vacation packages (7-day/6-night trip for 4 people to Wyoming)
3 Disney Cruise Line 10-night Mediterranean Cruises
3 Disney Cruise Line 3-night Bahamian Cruises in the Disney Suite
6 Disney Cruise Line 14-night Eastbound Trans-Atlantic Cruises
6 Disney Cruise Line 14-night Westbound Trans-Atlantic Cruises
15 Walt Disney World Resort trips (4-day/3-night vacation package for 4 people)
15 Disneyland Resort trips (4-day/3-night vacation package for 4 people)
367 one-night stays at the Mickey Mouse Penthouse in the Disneyland Hotel (winner and up to 5 guests) – starts early December 2006
307 one-night stays at the Cinderella Castle Suite in the Magic Kingdom (winner and up to 5 guests) – starts end of January 2007
39 Party for the Senses prizes at the EpcotInternational Food and Wine Festival Event (admission for winner and 1 guest)
130 $500 Shopping Sprees at the World of Disney Store
130 Dinners at a Disney Restaurant (winner and up to 5 guests)
5 Dinners on the Balcony of the Disney Gallery in New Orleans Square (winner and up to 5 guests)
30 VIP Tours of Walt Disney's Main Street Apartment (winner and up to 5 guests)
50 Holiday Dinners at the Walt Disney World Resort (winner and up to 5 guests)
34 Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party admissions (winner and up to 3 guests)
3 Prizes of VIP Seats for World Premiere of Finding Nemo-The Musical (winner and up to 5 guests)
7 Prizes of Access to a Press Event Ceremony (winner and up to 5 guests)
13 Disney's Princess and Pirate Party prizes (admission for winner and up to 5 guests)
24 Star Wars Weekend Meet 'n Greets with one or more of the celebrities (winner and up to 3 guests)
3 Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage attraction press event prizes (winner and up to 5 guests)
8 ABC SuperSoap Weekend Event prizes (winner and up to 3 guests get photos taken with celebrities)
6 ESPN-The Weekend prizes (winner and up to 3 guests get to meet athletes and anchors of ESPN-The Weekend)
60 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival VIP experiences (winner and up to 3 guests)
3200 Special Park After Hour event in Epcot admissions
4200 Special Park After Hour event in Disney-MGM Studios admissions
5800 Special Park After Hour event in Disney's Animal Kingdom admissions
3200 Special Park After Hour event in Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park admissions
3200 Special Park After Hour event in Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park admissions
9000 Special Park After Hour event in Magic Kingdom admissions
156,300 Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure DREAM FASTPASS Badges
95,970 Magic Kingdom DREAM FASTPASS Badges
57,125 Epcot DREAM FASTPASS Badges
95,970 Disney-MGM Studios DREAM FASTPASS Badges
95,970 Disney's Animal Kingdom DREAM FASTPASS Badges
418,789 Pin and Lanyard Sets
250,000 Dream Mouse Ears
50,000 Where Dreams Come True Photo Vouchers for one 5"x7" photo
