Here Comes Disney's 'Year of a Million Dreams': Guests Ride a Magic Carpet of Fantasies, New Attractions
BURBANK, Calif. (Oct. 1, 2006) -As if they've been tapped on the shoulder by a magic wand, Disney Parks guests -- thousands every day -- are about to enter a whole new world.
For 15 magical months beginning Oct. 1, a spectacular Disney event like none other will celebrate the dreams of guests. Dreams that make them smile. Dreams that soar and spark the imagination. Dreams that fulfill their grandest Disney fantasies. Dreams from once upon a time to happily ever after.
During "The Year of a Million Dreams" celebration, literally millions of dreams will come true at Florida's Walt Disney World Resort and California's Disneyland Resort.
"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 www.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 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":
At Walt Disney World Resort in Florida
"The Seas with Nemo & Friends." Epcot's newest attraction picks up where the Disney-Pixar animated hit "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) The new Future World attraction anchors the newly renamed and re-launched The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion, an imaginative mix of fantasy with real sea life and interactive experiences such as the breakthrough "Turtle Talk With Crush."
"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 Broadway-caliber musical stage show. Featuring original songs by Tony Award-winning "Avenue Q" co-composer- creator 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 co-designed the detailed character puppets seen in the Broadway version of Disney's "The Lion King." "Finding Nemo-The Musical" will be staged several times daily. (Previews late 2006)
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club. Magic Kingdom guests will laugh, joke, sing songs and match wits with the beloved animated characters from Disney-Pixar's "Monsters, Inc." in an engaging and interactive attraction being created by the Disney Imagineers. Monsters Inc. 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 wannabes whose slapstick humor delights and engages audiences. Guests will even get to text-message jokes on their cell phones for possible use in the show. The fun reigns at a 400-seat theater in Tomorrowland. (Early 2007)
"Dream Along with Mickey." Several times daily, Mickey and friends treat Magic Kingdom guests to a dreams-inspired party on the forecourt stage of Cinderella Castle. Favorite Disney characters join the party as the dreams of happily-ever-after and adventure come alive on stage amid music and dancing. So strong are the dreams that they even overcome Maleficent and her intentions of turning the dreams into nightmares. A grand finale brings the 20-minute live stage show to a close.
At 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. Guests are treated to a view of Nemo and friends exactly as they appear in the film - thanks to amazing new technology and effects developed by Walt Disney Imagineering. What makes it different: Nemo and the Pixar gang will be in an actual, and incredible, three-dimensional underwater setting. (Summer 2007)
Rockin' Both Parks. Space Mountain is getting a new twist. For 16 weeks (Jan. 3-April 26, 2007), Disney's classic attraction will become a new experience in which rockets will rock it through the greatest concert adventure in the universe. All-new soundtrack will fit the exciting twists and turns of Disney's rocket classic. Along with new technology and lighting, all systems are go. Riders of California Screamin' at Disney's California Adventure Park will also be treated - and bopping - to a new groovin' soundtrack. On-board rock 'n roll music will be choreographed to every twist, turn and drop. With a ride track-turned-soundtrack, this is one experience guaranteed to rock guests visiting the Paradise Pier section of the park. (Spring 2007)
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 on-line 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 www.disneyparks.com . For more specific information about the Disney Dreams Giveaway, visit www.disneyparks.com/rules .
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to enter or win in the Disney Dreams Giveaway. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Open only to legal residents of 50 U.S., D.C., Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico & UK. Void elsewhere and where prohibited. Giveaway runs October 1, 2006 - December 31, 2007 (mail in entries postmarked starting September 18, 2006 & received by January 14, 2008 on 3.5x5 postcard with complete name, address, daytime phone#, birth date and proper postage sent to PO Box 8629, Elmhurst, IL 60126 USA). UK residents only mail to 483 Green Lanes, London N13 4BS. Castle Suite stay and Penthouse stay will be awarded most days starting January 25, 2007 and December 1, 2006, respectively, will likely be awarded early in the day, will be for a stay that night and is only available to eligible participants at the parks and Downtown Disney® area in Florida and California, respectively. Some prizes, such as Dream FastPass badge, are only awarded at certain theme parks for use that day. Some prizes, such as Special After-Hour events, are only awarded on certain days at certain parks and must be used that day. Mail-in winners of prizes that must be used that day, such as Castle stay and Dream FastPass badge will receive a prize of comparable value. Approximate retail value of prizes listed: Cinderella Castle Suite Stay US $587, Mickey Mouse Penthouse Stay US $572, Disney Vacation Club Membership US $83,701, Grand Marshal World Tour US $45,370, Pin and Lanyard set US $23, Mickey Ear Hat US $12, Disney Cruise Line cruises from US $9,880 to US $16,900, Adventures by Disney vacation packages from US $15,500 to US $25,400, shopping spree US $500, Dream FastPass badge US $5, Special Park After-Hour event from US $3.83 to US $4.76 and Tour of Walt Disney's apartment and dining experience US $340. Prizes in the Giveaway range in value from US $3.83 to US $83,701. All prize awards are subject to verification. Odds of winning on a given day depend on the number of eligible participants at a selected location or within the mail-in entry pool for the time or date (as applicable) selected. Subject to official rules at www.DisneyParks.com/rules. Sponsor: Magic Kingdom Productions, Inc., PO Box 10000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830.