LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN: In a New York City ballroom on Sept. 18, 2008, Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Jay Rasulo (pictured) announced that Disney Parks will welcome guests in 2009 with free theme park admission on their birthday. The free one-day, one-park ticket is good for birthday celebrants in 2009 at any theme park at Disneyland Resort in California or Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. In 2009 during “What Will You Celebrate?”, Disney Parks will roll out new entertainment and services that allow guests to turn their personal milestones into magical Disney experiences. Guests can get more details at www.disneyparks.com. (Diane Bondareff, photographer)

A BIG APPLE CELEBRATION: A Disney balloon vendor, Mickey Mouse and a group of children join Jay Rasulo (center), chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Sept. 18, 2008 during an impromptu visit to New York City’s Times Square. The visit followed Rasulo’s announcement that Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will welcome guests in 2009 with free theme park admission on their birthday. Disney Parks have embraced a new travel trend called “celebration vacations” by adding new entertainment and add-on services that allow guests to turn personal milestones such as birthdays and anniversaries into magical Disney memories. (Diane Bondareff, photographer)