Disney Theme Parks: 2009 Free on Your Birthday, 2010 Free When You Give a Day

The Magic Kingdom may not be for everyone. Myself? I hadn’t been for 20 years.

But in 2009 when it was free on your birthday, and it came time to celebrate the Big Monkey’s Birthday back in October, we took the small redheaded boy for his first journey to the Magic Kingdom. He liked it so much that we went back a month later for HIS sixth birthday–surprising him two times! We even managed to be there to see Disneyland dolled up for Halloween and decked out for Christmas.

It really was fun for the birthday celebrants. At the gate, the Birthday Boy received a  button with his name on it proclaiming “It’s My Birthday!” Everywhere we went, Disney actors from Pluto to the waiters to others in line wished them “Happy Birthday.” Every time we saw someone with a birthday button on, we wished them “Happy Birthday” also. You go your whole life knowing others share your birthday, but never knowing anyone or seeing them face to face–unless you’re at Disney this year where you saw thousands of people who share your “special” day. “It’s a Small World After All.

That would have been plenty of Disneyland for our family for some time. Except that in 2010, if you give a day, you will get a Disney Day. And that sounds really great to us. We already do a lot of volunteer activities in our community. It’s good to give back.

So as a family in 2010, we’ll spend a day together giving back to our community. And in return, we’ll get a day together at Disneyland. (Of course we’ll have to drop major dough on getting there, and parking, and any food or drink we might buy! But I tell you, we’ve had enough of the greasy, sugary food they serve–we’re bringing our own organic peanute butter and honey sandwiches and homemade cookies next time for sure!)

Various groups around the country have partnered with the Hands on Network and Disney. In 2010, Disney wants to inspire one million people to volunteer a day of service to a participating organization in their communities and celebrate their good works by rewarding each of them with one day free admission to a theme park at Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort.

Locally, we will join the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy, a participating organization which will be hosting events in the near future to take advantage of this great incentive.

In order to be eligible, you  must pre-register and sign up for specific volunteer opportunities at DisneyParks.com after Jan. 1, 2010. Ticket quantities for this program are limited and you must be at least age 6 to participate. Other terms and conditions apply. For details, see DisneyParks.com.

So Happy Birthday,  Happy New Year, and Happy Giving Back in 2010!