Walt Disney Parks and Resorts announced a new promotion to admit visitors free on their birthdays next year.

"Every guest gets in free to one of our parks on their birthday in 2009," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

Visitors will have to show valid identification and proof of birthdate to qualify. Details are available at www.disneyparks.com, where birthday visits can be registered in advance.

The birthday offer is part of a larger Disney promotion announced Thursday called "What will you celebrate?" It includes a 30-city tour with public events featuring Disney-costumed characters, beginning on Thursday in Minneapolis and ending in February in Phoenix.

In addition, the parks will offer buttons to wear that identify guests with phrases such as "Just Married," "Just Graduated" and "First Visit."

Peter Yesawich, a consultant on lifestyle trends, said at the Disney news conference that Americans often arrange vacations around personal milestones such as anniversaries and birthdays. He called the phenomenon "celebration vacations."

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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