First look: Disney's 2010 marketing promotion - Volunteer a day, get a Disney day

[AVP]

As we reported last week in the Disneyland Resort Update (link):

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo is expected to announce the next marketing campaign for the Disney Parks on September 29th. 2010 is Disneyland's 55th anniversary, as well as the lead-in year to what is expected to be a major celebration of the 40th anniversary of Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom park, so it seems the company is on the hook for another major promotion.

Just don't expect a repeat of the "Free on your Birthday" campaign, or another million free hats and lanyards. After three years of Disney giving prizes to visitors, it seems that 2010 is the year that you'll be asked to give back... to your community at least. Details are sketchy, but it sounds like Disney fans will be encouraged to get out there and volunteer with a Disney-approved charity, and in the process can earn free park admission or other rewards.

It looks like HGTV jumped the gun a little, and ran one of the commercials for the new promotion last night, ahead of the official announcement. The commercial, which a sharp-eyed Disney fan posted to You Tube last night, stars Miss Piggy and actor Taye Diggs, who are joined by a cast of Muppets. The voice-over narration says "Beginning in January, give a day of service to a participating organization, get a one-day ticket to one of our parks, free," and directs people to visit the Disney Parks Web site for more information.



The promotion is expected to be formally announced during a segment on Good Morning America today, and we'll update with details once we have them.

[Updated 5:30 a.m.]The Disney Parks Web site has been updated with the new promotion (link).

[Update: 5:50 a.m.]A few more details about the offer.

The are three steps to register for and redeem this offer:

Search and Sign Up - Beginning January 1, 2010, search and sign up for a volunteer opportunity from a participating organization.

Volunteer - Complete your service for the volunteer opportunity you selected.

Celebrate - Once your service is verified, receive a certificate to redeem your Disney theme park ticket.

Highlights of the program [The full Program Terms and Conditions are posted on the Disney Web site (link)]

The offer gives you a one-day, one-park ticket once you complete a day of volunteer service with a participating organization.

Volunteers must be 6 years or older; volunteers under 18 years old must be acoompanied by an adult while volunteering.

You must register through the Disney Web site and volunteer with a participating organization to receive the free admission - volunteer service performed outside the promotion does not qualify.

All volunteer opportunities are managed through the HandsOn Network (link). You can search their Web site to get a list of the organizations that are included in their network.

The one-day, one-park admission ticket is non-transferable, and has blockout days, depending on which Resort you plan to visit:

For Walt Disney World Resort: March 29 - April 8 and July 4, 2010

For Disneyland Resort: February 13-14, March 21, June 21-22, July 4, November 21, and December 11-12, 2010.

Theme park ticket must be used by December 15, 2010


As with the Free on your Birthday promotion, visitors who already hold a valid Disney Annual Pass or a multi-day ticket, you can choose from three alternative offers instead of the free admission ticket:

• Disney's Special FASTPASS cards for certain attractions for you and up to 5 additional members of your party.†
• A collectible Ear Hat figurine with exclusive trading pins‡
• Donate your free ticket to a non-profit organization designated by Disney Parks.

Volunteers must have a residence in the United States, Puerto Rico or Canada. Visitors who live outside this area but own a vacation home in the United States (including Disney Vacation Club) can register through the Disney Web site and volunteer in the US to participate in the promotion.

[AVP]

Disney chief Bob Iger and Desperate Housewives stars Teri Hatcher and James Denton join Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy and dozens of volunteers at a Habitat for Humanity construction site in Lynwood, California to formally announce the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" promotion on September 29, 2009.

[Teddi]

This just hit my email:

Birthdays. Anniversaries. Reunions and beyond. Life gives us so many feel-good reasons to celebrate!

Because youre a valued Passholder, we wanted you to know about a very special program beginning in January 2010. One that gives us all one more reason to celebrateand that's the good things we do for each other.

Introducing the Give a Day. Get a Disney Day. program*. Its how we want to inspire one million people just like you to volunteer a day of service to a participating organization in your community. In turn, well celebrate your efforts by giving you a free one-day admission to Disneyland Resort! As a Passholder, you may choose from one of the following three options instead of receiving the 1-day, 1-Park ticket:

* Disney Special FASTPASS cards for certain attractions for you and up to
five additional members of your party
* A collectible Ear Hat figurine with exclusive trading pins
* Donate your free ticket to a non-profit organization designated by Disney Parks.

In the next few months, youre going to be hearing more about all the ways you can help. Whether its helping out with animals or environmental programs, mentoring a child, or building a home for someone who doesnt have one, start thinking about what kind of volunteering youd like to do in your area. Visit disneyparks.com to learn about the "Give a Day. Get a Disney Day." program!

The Give a Day. Get a Disney Day. program. Its something you can truly put your mind, your back and heart into!


*Must pre-register and sign up for eligible volunteer opportunity at disneyparks.com. Ticket quantities for this program are limited. Must be at least age 6 to participate. Other terms and conditions apply. See disneyparks.com for details.

Participating attractions are subject to change. Valid Theme Park admission required. The number of Special FASTPASS cards is limited and may not be available after 11 a.m. All Guests in your party must be present to receive the Special FASTPASS cards.

Available at select locations.

Valid ID and a valid Disneyland multi-day ticket, Annual Pass or Passport along with the certificate will be required at the time of redemption. No cash refunds or credits will be provided to Passholders or multi-day ticket holders who volunteer under the Give a Day. Get a Disney Day. program and choose not to redeem their certificate for a one-day admission ticket or exchange it for one of these three options.

The Muppets Studio, LLC.