Legoland Florida

Lego have announced the opening of Legoland Florida on the site of Cypress Gardens in Central Florida.

It will be the largest Legoland to date and will create 1,000 jobs. It is expected to open in late 2011.

Universal U Select

Universal Orlando has announced a new ticket pricing structure called "U Select", in time for the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It follows a similar idea introduced by Walt Disney World in 2005, the Disney "Magic Your Way" ticket system and the idea is to encourage guests to visit the Universal parks for more than just a couple of days.

Free Gift Card

Disney have announced a free Disney Gift Card with a value of up to $750 for selected 5-night/6-day non-discounted vacation packages booked by March 27, 2010 and used by June 3, 2010. There are different 'blackout' dates depending upon resort.

Disney's Year of a Million Dreams

Following on from the success of Disney's Happiest Celebration on Earth which commemorated the 50th anniversary of Disneyland in California, Disney announced the new Year of a Million Dreams celebrations which actually run from October 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007 (a total of 15 months) in both Walt Disney World Florida and Disneyland California.

Disney have also announced a Where Dreams Come True marketing campaign including special sweepstake prize draws and several new attractions which are due to be opened during the festivities

During the Happiest Celebration on Earth, attendance at Disney's Florida parks rose by between 5% and 6.5% and Disney will be hoping to do the same again through 2007 with the new celebrations.

Over a Million Dream Prizes

During the Year of a Million Dreams, Disney will give away over 1,000,000 dreams and prizes ranging in value from a few dollars to tens of thousands of dollars; others will simply be priceless, like spending the night in the Cinderella Castle.

The red carpet up Main Street to celebrate a Year of a Million Dreams

The red carpet up Main Street to celebrate a Year of a Million Dreams
[Copyright Disney Enterprises LLC]

Some dreams and prizes will be handed out randomly by Disney Cast Members to guests anywhere on Disney property, be it in one of the parks, at a resort hotel or in the Downtown Disney area. Others will be awarded through a daily mail-in Disney Dreams Giveaway which runs from September 18, 2006 to December 31, 2007.

Thousands of prizes will be given away each day with the total value estimated at $17.4 million.

To enter the daily mail-in giveaway you must be a resident of the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico or the United Kingdom (see www.disney.com/rules for rules and how to enter).

There are also a series of four Magic of Dreams sweepstakes as part of the Where Dreams Come True campaign. The sweepstake can be entered online when you build your own dream (see destinations.disney.go.com for more details).

The draw for the first sweepstake has already taken place and one lucky family got to have the Magic Kingdom to themselves for a few hours on the morning of October 4, 2006.

The prizes/dreams being handed out in the parks or through the daily giveaway include:

an overnight stay in the new Cinderella Castle Suite at Disney's Magic Kingdom® for up to six family members, including dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table restaurant (starting January 25, 2007)
complimentary accommodation in the new Mickey Mouse Penthouse at the Disneyland® Hotel in California (starting December 1, 2006)
special DREAM FASTPASS® badges to allow you access to the most popular Disney attractions with little or no waiting
a 15 day Grand Marshal World Tour trip to all the 11 Disney theme parks around the world (Florida, California, Paris, Hong Kong and Tokyo)
membership to the Disney Vacation Club through the year 2054 (3 prizes worth $83,701 each)
dinners at Disney restaurants
cruises on the Disney Cruise Line
Adventures by Disney vacation package
a private shopping spree for Disney merchandise
special park after-hour events
a visit to Walt Disney's apartment at Disneyland including a dining experience
Princess or Pirate-themed gift basket
a 4 day/3 night trip for four to the Walt Disney World® Resort
exclusive trading pins and lanyard set
Mickey Ear Hat

Some prizes like the DREAM FASTPASS® badges and special park after-hour events must be used in the park the same day.

If you are unable to use your giveaway prize then you will be offered an alternative prize of equivalent value.

Disney cast members will also be creating special Magical Moments which might include the chance to:

lead the countdown and sprinkling pixie dust to open a Disney park in the morning
join the performers on a float in "Mickey's Jammin' Jungle" parade
sit next to a Disney princess on Cinderella's Golden Carrousel
be the guest of honour in one of the daily park parades
do a celebrity-style handprint ceremony
be Official Wildlife Spotter on a Disney's Animal Kingdom safari
be invited to a gala ball
sit next to a pirate on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride
have a private meeting with a Disney character