Disney Announces free admission on your 2009 birthday

Walt Disney Enterprises has announced that during the year 2009 any person presenting proof of their date of birth will be given free admission to any of their theme parks on that day. While some have greeted the announcement as a grand gesture of Disney magic a closer analysis has revealed that Disney’s research marketing crew have truly gone to task on a study of park visitor demographics.
 
Basically, no one visits Disney world, or Disneyland on their own. They are always in league with an average of three other friends or family members. What Disney’s marketing research has shown is that by offering this particular ploy they may generate an extra visit to the parks from 7% of their tried and true customer base. Disney representatives though reluctant to reveal exact figures expect to cull guests away from competitive attractions especially in the Central Florida Area. Major direct competitors Universal Studios and Sea World have not followed suit by announcing similar programs.
 
Universal has been enjoying better than expected traffic through the start of the 2008 fourth quarter and perhaps has determined that with lower fuel prices putting people back on the road and in the air to Orlando giveaways are no longer needed.