You don't have to be a mindreader to understand that tough economic times may force some families to postpone a long-dreamed of Disney vacation. But before you can say "Abracadabra," the Disney World and Disneyland theme parks have joined with tour operators and airlines to introduce savings that will appeal to all travelers.

Beginning in January, 2009, Disney Parks will offer special perks and programs to families who are celebrating any event during their vacation. Calling it a "newly identified nationwide travel trend called 'celebration vacations'" (as if we haven't seen this before?), the company will ask its guests whether they are marking a birthday, anniversary, reunion, Quinceanera (15th birthday popular with Hispanic families) or any other special occasion, then provide buttons and other nifty tokens to make these guests feel even more special.

More than 200 customizable experiences, ranging from fireworks cruises and sunrise safaris to role-playing in the adorable Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, character dining, and kids' pirate adventures will be made available for an extra fee. Best yet, any guest gets free admission to the parks on his or her birthday, making this an especially good deal for families with twins or even quints.

Keep in mind that 2009 brings some great new attractions and entertainment at Orlando's Walt Disney World, like "Toy Story Mania!" and "Block Party Bash." Your little ones will like "Pixie Hollow" at Magic Kingdom, where guests can meet Tinker Bell and friends from "Fairies," and the new Kim Possible interactive adventure at Epcot. Families out West will enjoy the "American Idol Experience" at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

And how about those travel packages? Here are three deals to Orlando, but seats are limited and some blackout dates apply. Keep in mind that all packages are valid only if purchased by December 20, 2008, and are good for travel from Jan. 4 to April 4, 2009, and April 19 to June 27, 2009.

The basic deal is this: guests who buy a 4N/4D non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Co. Magic Your Way hotel and ticket package will receive 3 extra nights of hotel accommodations and 3 more days added to their theme park tickets for free. As a bonus, guests will also receive a free $200 Disney Gift Card to splurge on merchandise, dining or other Disney fun. Put another way, with this special offer, a family of four can get a 7-night stay at a Disney Value Resort and a 7-day Magic Your Way base ticket for each family member for as little as $1271. Even at peak rates, over Spring Break at the fanciest on site resorts, families with one child ages 10-17, and one child ages 3-9, will pay only $2,611 for their weeklong stay. To book a Walt Disney World vacation package, visit disneyworld.com/get3free or call 407/934-7639 or your local travel agent and ask for package code RWZ.

United Vacations has another option available, also until December 20, 2008, for customers who purchase flights and a 4N vacation package, including 4D Magic Your Way Tickets, to any WDW Resort Hotel. In addition to the 3N free hotel and 3D theme park admission offered by WDW directly (see above), guests will receive a Gift Card worth $300. Per adult rates for a family flying in to Orlando from Chicago, for example, are just $634 for a weeklong vacation at one of their value resorts. You can contact your travel agent if this sounds like a better offer, or go online at unitedvacations.com or call their agents at 888/328-6877 with questions.

But if that doesn't work out for you, in celebration of their own 25th anniversary, Alaska Airlines is promoting a "Magic Your Way" package. This includes round-trip airfare on Alaska Airlines to Orlando, airport transfers, 7N at a select WDW Resort hotel, and 7D admission to all four Walt Disney World theme parks, based on the same pay-for-four and get-three-free offer. For vacations completed by March 29, 2009, travelers also receive a $200 gift card, plus 1,500 bonus miles per person when booking their vacation directly with this airline. For more information, feel free to call Alaska Airlines Vacations at 800/468-2248.

Do you need anything more to celebrate?

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