"Where Dreams Come True" will be Disney's first-ever initiative that fully integrates and encompasses its entire global portfolio of parks and resorts. It is rooted heavily in consumer insight – gained through two years of extensive research around the world – that reveals a singular view of Disney Parks.

"We have a great history of listening to our guests and through our research they have told us consistently, whether surveyed in London, New York City, Hong Kong, Los Angeles or Paris, that Disney Parks are synonymous with the idea of 'Where Dreams Come True,' " said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "The very notion is core to our DNA – our parks are indeed the places 'Where Dreams Come True.' "

"This initiative is global in reach from a marketing perspective because of the intrinsic power of the idea. After all, everybody has a dream – the notion crosses all cultures, languages and geographies," said Michael Mendenhall, executive vice president, global marketing for Disney Destinations, LLC. "This initiative will speak in one voice to guests around the world and will permeate multiple consumer touch-points, taking our guests' vacation experience to an altogether new level."

The creative elements of the campaign leverage the findings of the consumer research insight that identified Disney Parks as transformational experiences. The series of inspirational video assets being created in to support the event and campaign are designed to evoke an emotional response and convey in magical ways the emotional transformations that happen every day at Disney Parks worldwide.

Disney Parks has tapped a world-class team of creative visionaries to bring this global campaign to life. A team of top advertising talent, including top photographer Gus Butera and famed directors Tarsem and Leslie Dektor, will work in collaboration with agencies Leo Burnett, McGarry-Bowen and Yellow Shoes (Disney Parks' in-house creative team) to implement Disney Parks' first-ever worldwide advertising campaign.

In addition, Disney Parks announced that it has added world-renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz to the creative team. Leibovitz will be creating a celebrity-based campaign that will convey how these experiences transport people from the ordinary to the extraordinary. In addition to photography, Leibovitz will – for the first time ever – use film production.

"This array of talent represents a true 'Dream Team,' " Rasulo said, "and speaks to our excitement and commitment to our 'Where Dreams Come True' initiative."

The unifying theme of "Where Dreams Come True" will be the platform for communications at each Disney Park across the world. And each park will add to the mix messages about events and milestones with special appeal for guests there – whether it is the 15th anniversary of Disneyland Paris Resort, the 25th anniversary of Tokyo Disneyland Resort or the continued introduction of the Disney Park experience to a new region of the world at Hong Kong Disneyland.

In the United States, Disney will launch the "Year of a Million Dreams" celebration on Oct. 1, 2006, at Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Building on the core equity of guest service that sets Disney apart from other brands, cast members at these Disney parks, for this year only, will award a million dreams, both large and small, to guests selected through a random process as part of the "Disney Dreams Giveaway."

Dreams, granted on both coasts, will include an overnight stay in Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort or the Mickey Mouse Penthouse at Disneyland Resort, unique Disney vacation experiences, admission to special parties and theme park experiences, private meetings with favorite Disney characters, or a Golden FASTPASS ticket with unique access entitlements to some of Disney's most popular attractions.