News: 72,000 Football Fans Are Going to Disney

Posted at 1:02 PM EST (1802 GMT)

Jan. 5th, 2005 -- Disney's famous "What's Next" commercial received an extreme makeover today as 72,000 ticket holders at the Fed Ex Orange Bowl National Championship game in Miami shouted "I'm going to Disneyland!" after each of them received a surprise free ticket to any Disney theme park in the world. The largest Disney theme park ticket give-away ever was part of the launch of the biggest celebration in the history of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts -- the "Happiest Celebration on Earth," beginning May 5, 2005.

Football fans in the stadium were delighted when Mickey Mouse made a surprise appearance at the end of the third quarter and personally invited each of them to the global celebration saluting the 50th anniversary of Disneyland Park in California. All 11 Disney theme parks around the world (including Hong Kong Disneyland Park, opening September 12, 2005) will join the celebration.

"This unprecedented ticket giveaway is a unique and innovative way of launching our global celebration during one of the most-watched sporting events of the year," said Jay Rasulo, president, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "We hope that everyone who received a ticket will come home to Disneyland or any of our Parks world-wide during our 50th anniversary celebration."

The commercial's famous tagline of "I'm going to Disneyland!" has become a part of the American vernacular since the "What's Next?" commercials premiered in 1987. Phil Simms, MVP of Super Bowl XXI, was the first person to utter the famous phrase "I'm going to Disneyland!"

Winners can bring their official Fed Ex Orange Bowl 2005 National Championship ticket to any Disney theme park to receive their one-day ticket to visit the park (An original Fed Ex Orange Bowl 2005 National Championship ticket must be presented and marked for redemption for the free ticket). The complimentary ticket is valid from May 5, 2005, through September 30, 2006. For more information and redemption details, visit http://www.disneyland.com/orangebowl.