Hannah Montana's Miley Cyrus Celebrates Her Sweet 16 at Disneyland With Friends and Fans

Hannah Montana's Miley Cyrus Celebrates Her Sweet 16 at Disneyland With Friends and Fans

Event Celebrates Youth Volunteers With $1 Million Disney Gift

ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Fireworks will sparkle in the night sky at Disneyland as more than 5,000 party guests sing "Happy Birthday" to Disney star Miley Cyrus tonight at "Miley's Sweet 16 - Share the Celebration," a music-filled bash kicking off Disney's "What Will You Celebrate?" invitation to guests of all ages.

Miley, star of the wildly popular Disney Channel series Hannah Montana, will celebrate her milestone birthday with family, friends, fans and special guests from Youth Service America, an organization that shares her passion for promoting youth volunteerism.

In one of the evening's big highlights, Disney CEO Bob Iger will present a special gift of $1 million to Youth Service America on behalf of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Disney has worked with YSA since 2004, providing "Disney Minnie Grants" to support youth-led community service projects that engage young people between the ages of five to 14 from around the world.

"On behalf of everyone at Disney, I'm happy to wish Miley a very happy birthday and celebrate this special occasion with a donation to Youth Service America," Iger said. "We're delighted to have Miley join in Disney's great legacy of giving back through volunteerism while encouraging kids everywhere to do the same."

Miley will arrive at the Disneyland bash on a purple carpet (her favorite color), joined by pals and her fellow Disney Channel stars.

"I always love coming to Disneyland but celebrating my birthday here with my family, friends and the kids from YSA is really awesome!," Miley said. "This is a night I'll never forget."

Guests of the "Sweet 16" party will celebrate like rock stars alongside Miley and other celebrities who are expected to attend, including actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, actor Steve Carell, super model Cindy Crawford and "Dancing with the Stars" performers such as Cristian De La Fuente. The party will come to life for fans in a big way as the world's most popular teenager rocks the Rivers of America, singing four of her popular songs as well as a duet with her star father Billy Ray Cyrus. The Hollywood Records musical artist will dazzle the crowd by boarding a floating stage to cross over to the banks of the river, getting up close with her fans.

Miley also invited 10 "Service Stars" from Youth Service America to the party to honor their extraordinary volunteer service. They will join Miley and her fans for the fun in Disneyland park, riding favorite attractions such as Splash Mountain and Haunted Mansion, watching a "Stars in Cars" celebrity cavalcade, and playing at the party zones, including Rock Out Stage and Hannah Montana Makeover Zone.

The gala will end with a spectacular farewell in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, featuring Miley, her father Billy Ray and a beautiful birthday cake. Everyone will get to smile for a commemorative photo and sing "Happy Birthday." Just as Miley makes a wish and prepares to blow out the birthday candles, the sky will light up with a glitzy fireworks display set to the Hannah Montana smash hit, "Best of Both Worlds."

Beginning in 2009, guests at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida are invited to bring their own celebrations to life at Disney theme parks. And for the first time ever, anyone who comes to Disneyland or Walt Disney World Resort can get free admission to one of the theme parks on their birthday in 2009. A valid ID and proof of birth date are required. See details at http://www.disneyparks.com/.

Celebrations of all kinds will continue at Disney Parks as Disney makes it easier than ever for guests to plan and take "celebration vacations," a newly identified trend in which families celebrate special milestones by taking a trip together. For more information or to book a Disney "celebration vacation," guests can visit http://www.disneyparks.com/, call 407/W-DISNEY or contact their local travel agent.

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Source: Disneyland

CONTACT: Disneyland Public Relations, +1-714-781-4500

Web site: http://www.disneyland.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Press releases and downloadable photos are at http://www.disneylandnews.com http://www.disneyland.com/podcast

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Profile: International Entertainment