Miley Cyrus Closes Disneyland For 16th Birthday Party

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Miley Cyrus' 16th birthday party was more boisterous than sweet.

Cyrus celebrated the hallmark birthday at an over-the-top Disneyland celebration Sunday _ even though she doesn't actually turn 16 until Nov. 23. The theme park was closed for the supersized soiree, which included a four-song performance by the teen queen and a fireworks display above Sleeping Beauty Castle and 16 giant inflatable candles.

"Miley is really hard to surprise," her father Billy Ray Cyrus said at the event.

Organizers estimated over 5,000 people attended the special party, which cost $250 a ticket. On the event's purple carpet _ that's Cyrus' favorite color _ the star of the Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana" bragged that her parents bought her a new puppy for her birthday. What else does Cyrus want for her birthday? A new car? Perhaps a later curfew?

"My parents shut down Disneyland for me, so I'm good for a while," Cyrus said.

Cyrus' father opened up for his daughter with a few of his own songs, including "Achy Breaky Heart." His daughter donned a white ruffled skirt and jersey-like vest with "Sweet 16" printed on the back for her truncated concert. At one point, Cyrus boarded a boat in the park's Rivers of America and crooned such tunes as "Breakout" and "G.N.O."

Throughout the evening, several popular attractions, such as Big Thunder Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean, remained open to partygoers. Additional activities, like receiving a "Hannah Montana" makeover and playing the upcoming Disney Interactive Studios rhythm video game "Ultimate Band," were also made available to attendees.

Partygoers ogled celebrities roaming around the park throughout the party. David Archuleta and his entourage skipped the line to ride Space Mountain. Jennie Garth and her family ducked out before the fireworks display capping the celebration. Other stars in attendance included Steve Carell, Cindy Crawford, Tyra Banks, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Heather Locklear and Demi Lovato.

Disney used the event to promote their upcoming "What Will You Celebrate?" marketing initiative, which encourages tourists to take "celebration vacations" with their families. Beginning in 2009, guests at Disneyland and Walt Disney World in Florida can gain free theme park admission on their birthday with a valid ID and proof of birth date.

Over at Disney's California Adventure, Disneyland's sister theme park, an entirely different celebration was occurring during the Sweet 16 event: the 11th annual Gay Days Anaheim, an unofficial gathering of gays and lesbians at the Disneyland Resort. Event producer Jeffrey Epstein said Cyrus' affair didn't conflict with Gay Days Anaheim.

"We're happy to share our big weekend with Miley," said Epstein. "While it may be a small world after all, we think it's big enough for both groups to have a blast."

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On the Net:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com

Comments

[momoftween]

The REAL STORY-I was there. OK I admit I was stupid to get caught up in the Miley-Mania. I have a daughter. I bought two tickets to the Disney taping of Miley Cirus 16th birthday Party. Disney is trying to sell it as a "charity" birthday party. It was a TV production.
When I purchased the tickets I did not know the purpose of the "event" was to tape it for broadcast. I paid for the "privilege" of being an "extra" in the production. We were herded like cattle to roped-off designated areas so there would be plenty of people in the background of all their shots. It was very crowded and the park was off-limits during the 1st event which was the parade. We had no choice, we had to stay in the roped-off area. We could not do anything but stand around for about 90 minuted while they taped the first segment of their TV show.
After the taping of the parade, we could wander around the park,not all the rides were open. The folks from the charity had the best seats-in roped off areas. The rest of us (suckers that paid $250 per ticket) had to try and find a place to stand to watch the next segment which was the concert. A gazillion Disney employees with lighted wands-were waving them at you to move along. The MC blabbed non-stop about Disney projects...it was a non-stop commercial.

[pbfishtaco]

Channeling Britney Spears, channeling Britney Spears!!
Ugh, corporate selling.
I used to like Disneyland, but have had enough of their overmarketing.

[Mainer36]

C'mon people, Ms. Cyrus needs this venue! It is the only place big enough to fit her ego.

[hypnotoad72]

You know, as much as I think they're narcissistic for ensuring the media knows every subatomic-sized thing they do, at least the couple known as "Brangelina" actually donate to lots of humanitarian causes lots of money. They are far, far, FAR more human than this p o m p o u s girl who likes to pose with daddy in pictures for what surely can't be NAMGLA (where men "love" girls instead of boys), I hope... those poses were pretty creepy too.

[SmootyBooty]

so regular tourists were shut out again? Disney =Bush=McSame...

stop spending your $ on the mouse America...

[LiberalBuzz]

"My parents shut down Disneyland for me so I'm good for a while"

What a little beyotch. Can you spell S-T-U-C-K U-P Miley?

Nothing like an "invitation" to your little party where you charge your "guests" TWO HUNDRED FIFTY BUCKS.

Nothing but contempt at this point.

IF she had picked up the tab herself I'd have a ton of respect for her but........Loser.

[Ozohead]

They made her work at her own birthday party lol

[robinsf]

I wish the media would stop mischaracterizing these profit ventures that celebs do as private parties "thrown" by the celeb. A sales pitch, no matter how exclusively marketed, to BUY a ticket to an event is not an invitation, it is a sales pitch. Her parents did not close down Disneyland for her, Disney sold tickets and marketed it for a promo campaign. People paid for the privilege of being her "guest".

I would be appalled if any guest of mine was invited to a party and was charged for it. If I pulled such a stunt, my mother would slap me, twice.

[JScott]

Yup it's not 'exclusive' or prestigious as you might think, large employers often have their 'night' as Disneyland-Hughes, Lockheed, County government etc. have em all the time, in fact several of those named often have it on the same night and even have 'grad nite' and prom nite promotions all the time not to mention (too widely) glbt nights, churchy folks nights as well. Bottom line, it's marketing and making MONEY!!

[Krackonis]

That the difrerence between and event and a party. One you pay for.

[Wim1974]

It still amazes me how some parents can see their children as walking dollarbills.

[tlgeiger62]

The Cyrus family is a great example of wealth out of control. How long before Miley goes down the path Jaime Lynn and Brittany went down? Not long I suspect. When she mentioned many months ago that Hannah Montana may have run its course, she was called on the carpet by Disney and has since said she's ready to grow old playing the character. I guess money DOES talk.