President's turkey 'won't go to Disneyland'

Disneyland has announced that it will no longer invite the Thanksgiving turkey pardoned each year by the US president to the California resort.

After John F. Kennedy famously spared a turkey sent to him in 1963, the president saves one turkey from its intended fate as Thanksgiving dinner. The tradition was reportedly formalised by George Bush Snr. 20 years ago.

The pardoned turkey has been included in the Disneyland annual show every year since 2005, AFP reports.

Spokeswoman Donna Fisk said: "Originally we brought the turkey here during the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, as maybe a one-time thing tying into our anniversary, and calling it the happiest turkey on earth.

"We did it for five years, and the decision [to stop] was mostly based on bringing new and different programmes to our guests."

A White House statement confirmed the new plans, stating: "After the pardoning, the turkeys will be driven to George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens.

"After the holidays, the National Thanksgiving Turkey and its alternate will live in a custom-made enclosure at Mount Vernon's nationally recognised livestock facility."