D23 Membership Perks

[Dinardo]

Hi All!

I was wondering if anyone could tell me the perks to joining D23. Are there any different discounts associated with D23 Membership as opposed to the discounts and pin codes I am receiving without membership?

Either way, we are probably going to sign up. I was just wondering if there were any special incentives that aren't mentioned.

Thanks all,

Dinardo

 

[stphnbogert]

The only reason why I haven't signed up with D23 is most of their events are in Anaheim...and with my private jet in the shop I can't make it. =/

But I don't believe you get discounts with D23 or any really special perks other than the Special Events and you get discounted tickets on the D23 Convention (in anaheim)

 

[Dinardo]

Your response was exactly what I thought - I don't live anywhere near Anaheim, so I am not sure that a membership would do us any good.

I guess I will continue to express my fandom with annual visits to Walt Disney World instead.

Thanks for the quick response!

 

[stphnbogert]

You're welcome. I'm on here 24/7. Lol. I'm a homemaker so I'm bored 24/7. Haha.

I know WDW is doing a scavenger hunt later this year but thats all I heard event-wise in WDW. I think within the next couple years it'll be worth buying. Everything is happening in Disneyland so all the events must take place there.

 

[MKCP 1985]

Walt Disney World perks for D23 membership in 2011 will include the following events that are only open to D23 members:

May 12-13: D23's Great Disney Scavenger Hunt: Walt Disney World
In spring 2011, for the first time in the 40-year history of Walt Disney World, guests will have the chance to scour all four Florida theme parks to win incredible prizes in this official Disney scavenger hunt. Each team will consist of 2-4 participants, and additional rules and registration information will be available soon at the D23 Web site.

May 14-15: Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th
Following the rave reviews of Destination D: Disneyland '55, this event will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Orlando resort, commemorating its history and heritage. Panels will include all-new presentations that build upon the successful panels at the Anaheim event, including:

* "Walt Disney World: The Way We Were," hosted by Disney Legend Dave Smith
* "Weird Disney World" with Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline
* "Walt Disney World Through the Eye of Television"
* A special evening event featuring musical memories from throughout the history of Walt Disney World

Other panels, featured speakers and details will be announced soon on the D23 Web site.

October 14-15: Sip & Stroll at Epcot in Orlando
As part the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, D23 is once again hosting their annual Sip & Stroll event exclusive to D23 Members. More details will be announced in 2011.

December 17-18: Magic and Merriment at Walt Disney World in Orlando
D23 brings back its annual holiday tradition celebrating the spirit of the season, exclusive for D23 Members. More details will be announced in 2011.

D23 Members receive advance notification of all special events through D23's biweekly FanFare email, and all events are offered on a space-available basis.

- - -

One of the criticisms of D23 events is the limitation on attendance based on space available. Sometimes you can't get a ticket even if you are able to make a special trip because they sell out so fast.

I have gotten a ticket to one event - a promotion of the Hawaiian time share, and then I had to cancel at the last minute. I felt terrible because I cost someone else a spot as that event was sold out.

D23 is not a discount club like the Magic Kingdom club once was, but it is an organization which, through membership, you MAY be able to gain access to events not otherwise available to the general public.

It isn't for everybody, but I have enjoyed my 2 years and just renewed for a third.

 

[TP2000]

Your response was exactly what I thought - I don't live anywhere near Anaheim, so I am not sure that a membership would do us any good.

I live about 20 minutes from Disneyland, and I've often wondered why anyone living outside of SoCal would bother with a D23 membership. (Although the magazine is very slick and very interesting.)

D23 sure keeps the members jumping here in SoCal with an endless series of events and symposiums and parties and gimmicks. But if you live more than 2 hours drive from Disneyland or the Disney Studios in Burbank? Why bother with D23?

The huge D23 Expo is this August in Anaheim, and it promises to be just as exciting as the first one in 2009. But again, you don't need to be a D23 member to go to the Expo, you just get a discount on tickets to get in.

 

[Tigger1988]

Save your money.

 

[Monty]

I live about 20 minutes from Disneyland, and I've often wondered why anyone living outside of SoCal would bother with a D23 membership. (Although the magazine is very slick and very interesting.)

D23 sure keeps the members jumping here in SoCal with an endless series of events and symposiums and parties and gimmicks. But if you live more than 2 hours drive from Disneyland or the Disney Studios in Burbank? Why bother with D23?

The huge D23 Expo is this August in Anaheim, and it promises to be just as exciting as the first one in 2009. But again, you don't need to be a D23 member to go to the Expo, you just get a discount on tickets to get in.

I'm a member primarily for the magazine [we have no Barnes & Noble in Canada]. I've been to one event at WDW and bought a bunch of D23-exclusive merchandise. I've found it worth it for me.

 

[MKCP 1985]

The huge D23 Expo is this August in Anaheim, and it promises to be just as exciting as the first one in 2009. But again, you don't need to be a D23 member to go to the Expo, you just get a discount on tickets to get in.

No, you don't need to be a D23 member to go to the Expo, but if you are a charter member of D23 and you go to the expo, you get more than a discount and it is something not available to the public.

If you are a member of D23 and are not a charter member, you still have the opportunity to get more than a discount and something not available to the general public if you elect to attend the expo.

 

[ABigBrassBand]

I'd say it's worth it just for the merch, magazines, and little gifts you get--and that's coming from someone who hasn't been subscribed for too long.

 

[TP2000]

If you are a member of D23 and are not a charter member, you still have the opportunity to get more than a discount and something not available to the general public if you elect to attend the expo.

What is the secret "something" available only to D23 members at the D23 Expo? The early admission on to the exhibit floor in the mornings? (I'm not a morning person, regardless.) Or is it a D23 "lounge" with couches and free cans of Coke? Maybe a D23 secret decoder ring? A personal meet n' greet with Tommy Kirk? The mind boggles!

 

[MKCP 1985]

What is the secret "something" available only to D23 members at the D23 Expo? The early admission on to the exhibit floor in the mornings? (I'm not a morning person, regardless.) Or is it a D23 "lounge" with couches and free cans of Coke? Maybe a D23 secret decoder ring? A personal meet n' greet with Tommy Kirk? The mind boggles!

:lol: Your bias against D23 is evident, and that's fine, but this is a thread where a person starts out asking for factual information about member benefits only to see the thread turn into another "is it worth it" discussion among the same crowd that jumps into every D23 thread. :lol: (myself included )

Early admission to the Expo each day, available to all D23 members seems to be a worthwhile perk to people who stay on site at Disney resorts and plan to visit Disney parks, so I don't see why it should be summarily dismissed when it is discussed as a benefit relative to the D23 Expo. :shrug:

Likewise, there are many people who think it cool to have access to a members only lounge whether it be Club 55 at Disneyland, a sponsor lounge at an Epcot pavilion, or in this case, a Charter Members only lounge at the D23 expo. And although you have already dismissed it as nothing more than probably "couches and free cans of coke," if we are discussing factually what is included with membership, it is untrue to say D23 members get nothing at the D23 Expo other than a discount on the admission price.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

I'll chime in --

There are no benefits to you as far as "discounts" or "saving money" if you are not in Anaheim (and to some degree in Orlando)...

You do get the privilege of advance tickets to the events listed in the thread above. You get the privilege of buying D23 branded merchandise at full cost. You get a free item with each copy of the magazine. None of these "free items" have any financial worth -- they are reproductions of things like Disney Christmas cards, or original movie cards. You can usually find all of these things yourself in Disney books and eBay. A lot of members immediately eBay their reproduction little gifts on eBay for 10 or 20 bucks if there is one that you particularly want. The year I was a member I threw them all out, but read each copy of the magazine cover to cover.

I bought one D23 baseball cap. It was 24.99 with 9.99 tacked on as "standard shipping".

The magazine is available at Barnes and Noble. Buy it there. Back issues are available on eBay, often as cheap as 99 cents if you bid right.

Those are the perks. No, I did not renew. I don't recommend it for anyone outside of Anaheim that actually would attend those Disney events.

 

[maelstrom]

You get a free item with each copy of the magazine. None of these "free items" have any financial worth -- they are reproductions of things like Disney Christmas cards, or original movie cards. You can usually find all of these things yourself in Disney books and eBay.

The Tron mousepad and EPCOT Center patch definitely fall outside of this realm.

I only joined D23 because I was going to be in Anaheim at the time that the Destination D event was taking place and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to see my idols in person. Prior to this, I had opted not to join D23 as I didn't think it was worth it. I still don't think it is, unless you're going to be in Anaheim or Orlando when an event is taking place.

I enjoy my D23 merch, tho. I have a hoodie, a couple of pins from Disneyland, the free Tron mousepad, and the entire set of EPCOT Center patches (purchased at Destination D).

 

[harryk]

Great!
December 17-18: Magic and Merriment at Walt Disney World in Orlando
D23 brings back its annual holiday tradition celebrating the spirit of the season, exclusive for D23 Members. More details will be announced in 2011.

I'll be there from the 8th to 15th.

So I still won't be able to attend a D-23 event.

 

[billybastion]

Save your money.

Totally agree with this.

If you don't live in Anaheim or Orlando, there's very little reason to pay the high membership fee.

Personally, I think the magazine has declined over the course of it's short life time. It started off with great behind the scenes insight and history, and while it still offers some of that, too large of a portion of the magazine is dedicated to lengthy articles that are just advertisements for whatever movie, tv show or product is coming out that quarter.

 

[MKCP 1985]

Totally agree with this.

If you don't live in Anaheim or Orlando, there's very little reason to pay the high membership fee.

Personally, I think the magazine has declined over the course of it's short life time. It started off with great behind the scenes insight and history, and while it still offers some of that, too large of a portion of the magazine is dedicated to lengthy articles that are just advertisements for whatever movie, tv show or product is coming out that quarter.

Don't you think the advance press on Snow White, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, etc. was viewed the same way in its time? The point of the way these magazines are printed is such to make them collectibles and not something for the recycle bin. If my children should one day share my interest in Walt Disney the man and the Walt Disney Company, I will bet the "Tangled" issue from the fall of 2010 will be a treasure, while right now it appears as you say - an advertisement.

 

[EpcotServo]

Basically the "main perk" is that you get the magazine, but since "silver level" membership is still $40-50, proves that the Magazine is really only about worth $20-30 and the majority is just so you can call yourself D23, but no matter what, is NOT, I repeat, NOT just so you can feel better than other people. It's forty bucks for MAXIMUM not that. I only guess that the $40 cost then is for invisible member's club jackets, or $40 worth of BLT sammichs shipped to Saudi Arabia. You get what you pay for, which in this case, seems to be whatever you think a letter and two-digit number means to you.

 

[MKCP 1985]

Basically the "main perk" is that you get the magazine, but since "silver level" membership is still $40-50, proves that the Magazine is really only about worth $20-30 and the majority is just so you can call yourself D23, but no matter what, is NOT, I repeat, NOT just so you can feel better than other people. It's forty bucks for MAXIMUM not that. I only guess that the $40 cost then is for invisible member's club jackets, or $40 worth of BLT sammichs shipped to Saudi Arabia. You get what you pay for, which in this case, seems to be whatever you think a letter and two-digit number means to you.

:ROFLOL: Not certain about the value of a silver level membership, either. :ROFLOL:

Okay, this is absolutely my last post in this thread. I am not paid by Disney to shill for D23 :lol: