Any Canadian D23 members attend an event?

[pl'smama]

I was just wondering if any Canadian DISers, who are members of D23, have attended any of the events and expos that have been held this year?

If you have can you tell me how you purchased your tickets to the event? Was the transactions easy to do? Did you have any problems? How did you enjoy the event? Was it worth the ticket price?

Thanks so much for any help.

Suz

[CdnKayDee]

We went to the Expo. We purchased our tickets online. They were emailed to us a few weeks before the event. It was all pretty easy.

We really enjoyed the Expo. All the events exceeded our expectations. We were disappointed in the merchandise but in the end that was pretty minor. The price for the 4 day pass was cheap. It was around $80 and one of the presentations had Nic Cage, the Travolta family, a performance by Miley Cyrus and Johnny Depp. That was worth the 4 day fee for me. The food was rip-off but that was convention centre food. The Expo was really well staffed. If something wasn't working they saw that and fixed it for the next day.

If you have any other questions fire away.

[pl'smama]

Originally Posted by CdnKayDee

We went to the Expo. We purchased our tickets online. They were emailed to us a few weeks before the event. It was all pretty easy.

We really enjoyed the Expo. All the events exceeded our expectations. We were disappointed in the merchandise but in the end that was pretty minor. The price for the 4 day pass was cheap. It was around $80 and one of the presentations had Nic Cage, the Travolta family, a performance by Miley Cyrus and Johnny Depp. That was worth the 4 day fee for me. The food was rip-off but that was convention centre food. The Expo was really well staffed. If something wasn't working they saw that and fixed it for the next day.

If you have any other questions fire away.

Thanks CndKayDee, I appreciate the help. I am thinking of purchasing tickets for the Christmas event at WDW in December. I will never get to attend anything else that is offered and this just happens to coincide with my trip. The cost is big though. Two hundred each and there are two of us, but it is a two day thing at MK and Epcot and includes two meals, the Candlelight Processional with priority seating, dinner at DHS with a time after the park closes on a ride and the MVMCP, with special seating and food. But the draw for me is a tour of the Castle Suite in Cinderella's Castle. That is worth it for me. Oh, park admission is in the price to.

Now to convince my DH it is worth it!!

Happy Thanksgiving, Suz

[CdnKayDee]

That sounds pretty good. I know the price is steep but it does look to include a lot of things. Good luck convincing DH!

Happy thanksgiving to you as well! We are enjoying ours in WDW.

[EricMat]

Originally Posted by pl'smama

I am thinking of purchasing tickets for the Christmas event at WDW in December. I will never get to attend anything else that is offered and this just happens to coincide with my trip.

We are also planning to buy tickets for the D23 "Magic and Merriment" event! I saw a post about that event yesterday and I instantly knew that we had to be there!

Like you, it happens to coincide with our trip (dec 6-15 POFQ). This is a unique opportunity and we couldn't miss it! We were going to buy MVMCP tickets anyway, so for a few (hundred) dollars more, we can visit Cinderella's Castle and participate in many other exclusive activities. Yea I know its expensive but I really think its worth it.

The only problem is that we are not D23 members yet. I hope to be able to buy a membership, automatically get my membership number and place an order for tickets. They will be on sale on Oct 15th. and I expect them to sell out fast.

[Louiepipbgeeco]

After hearing about the EXpo I was already tempted to become a D23 member. Now, hearing about Magic and Merriment sparks it more !!
Here is my primary concern though--I would not ever get to attend any special event due to the school year schedule(which is my work schedule) Is this a valid concern What are some other perks to this membership??

[EricMat]

Originally Posted by Louiepipbgeeco

Here is my primary concern though--I would not ever get to attend any special event due to the school year schedule(which is my work schedule) Is this a valid concern What are some other perks to this membership??

I'm not planning on attending any other D23 event in 2010. If an event happens to take place during the time we will be in WDW, then we will surely attend. If they plan their future events 6 months in advance, we probably could make a special trip to attend... but Magic & Merriment was announced less than 3 months in advance. We already had our resort booked and our dining reservations, so it was pure luck!

Personnally, we don't plan on attending the D23 expo. With the price of flight tickets around here at 475$ per person to get to Orlando and 700$+ to Los Angeles, its just not worth it to us. If the expo would be held at WDW, then we probably could combine a Disney trip with the expo.

Other perks : D23 magazine subscription, exclusive merchandise and an exclusive newsletter... but that's about it. By the way, have you seen the amazing exclusive Giclee they are selling for D23 members? I would REALLY like to hang one in my den!

Eric

[EricMat]

Ok, just a quick update for fellow canadians interested in D23 :
On top of the $74.99 price asked for the membership fees, Disney asks a $24.99 shipping charge!

Wow $25 to ship a certificate, a pin and a magazine, I just couldn't believe my eyes! I'm honestly disappointed with the Disney store shipping fees.

I have been using Magical Journeys (travel agency specialised in Disney vacations) for a few years now and might ask my travel agent to order one for me. Don't know if it'll work.

I also asked James at gamesforcanada.com (US purchasing/mail forwarding service) to give me a price quote on a D23 membership forwarded to Quebec city... we'll see I guess

Eric

[pl'smama]

Hi everyone! Happy belated Thanksgiving and I hope that CndKayDee and her family are having a wonderful time in WDW!!!

Yes, the price for the D23 membership is costly with shipping. The exchange is better now so it might work out better for you. When I bought my membership, with the exchange, I paid about $115.00 Canadian ( I think).

Anyway, the magazine you get is wonderful! It is not like a regular magazine at all. It is a collector type glossy "book" of sorts. Special edition type thing. I love them. They are larger than 8x10 and full of beautiful photos and stories. They are well worth the cost. When I signed up as a charter member I also received this beautiful poster of Mickey. It was created for D23 only. I plan to have it framed. It came with a certificate and is numbered as a limited edition.

EricMat, good luck with getting in on the Christmas deal at the same time you buy a membership. I hope it works for you. Please let me know.

My DD and I are also staying at the POFQ while you are there!!! I think the ticket cost is high, but worth it so I am going to try and purchase them on the 15th.

Good luck everyone, Suz

[pl'smama]

Originally Posted by EricMat

I'm not planning on attending any other D23 event in 2010. If an event happens to take place during the time we will be in WDW, then we will surely attend. If they plan their future events 6 months in advance, we probably could make a special trip to attend... but Magic & Merriment was announced less than 3 months in advance. We already had our resort booked and our dining reservations, so it was pure luck!

Personnally, we don't plan on attending the D23 expo. With the price of flight tickets around here at 475$ per person to get to Orlando and 700$+ to Los Angeles, its just not worth it to us. If the expo would be held at WDW, then we probably could combine a Disney trip with the expo.

Other perks : D23 magazine subscription, exclusive merchandise and an exclusive newsletter... but that's about it. By the way, have you seen the amazing exclusive Giclee they are selling for D23 members? I would REALLY like to hang one in my den!

Eric

That Giglee is amazing Eric!! I will have to see if I have a few hundred lying around with nothing to do with it!!!!

Suz

[EricMat]

Originally Posted by pl'smama

EricMat, good luck with getting in on the Christmas deal at the same time you buy a membership. I hope it works for you. Please let me know.

My DD and I are also staying at the POFQ while you are there!!! I think the ticket cost is high, but worth it so I am going to try and purchase them on the 15th.

Good luck everyone, Suz

Hi Suz,
When you joined D23 and bought your membership, did you immediately receive your membership number? I'm worried... I don't want to buy the membership and learn that I'll have to wait 4 weeks to receive my membership number.

If I can get a confirmation that my membership number would be emailed immediately, I will order my membership directly from the Disney store. Even if my travel agent would accept to place an order for me, she would then have to forward every single magazine and promos sent for me and that would be a huge burden for her! I'll simply pay the 25$ shipping fees...

If my wife learn that I spent an extra $100 US to get those "Magic & Merriment" tickets, I think she's gonna kill me. That's $500 (2x $195 + $100) more than what was budgeted for that visit... oh well!


Eric

[pl'smama]

Originally Posted by EricMat

Hi Suz,
When you joined D23 and bought your membership, did you immediately receive your membership number? I'm worried... I don't want to buy the membership and learn that I'll have to wait 4 weeks to receive my membership number.

If I can get a confirmation that my membership number would be emailed immediately, I will order my membership directly from the Disney store. Even if my travel agent would accept to place an order for me, she would then have to forward every single magazine and promos sent for me and that would be a huge burden for her! I'll simply pay the 25$ shipping fees...

If my wife learn that I spent an extra $100 US to get those "Magic & Merriment" tickets, I think she's gonna kill me. That's $500 (2x $195 + $100) more than what was budgeted for that visit... oh well!


Eric

I know what you mean Eric. I did not budget for this either, but as I told my DH, this is a once in a life time opprotunity. WHen will I ever get to see the Castle suite again and this is a dream for me.

I honestly can't remember when I got the membership number. I ordered this back in February and had just given birth so my memory is a bit hazy!!! Maybe you should see if there is a help number you could call for D23 to see if they can process your membership and the tickets at the same time. I have not looked on the site to see if there is one, but I will try later when my son is asleep.

Let me know what happens, Suz

[EricMat]

Another quick update: I just called the Disney Store and a very friendly agent called Brian told me that D23 can give you your membership number if you call them 15 minutes after placing an order for a membership. He will send me an email as soon as he receives confirmation of this from D23.

So I'll simply place my order online and phone them afterward to get my membership number. I REALLY want to attend that special event! ^^

To be honest, the Cinderella Castle Suite is what convinced me too!

Thank you for your help Suz!

Eric

[pl'smama]

Originally Posted by EricMat

Another quick update: I just called the Disney Store and a very friendly agent called Brian told me that D23 can give you your membership number if you call them 15 minutes after placing an order for a membership. He will send me an email as soon as he receives confirmation of this from D23.

So I'll simply place my order online and phone them afterward to get my membership number. I REALLY want to attend that special event! ^^

To be honest, the Cinderella Castle Suite is what convinced me too!

Thank you for your help Suz!

Eric

That is great news Eric. I checked the D23 site and they have contact information, but I think you were wise to call the store. Just note that the tickets go on sale at 10am PST so maybe get your membership an hour before so you are safe.

I will post on here if (cross your fingers) I got my tickets Thursday and you let me know to, okay???

Good luck, Suz

[EricMat]

Sure, I'll let you know! ^^