D23 "Gift"

[Disneybridein2k3]

I just got my lithograph yesterday. It is BEAUTIFUL! The pic posted does not do it justice.For me, this alone was worth the cost of membership. Even DH agrees. Very high quality. The magazine is gorgeous also. So far, after receiving the lithograph, first magazine, and certificate, I feel that the cost has been more than worth it!

For those calling it a rip-off, remember, value is subjective. As an example, a friend of mine loves going to a local steak house where she and her husband normally spend about $80 per person on a single meal with drinks. They find value in the quality of their food and the dining experience. Personally, I could never bring myself to pay that much for a single meal, but for them, it is worth it. I would never dream of telling them that they were getting ripped off...not only would it be incorrect considering the value they place on the experience, it would frankly be rude. Just something to consider...

This is a good point and I'm glad you find value in the litho. I think D23 is something that many of us will all just have to agree to disagree on. Some, like yourself, have found value in it. Others were really hoping D23 was going to be a TRUE rewards program and no matter what the surprise gift was, it WASN'T a rewards program which has left many of us with a bad taste in our mouth. Again, D23 is like Kevin's dining reviews - finding value in the $75 price tag is purely subjective. Everyone is entited to their opinion (but Kevin is right - oops! that is my opinion!)

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

I failed to throw in my 2 cents, silly me Regarding the whole D23, the way I see it, there are 3 camps. There are people who are over the top in love with it (see the Lou thread), there are people who have joined the facebook D64 (selfish plug for thread - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2125838 - I'm a member but not the president
and there are the middle of the road people. I think many of the people on this board fall in this last group. We are ticked off that we have to pay $75 to be a FAN of Disney who we spend countless hours pouring over websites and books, not to mention iphone apps learning about Disney, planning our trips, scrapbooking our last trips, and talking to others about our love of ALL things Disney. And now we have to pay a stinkin' fee to JOIN a CLUB which many of us grudgingly do because we the magazine DOES have the name DISNEY at the top of it, right? So we do the math because we are intellegent Disney fans (duh!) and we come to the conclusion that the subscription is really only $11 less than the membership so we may as well join, right? Plus, you do get the really cool card and free gift, and who knows, there might be other things down the road, right??? Anyway, you get my point. The middle of the road people are joining not because they find great VALUE in the club - I think most people are a little pissy about it having to pay $75 for it, particulary in this economy. I think we have the idea that a true fan would have any first edition so it's my guess that if they don't revamp the program and make it something much more worthwhile next year, the middle of the road people (a guess, but I'm thinking the majority?) won't be back. Again, just my 2 cents.

 

[lugnut33]

That seems like a reasonable and nice "gift" for you subscription. I have not joined, but I'm also not going to rip on it. If you like it, then be happy and don't worry about what others say.

Just as a reference, the large ride and character lithographs at the Art of Disney cost $35 on paper. So, that lithograph you're getting is a pretty good value considering the size of it.

 

[LilGMom]

I must be in the minority because I think it looks nice. I have a wrought iron Mickey Mouse frame (was a mirror until the postal service broke it) sitting unused in the closet that I'm hoping will be the right size for it.