D23 Info...New?

[kpadalik]

I don't know if any of this information for D23 has been posted on here yet, but just in case...

I am listening to another podcast that is interviewing Dave Smith, Becky Cline, and Steven Clark (all behind D23 development and management). They were talking about some interesting information about the Disney Archives at first. Now they have moved onto the discussion about D23.

The reg price of the expo ticket is $37 for a 1-day ticket. Discount can be used for up to 4 people. Dates Sept 10-13 at the Anaheim Convention Ctr. The "greatest gathering of all things Disney, ever". Includes screenings of older and new films, keynote speakers (Bob Iger, Jay Rasulo), breaking news (cruise info maybe?), fashion shows, author signings, possibly a wedding (?), more surprises. Website will be up in May.

D23 members will get a discount and early entry as well as a "few other things". And the surprise gift that is being mailed out w/ membership (apparently, they are already in the mail for those that bought into the membership) is "not a pin. It's better than a pin, and bigger."

They said they also took into consideration Disney fan websites when developing D23. They looked at the history of the Magic Kingdom club and the Disney Movie Rewards and realized that Disney fans wanted something "all encompassing of every aspect of the Disney company".

Content of D23 magazine includes:
"Where in Disney?" - zoomed in picture of something in Disney
"Walk w/ Walt" - history of parks/Disney
Society pages/pictures
"Making Magic" - craft section
"Photo Files" - top 100 favorite pictures selected from the Disney photo library...5 pics per issue
Comics
Feature stories - tour of Pixar animation studios, Broadway Little Mermaid, Cinderella's suite, Annie Leibowitz ("one of the first publications to publish the new picture w/ Efron/Hudgens" - wasn't this in USA Today already and all over the internet?, Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland Behind the Scenes of the movie
Recipes, Restaurant Features
Archive Stories - very little known things about archived Disney items
No ads in the magazine (maybe why so expensive?)
Lack of room in the magazine, so a lot of the articles/pictures are expanded and more detailed on the website

It sounded to me like a lot of the events (screenings, speakers, etc) that they were talking about were being planned or are happening in Anaheim. Didn't really mention anything about Orlando except looking at offering a couple of events in WDW. Expo will be in Anaheim for the first few years and then will think about looking at Orlando/international locales for the expo. Absolutely will have D23 exclusive meets and opportunities in the parks.

The podcast talked about some of the comments that the online communities have made regarding D23. Responses to comments - The special events and the merchandise are a "perk" of the membership. The magazine is what is really important as the membership. The certificate is really beautiful. "Those that can actually attend the expo" get some great perks as well. D23 is all really focused on Disney Archives. They said that "Of course it's a little bit of marketing", but there is really a lot of information about Disney that people will learn about.

They didn't talk about any of the negative comments they have received (of course). They sounded very upbeat, hopeful about the reception of D23.

All in all, it was an interesting podcast! BTW, sorry if this post is a bit scattered, but I was typing as I was listening to the podcast.

 

[Cyrano]

Have you read this board and listened to the DISUnplugged podcast

 

[mjmoon]

I have to say I'm excited about D23! I was somewhat surprised to read how critical so many people are of it... but I hadn't heard about it before last week so when I did read about it I had no previous expectations.

Is it pricey? Yes. Is it worth the price? Time will tell.

I think getting in on something Disney in its charter year has a lot of collectors value right out of the gate.. especially if 50 years from now the club has grown into something really special.

Maybe I'm wrong.. but I think $75 for Disney memorabilia is a drop in the bucket compared to the amount of money our family spends on Disney.

JMO

 

[elemusing]

Cyrano, there was alot of talk about D23 on here and the podcast - but some of that info that the OP posted was new news that wasn't mentioned on here.

Thanks for posting it!

 

[kpadalik]

Have you read this board and listened to the DISUnplugged podcast

Ummm, yes.

 

[kpadalik]

Cyrano, there was alot of talk about D23 on here and the podcast - but some of that info that the OP posted was new news that wasn't mentioned on here.

Thanks for posting it!

Your welcome! And thank you for showing your appreciation!

 

[UGAFan0829]

I myself am excited about D23. In fact, I just joined today and am syked about getting everything.

I also appreciated the OP for posting the info on the Podcast...It was definitely very interesting to read and made me even more excited!

 

[MouseGuest]

Hmm, what podcast could you be refering to?

http://mouseguest.com/podcast/index.php

Thanks for listening!

 

[LeesyUD]

Hmm, what podcast could you be refering to?

http://mouseguest.com/podcast/index.php

Thanks for listening!

Please do not take this as being rude, however, isn't it poor business etiquette to promote your Disney podcast on another podcast board? I do not mind if listeners discuss other podcasts so much, but I find it in poor taste to post a link to your site. Also I would be more aware of what you post as it may be deemed as advertising and removed anyway. Again not trying to be rude, but I just felt that is inappropriate.

 

[MouseGuest]

Please do not take this as being rude, however, isn't it poor business etiquette to promote your Disney podcast on another podcast board? I do not mind if listeners discuss other podcasts so much, but I find it in poor taste to post a link to your site. Also I would be more aware of what you post as it may be deemed as advertising and removed anyway. Again not trying to be rude, but I just felt that is inappropriate.

I wasn't trying to be disrespectful or "in poor taste". I know on our forums we welcome other podcasters and webmasters to discuss their Disney-related materials, as long as it is family friendly. We are all Disney fans, and, IMO, the more Disney outlets there, the merrier.

If anyone for DIS Unplugged were to visit our forums, I think they would find a welcome spot from admins and guests. I would hope this site wouldn't be any different. After all, if Disney fans can't get along and "play nice"...who can?

 

[wdwowner]

Eric, that was a great interview you did with the D23 team.
Thanks.

 

[noladave]

as a big fan of all things Disney, they just missed the boat on this one.

No way in the world am I (or DW, DS, DD) going to join something that costs $75 per year. On top of that, not frequent rewards type program.

It's a good thing that Disney has about 100 million people within 12 hours driving distance of Orlando, or they would be out of business. They are just terrible with their business practices, and do not care anything about their most loyal customers. Add in the horrible web site, the craziness of trying to get ADR's, and the absolute insanity of trying to find out REAL information!!! Are you kidding me??? OY!

 

[WebmasterPete]

Please do not take this as being rude, however, isn't it poor business etiquette to promote your Disney podcast on another podcast board? I do not mind if listeners discuss other podcasts so much, but I find it in poor taste to post a link to your site. Also I would be more aware of what you post as it may be deemed as advertising and removed anyway. Again not trying to be rude, but I just felt that is inappropriate.

It's all good. I'm happy to welcome some our other Disney podcast friends over here to say hello!

Pete

 

[grizbuzz]

Thanks for sharing that podcast. It provided another perspective on D23 and was very interesting. Still not ready to join, but definitely interested to read all the info on the D23 website and the expo sounds interesting. Great interview.

 

[MouseGuest]

It's all good. I'm happy to welcome some our other Disney podcast friends over here to say hello!

Pete

Thank you, Pete. Open invite to our show anytime you have anything to promote. Keep up the good work yourself!

And RichO and grizz, thanks!

 

[mainegal]

I heard the Dis Unplugged's mostly negative take on D23 first, with Pete's always informative and entertaining rant. I understand he was looking for a loyalty program and that is not what is offered.

Yesterday I listened to Lou Mongello's show, as always and expected, it was upbeat and positive about D23.

Mouse Guest Weekly is my show to listen to today. I look forward to hearing their opinion.

Much as I'd like to visit WDW often, I do not go often enough to be the target or a loyalty program. Wish I could be! However, I think there should be one.

The general Disney company history and information does appeal to me. But I am not ready to part with $75.00. Maybe I will reconsider when I hear what the "gift" is.

I wonder how many people did sign up in the first week after the announcement.

 

[Matt@WDWR]

I have been complaining about this thing since it started. However, I am more accepting of what it is now up to a point.

I keep hearing people on rose-tinted podcasts and forums that we should be happy with the magazine and the awesome stuff that will be on the D23 website. However, is any of that stuff actually exclusive?

You can buy the magazine elsewhere. You can see the website if you arent a member. So frankly, what is the point of joining besides "exclusive merchandise". If I am wrong, please let me know!

 

[MouseGuest]

You can buy the magazine elsewhere. You can see the website if you arent a member. So frankly, what is the point of joining besides "exclusive merchandise". If I am wrong, please let me know!

There will be exclusive experiences for members in the parks. Also, if you plan on buying the magazine anyway, it is only $11 difference to be a member and get the gift (which is not a pin). (Perhaps even less than $11 when you factor tax & time into the cost of buying the magazine off the shelf.

And, if you plan on buying th emagazine and hitting the Expo, it only makes sense to join.

And what about if you don't have $75? Then don't join. If you can't afford it, don't spend it. (Hmm, almost sounds like how our economy got to where it is now, huh?) But I think it is great that D23 has the site for free for everyone to enjoy, and that someone can buy the magazine off the rack if that is more affordable. D23 is not exclusive...it is inclusive. It all just depends on how much $$ you want to invest in it.

 

[LeesyUD]

I wasn't trying to be disrespectful or "in poor taste". I know on our forums we welcome other podcasters and webmasters to discuss their Disney-related materials, as long as it is family friendly. We are all Disney fans, and, IMO, the more Disney outlets there, the merrier.

If anyone for DIS Unplugged were to visit our forums, I think they would find a welcome spot from admins and guests. I would hope this site wouldn't be any different. After all, if Disney fans can't get along and "play nice"...who can?

Oh I agree, the more the merrier. I would never say someone is not welcome. I was concerned with the post itself. I think the post may have come off differently then intended. But then again maybe it is just me...not trying to stir the pot. But regardless, I am a fan to all things Disney and the more Disney info and perspectives out there the better. If we didn't have different perspectives on things, this would be a boring world to live in!

Anyway, do not want to interfere with the thread and wanted to put my two cents in to D23.

I have been back and forth on D23. I like the idea of the magazines and they actually interest me very much because I love all the history with Walt and such. However, I feel that $75/year is alot when you do not get much else right now, and do think that $16 is alot for a "magazine". They really should have labeled it as something other than a "magazine" if it is as high quality as they say. I think that makes it harder to want to spend $16 on each for alot of people. Also I just have an issue with them calling it the "Fan Community" because they really are not catering to what Disney fans really want which is to be rewarded for all the time and money they put into being a Disney fan. Unless they are going to include other things that would appeal to the fans that go to the parks every year and save all their money to do these things, I do not think they should advertise this as a Fan Club. I just think the marketing was very poor on this. They should really call it the "Disney Collector's Club" IMO. But I guess we will see what happens. Who knows I may get impulsive and want to join just for the magazine and to see what else develops.

 

[Matt@WDWR]

There will be exclusive experiences for members in the parks. Also, if you plan on buying the magazine anyway, it is only $11 difference to be a member and get the gift (which is not a pin). (Perhaps even less than $11 when you factor tax & time into the cost of buying the magazine off the shelf.

And, if you plan on buying th emagazine and hitting the Expo, it only makes sense to join.

And what about if you don't have $75? Then don't join. If you can't afford it, don't spend it. (Hmm, almost sounds like how our economy got to where it is now, huh?) But I think it is great that D23 has the site for free for everyone to enjoy, and that someone can buy the magazine off the rack if that is more affordable. D23 is not exclusive...it is inclusive. It all just depends on how much $$ you want to invest in it.

I bought in because I can waste 75 bucks and it not affect me that much. But let me go through your comments. The magazine is beautiful yet overpriced. No magazine normally costs 15 bucks each. The expo only gives a $7 savings. I have heard straight from the Disney geeks running D23 that the main point is the CONTENT on the website. So I ask again, what's the freakin' point about it being exclusive when it isn't? So I'm paying 75 up front for an overpriced magazine and the privilege of saving 7 dollars off an Expo that takes place in Anaheim? Woo hoo sign me up. haha

And your quote that I have put in bold is just hilarious. How can you honestly say that with a straight face? That's about as obvious a contradiction that I have seen written about D23.