D23 - is it just me?!

[CaliforniaDreamer]

"Individual issues of Disney twenty-three retail for $15.95 and are available exclusively at all U.S. Barnes & Noble booksellers, all domestic Disney Stores, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, and Disneyshopping.com."

So with tax, the journals will cost around $69 anyway. So that leaves $6 you're paying for the gift that they said is not a pin and is on the "substantial" side, the certificate, and the discounts for Expo. Additional is the "Up" screening and future events. Not clear if the access to all the archival Disney info that is being put on the website is free to all -- I think some may be member-only access.

They are going to put Expo at DL for the first four years, btw.

$6 for all that. And, for those who jumped on it, the ability to buy launch T-shirts with the date printed on it. As I said, those were sold out in L and XL last night. Now that the actual launch day shirts are over, you can order in any size.

I understand that the guys at the top of the fan websites had different expectations and are disappointed. They have a lot at stake. But I didn't have any expectations and this is just a hobby to me. I'll re-evaluate next year to see if it's worth it to continue. But either way, it's more pieces of Disney history.

 

[Mike_M]

I think it is a complete waste of $$. But, like someone posted, I am not their target audience I guess. We are AP holders and go to the parks about 4 times a year, but not into collectibles. I was so hoping it would have some park benefits/perks with it also, and then we would have considered joining. Oh well.

I'm with you there. It seems to be aimed more at fans of Disney animation than fans of Disney theme parks. If they had more park related exclusives, then I would have been more interested.

 

[nunzia]

<<<"Individual issues of Disney twenty-three retail for $15.95 and are available exclusively at all U.S. Barnes & Noble booksellers, all domestic Disney Stores, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, and Disneyshopping.com.">>>

Ahh..so Hastings won't be getting it..Darn our measly buying power! Glad I joined and looking forward to seeing what they will make of it.

 

[austinosphere]

I was really disappointed because I thought D23 was going to be a rocketship that would take me to Mars and we'd create a new Utopia and I would be the leader.

It's hard to please all of the people all of the time. I thought it was pretty cool how it is. I'm sure there will be many offers to D23 members of all sorts, over time.

 

[bonrea]

I am a complete east coaster, WDW all the way, all the time. When I read the part about the meetings and some perks are hosted in DL I closed the email.
I will not fly to DL for anything when I can drive to WDW anytime. I also found the whole concept of this fan club boring. Also; the $75 cost? I would have more fun in a park for a day than reading 4 magazines.

 

[prncssmel]

I am a complete east coaster, WDW all the way, all the time. When I read the part about the meetings and some perks are hosted in DL I closed the email.
I will not fly to DL for anything when I can drive to WDW anytime.

Wow, I think DL and WDW are such different experiences; I am glad we are able to do both. Each has its own perks. I know some people don't like DL, but I think people are missing out on a lot of great stuff. Plus, DL is Walt's park, one of the many reasons I love it.

BTW, they will be doing stuff in WDW in the future, just starting in DL.

 

[nunzia]

I was really disappointed because I thought D23 was going to be a rocketship that would take me to Mars and we'd create a new Utopia and I would be the leader.

It's hard to please all of the people all of the time. I thought it was pretty cool how it is. I'm sure there will be many offers to D23 members of all sorts, over time.

I also like the fact that WDW usually gets all the extra fun stuff and it's nice they are starting at DLR

 

[zeitzeuge]

I for one didn't have huge expectations when I heard of the Are You 23? campaign. I expected something along these lines or even less, so it wasn't any sort of letdown to see that it was an official fan site only.

The thing is, the site is available to ALL fans, whether you pay or not. If they really wanted to be exclusive, you wouldn't even be able to see the site without signing in. It's a place where anyone can go and read and visit any part of the site for free. For those who want to pay (usually collectors or rabid fans) the 75 yearly fee, you get the chance to buy member merchandise and receive discounts discounts and other perks throughout the year. From what I heard prescreening to movies, exclusive member pin releases throughout the year, among other things.

For anyone who's planning on buying the 4 coffee table books (magazines), it's smart to just buy the membership since the cost is almost the same. It's not a cheap magazine but a very nice book. I couldn't wait for my copy to show up in the mail, so I bought one at Barnes and Noble on the 10th.

It's not the first time Disney has had clubs over the years which cost money is it? Even AP's get special offers, discounts, pins. DVC does as well. Heck, I'd love to eat at Club 33, but that's as exclusive as you can get.

I for one like the idea, love the site and have even already ordered merchandise.

PS I can see how people who already have AP's would be irritated at paying another 75 to join. It would make sense to at least give AP holders a drastically discounted rate at least.

 

[IASWAM]

If I had a spare $75 laying around, I would do it. I do feel that their slogan referring to the membership as a community for all Disney fans, could have been worded a little differently. Perhaps "official club for Disney collectibles" or something like that.

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

It would make sense to at least give AP holders a drastically discounted rate at least.

Ooh, that would have been nice!

Good post.

Austinosphere said: I was really disappointed because I thought D23 was going to be a rocketship that would take me to Mars and we'd create a new Utopia and I would be the leader.

 

[Teki]

Im really disappointed I thought it was gonna be something like the Dis only official not something that costs big time money. Like I can afford that right now.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Yeah I think with the state of our economy, not a great time to put out some expensive club. I don't see it going over big with families, especially those spending their disney funds on the trips to the parks.

I love collecting disney stuff too, but I'll stick to buying it at Disneyland.

 

[dreamerliz]

I'm with Intsmom! Just got back from Disneyland. Hadn't been there for 14 years and must say I was so surprised there were so very few Disney characters around. We did see Minnie, Pooh, Goofy, The Chipmunks.

Last time there they were all over the place. As for pixie hollow - a 60 min wait on a not very busy day, and then to see the princess's!!! Nice to have a private photo without others in the way I guess.

I agree that you now just have to pay for what you used to get for free. Seemed a bit greedy guts to me!!!

Went to Universal and I must say we enjoyed that the most. The staff and atmosphere was just like Disney used to be!!! They tried harder.

Although we had a wonderful time at Disneyland, loved California Resort. Excellent service at Carnation Cafe and many high points. I was just sad that the characters were so few.

Liz