D23 (with DVC discount): Yay or Nay?

[gkrykewy]

So the current 10% discount for DVC members has me considering joining D23. Yes, I'm a sucker for discounts.

Pluses:

• 10% discount
• Shiny magazine
• I believe I would get the current "tangled" magazine, with its retro EPCOT patch, as my first issue (I'm also a sucker for retro Future World)
• *Potential* for club-exclusive events during our park visits (DL this fall, then 2+ weeks at WDW next June)

Minuses:

• Already DVC members, Disney Visa cardholders, and AP passholders, so most discounts appear to be duplicative
• Still $67.49 for a gold membership after the 10% discount

Anyone else currently thinking about this? Thoughts?

 

[Swayhoover90]

I have looked into joining numerous times and have try to convince myself that I should but I can't. Like you, we have all of the discount already covered. We would not schedule a vacation because just to coincide with a meet so I concluded that we would basically be paying for a magazine subscription.

Many years ago Disney had a membership called the Magic Kingdom Club which gave great vacation discounts, special parking and more. Now that was a great club with great benefits. I really miss it!

 

[disneychic]

I have looked into joining numerous times and have try to convince myself that I should but I can't. Like you, we have all of the discount already covered. We would not schedule a vacation because just to coincide with a meet so I concluded that we would basically be paying for a magazine subscription.

I feel the exact same way

 

[JWG]

Charter member here. I've now paid $150 for a two-year magazine subscription. The discounts aren't great and if you don't live close to WDW or, more so, DL - there are no real events to attend.

I do like the magazine and really want this to be a good deal - but I'm struggling to see it.

 

[wildernessDad]

I'm a charter member already.

 

[bwvBound]

Add me to the "Charter Member" list ... with recent renewal already paid w/out the discount. We love the events and are close enough to DLR to participate often!

 

[KiminChicago]

I've seen the magazine and to be honest, I think we get more insider kind of information from the Disney Files.

And, living in the Midwest, there aren't a lot of special events scheduled where I can easily get to them, and I'm scheduling my vacations when they're convenient for me, not when there's a D23 event I might get to attend. It's a lot of money to shell out for just a magazine subscription, which is all it would be for me.

 

[parlay]

so glad you posted this. It was on my mind as well. DH was ready to subscribe when he got the offer, but he doesn't even read magazines in our house! We are leaning towards Nay.

 

[gkrykewy]

But those EPCOT patches!

You guys aren't helping me talk myself into this...

 

[KiminChicago]

So, $67+ for an Epcot patch?

 

[bwvBound]

My DH got really excited by the EPCOT patch and enjoyed reading the related background.

We both love the D23 magazine and read it cover to cover. I feel far more "informed" on insider topics from the D23 Mag than that of DVC. To me, the D23 articles go deeper into introducing the Imagineers and following the life-cycle of concept development.

 

[skylynx]

DH got me a charter membership last year as a gift...we both wanted to see what it was all about. The magazines are lovely and do have info I haven't seen anywhere else, but it's a pretty pricey subscription. I agree with other posters that unless you live close to WDW or DL it's really hard to see the advantages, especially since you only find out about the smaller events a month or two in advance (way too late to make reasonable travel plans if you are out of area). We are going to renew this year and plan to go to the Expo next August and then decide whether to keep it up or not. Probably not.

I was NOT pleased that the DVC discount does not cover renewals. Why on earth not?

 

[wdw4life]

I'm not a member but my DVC partner is. We are lucky since we live so close to DLR and the Disney Studios that we can attend the events that are in our area. The events make it worth it, for me. If we couldn't go to any of them and was basically just getting the magazine then we would have to pass.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I am a charter member and love the magazine and the events - although I am on the opposite side of the U.S. in order to attend most of them. I didn't join to get a discount so I could care less about it. The gifts in the magazine, the magazine itself and the chance to meet up with fellow Disneyaholics is what made me join. I haven't regretted it at all. To me, it is similar to why you would be a member of National Geographic. You get discounts, but you do it for the magazine. They are both wonderful publications and although you can find some of the same information, I miss Disney magazine and this filled that void. If you must be convinced to join, then you aren't enough of a Disney fan to care about becoming a member. There is nothing wrong about that...but I will keep my charter membership as long as it is available as more benefits will be added as time goes by.

Oh, before I forget...you would not get the EPCOT patch. You would have to wait for whatever the fall issue is. If you wanted the current issue, you would have to either get it at Disneystore.com or Barnes & Noble for the expensive price. I renewed the day they sent out the issue so no patch for me to be happy about or disappointed!

 

[gkrykewy]

If you must be convinced to join, then you aren't enough of a Disney fan to care about becoming a member.

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm a "flyover country" D23 member---not in Southern California nor Central Florida. I've never been to an event. I couldn't even tell you what the discounts are---I'm not even sure I knew that D23 members *got* discounts.

But, I feel like I get $75 worth of "nice" out of the shiny magazine and the little tchotchkes that come along with most issues. The magazine is, what, $15 at newsstands? So, for an extra $15, I get home delivery plus the D23 equivalent of the cracker jack prizes!

If you won't miss the $75 (and lets face it, most of us won't) there are less interesting things you could blow it on, for sure. My only disappointment so far? I got the World of Motion patch, and that was possibly my least favorite EPCOT Center pavilion.

 

[JWG]

My only disappointment so far? I got the World of Motion patch, and that was possibly my least favorite EPCOT Center pavilion.

I got Universe of Energy, want to trade

 

[mdsd8700]

Many years ago Disney had a membership called the Magic Kingdom Club which gave great vacation discounts, special parking and more. Now that was a great club with great benefits. I really miss it!

Sorry to sideline the OP's thread, but this made me nod my head and smile with the memory of it. The Magic Kingdom Club was awesome, my husband got it through the CPA society so I don't know if there was an acual cost, but it was pretty cool. Those days are long gone!

 

[anna08]

Charter member here, and let it expire. The events have been mostly at DL and short notice, so if you aren't close by, there really is no benefit other than just a fancy magazine, and it could be better. Would rather put that money toward park entrance for a day.

 

[nunzia]

I'm a charter member and LOVE it..The Expo last year was amazing..no other word to describe it. I'm going to Destination D in Sept and doing the Scavenger Hunt, will certainly do the Expo the next year. I'm not local so can't do all I'd like, but I really think it's a wonderful club and totally worth it. I need to see if I can use that DVC discount and renew super early for next year.(oops..see I can't...oh well) I say give it a try and see if you like it.