D23

[DCTooTall]

My DH got me a membership last year for my BD. I did not renew this year. I also think it was a waste and quite expensive for just some magazines and a card that does nothing! lol I so wish they'd come out with something like they had year back- I can't remember the name of it now, but I know I had some type of membership where I got extra discount and perks. That's been a LONG time, though!

Where you thinking of the old Magic Kingdom Club?

I remember one of the other huge perks to that club was you could make ADRs before you could in the parks (even resort guests). Of course, this was back in the day of an regular ADR meaning "go to guest services as soon as you walk in the park to make reservations for dinner".

 

[ocean134]

WOW!! I am a bit surprised by some of these responses. I know most of us are on this message board because we are diehard Disney folks and I am floored that Disney really doesn't offer much with the D23 membership.

I am curious to see what happens when the club loses so many members. Maybe then the Disney folks will realize they need to up the anty on this.

I wondered about the magazines that were offered with the membership. I note, on one of my past trips in either Oct. of Dec., that one of the D23 magazines was on sale in the resort gift shop. I want to say it was my Oct. trip (ASMovies) since the cover featured a scene from The Haunted Mansion. If you can buy the magazine without a membership, what is the real point to spending the $74.99? I had no idea they were sold at Borders, I'm going to have to check that out since I am an avid reader and would love to read the mags.

Sounds like an AP is a better bet than the D23.

Loving the info!

 

[ocean134]

Thanks for starting this thread. I, too, was curious if D23 was worth the price. They are offering DVC members a discount on membership if we sign up before September 30. But, based on these reponses, I think I'll pass.

You're welcome!! I wasn't sure if a thread already existed, but I did search before starting this one.

I hadn't seen many discussions about D23 online and I wanted more info. from people who have had first-hand experience. There is no better place on the web for Disney folks to touch base and discuss.

This thread thus far has answered my questions and then some.

Thanks!!

 

[auntfrannie]

Add me to the list of charter members that didn't renew! Way too expensive with little benefit to me. Even when they do offer something at WDW the notice is too short to make any plans. Just not worth it.

 

[nytimez]

The idea of something like this is to make members feel like they're getting MORE than they paid, not less. Disney could do that very easily -- they could send members an exclusive pin, a litho and a new DVD or one from the "vault" (not a preview, but a real DVD of a top-notch flick) as surprises spread throughout the year and it would hardly cost them anything, and give members a "wow" experience of finding these items in the mail when they aren't expecting them.

They really blew it. But I'm not at all surprised. This was a scheme to raise quick cash and do as little as they can for the money.

 

[mousireid]

Having AP benefits is great, D23 just doesn't have any appeal being here in FL. If I ws still in CA I would have considered it - its such a shame DL gets MOST of the perks and events. Come on DW you gotta catch up!

 

[msteddom]

I live in Southern California, and have attended a number of D23 events. They have been wonderful! However, I do agree that if you don't live close to Disneyland then a membership has little value. I have enjoyed my membership, and will renew when the time comes, but I realize that for most of the country it is not a good deal.

Melissa

 

[skifast22]

I'm glad this thread was started. I too was excited when D23 was announced, but very discouraged after seeing the cost and what it entailed. I opted not to join, and even though I saw the recent DVC discount, will likely still not join. I've been very happy with my "Celebrations" subsrciption for half the cost plus 2 more magazines

 

[beavdisfan]

I joined March/09.
Charter Member thinking there would be more benefits than there are.
Magazine is great, some of the D23 only merchandise is great but all round not worth the money.
As others have said it really is just a way to spend more money with less return.
I will not be joining again next year. The money is better spent on the next trip.
Too bad, it could have been so good if there had been a few perks and more East coast stuff.

 

[ocean134]

Thanks for starting this thread. I, too, was curious if D23 was worth the price. They are offering DVC members a discount on membership if we sign up before September 30. But, based on these reponses, I think I'll pass.

Well, I hope Disney hears the responses from the loyal Disney fans and makes some changes to this club. I would love to take part but if there is no benefit to me, why bother? I too would rather put the money towards my next Disney trip and I am!!

Would you mind me asking how much of a discount DVC members receive if they join D23?

 

[marshwiggle]

I suppose I'm in the minority that isn't near either park (mid-Atlantic US) but _did_ renew. I got nothing out of D23 membership last year, but still felt it was a decent value for what I paid ($0 - I got it through some passholder promotion I don't remember entering). Plus my nieces/nephew did enjoy cutting out some of the pictures from the magazine for collages/art projects (I flipped through the first issue and thought it was pretty meh).

The only reasons I renewed this year were:
1) They had a new no-frills $35 tier (no magazine, not sure what else is cut out)
2) I'm planning on going to the Expo for the first time next year, and D23 members get $20 off the 3-day tickets, so after 2 tickets, everything else is bonus.

I don't think this is unique to D23, but the different divisions inside Disney could really work on coordinating their releases. I would have considered the D23 Sip+Stroll at this year's WDW F&W if we hadn't already booked (non-refundable) conflicting festival events a month before the announcement.

 

[mjbradeis]

I'm glad this thread was started. I too was excited when D23 was announced, but very discouraged after seeing the cost and what it entailed. I opted not to join, and even though I saw the recent DVC discount, will likely still not join. I've been very happy with my "Celebrations" subsrciption for half the cost plus 2 more magazines

I also prefer Celebrations, much better magazine!

 

[ocean134]

I also prefer Celebrations, much better magazine!

Ok, I must admit I have never heard of "Celebrations." Please give me the scoop on this.

I'm surprised I don't know about this...hope this doesn't mean I have to turn in my Mickey Ears. LOL

 

[gary403]

in addition to the D23's mag twenty*three
http://celebrationspress.com/

 

[Prinny27]

I'm one of the few in the minority who actually enjoy my D23 membership. I'm based on the east coast and agree there is much less at WDW than there is at DL, but I think that's because the company's headquarters is based out there and is easier for them to do events there - ie movie screenings, studio tours, etc. I have to say that I don't see D23 as something that's meant to offer me discounts - I have my DVC ownership and an AP for that. D23 is more meant to offer exclusive experiences. I renewed my charter membership this year with the intention of getting to at least two events. This year, in early January, D23 sent out an email announcing the dates of several events throughout the year, so people could plan their trips around them if they wanted to attend. I really appreciated this, as last year I thought they announced their dates too close to the event, so you didn't have time to rearrange any trips you may already have booked. So, for example, I knew this year I wanted to attend an archives tour and the Sip & Stroll, so from that email in January I knew the dates they would be offered and went ahead and booked my trips for both, and it turned out great. I did the archives/studio tour last month and it was amazing, and I'm really looking forward to Sip & Stroll next month. Plus, like someone else mentioned, I'm planning on attending the Expo next year, so the discount for that plus the Charter Member lounge is a huge perk.

 

[gary403]

Thanks for your input Prinny27. Thoroughly enjoyed Magic & Merriment last year and hope to do it this year. That is topping on the cake for a fine club for Disney enthusiasts!!!

 

[Prinny27]

Thanks for your input Prinny27. Thoroughly enjoyed Magic & Merriment last year and hope to do it this year. That is topping on the cake for a fine club for Disney enthusiasts!!!

I was at Magic & Merriment, too, and LOVED it! Got me hooked on hopefully attending many more D23 events. I will say that their ticketing process is MUCH improved from last year and I don't see the same issues at all for getting tickets to the event. If you're online right when they go on sale, you'll most likely be able to get the tickets.

I was also thinking that another benefit, albeit small but still very appreciated, are the little 'gifts' in each issue of disney twenty three. This last issue was one of the Epcot patches of the original icons when the park opened. It's just a fun little perk that you don't get if you buy the magazine in the store.

And, although there are still many more events in CA than WDW, I feel they have been trying to fit more in this year. There was the 1st Anniversary and now the Star Tours Final Flight that they are doing on both coasts, and they did hold their first meet and greet at House of Blues. So they have heard the complaints and are trying to fit more in on the east coast, but they all do work in CA at the studios, so that's why most of the events are based there.

 

[JFordon62]

I'm disappointed. I found out the only discount at WDW is at the House of Blues. Been to the one in Cali and have no desire to go again. Since they have an ESPN Zone at WDW why can't we have discount there too? I'll have to do some serious thinking about renewing.

 

[Tinkerbell58]

Would you mind me asking how much of a discount DVC members receive if they join D23?

Not a big discount. Only 10% off new silver and gold memberships.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

I decided not to renew this year, the magazines are nice, but not worth the membership cost. It is a neat concept, but it can be made to be more enticing to more people.