D23

[EAWildman]

Count me as a Charter Member who DID renew for a second year. I really, really like the magazine. This last issue (I am still reading it) has been great with a very cool article about Epcot, a sneek peek of the movie "Tangled," and a huge aritcle about Imaginering. The magazine on the news stands is like $15 an issue, so that would be $60 a year. For $15 more I can be a Gold Member, so that's what I do.

I love the little extras they send to the members with the magazine. The replica stuff from the Disney archives is very cool in my opinion. This past issue every member got a patch of an opening day EPCOT pavilion logo. I got the Living Seas logo.

In addition, they have had a gift every year you join. A nice litho the first year (certainly worth $15) and an 18 month Disney calendar the second year (also easily worth $15). In addition to that, when I renewed I received a very large 1 year pin featuring Tinker Bell. This would easily sell for $20.

So, I feel, without having been able to attend an event yet, I do get my monies worth out of the membership. I live in Atlanta, so I could make it down to WDW for some events down there. I would have loved to go to the last ride on Star Tours event they are doing, but I had to work. That event cost a whopping $5. I also wanted to go to the anniversary party at WDW back in March but I couldn't pull it off.

I hope they offer more events or more perks or something in the parks, but unless you don't like or read the magazines, I don't see how you don't get your monies worth out of it.

Eric

 

[BriarRose59]

I renewed my charter membership and gave my daughter a membership for Christmas last year. She lives in a different state and really enjoys the magazines. She and I attended Magic & Merriment last year and really enjoyed it. This year my DH and other DD want to attend also. Has anyone heard a date yet for the sale of the tickets? I finally saw the dates of the event posted but not the date tickets go on sale. I intend to renew my membership again next year. We will be in California in March and hope there will be events during our stay.

 

[ocean134]

I renewed my charter membership and gave my daughter a membership for Christmas last year. She lives in a different state and really enjoys the magazines. She and I attended Magic & Merriment last year and really enjoyed it. This year my DH and other DD want to attend also. Has anyone heard a date yet for the sale of the tickets? I finally saw the dates of the event posted but not the date tickets go on sale. I intend to renew my membership again next year. We will be in California in March and hope there will be events during our stay.

Thanks for your input! I am going to check out the magazines now that I know they can be purchased at Borders.


Can you get details on what the 'Magic and Merriment' event is? I am unfamiliar and would love some details!

 

[Shmily1]

I renewed in March and look at every email from them like "maybe something I can finally attend this year, but alas, not much on the East coast so not much chance of that. I've carried my card on 3 trips so far and haven't used it for a thing yet. I keep thinking there will be something I will need it for.

 

[BriarRose59]

Can you get details on what the 'Magic and Merriment' event is? I am unfamiliar and would love some details!

M&M is a Saturday-Sunday event in December. Last year we began early Saturday with a talk in Epcot that included the chefs from Grand Flo and Boardwalk describing their gingerbread house and chocolate carousel. We each got a gingerbread cookie. I can't recall the exact order of events, but they included special seating at the early Candlelight Processional. We were then transported by bus for a buffet dinner on the track at Lights, Motors, Action at DHS. We then went to Toy Story Mania where we were put in the Fast Pass line and got to ride several times. This was followed by a dessert party and a private tour and lighting of the Osborne Family Lights. We were then bussed back to our resorts. Sunday included a buffet lunch at the Diamond Horseshoe Jamboree, a tour of the Cinderella Suite in the Castle, tickets to MVMCP, a dessert party on the paddle wheeler and a special viewing area for the evening parade. The price also included 2 1 day/1 park tickets for each paying guest that expired January 31. My DD that went last year is going to college in Florida and has an AP so we saved her tickets and in January she took two of her friends from school that had never been and couldn't afford to go. They had a blast.

 

[dis-happy]

I did the D23 Flower and Garden event in May and thought it was worth every penny! Again, a 2 day event that included dinner on the lawn at GF, a special fireworks presentation (excellent!), breakfast the next day at Epcot (with presentations by several Epcot people including behind the scenes at F&G as well as info on the new restaurants), followed by food samplings from the new Italy restaurant, ending with a private Illuminations Dessert Party and hologram glasses (loved, loved, LOVED these!). We also rec'd a straw F&G straw hat and a D23 tote bag which I use a lot.

We also did the D23 Aulani/Hawaii presentation (free) and came home with a pin and water bottle.

Renewed for next year during Aulani, and rec'd a big pin as a free gift.

 

[ocean134]

I did the D23 Flower and Garden event in May and thought it was worth every penny! Again, a 2 day event that included dinner on the lawn at GF, a special fireworks presentation (excellent!), breakfast the next day at Epcot (with presentations by several Epcot people including behind the scenes at F&G as well as info on the new restaurants), followed by food samplings from the new Italy restaurant, ending with a private Illuminations Dessert Party and hologram glasses (loved, loved, LOVED these!). We also rec'd a straw F&G straw hat and a D23 tote bag which I use a lot.

We also did the D23 Aulani/Hawaii presentation (free) and came home with a pin and water bottle.

Renewed for next year during Aulani, and rec'd a big pin as a free gift.

WOW, I think you're the first person to actually have received anything from your membership! That's a positive note!

 

[Bradsdadg]

I think Disney started D23 after the success of a number of magazines with a Disney focus. Celebrations, Orlando Attractions etc. They wanted a piece of the pie. I have not and won't join at this time. If they ever have a family membership then I would sign up though. It's lame for me to do it now, then I would have to get another one if my wife wanted her own membership...