Free D23

[mrsfascinating]

I thought I heard on the DVC site or in a member magazine that in 2013 members would be able to get the minimum membership into D23 at no cost. Does anyone know when this will happen and how to sign up for it?

 

[erionm]

Additional details and a sign up link are supposed to be on the member website sometime soon.

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[mrsfascinating]

Thank you.

 

[TLSnell1981]

We will, supposedly, be able to purchase D23 merchandise, but won't be issued a membership card? How do we purchase pins at WDW?

 

[DebbieB]

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/member-benefits/2181-new-details-on-free-d23-membership

 

[breakin2]

Any new word on this?

 

[erionm]

Any new word on this?

Last I saw posted on the Member Website, it said June for sign up. I can no longer find that information.

 

[Micca]

From what I saw of the "complimentary" D23 membership it will be free and worth every penny.

 

[323sarg]

Not to sound crass but what is the point of D23? Just not sure i understand its purpose.

 

[Sur]

I had forgotten about this! I'll be curious to see what other's say is the point of the "free" D23.

 

[tjkraz]

Not to sound crass but what is the point of D23? Just not sure i understand its purpose.

It was designed as a for-profit fan club. Over the years Disney has tried different methods of promoting the theme parks--Magic Kingdom Club, Disney Club, Disney Magazine, etc.

At $75 for the full membership with quarterly mag, it is clearly not for the casual fan.

D23 offered exclusive merchandise at inflated prices (never saw anything that particularly impressed me.)

It was the impetus for the D23 Expos in 2009, 2011 and 2013, which Disney had envisioned as its own answer to Comic Con. Having been to the Expos in '09 and '11, I can tell you that attendance grew dramatically between the two events. But many complaints persisted and I've heard a lot of people claim they will not return for '13.

D23 also sponsors many exclusive fan events throughout the year. Problem is attendance is always limited (tickets usually selling out within minutes) and 99% of the events are held in either Southern California or (less frequently) Orlando.

As an outsider, D23 appears to be struggling. It debuted a few years back with just the $75 membership level. Then they introduced a $30 Silver member level which excluded the magazine. 6 months ago they announced DVC members would get this sub-Silver level for free, but the registration process has been delayed a number of times and honestly the benefits are almost nonexistent.

Also, Disney used to sell the quarterly magazine separately in Disney Stores and theme park shops. That has since ended, and the magazine is now available only to the $75 Gold subscribers. Doesn't seem like a good sign.

It's hard to believe Disney isn't making some money off of the club, between the overpriced memberships, overpriced events and overpriced merchandise. But hard telling if it's enough money to make club operations worthwhile. Purely speculative but it wouldn't surprise me if D23 folded entirely.

 

[nunzia]

I've been a Gold D23 first day member and the club has been worth every penny and is a bargain at $75.00 IMO. It has been merged with the Archives so I think (hope) it's here to stay. I've been to both Expos, 2 Destination D's and a pre carsland opening dinner hosted by John and Nancy Lasseter.As a life long Disney fan these experiences have been priceless and unmatchable by anything anyone outSIDE of Disney could provide. The stories told by first line Imagineers and other Walt era people such as Alice Davis, Bob Gurr and Richard Sherman cannot be matched and as the old guard passes the opportunity IS lost. I've been treated by an animation lesson with Andreas Deja and heard stories by the amazing Tony Baxter..I've seen the real Tinkerbell, heard a concert by Alan Menken as well as Richard Sherman and Dick Van Dyke. I've seen many Legends receive their honor such as Robin Williams, Betty White, the Princesses, and more. I've seen Brian Henson puppet, the Avengers and Captain Jack take the stage and on and on. As I get older experiences mean so much more than stuff and D23 is an amazing chance to experience things I never thought possible. Yes, most events are in the LA area..everything is situated there so why not? Orlando gets a lot of cool Disneyness we never get on the west coast. They have done many Orlando events, they do Fanniversarys around the country, film premiers etc, etc. They showcase past, present and future Disney for the serious fan, and I'll stay a gold member as long as there is a club.

 

[sgtpet]

The DVC membership for D23 is a complete and utter joke. It is a waste of resources. If you want to join D23 just do it. Oh wait that is Nike's slogan....

 

[AmyB2006]

What is D23 though? It's just a fan club with access to special events and merchandise?

 

[erionm]

What is D23 though? It's just a fan club with access to special events and merchandise?

http://d23.disney.go.com/

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[tjkraz]

Yes, most events are in the LA area..everything is situated there so why not? Orlando gets a lot of cool Disneyness we never get on the west coast. They have done many Orlando events, they do Fanniversarys around the country, film premiers etc, etc. They showcase past, present and future Disney for the serious fan, and I'll stay a gold member as long as there is a club.

Glad you've been able to get so much out of it.

As for the comments above, speaking as a charter member living in the midwest, I really don't plan on renewing after my current term expires. D23 just hasn't come to the plate with anything of interest to me.

The only reason I renewed this year--at Silver level--was for the discount on D23 Expo tickets. Ended up being a virtual break-even due to that discount ($28 in Expo ticket discounts vs. $30 membership.)

We are only attending the Expo for one day this time instead of buying the full 3-day passes as in '09 and '11. (Based upon some of the management decisions made in past Expos, honestly I feel like a chump for even bothering to go this year.)

Logistically it does make sense for Disney to focus its events on the SoCal and Orlando areas. But when those of us who live 1000 miles away from a theme park are asked to pay the same membership rates, it becomes very difficult to justify ongoing support of a product with such limited value.

 

[nunzia]

oh..btw..I'm not local..I live in New Mexico and make D23 trips a priority because I know the experiences will be stellar..but, like everything else, it isn't for everyone.

 

[tjkraz]

oh..btw..I'm not local..I live in New Mexico and make D23 trips a priority because I know the experiences will be stellar..

Unfortunately, I suspect you're one of the few.

I have no qualms with Disney offering such unique experiences...at whatever pricing level they feel is necessary to make it worth their while. But as a consumer, I do have a problem with the idea that my D23 dues go toward supporting such initiatives.

The old Disney Magazine had a cover price of $4.99 and I believe subscriptions (4 issues) were $12. The D23 mag is higher quality, but I wonder how many really believe the improved quality is worth paying 6x as much. Especially in today's Internet-connected age where little of the news is truly unique.

I'm right in the prime market for something like D23 but if I think it's a waste of money, it's hard to believe that Disney is getting favorable numbers out of the product. The Florida and California-centric events plus exclusive merchandise isn't enough to convince most living in middle America to spend $75 per year, IMO.