OFFICIAL D23 Membership available for all Disney fans--Will you join too? UPDATE

[Orlando313]

I guess paying for plane tickets from Minnesota to Florida four or five times a year for week to 10 day visits at a time, having annual passes for years, buying the DDE, and having loads of Disney collectibles and movies just isn't hard core enough. I must be a casual Disney fan and I didn't even know it!

Ditto, I go almost every weekend. I own all kinds of books on Disney, I've got a fat collection of Disney movies, I'm obsessed with finding out all things Disney, but I just don't feel quite hard core enough to spend the money right now. I've got a good job, I have a strict budget, and I still don't have the money for this right now. I don't know how people that are getting laid off would have the money to pay for it.

I might be in a different situation before the end of the year and decide to take part it in, but I really feel that it's a slap in the face to people that spend thousands of dollars to visit their parks. Here we are, in the worst recession since the great depression, and they decide to offer a membership that costs $75 and you get access to expensive memorabilia. I guess I'm just not all about the stuff. I like to go to Disney and make memories, have a good time. If there's something I want to know, I do research on the internet. This is just a big status symbol, and I'm not in a position to be entertaining the idea of having status symbols at this time.

I was truly hoping for a rewards program. I've been saying that for years. I asked that when I was like 15 and hadn't even paid for my own way to Disney yet. Why is there not a rewards program? Ahh, well, I can keep wishing.

It's a nice idea, I just don't feel that it is worth it to spend that money right now. I'm going to have to spend some of that money on food when I go to the park this weekend.

 

[mommyintn]

I won't be. For the $12000 I am spending on 2 Disney vacations this year, they should be giving that to me.

What she said!

 

[phisigprincess]

I'm signing up as soon as I get home. I was SO sick yesterday, when I woke up at 4 p.m. my first thought was "I SLEPT THROUGH D23!!!!"

I would LOVE to go to the expo, but probably not this year. DH and I have been looking for an excuse to get back to DL, so this might just be it. See you in 2010 D23 Expo.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I just bought a D23 magazine yesterday and I was impressed! It's larger than a regular magazine and the pictures are very glossy and bright! The cost is something very relative to each person. I'd pay the money for the subscription because to me it's worth it. Not everyone feels the same way of course! I also have a subscription to a British Jane Austen magazine because I love all things Jane Austen too! That magazine which is much smaller and is quarterly as well costs me $85 per year. So if it's something you love, the cost won't scare you off! Personally I'm really looking forward to the other D23 magazines coming out. I loved the cover as well...a young Walt Disney looking through the camera lens. Very nostalgic.

 

[WriteDisney]

Yesterday I wasn't impressed with it and wasn't interested in getting a membership.. but someone mentioned how if your planning on buying all the magazines it might be worth it (since their 15 each).. I bet I will end up getting all of them (how can I resist?).. so maybe a membership would be possible... not now though.. I would like to see how popular it becomes and how pleased people are with their memberships

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

I've love to join, but that cost is a bit steep. I might just go get a copy of the magazine at the Disney Store. It looks cool, though.

 

[black562]

Here's a good idea for a perk.

Re-open Adventurers Club as "Club 23"....members only!!!

 

[Mike_M]

I just can't see the value here. The magazine sounds nice and all (even though it's only quarterly) but the 'perks' they talk about offering aren't doing it for me. I didn't see anything for sale on the site that I couldn't live without and the membershiip price is surprisingly steep considering the current economic situation. I'd rather spend my money in the parks.

 

[CarolA]

I am going to hold off. I can't see anything outstanding in this deal (except that as a Disney Stockholder I am thrilled that folks are paying them $75 for "promises" LOL!)

I can get the magazines for 10% off at Barnes & Noble. So the cost (before tax) is $57.50 or so... what's the additonal $20 get me? LOL!

 

[mmcguire]

I'm an AP holder and a DVC member, but I'm not drinking this Kool-Aid. I looked around on the web site last night, and just didn't see any real value for the $$.

The magazine content looked pretty dull, and most MONTHLY magazines I subscribe to are less than $25/year. And the meeing in Anaheim? I don't go to Disneyland-- why the heck would I travel to CA for some expo??

I'm sorry, I think Disney is a little off base with this ploy.

 

[tzuhouse]

When it states Official Community, I imagine forums and such, but I didn't see anything like that on the website. Does it appear once you have joined or is that not part of the membership?

Mary

 

[tzuhouse]

Couldn't stand letting another day go by. I signed up and bought my Dopey shirt. I'm so happy! I'm sure I'll love reading the magazines since I don't know all the secrets and such. I'm really hoping that there is some sort of discount at the parks or something that doesn't require you being there at a specific time, but I'll love my shirt even if there isn't.
Mary

 

[JenniBarra]

Yep, I'm 23!

BTW, for those who have said why is Disney doing this in the current economy, it was supposedly something they've been working on for a few years, based on comments during a shareholder's meeting. Another web site has posted a transcript of the conversation during the press conference call that was held yesterday afternoon and that provides a lot of additional interesting (IMO, anyway) information.

 

[selina4disney]

Interesting article on Motley Fool about D23 entitled "That's just Dumb, Disney"

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2009/03/11/thats-just-dumb-disney.aspx

 

[gometros]

That said, I only paid $71.58 for mine, as I found a coupon code for 10% off and it allowed it.

Care to share the code?

 

[gometros]

Re-open Adventurers Club as "Club 23"....members only!!!

Well that answers that question. My daughter is in WDW this week and wante dto go to the Adventurer's Club, but said it looked closed. I knoew about some of the changes to PI, but didn't realize that the Adventurer's Club (and I presume, the Comedy Warehouse?) closed. BOO!

 

[selina4disney]

Well that answers that question. My daughter is in WDW this week and wante dto go to the Adventurer's Club, but said it looked closed. I knoew about some of the changes to PI, but didn't realize that the Adventurer's Club (and I presume, the Comedy Warehouse?) closed. BOO!

Yep, AC, Comedy Warehouse, and all other clubs on the Island are closed and have been since last September.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Here's a good idea for a perk.

Re-open Adventurers Club as "Club 23"....members only!!!

Now if they did that we WOULD join! Great idea!

I agree with the other posts, that it would entice more people to join if the perks of this new club were better. We are DVC Members and AP Holders. So, we already get magazines with updates and articles on current Disney news. What more is this new magazine going to cover? Honestly, we know the history of Disney and all it entails. What news are they going to publish that isn't already out there in another format? Also, I am not paying for an opportunity to buy more "exclusive" merchandise. We don't do it for DVC or with the AP, we certainly wouldn't do it for a special club.

Again, if they opened a "Club 23" , we'd join in a heartbeat. Listening Disney Execs?!?!?!?!?! THIS is what your public wants!

Jennifer

 

[vickiea]

That's great now I know what to tell my hubby to get me for my birthday this year - a membership and a shirt or hoodie. Cool!

 

[bradk]

We are DVC Members and AP Holders. So, we already get magazines with updates and articles on current Disney news. What more is this new magazine going to cover?

the magazine is not a news periodical per se. would be hard to do being quarterly. it does have new stuff in it that wouldn't be seen anywhere else, but that's another story. anyway, the magazine is on the shelf for anyone to look at and there are a few reviews of it out there that will tell you just what it gives you. just google d23 magazine review or something like that.

as to being a DVC and AP member, what you can anticipate looking for is special offers to DVC and/or AP members that apply only to D23 members. not necessarily merchandise either, although Disney Movie Rewards has already issued a couple of items available only to their members who are D23 members.