D23, The Official Community for Disney Fans
 

Are you 23?

Following months of mystery and Internet buzz, Disney today launched "D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans."

It looks like Disney is playing catch up to the massive and unofficial Disney fan communities, Websites, boards, blogs and meet ups everywhere.

D23 is a Website, membership club, magazine, expo, special events sponsor, and merchandise/collectibles seller.

The D23 Expo scheduled for September 10–13, 2009 at the Anaheim Convention Center looks like a potential "can't miss" event for Disney fanatics, and will top NFCC (National Fantasy Fan Club) events in scope and size.

A D23 Charter Membership is $74.99 (plus $5.82 tax) for $80.81. I signed up today! :)

Check out all the details HERE.

The "Disney Shopping" section of the site might be slow if a zillion Disney fans are trying to browse or sign up right now.

Hey stranger. Welcome back.

You really need to visit more often.

Are you involved with this project at some level?

Thanks, I know ... I really need to hang out at LoT more frequently like before. Well, today is a start!

No, I am not part of D23 in any official capacity. Well, they have my $80.81 now, so that makes me a member at least. Perhaps Disney's marketing efforts will work on other Disney addicts, too -- they got my money within 30 minutes of launching this latest Disney money maker!

I tried to register earlier but shockingly - their website was down.

Humm...

Membership cards and "secret gifts" are cool and all but since I would never be able to attend the convention (the one big ticket item in the package) I can't see the dollars to benefits equation working out for me.

So it looks like, No. I'm not 23.

Plus I don't see any "community" features like a discussion forum or twitter clan.

Out of curiosity, Did you use "Disney Daniel" as your name? Did they allow it?

As with practically all things Disney, I do not expect them to offer too many "free" things (not counting birthday theme-park admission in 2009). Being a D23 member only provides a discounted admission to the D23 Expo with the cost not announced yet.

Yeah, you're right ... for an official "community," there is not any place to openly discuss and post things, so far. Can you imagine the strict moderator's standards if Disney ever did have a place for people to post comments?!

And, I signed up using my real first and last name.

ARGH!!!

Come on, state tax refund!

DD did you see the special Launch Day T-shirt?

No thanks.

Per year?!

Going to pass on this one.

I haven't even renewed my AP yet this year!

The stuff I might possibly want is either freely available or can be purchased by non-club members. The exclusive stuff I don't care about at all.

So I guess I won't be joining.

I just want to go to the convention. :cool:

I think I have to agree. The 23 magazine is for sale on news stands, The web content (comics, news, etc...) is free to all, if so inclined you can go to the convention (just without the discount). So all we are really talking about is a CostCo type arrangement where you pay to shop in their store, unless...

The events turn out to be cool things like "tour an attraction with the designer" or tours of the underground tunnels (you know they exist!).

But the pessimist realist in me says the events will be member only pin-releases, and member only special merchandise sales...

Note: The club only offers an unspecified discount to the convention. Unless that discount is $80 or greater.......

Besides you already belong to the much more exclusive 33 Royal Street. ;)

Ah, if it's only a discount to the convention.... not really worth it. I'm not going to pay $80 just to buy over-priced stuff.

I suppose if you like the magazine enough to pay $15/Quarter, then perhaps this deal makes more sense.... $60 per year for that plus the discount to the convention might work out.

Damn, I love Ebay...

I don't buy much on the site but I do love they way they keep up with the times....

It looks like you could easily make back your dues by hawking the D23 trinkets on Ebay.... :D

DD: I recommend you purchase about 20 of the "Launch Day" shirts that are only available today.

Although, I must say that the annual membership price is somewhat better than paying a fee for some "exclusive" features on Disney fan sites. And, at least it offers nice publications and some other things, especially the large convention.

Well, there goes more money that I just gave to Disney ... I didn't even browse the D23 merchandise in detail this morning. So, thank you, Moonliner, for pointing out the dated shirts.

Not 20 shirts, but I did order a couple of both the black and beige "Launch Day" shirts to keep/wear and the extras to give away as gifts. I am not one who sells stuff for outrageous prices on eBay.

As for the cost vs. benefits of membership, I probably would have bought the Disney twenty-three magazines anyway, so joining made sense.

PAY to hang out with Disneyland geeks? No way. ;)

Yeah: not when you can do it here for free.

Wait... Are you saying you don't get a PM every few weeks with the amount you have to pay to keep using the LoT?

Just like Disney to still have absolutely no clue how to use the internet to further their brand, please their biggest fans, and yes, make money.

For them to use the word "Community" in this context is insulting, especially to those of us that have been a part of the real online Disney community, official or not.

Boo.

Well said, CP! :snap:

I may have paid (too much) money to join D23, but you're completely right. It appears that the Community's participation in D23 is a one-way street -- mostly limited to paying for the opportunity to attend paid events, or the opportunity to buy merchandise.

But at least the D23 Website is free to access and read. There are some decent articles and photos in the "Disney Archives" sections.

Those who actually paid to join D23 will have to wait and see if the potential "exclusive special events" to come are worth the cost of membership. But, yeah, it is a disappoint that Disney seemingly missed the opportunity to really connect with fans after months of intrigue and build up.

I may be missing something, but why 23? why not D1313 or D33 or D55 ?

From the official press release:

Perhaps when the company officially formed?

ETA: Yup, wiki confirms that the company officially formed on Oct. 16, 1923.

From Disney press materials and Disney archives:

... The name "D23" pays homage to the wonder and excitement that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood.

... Named in honor of the year 1923, when Walt left Kansas City, headed for Hollywood and founded what would become the Disney Studios.

In August 1923, Walt Disney left Kansas City for Hollywood with nothing but a few drawing materials, $40 in his pocket, and a completed animated and live-action film. Walt's brother, Roy O. Disney, was already in California, with an immense amount of sympathy and encouragement, and $250. Pooling their resources, they borrowed an additional $500 and constructed a camera stand in their uncle's garage. Soon they received an order from New York for the first "Alice Comedy" featurette, and the brothers began their production operation in the rear of a Hollywood real estate office two blocks away.

Well, if you don't know THAT than you can't be a REAL Disney geek and you can't join the club. HAHA! :p

Wow! $80 bucks to join huh? Does that come with lube or do they buy you dinner first?

Knowing "disney" fans, they'll shutter that "community" up faster than Ed Grier moves thru the park....

$80.81?! Aren't the prostitutes at the Golden Horseshoe Review cheaper than that? I think they are. You can get f*cked by Disney for less, I tells ya.
:D

I can think of a better number for the club... one that will ensure that most of LoT will join. But I don't want to give away what that number is...

Yeah, just work for them.

So how goes the world of '23'?

Anything hoopy going on?