D23 “Surprise” Gift Beginning to Arrive – And it’s a Lithograph
Many Disney fans who have paid $75 to join Disney’s new D23 official fan community have justified the cost by hoping that the “surprise” gift from the new Walt Disney Archives Collection would be worth $75 unto itself. Now that gift is beginning to arrive to members… and it’s a Mickey Mouse lithograph:
Thanks, once again, to Kellie for sending in the pictures and information. This particular one was mailed in a poster tube and it looks like whoever packaged it up wasn’t very careful with it, as the corner edges are slightly damaged due to being forced into the tube. Not very good for a free gift.
Here’s the certificate of authenticity that came with it:
While I can appreciate the historical value of this portrait, I don’t appreciate the real value of a lithograph. I’m glad I didn’t join D23 in hopes of the gift being something really special.
Finally, here’s a letter that came with the gift:
Does this “surprise” gift of a lithograph make you want to join D23 more or less? If you have joined D23, are you happy about this gift? Disappointed? Comment!
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Color me unimpressed.
It does diminish my desire a bit… but eventually I’ll probably be in on it too.
Anyhow… I think it’s already going to be a “surprise” b-day gift from a family member…
Apparently the painting the lithograph is a reproduction of is discussed in the premier issue of Disney Twenty-Three.
I mainly joined out of the promise and hope of discounts and benefits offered in the future. I’m guessing the retail value of this lithograph would be equal to or in excess of $11 (after tax) at the Art of Disney so it still comes out as a break even.
The only difference is that I don’t buy lithographs so this isn’t something that I would’ve bought anyway unlike Disney Twenty-Three which I would’ve
As of right now I’m not 23 and this does not even come close to pushing me to becoming a member. It just doesn’t seem to be a good value for the $75+tax&shipping.
I like it, that’s for sure. It would look on my wall. I’m not as down on D23 as some seem to be, but I don’t see myself joining in the near future.
While I would love to join this group, I think. I am perplexed. How does D23 offer anything different or newer than what i can get for free on Google, from the many excellent blogs and podcasts, and from already published books on Disney? I just cannot pull the trigger on 75 dollars for this. Will they offer discounts on tickets to the parks? Discounts on dining? Gift shop purchases in parks? Ids this all you get? Do we really need to fork over 75 dollars to be part of a community to which we already belong? My last question: Would Walt have done this? I think not.
Add me to the “unimpressed” list. A poster (let’s admit it, it’s basically a poster) just isn’t that neat IMO. I was hoping that the gift might be a desk decoration — snowglobe, small figurine/statue, or something along those lines. At least something you could hold and enjoy (and no nit-picking, I know you can “hold” a poster ;) )
This gift was the one thing that made me think ‘maybe’ about D23. Now, it’s ‘no’ at least until they come-out with more details on other goodies/bonuses/discounts/events/whatever. Right now, I’m not paying $75 to get the privilege of purchasing additional expensive merchandise.
Gordon,
I don’t think we are going to see anything for D23 members involving perks in the theme parks anytime soon. It is of my belief that the Disney Corporation views being a DVC or Annual Passholder as the perk engine for the theme parks. No matter how much people want it to be, D23 is not a rewards program for the theme parks.
I firmly believe that D23 is going to evolve into some conduit for those who are fascinated with Disney history and behind the scenes info about current films. Hence Dave Smith’s and the Disney Archive’s heavy involvement with this program.
I may be wrong, but I’ll be shocked if we start seeing perks/benefits for the theme park enthusiast. The most I could see is maybe an earlier sneak peek to soon to be opened attractions or the ability to view soft openings sooner
I wrote these thoughts earlier today. I’d love to know what you all think. All feedback is welcome.
If you are a Disney fan you are well aware of the new announcement by the Disney Company of the creation of D23 the “official” community of Disney fans. That is, unless you’ve lived under a rock for the last few days.
For just $74.99 a year, per person, you can join this “official” community of Disney Fans. At the roll-out even, CEO Bob Iger had this to say: “But equally important to the Disney legacy are our fans, who keep the magic alive by passing on Disney’s timeless stories generation after generation. As a way of saying ‘thank you,’ we’ve created D23. We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate our fans everywhere and share the magic of Disney’s past, present and future.”
That sounds marvelous, except for the part where I get to pay 74.99 for Disney to thank me? With my membership, I am promised a membership card, a membership certificate 9suitable for framing!) 4 quarterly issues of “twenty*three” magazine, and a surprise gift (which is a lithograph of Mickey Mouse). The website promises “behind-the-scenes stories you can’t find anywhere else.” They’re right. I am sure that I won’t be able to find interviews with Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgins or with Tim Burton, or pictures of the Cinderella Suites at Disneyland and Disney World, anywhere else on the globe. Ever heard of Google? (If the magazine were all about Dave smith, Disney Archivist, then I might consider subscribing!) But, alas, it is not.
While I think it might be cool to join this group, I am nonetheless perplexed. How does D23 offer anything different or newer than what I can get for free on Google, from the many excellent blogs and podcasts, and from already published books on Disney—even Disney’s website? I just cannot pull the trigger on 75 dollars for this. Will they offer discounts on tickets to the parks? Discounts on dining? Theme park gift shop purchase discounts? Is this all you get? Is there a family membership?
One might respond by arguing that it is not about getting things, but about community, much more than money, or a magazine, or even a free gift. Fair point. So let’s examine it a little more, shall we? Why is it necessary to fork over $75 dollars to be part of a community to which we already belong?
There is an extant community of Disney fans, millions of them, who meet each day and week in UNOFFICIAL forums, blogs, podcasts, and meets. They live and breath the Disney life, they “get it” as a certain podcaster might say, and they do it with love in their hearts, with a zeal unmatched by anything, and with a devotion to the dream that Walt Disney created, fostered, and encouraged in film and in theme parks. Must it be official? Does it matter? The community of which I am a member is priceless, worth much more than $74.99 a year and longer lasting than a one-year subscription or a plastic membership card.
My last question: Would Walt have done this? I think not.
I’m with you Gordon, and rather regret signing up. The litho was the icing on the cake. It’s not the money that bothers me. It’s that there’s nothing special about the club — at least so far. I have buyer’s remorse.
“Not very good for a free gift” I do have to agree with you on this. In my opinion this looks like something that if they had sold it in the parks it would have ended up at the Disney Store at the Outlet Mall near Downtown Disney. I really wouldn’t call this a “free gift” as the only way to get this special gift is to join the D give us more Money 23 Club. They could have atleast had these signed and numbered. I am NOT 23 I will NOT be 23
I’ve been on the fence. I was waiting to see what the “gift” was and, now seeing this, I don’t think I’ll be joining (unless something big arises in the next few months). I can see joining if you’re planning on going to the Expo and want the discount. That appears to be the real reason for joining — the Expo. If you’re not going (we can’t all attend), then the membership really isn’t worth it.
What bothers me about this particular gift isn’t that it’s of dubious value, but that it marks the fact that Disney isn’t really trying. They have a history of wowwing (isn’t that what the Dream Squad was about?) and this simply indicated that they want $75 from those that are such huge fans that they won’t even question it. (No offense to those that joined) That is, those that are willing to pay (and have the means) to buy anything Disney just because, well, it’s Disney.
Ditto on Twenty-Three. It’s a nice magazine, but the price is over the top. It screams “You love Disney, you’ll pay anything, so cough up $15!”
Sorry, Disney, but this has actually hurt my love of you.
Did anyone else get the impresion the gift was a special piece of randomness from the archives, Like an old nail from the monsanto house versus a cheap poster(ugh I’m sorry litho, one mans swamp is another mans rainforest) they just made. I kind of thought it was like buying a baseball card pack anything could be in there from the actual archives. It alomost made sense, rather than throw stuff away sell it… And we would be glad to have it… Oh well another game of smoke and mirrors.
Mike. I agree with you on the “free gift.” Underwhelmed and disappointed was my reaction. I heard so many podcasters praise this “rare” gift, and “suitable for framing” came to mind. But so is my kindergarten certificate. As for the mag. I prefer Attractions or Celebrations to D23.
Thanks for posting this. I have been wondering what the special gift was. I kind of thought it would be a figurine of sorts, not a lithograph. That is kind of disppointing. I do think the picture is beautiful, but a bit cheap for the $75 membership fee. If you join the WD Collector Society you get an exclusive figurine, not a poster, and it only cost a little over $50 to join.
I have been on the fence on joining. If I do decide to I will be using my Disney Rewards dollars to pay. Though, I am still contemplating other Disney ways to spend my dollars or if D23 is for me.
At least I know that the gift is surely not going to be the reason for me joining.
I posted earlier about how I was feeling some buyer’s remorse. I’ve come around and actually feel quite differently now. The repro disneyland fan was a nice surprise gift and I’m really impressed with the special events they’ve put together for this summer. Hopefully they’ll continue in this direction.
I’ll admit, they are rolling out more events this summer. The trouble is I don’t live in Anaheim, so I wouldn’t be able to take part–if I was a member, that is…
The Epcot things they did last night looked nice, from the reports I have read.
I joined D23 AFTER I read this :( .
I was all set to call Disney and ask where my Special Gift was, as I thought I had not received it.
I can’t believe it is that cheap 99 cent poster.
December 8th 2009 this 54 disc collection of ALL of the Disney Treasures collectores tins come in an album style tin for 500 dollars
http://www.disneystore.com/presale-coming-soon-pre-order-d23-membership-exclusive-limited-edition-walt-disney-treasures-premium-collection-dvd-set-54-discs/p/1254942/13708/
only available for some reason to D23 members it seems like the only reason for someone really hooked on disney to join the club. If you bought the individual tins new it’d run about 800 dollars and now certain tins are going for close to 200 dollars a set on amazon so i’m sure it will be highly valued. The fact that it is limited to 3000 copies makes me wonder how many more D23 members there are over that. It really does seem to be an amazing collection but nothing new just re-released in a new container.
I was thinking about joining the D23 but the shipping cost are so high (50$ to the Netherlands) that I will probably not join. It is absurd that the costs are so high and besides that, where will I be profiting from? not the exclusive party’s or get-together’s I am just a student and thought that 55 euro’s for it was a good price but after shipping costs and stuff it will cost me 92 euro’s! it’s just absurd
forgot to say this:
If Walt would have seen this he would be so pissed on the Company.
I mean living in Holland means I would not get the chance on participating in anything.
further I totality agree with Gordon.
I live the Disney Dream every day and I can do that for a whole lot less that 125$ a year!!!!!!!
is this the Disney-feeling?