Tag: Disney Twenty Three
D23 Expo Tickets and Schedule Now Available
Fans eager to find out what is in store for them at the D23 Expo in September need not wait any longer as Disney has finally released details and made available tickets here.
Here are some of the highlights:
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2009
11:00 a.m. - Bob Iger Keynote Address
Disney President and CEO Bob Iger kicks off the D23 Expo keynote speaker program with what promises to be a fascinating look at Disney that no fan will want to miss.
2:00 p.m. - Stephen McPherson Keynote Address
Stephen McPherson is president of ABC Entertainment Group, which has delivered some of the most successful, talked-about and evolutionary series on television today.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2009
11:00 a.m. - Dick Cook Keynote Address
Walt Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook oversees all aspects of the development, production, distribution and marketing for all live-action and animated films released under the Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures and Miramax banners worldwide.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2009
11:00 a.m. - Disney Legends Ceremony
Be on hand as The Walt Disney Company honors the 2009 Disney Legends — who will join a prestigious circle of luminaries who embody the Company’s unique creative spirit, as best personified by its founder. This is only the third time this hallmark event on the Disney yearly calendar has been open to the public — and the first time the ceremony has not been held on Disney property.
2:00 p.m. - Jay Rasulo and Bruce Vaughn Keynote Address
Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and Bruce Vaughn, executive vice president and chief creative executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, share how Parks and Resorts and Imagineering dream up the magic that our guests enjoy every day at our magical destinations around the world.
5:00 p.m. - Rich Ross and Gary Marsh Keynote Address
Rich Ross, president, Disney Channel Worldwide, and Gary Marsh, president, Entertainment, Disney Channel Worldwide, take us behind the scenes of Disney Channel, which has launched the careers of some of the world’s biggest stars!
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2009
11:00 a.m. - John Lasseter Keynote Address
You won’t want to miss a minute of this keynote event with John Lasseter, chief creative officer, Pixar Animation and Walt Disney Animation Studios. The creative genius with a penchant for Hawaiian shirts has, after all, written and/or directed some of the most beloved and critically acclaimed movies of our time, including Toy Story 1 and Toy Story 2 and Cars, while helping write or executive produce much of the output of Pixar Animation Studios.
Pavilions to be featured at the D23 Expo include The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Disney Consumer Products, Fan Forums, Disney Dream Store, Radio Disney, Disney Corporate Social Responsibility, and Disney Corporate New Technology.
Imagineers, cast members, and executives will be on-hand in the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts pavilion.
The Disney Dream Store will feature “products from various entities across The Walt Disney Company, including Disney Theme Parks, Disney Consumer Products, Disneystore.com, Disney Store, Disney Soda Fountain & Studio Store Hollywood, among others. Merchandise offerings will include commemorative souvenirs, Disney art and collectibles, Mickey Mouse ear hats, pins, Disney Couture fashion-forward apparel and accessories from Disney Vault 28 and Tren-D, environmentally friendly tee’s and bags, spooktacular Halloween costumes and home décor, and more.”
Tickets are on sale now here, including vacation packages. See you in September!
TweetTHURSDAY THEME PARK: Thoughts on D23 Summer Events
When D23, the official fan club/community for Disney fans, launched in March, I wasn’t terribly excited about what was being offered. Joining D23 seemed to only offer members a membership card, certificate, subscription to Disney Twenty-Three magazine, limited exclusive merchandise availability, and a promise of future surprises. Now, Disney has announced a few of those surprises and I’m here to give some…
Thoughts on D23 Summer Events
The idea of having exclusive events for D23 members only appeals to me. I haven’t joined the club as I haven’t yet found enough value in the $75 membership cost. Unfortuantely, as exciting as some of the newly-announced events are, none of them are taking place anywhere near my home in Orlando and thus even if I were a member of D23, I couldn’t participate in them.
Make sure you read about the announced events before reading my thoughts about each below.
- May 28 D23 “Up All Night” at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre (FREE)
I think it’s a great idea to have an advance screening of the latest Disney movie, especially when it’s the latest Pixar film. However, I’d be a whole lot more tempted to join D23 if every member got a free pass good for an advance screening at a local theater of their choice rather than limiting it only to the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. The El Capitan event sounds like a lot of fun, and I’m sure some great Disney adn Pixar guests will be there to talk about the film, but I’d imagine that most D23 members won’t be able to attend it. Perhaps those who can’t make it to LA should at least be able to get a free ticket to a regular showing of the film.
- May 31 D23’s Flowers & Fireworks Celebration at Epcot (FREE with park admission)
I’m not terribly excited about the ideas of having reserved seating for seeing Tony Orlando perform at Epcot or a special section for watching the park’s nighttime fireworks show, Illuminations. I’m not a fan of Tony Orlando and there are so many great spots from which to see Illuminations, a special viewing area really isn’t needed. However, getting a free Epcot dessert party is a wonderful treat and if I were a D23 member, I’d definitely attend. I bet this gathering will be packed.
- June 24 D23’s Supercalifragilistic Night on Broadway
- June 24 D23 and Poppins Breeze into The Windy City
- June 27 D23 and The Lion King Roar in Vegas
I’m lumping these three events together as they’re all very similar, taking places in New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas. They all involve seeing a Disney stage show and going “behind-the-scenes” for each. Since I live nowhere near any of these cities, they simply wouldn’t work for me. Plus, these events are not free, so even if I did live in one of these cities, I wouldn’t attend. I’m just not much of a stage show fan. For those who happen to live in/near New York, Chicago, or Las Vegas and love theater, I suppose this is a great perk. But I wonder what percentage of D23 members this will apply to.
- June 27 & Aug. 15 D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives (FREE)
This is my favorite of the announced D23 events and I would join D23 in a second just for this event – if I lived in California. Since space is limited, I suspect that this will fill up within minutes of it becoming available. I have visited the Walt Disney Studios before, but never the Archives. It’s definitely on my Disney to-do list.
- July 17 D23 presents Disneyland, U.S.A. (FREE)
Again, if I lived in California, I’d be tempted to join D23 to attend this screening/panel discussion. I’m a sucker for panel discussions, especially when amazing people like Imagineer Tony Baxter and Archivist Dave Smith are brought in to speak. I’ve attended one of Dave Smith’s talks in the past and he certainly has plenty of great stories to tell. Another plus for D23.
- Sept TBD The Walt Disney Family Museum Preview (FREE)
Yet another must-do for D23 members who live in California. I’m really excited about the opening of the Walt Disney Family Museum and would definitely jump at a chance to attend a sneak preview of it. Unfortunately, again, I don’t live in California. Though, if they happen to schedule this event anywhere near the D23 Expo (Sept 10-13), I might have to make a special trip from Anaheim to San Francisco to make it.
D23 Scoreboard
Out of 8 announced events, my personal tally is 4 hits, 3 misses, and 1 toss-up. The 4 hits are all in California, so if I lived there, I’d be joining D23 right now, waiting for a chance to sign up for those events. The 3 misses are all theater stage show-based and regardless of the city, I wouldn’t attend. The 1 toss-up is the only event that’s here in Orlando, at Epcot, but isn’t enough of an event to get me to join. An Epcot dessert party isn’t worth $75 to me.
But D23 is looking more appealing by the month. I’m enjoying their surprisingly-regularly updated web site (which you don’t have to be a member to read) and if more Orlando-based events are announced, I may end up joining D23 by the end of the year.
Now if only they’d announce the schedule for the D23 Expo in September so I can book my plane tickets already…
What do you think of the announced D23 events? Comment!
TweetD23 “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!
TweetDisney D23 Membership Cards Begin to Arrive
Those who signed up for Disney’s new fan club / community D23 are beginning to receive their personalized membership cards.
Kellie sent me some pictures of what he received:
Here is the text on the welcome letter included with the membership card:
Welcome to D23 The Official Community for Disney Fans!
We are thrilled you have joined us to celebrate the magic of Disney’s past, present, and future. Through D23, you will go backstage, behind closed doors, and get the inside scoop from every part of Disney, while experiencing the nostalgia, adventure and fantasy of Disney as never before.
Included here is your personalized membership card. Within 1-2 weeks you should receive your welcome letter, membership certificate, and first copy of Disney twenty-three. Your special gift from the Walt Disney Archives Collection will arrive separately.
Stay connected with D23 at Disney.com/D23. With breaking new, feature stories, insightful columns, vintage comics, and much more, D23′s Web site will keep you plugged into Disney on a daily basis.
Once again, we are so happy you could “join the jamboree,” and we look forward to bringing you the best of Disney.
- The D23 Team
Membership card, front:
Membership card, back:
Kellie also mentioned that the fine print under the card says that D23 members will be able to enter the D23 Expo in Anaheim in September an hour earlier than non-members. Here’s the full text below where the card was affixed:
This Card’s sole purpose is to confirm the current D23 Membership status of the D23 Member whose name appears on it. When presented — along with valid photo identification and required paid admission, ticket, or reservation — this card also grants the D23 Member access to D23 member special events, including one-hour early admission to the D23 Expo, but does not guarantee entry when space is limited. This Card does not entitle the D23 Member to free or discounted admission to, or any other special privileges with, andy Disney or Disney-affiliated entry, location or program, including without limitation theaters, retail locations, theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, online destinations, restaurants, merchandise outlets or service providers. This Card is nontransferable, by sale or otherwise, must be surrendered upon request, and expires and is of no further use or value on the expiration date that appears on the back of this Card. The card may not be replaced if lost or stolen.
The backside of the card contains this same text, with the actual expiration date printed.
Of particular note is that the card features a bar code on the back, which presumably means it will be scanned at some point for some purpose – unknown at this point. But it is good to know that the card has the potential for having an actual use other than just getting stuffed in a drawer.
Thanks to Kellie for the great pictures and information!
TweetExclusive D23 / Disney Twenty Three Pin and Necklace for Disney Movie Rewards Members
I visited the Disney Movie Rewards site to enter a new movie code and discovered that there are two exclusive D23 fan club items for members of the Movie Rewards program:
D23 Limited Edition Collector’s Pin - 500 Points
Historic and current images of our favorite Mouse commemorate their heritage by displaying the D23 logo. Pin is enamel and measures 1.75″ wide. Limited Edition of 2300.
Limit 1 redemption per member
D23 Silver and Swarovski Crystal Necklace - 1,000 Points
This beautiful necklace presents the D23 logo accented with a clear Swarovski Crystal. Necklace is silver-plated alloy and measures 1/2″ x 1/2″ ; 18″ snake chain is silver-plated brass.
Limit 1 redemption per member
So if you’ve signed up for the new D23 Disney fan club and want to collect all D23 items (especially pins), you’ll need to trade in some of your Disney Movie Rewards points to get these.
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