Is the D23 Gold Membership worth the investment? (And is it worth it if I don’t live in CA or FL?) In short, YES! Disney Adulting joined D23 a year ago (and we live in Phoenix, AZ) and here are a few of the benefits and a few of the challenges you’ll want to know BEFORE you invest in a new Gold Membership or Gold Family Plan.
D23 Membership Common Q&A
However, before we dive into the details, let’s get some solid Q&A out of the way, shall we? Here are the answers to all the common questions we get on D23 Gold Membership:
What is D23?
D23 is The Official Disney Fan Club (established on March 10, 2009) and is the first-ever “official” club of its kind in the history of The Walt Disney Company. It was established to bring Disney fans closer to the “magic” through one-of-a-kind experiences, special events, unique merchandise offerings, quarterly publications, exclusive online content, and opportunities to meet others who share the same affection for Disney.
What does D23 stand for?
The “D” stands for Disney, and “23” represents 1923, the year that Walt Disney arrived in California and founded what was to ultimately become The Walt Disney Company.
How do I become a D23 Member?
Visit the Membership Information page or shopDisney.com/D23 and select a General, Gold, or Gold Family Membership level.
Is there a cost to become a D23 Member?
There are 3 levels of D23 Membership:
- General (Complimentary)
- Gold ($79.99 Annual as of 9/9/2018)
- Gold Family (104.99 Annual as of 9/9/2018)
Can I become a D23 Member if I live outside the US?
Effective August 15, 2018, D23 will no longer be able to allow members outside of the United States to sign up, renew or upgrade.
D23 Gold Membership Benefits
On to the good stuff – there are many reasons why becoming a D23 Gold Member has its perks. Disney Adulting has enjoyed our membership over the last year along with some of the following benefits:
D23 Membership Website
This is our favorite perk! Seriously, there more packed into this website than you can even explore! A few of our favorite things include recipes, video interviews with Disney legends, insider exclusives and history from the Walt Disney Archives.
Gold Member Gift
ID23 Gold Members are sent a welcome gift that’s unique and thoughtfully designed every year. For example, D23 Gold Members received the full collection chronicling the career of everyone’s favorite mouse in 2018. From Steamboat Willie to Shanghai Disneyland, Mickey’s tale is told through 23 milestone mementos, each beautifully reproduced under the supervision of the Walt Disney Archives.
D23 Expo Perks
Becoming a Gold Member comes with added perks (just as becoming an annual passholder or VISA cardholder) but these benefits are pretty spicy if you ask us. Only D23 members can purchase the VIP Sorcerer’s Package and membership will also get you early access to the D23 ticket sales news and updates. If D23 is on your bucket list, don’t do it without a D23 Gold Membership!
Discounts
Gold Members have discounts at places like the Disney Store, Ghirardelli’s, ESPN Zone, House of Blues, UVA Bar, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, and the Walt Disney Family Museum to name only a few. Discounts are always being updated and added, so it’s key to check the membership website often.
Disney Twenty-Three Quarterly Publication
If you follow Disney Adulting on Instagram, then you’ve likely seen us posting some of these issues – but they are so-much-more than a magazine! Gold membership gets you a 1-year subscription (four issues) to the award-winning Disney twenty-three publication. Each one is filled with stunning photography, dazzling illustrations, and Disney insider perspectives. They are literally pretty enough to frame and hang on your wall. (Heck, we did it!)
Exclusive Gold Membership Events
Disney fans are everywhere, and so are D23 events! Over the past few years, D23 has held events in Boston, Chicago, New York City, Newark, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington D.C. Because of the rich Disney history in Florida and California, many events are held in these states as well. There are so many great opportunities and while they do cost more money (no way to avoid this one), they are worth it if you can go. We attended several events hosted in Phoenix (including a few movie premieres) and love the D23 community of Gold Members you’ll meet when you attend.
D23 Gold Membership Challenges
There are a few things to note about becoming a D23 Gold Member, however, we feel that the benefits are far greater than any challenges, it’s always good to know about them before you make the investment. So, here’s a few things you should know:
Events Often Location Specific
If you don’t travel to CA or FL often, then yes, you’ll miss out on many of the amazing events that D23 has to offer. Granted, these are location specific such as backlot tours and simply can’t be replicated outside of the location. If you live outside of CA or FL (or in a very remote location), then you might want to review the event calendar before joining to see what’s located in your area. Disney Adulting is located in Phoenix, AZ and travels to the parks multiple times a year, therefore, we were able to take advantage of events locally as well as at the parks. Research first so you aren’t disappointed.
Investment Required
While the D23 General Membership is free, you won’t have access to all the perks allotted to Gold Members. The investment that D23 Gold Members pay might seem like a big leap, but if you take advantage of the perks and discounts, it’s certainly well worth it.
Event Tickets Not Always Free
There are some events that are free (movie screenings we attended) but most of the D23 Gold Member events will have an additional ticket cost. If this additional investment bothers you, it might not be worth it, but to us the cost is excellent since you’ll get access to a Disney experience that no one outside of that event will be invited to participate in – like 1:1 time with Disney legends.
Is D23 Gold Membership Worth It?
You can do the research and decide for yourself, but I can happily tell you that Disney Adulting just renewed our Gold Membership for another year!
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