What Do You Get for Joining D23 in 2022?
Anyone can join D23, the membership club for Disney fans.
However, you might consider paying for D23 Gold membership instead.
Disney rewards its most loyal customers with unique benefits and rewards, including an annual gift crate.
I am happy to report that I just bagged my gift crate. So, I can answer this question. What do you get for joining D23 in 2022?
About D23
Disney introduced its official fan club in 2009. At the time, the company committed to two events, one of which was sponsored.
That year, Disney attended the San Diego Comic-Con and announced its first exclusive exhibition.
In September of 2009, the Anaheim Convention Center hosted D23 Expo, a four-day event celebrating all things Disney.
Since then, D23 has evolved into a biennial event, meaning it takes place every other year. However, the pandemic has disrupted those plans recently.
The D23 Expo proved so instantly popular that Disney has since expanded the program with Destination D events during the alternating years.
During years with a D23 Expo, you won’t find a Destination D event. But, conversely, when there’s no D23 Expo, there should be a Destination D fan event.
Disney has even taken to hosting these get-togethers internationally on some occasions. For example, in 2018, guests could attend the D23 Expo in Japan.
Importantly, the D23 program has expanded well beyond a single annual event.
This program now hosts several events each year. For example, The Disney Afternoon with D23 Member Mixer just took place at San Diego Comic-Con 2022.
Seattle will host a member mixer on July 29th, and Disneyland Paris offers a 30th birthday event on August 1st.
In short, D23 allows you to revel in your fandom amongst other Disney lovers!
What Are the Price and Perks of D23?
I know that you’d get a kick out of joining D23. So, let’s talk about the price for a moment.
D23 membership comes in three forms. As mentioned, anyone can join the program for free.
You can log into your Disney account and choose “Become a General Member” at this link.
However, Disney incentivizes you to become a paid or Gold Member. This package costs $99 plus tax, but it has several bonuses.
For 2022, D23 has altered its previous Gold Family program. Now, the club offers the Gold Duo Plan. For $129 plus tax, a couple can join D23.
What do you get with membership? The answer may surprise you. For starters, you’ll gain access to exclusive events.
For example, Disneyland resort will host a first-ever D23 members-only night of Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party.
This event will occur on September 10th, and the timing shouldn’t be lost on you.
That’s the same time as the 2022 D23 Expo, which occurs from September 9th through the 11th.
You can watch the legendary Disney Parks panel at D23 and then spend the night at an after-hours ticketed event at Disneyland Resort.
You’d be the most Disney fan possible that day!
Of course, you may not like expos or other fan events. However, before I write you off that way, I should mention that Disney also hosts some movie events.
Let’s say that a beloved title is celebrating a significant anniversary. D23 might host a membership event at a metropolitan area theater.
On top of that, D23 members gain exclusive access to tickets, merchandise, and sales.
Also, Disney will send out the excellent D23 Magazine four times per year. You may think you’re over magazines, but you’ll change your mind after reading one issue.
What Do You Get for Joining D23 in 2022?
Okay, the other stuff is lovely, but here’s why you’ll want to join D23 this year.
Every year you’re a Gold Member, Disney will deliver what I can only describe as a care package.
You can think of it as a loot crate where everyone receives the same stellar loot.
Realistically, nothing was going to top the 2021 D23 Gold Member package. So here’s my recap of that stuff.
I still feel a bit tingly when I think about seeing that lunchbox for the first time.
Obviously, the 2022 package seems a bit more understated. Supply chains remained problematic throughout the decision-making process.
So, D23 officials strategized and devised a worldly theme and a remarkably satisfying package.
What’s in the Crate?
Here’s a look at the goodies!
The D23 Gold Pin is unmistakably Soarin’ themed. You can almost hear Patrick Warburton’s voice when you look at it.
However, the stylized pin also tells a story. You’re going on a grand adventure as the pins take you Soarin’ Around the World.
In fact, Disney even provides you with a passport for your journey!
We’ll start the trip at Hong Kong Disneyland, where Albert the monkey from Mystic Manor makes an appearance.
The recently updated Castle of Magical Dreams also factors heavily into the pin’s design.
Shanghai Disneyland flexes its ride muscle with images from Tron Lightcycle Power Run and Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure.
Next, we visit Tokyo Disneyland, home of The Happy Ride with Baymax. Tokyo’s favorite bear, Duffy, is also hanging out by the castle.
Meanwhile, Tokyo DisneySea fans will get a kick of the landmark at the top of the bin…and don’t overlook Boo and Sulley on the side!
Disneyland Paris highlights its most iconic attractions, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Phantom Manner. Oh, and there’s an Earrfel Tower, too! Doesn’t that make you nostalgic?
I was amused that Disney Cruise Line got its own pin, but that would have been a glaring omission. Doesn’t Captain Minnie look snappy in her new uniform?
At Disneyland, the pin overflows with content. That’s Mr. Toad, a Hitchhiking Ghost, It’s a Small World, the Pixar Pal-A-Round, and much more!
The Walt Disney World pin packs the most into a single design, though.
You’ve got the icons from all four theme parks, plus Figment and the orange bird! Also, don’t overlook the monorail on top of Spaceship Earth!
Final Thoughts
Those of you who have read my writing for a while know that I don’t get these crates for myself.
Sure, I love them, but my wife always opens the boxes. The delight in her eyes makes the D23 Gold Member experience for me.
I asked her to describe her thoughts about this year’s crate. She loved the passport and mentioned something I hadn’t even noticed.
This package comes with a luggage tag, just as if you were flying for real! How great is that?!
She’s also started a pin collection behind my back. That’s the one thing we’d agreed that we’d never do.
However, the truth came out during a recent move. I busted her with more than 100 pins already. Little sneak.
Even so, I can tell you that the Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris pins quickly entered her top ten favorites overall.
The crate is still sitting in the kitchen. I’ll sometimes catch her lustily eyeing those pins as she plots how to decorate entire pin corkboards around them. She’s a menace and must be stopped.
Seriously, if her reaction is any indication, all Disney fans will get their money’s worth out of the $99 D23 Gold Member purchase.
If you open the crate and don’t like it, the packages are selling for $50-$80 online. So, that would cut your purchase price considerably.
My family is obviously all-in on D23, and I strongly encourage you to consider it for yours!
Feature Image: Variety