And so the secret is finally out. One of Disney’s more intriguing public relations campaigns has been revealed. After months of guessing and theorizing, D23 has been unveiled. We all know that the official community for Disney fans, as envisioned by the company itself, launched last week. The Web site is up, and I saw the magazine in both Barnes & Noble and the Disney Store this weekend. Most importantly to those of us “Disney Stuffers” out there, the merchandise is available!
Disney twenty-three magazine, D23 membership certificate, D23 membership card. Copyright © Disney.
I was fortunate to be on the phone lines last week for the official press conference with Steven Clark-Head of D23, Dave Smith-Chief Disney Archivist and none other than Disney Legend and Imagineering Ambassador, Marty Sklar. I was thrilled to have the chance to speak to them on the phone that day. When I told my daughter I might get the chance to ask Marty Sklar—one of the all-time head Imagineers—a question, she replied, “Ask him this. If Pluto is a dog and walks around on all fours, barks and lives in a dog house, then how can Goofy walk upright, speak, drive a car, live in a house and also be a dog?” That’s my girl, but that’s really a question for another press conference I suppose.
Most of the comments and questions came from many of our friends out there in unofficial Disney cyberspace. All the big sites were represented, with names like Lou Mongello and Jim Hill all asking pertinent questions about the nature of D23; its effect on the unofficial communities, and the high price point of membership. One thing was on this particular writer’s mind, “When’s the cool merchandise stuff coming, and when and where can I get it?”
So, when it was my turn, I asked, “What sort of special merchandise could we look forward to from D23?” Steven Clark answered me, citing some of the items already on the D23 boutique Web page. He went on to comment that they hope to work closely with Disney Consumer Products and Theme Park Merchandise to create material that the fans would love to see. Mr. Clark said that the exclusive collectible being offered in the membership package is something that he proudly displays and that it was not a pin, as many had expected. The mere mention that he intends to look at props and costume elements from films such as Tron and The Black Hole for future merchandise set an interesting tone for D23 in general. That being, that he himself is a major Disney fan, and when creating D23 and all that goes along with it, the fan is what they have in mind. To me, that’s an encouraging mindset.
So, I thought this time, in a timely manner, I’d take a look at some of the newest Disney Stuff out there, the D23 merchandise. First, let me say that I joined right away. Yes, I think the initial price is a little steep, but I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt this first year. Let’s see what they deliver. I’m looking forward to the magazine and the surprise collectible I’m supposed to be getting and what other possibilities crop up in the inaugural year. If it turns out to be a bust, I don’t have to rejoin next year, do I? Let’s face it, one-way or another the company’s getting at least $74.99 out of me this year, so it might as well be for something special.
I like the T-shirt featuring Mickey in his Mickey Mouse Club uniform. This one is on the way to my mailbox.
The shirt that’s,”Made for you and me!” Copyright © Disney.
I think the items in the collectible and pins section of the D23 Boutique ring true on Steven’s promise of merchandise for the true fan. These are D23 membership exclusives. You can view them on the website, but only a member can purchase them.
Starting with Walt’s first creation, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, was an inspired idea, a great choice for their first offering. This is part of the Walt Disney Classics Collection and is entitled ”True Originals.” To my knowledge, this is the first appearance by Oswald in the Classics Collection and he’s a welcome sight.
Walt and his original creation. Copyright © Disney.
Now, obviously, Mickey Mouse can’t be left out of this line can he? But, a cel from The Mad Doctor, featuring our hero strapped down to a table with a buzz saw heading his way? Definitely an interesting choice and one a true fan would appreciate from this 1933 Mickey short.
The D23 exclusive Mad Doctor limited edition cel. Copyright © Disney.
Continuing the classic short theme are images from 1928’s Plane Crazy on a pin and a t-shirt. Plane Crazy is famous, of course, for being Mickey’s first appearance on film. I think it’s great to offer a shirt and pin like these with a subtle design and such a vintage image.
The D23 exclusive Plane Crazy pin. Copyright © Disney.
The D23 exclusive Plane Crazy shirt. Copyright © Disney.
More evidence of a concentration on the true Disney fan would be this Song Of The South cel. This 1946 film is cherished by the fans and equally longed for as the company still refuses to re-release it in any form in the United States. (A D23 exclusive release, maybe? One can hope.)
The D23 limited edition Song of the South cel. Copyright © Disney.
Granted, the collectibles aren’t cheap, and I don’t see them heading for my home anytime soon. The t-shirt and pin are certainly more in line with what we’re used to paying for an everyday item, but it’s the choices that are most encouraging to me.
Oswald, The Mad Doctor, and Song of the South seem like fan’s choices. The possibility of Tron and Black Hole offerings in the future also fit the bill. If Clark, Smith and Sklar said it once at the press conference they said it a hundred times. D23 was an offering for the Disney fan. It’s about us. These unusual choices for merchandise seem to reinforce that philosophy. It makes you feel like someone is finally listening to us and straying from the predictable merchandise course. With so much to choose from, I appreciate when the company mines their treasure trove of films and characters and comes up with something that doesn’t hit the mass Disney audience, but rather aims for a more select group of fans. I’m guessing many of the latter signed up for D23 last week, and only time will tell if D23 delivers on its promise. When I get my special membership only collectible in the mail, I’ll let you know what I think. Please let me hear your opinions as well and to all you Disney Stuffers out there, here’s to a positive experience and first year with D23!
