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Tag Archives: D23

September 26

September 26, 2010 – The First D23 Scavenger Hunt is Held at Disneyland

“Get ready for the most incredible scavenger hunt in Disney history as D23 hosts the Great Disney Scavenger Hunt at the Disneyland Resort!”

On September 26, 2010, D23 held its first official scavenger hunt was held in Disneyland. Club members competed in teams of two to four, beginning at 8:45 in the morning at the Disneyland Hotel and searching across Downtown Disney, Disney California Adventure, Disneyland, and the Disney hotels. The top 10 teams won a variety of prizes from the likes of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Walt Disney Collectors’ Society, Disney Publishing, and Walt Disney Records.

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August 21

August 21, 2011 – The Second D23 Expo Comes to a Close

“The Ultimate Disney Fan Event”

On August 21, 2011, the second biennial D23 Expo had its final day. Featured at the Anaheim Convention Center, the final day featured 15 exhibitions and panels for Disney fans to peruse, including a panel about the evolution of Marvel comics by Chief Creative Office Joe Quesada; a conversation with Steve Pilcher and Tia Kratter, called The Art of Brave; and a special discussion with film preservationist Ed Hobelman and Imagineer and Disney Legend Tony Baxter, called MORE of the Wonderful World of Vintage Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

August 19

August 19, 2011 – Rock Star Mickey is Unveiled at the D23 Expo

“It’s great to see how Rock Star Mickey can get kids rockin’ at an early age.” – Constantine Maroulis

On August 19, 2011, representatives from Fisher-Price and Disney Consumer Products, along with former American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis, and Mickey Mouse, were on hand at the D23 Expo to present the new Rock Star Mickey interactive plush toy. The toy, a sequel to the previous year’s Dance Star Mickey, features Mickey performing specialty rock moves, including the “Mickety-Split,” where he performs a split while playing the guitar with his nose. Mickey also performs a version of the classic rock song “You Really Got Me.” It was also announced at the event that the toy would be available at retailers nationwide starting September 6, and would retail for $54.99. Maroulis entertained crowds and performed with Mickey to promote the toy, while representatives showed the toy’s dance moves and answered questions.

August 20

August 20, 2016 – D23 Members Celebrate 75th Anniversary of The Reluctant Dragon

                Image credit: D23 Official Site

“It was definitely a Disney day to remember, proving you’ll never know what surprises will await at a D23 event.”

On August 20, 2016, the Disney fanclub D23 held an official event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the little-known Disney film The Reluctant Dragon. The film, released in 1941, starred Robert Benchley as himself trying to pitch the titular story at the Walt Disney Studios, and ultimately takes a tour around several areas while trying to find Walt; this gave viewers a chance to see how an animated film gets made, thanks to tours around the Ink and Paint Department and the Sound Effects stage. Almost 400 D23 members were present at the Walt Disney Studios for a viewing of the film, and were able to see several artifacts from the Archives that were present in the film, including the bust of Robert Benchley. Also present for the event were members of the Walt Disney Archives, including director Becky Cline; voice actors Bill Farmer (Goofy) and Bret Iwan (Mickey Mouse); Animation Research Library manager Fox Carney; film producer and director Ted Thomas; Disney historian Les Perkins; Imagineer Tony Baxter; and Steve Vagnini from D23. There were special events on the lot after the screening and presentations, along with autograph sessions with several of the Disney Legends in attendance.

June 25

June 25, 2010 – The Documentary Archiving the Archives: Forty Years of Preserving the Magic Premieres

“We’re excited to honor Dave [Smith] and the Archives, and to give our members a close-up look at some rarely seen ‘jewels in the crown’ of Disney history.” – Head of D23, Steven Clark

On June 25, 2010, the documentary film Archiving the Archives: Forty Years of Preserving the Magic premiered at a special D23 event at the Disney Studios. The film, honoring the Walt Disney Archives’ 40th anniversary, took a look at how founder Dave Smith started the archives, and the impact it has on the Disney legacy. The premiere event also featured appearances by Disney President and CEO Bob Iger, as well as film historian Leonard Maltin to honor Smith and his contributions.

August 10

August 10, 2013 – Eight New Disney Legends are Inducted at the D23 Expo

Photo courtesy of D23

                   Photo courtesy of D23

“…today we are celebrating some of the remarkable people behind the Disney Magic.” – Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger

On August 10, 2013, at the D23 Expo, Chairman and CEO Bob Iger and host Tom Bergeron presented the next eight inductees into the Disney Legends line, joining 249 others that have been recognized for their contributions to the Disney legacy. The 2013 inductees included Imagineers Tony Baxter and Collin Campbell, television personality Dick Clark, actors Billy Crystal and John Goodman, Apple founder Steve Jobs, animator Glen Keane, and comedian Ed Wynn. For those still living, the honorees were brought to the stage to be given a special trophy and to say a few words about their career or time with Disney. A special presentation was held for those that had passed away prior to the awards.

August 2

August 2, 2010 – The Seventh Issue of Disney twenty-three is Released

Image Credit: Official Disney Store Website

“Rapunzel and Flynn get Tangled up in Disney’s latest animated feature.”

On August 2, 2010, the long-awaited fall issue of Disney twenty-three, the magazine for members of D23, was sent to members and released for general purchase. The featured article for the magazine was the upcoming 50th animated film, Tangled. Other articles featured included a look at Disney Imagineering; an interview with Marty Sklar and Ray Bradbury about Epcot; tales of being a jungle cruise skipper from author Jason Surrell and John Lasseter; a salute to Fess Parker, who had passed away earlier that year; and a look at the creation of the character of the Beast from the classic film Beauty and the Beast. D23 members were also given a member-exclusive gift. A set of nine patches were created that feature the original Future World logos from its opening in 1982; members received a random design with their subscription.

March 10

March 10, 2009 – The Official Disney Fan Club, D23, is Announced at the Disney Annual Meeting

Image Credit: D23 Website

“Are You 23?” – The teaser released to fans before the D23 announcement

At Disney’s annual meeting on March 10, 2009, CEO Robert Iger announced the formation of a new official club for devoted fans. The D, naturally, stands for Disney, with the 23 representing 1923, the year Walt Disney arrived in Hollywood and founded the earliest version of the Disney Studios. The goal of the club is to provide fans an inside look at the past, present, and future of Disney Studio projects.

The image used on the cover of the first issue of Disney Twenty-Three

The first issue of the quarterly magazine, Disney Twenty-Three, featured a famous black-and-white image of Walt behind a camera, and included articles about the beginning of Disney archives by Dave Smith, a behind-the-scenes look at Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, Pixar’s UP, the Broadway version of The Little Mermaid, and the design of the most exclusive accommodations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The charter membership also included a special gift from the archives—a limited-edition print of the new Mickey Mouse portrait, and a certificate of membership, as well as special offers and a special store on the online Disney Store. D23 also has a website with information, special videos, and other tidbits of history.

As a member of D23, I can tell you that the information the magazine provides is mind-blowing for any Disney fan. The scope of information each issue is broad; members can read about something from the parks in one article, to a special Disney project in another (an example being the Annie Leibovitz portraits of famous Disney scenes), to a behind-the-scenes look at a new movie. For anyone who loves Disney history and wishes to learn more, D23 is highly recommended.