{"id":258752,"date":"2026-08-20T14:00:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T14:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/20\/why-im-a-member-of-d23-disneys-official-fan-club-and-how-you-can-join-for-free-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T14:00:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T14:00:10","slug":"why-im-a-member-of-d23-disneys-official-fan-club-and-how-you-can-join-for-free-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/20\/why-im-a-member-of-d23-disneys-official-fan-club-and-how-you-can-join-for-free-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"Why I’m a member of D23 \u2014 Disney’s official fan club \u2014 and how you can join for free – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

Who’s the leader of the club that’s made for you and me? We all know the response to that oft-repeated refrain is “Mickey Mouse,” but “The Mickey Mouse Club” isn’t the only fan club Mickey heads up.<\/p>\n

Disney’s most devoted fans belong to D23, the official Disney fan club. The “D” should be self-explanatory, and the “23” represents 1923, the year The Walt Disney Company was founded.<\/p>\n

D23 serves many purposes, but one of the most important is keeping fans connected to what they love most about Disney \u2014 even from afar. Whether you visit Disney theme parks every week or only once a year, a D23 membership is your key to Disney’s magical kingdom.<\/p>\n

What is D23?<\/h2>\n

Launched in 2009 under former Disney president and CEO Bob Iger, D23 celebrates Disney’s beloved characters, stories and experiences while also providing a new way for fans to connect over their shared love of Disney parks, movies, TV shows, characters, style, books, music, history or all of the above.<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>
D23: The Ultimate Fan Event. TARAH CHIEFFI\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Today, D23 has more than 1.8 million members worldwide who receive perks like access to studio tours, movie screenings and other events, dining, merchandise and theme park discounts, exclusive sweepstakes, a newsletter with the latest news and behind-the-scenes details and the chance to extend their fandom beyond their park visits.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/div>
D23: The Ultimate Fan Event. TARAH CHIEFFI\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

D23 members can also attend “D23: The Ultimate Fan Event,” held every two years in Anaheim, California. Officially, the biannual event is where Disney announces all the new lands and attractions coming to its global theme parks. But for those who attend, the three-day event is much more than that.<\/p>\n

Related: Every new land and attraction just announced for Disneyland and Disney World in 2027 and beyond<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I should know because I count myself among them. I just returned from this year’s D23 fan event, which took place Aug. 14-16, 2026. I learned firsthand from Walt Disney Imaginers about the projects they are working on, stood in an hourlong line to procure exclusive merchandise, and, yes, listened attentively as Thomas Mazloum, chairman of Disney Experiences, dropped announcement after announcement about what’s being planned and built at Disney’s theme parks.<\/p>\n

If all of this sounds like the Dole Whip on top of your POG juice float, it might be time to become a card-carrying member of the D23 fan club.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/picture>\n
\n

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter<\/p>\n

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG\u2019s experts<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use<\/a> and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy<\/a>. You may unsubscribe at any time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

How to join D23<\/h2>\n

Becoming a member is easy and (potentially) free. You can join online<\/a><\/span>, and there are two basic membership types to choose from: General and Gold. There are three levels within Gold with slightly different offerings, but we’ll get into that in a moment.<\/p>\n

Read through the options before you join, because you may be eligible for a free Gold membership if you have a Disney+ account.<\/p>\n

D23 Membership benefits<\/h3>\n

A D23 General Membership is free and comes with select discounts and events, sweepstakes and a weekly email newsletter.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/div>
D23: The Ultimate Fan Event. TARAH CHIEFFI\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The various Gold Memberships include additional discounts, special event access and a welcome gift. That is really the only area where the Gold membership levels differ.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
D23 Gold membership tiers<\/th>\nAnnual membership fees<\/th>\nPerks<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\n\n

$49.99<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
<\/p>\n
    \n
  • Commemorative pin<\/li>\n
  • Collectible magnet<\/li>\n
  • $25 event discount<\/li>\n
  • D23 Disney Lorcana game card<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n

$119.99<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
<\/p>\n
    \n
  • Everything in Gold Essential<\/li>\n
  • Choice of one premium gift from a selection that includes things like pin sets, clothing and collector statues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n

$329.99<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
<\/p>\n