Last updated on November 26th, 2024 at 10:19 am
Want to be part of the largest official Disney fan club in the world—then D23 membership is for you! Keep reading for all the essential information. 
All About Disney Fan Club D23
D23 is the official Disney fan club that celebrates everything Disney from the classic animations to the live action films, to parks and attractions, to merchandise (hello, Minnie Mouse ears!) and everything in between. If you love Disney, this is your club—helping you celebrate Disney every day.
D23 of course has magical meaning behind it. D is for Disney and 23 is for 1923, the founding year of the Walt Disney Company. D23 was established on March 10, 2009 and hasn’t stopped bringing the magic to fans of all ages, all over the world.
The main event produced by D23 is the D23 Fan Event which is held every other year in Anaheim, California. They also host of number of exclusive, member-only experiences across the globe ever year like:
- D23 Fan Event in Anaheim, CA (next event expected 2026)
- Destination D23 at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL (August 29-31, 2025)
- D23 Spotlight Series, alternating between Orlando and Anaheim more to be announced
- Official Tour of the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, CA
- Walt Disney’s Los Angeles Tour, Los Angeles, CA 2025 dates to be announced
- D23 Night with Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on Sunday, March 23, 2025
- D23 Day at Angel Stadium returns on Sunday, May 25, 2025
You want in on the fun, don’t you? D23 produces so much Disney content and excitement, I can see why. D23 has various membership levels that unlock extra access to Disney exclusives. But I do have to say—these membership levels sound more like I am browsing available health care plans than Disney plans. The names? They’re pretty generic and unexciting (essential plan, choice plan, complete plan).
Disney Fan Club D23 Gold Membership
There are now 3 Gold Membership options for those joining in late 2024 and 2025. If you want to go Gold, you’re certain to find the membership level that’s right for your fandom and budget.
Gold Member Essential Plan
At $49.99 per year, this Gold Member D23 Membership gives you:
- 23 Gold Membership Kit, complete with a membership certificate and card
- Access to D23 events around the United States
- Savings Passport (providing discounts with Disney and Friends of Disney
- Collectible Stitch pin
- Goofy and Max car magnet
- D23 Disney Lorcana trading card featuring Iago from the Disney classic Aladdin
- Beginning with the Spring 2025 issue, the Disney twenty-three digital publication
Gold Member Choice Plan
At $99.99 per year, the Gold Choice Plan gives you a choice of ONE of the following:
- One-of-a-kind, fashionable D23 Gold Member Spirit Jersey
- Limited-release collectible D23 Gold Member Pin Box Set featuring 10 pins with original character designs
- D23 Gold Member Fan Pack complete with a D23 Gold Member-embroidered crossbody bag, water bottle, and chino twill cap
- Enchanting replica of the Disneyland Park Entrance plaque (measuring 12” x 7”), a reproduction of the original plaque text draft with Walt Disney’s annotations from 1955, along with a first-to-market exclusive edition of the brand-new Disneyland 70th anniversary book, The Happiest Place on Earth, written by Disney Legend Don Hahn and former Disney Imagineer Christopher Merritt
Gold Member Complete Plan
At $299.99 per year, the Gold Member Complete Plan gives you EVERYTHING:
- One-of-a-kind, fashionable D23 Gold Member Spirit Jersey
- Limited-release collectible D23 Gold Member Pin Box Set featuring 10 pins with original character designs
- D23 Gold Member Fan Pack complete with a D23 Gold Member-embroidered crossbody bag, water bottle, and chino twill cap
- Enchanting replica of the Disneyland Park Entrance plaque (measuring 12” x 7”), a reproduction of the original plaque text draft with Walt Disney’s annotations from 1955, along with a first-to-market exclusive edition of the brand-new Disneyland 70th anniversary book, The Happiest Place on Earth, written by Disney Legend Don Hahn and former Disney Imagineer Christopher Merritt
Disney Fan Club D23 General Membership
Not ready for a full commitment? You can still become part of D23, Disney’s largest official fan club with a free membership, but in Disney speak, the term is “complimentary.” Having a free D23 membership still gets you some awesome perks.
One of my favorite perks is the Disney Fan-Fare newsletter. This isn’t one you delete without opening. It’s one you actually read, save and share. A recent email I got was packed full of Disney things like:
- 5 Facts for every Princess & The Frog fan. Did you know the animators took inspiration from Lady & The Tramp as well as Bambi? See where here.
- Everything new streaming now on Disney Plus.
- Free listens to the D23 podcast: Inside Disney, one of my favorite episodes is 27, skip to 7:30 for an interview with Disney Imagineers who worked on the attraction Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
Disney Fan Club D23 Gold Family Membership
This membership level expired in 2020 and is no longer being offered. Families might opt for the new duo membership listed above instead. In my Disneyland with Kids Facebook group, it’s clear that Disney families stick together.
Here’s what you can enjoy with a D23 Family Gold Membership
(no longer being sold):
- membership for four
- annual Gold Member gift
- personalized membership card
- D23 certificate
- subscription to the Disney twenty-three quarterly publication
- special offers, discounts, and exclusive merchandise opportunities
- access to over 100 D23 member events across the US
- ability to bring up to three guests to select D23 member events
Disney Fan Club D23 Events
Before I dive into the events, you need to understand one thing. D23 events are one hot ticket! There’s an art and strategy to it, read up on the tips here.
The line up of 2023 events is a big one! Many of the most popular events returning for an encore incident The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour. I’ve been to “the lot” a few times and even saw the iconic “Seven Dwarfs” building be built as a child.
Here’s what D23 says about this incredible opportunity:
Of all the fantastic places in Disney history, Walt Disney’s “dream factory†in Burbank would prove to be one of the most influential. Tour The Walt Disney Studios exclusively with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, and celebrate the historic Studios’ milestone 80th anniversary in 2020!
Join your D23 tour guide on a stroll through the original Animation building, where beloved animated films, including Cinderella, Lady and the Tramp, and The Jungle Book, were created; see the historic soundstages used for filming such Disney live-action movie classics as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Mary Poppins, and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
Plus explore the beautiful Legends Plaza, which honors those who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy. Many guests will also recognize the exterior spaces on the lot, which have been featured in productions from the Mickey Mouse Club and The Absent-Minded Professor to Saving Mr. Banks, Muppets Most Wanted, and ABC’s black-ish!
Other D23 Events include:
- shopping at Mickey’s of Glendale | Glendale, CA
- advance screenings of upcoming Disney films | Various cities, USA
- Disney roadshow events | Various cities, USA
- Walt Disney Family Museum events | San Fransisco, CA
- D23 Member Mixer | Various cities, USA
- See the list here in conjunction with the Disney100 Years of Wonder Celebration
And of course, many other events during the year in addition to D23 Expo every other year.
Is a D23 membership worth it?
That’s the golden question! The value of the physical products in the mail for the price of membership alone is definitely worth it. You just have to determine if the welcome gifts and quarterly publications are worth it to you.
The publications are gorgeous! They are not just a simple magazine. They are more like a soft cover coffee table book and are visually stunning. The welcome gift is perfect for Disney collectors and fans of every age.
I’ve had a D23 Gold membership twice. I tend to upgrade from the free membership to the paid right when D23 Expo tickets go on sale. This is a common tactic. If you have your membership just before D23 Expo tickets go on sale, you can get some pre-sale perks and you also get major benefits at the D23 Expo itself.
If you’re considering a D23 Gold membership just for D23 Expo, it is absolutely worth it, no doubt about it.
D23 Fun at Home
Disney history is just as intriguing to me as new things coming to Disneyland! The history is what paved the way for the Disney we know and love. Explore the Disney Archives at home here, I especially love the “Ask Dave” section.
Eat like you’re at Disney with this collection of free Disney recipes from D23.
Can’t get enough of new Disney news? D23 has you covered right here. What do you think, is becoming a D23 Member right for you? Or are you already a member of the official Disney fan club, D23?
I just upgraded from Gold Individual to Gold Duo. Should I gift the 2nd membership to my spouse or is he included in everything with the individual membership? I know it says you’re allowed a guest at certain events, but I didn’t know exactly how that would work. If he’s covered under my membership I’d like to gift the other to my brother for his family. Thanks~
Hi Cat, great question! I think it just depends on what you want out of it. If you imagine you’ll always bring your spouse as your plus one to events (which usually, although not always offered), you can give the Affiliate Membership to a friend who they might want to join them.
However, if your spouse loves Disney as much as you and if you can’t attend an event for some reason but your spouse wants to go, they would need to be the other membership holder (since they can’t go without you). I hope that helps!
Hi! I’m currently an entry member of the D23 group and interested in up grading to a gold member. Do you have memberships for 1? Also is this just for Disney or both Disney World as well.
Hi Renee! The Disney fan club, D23 Gold, is not admission to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. It’s membership into the fan club with exclusive gifts and magazines. See the above links to purchase.