NEWS: D23 ANNOUNCES NEW SLATE OF MAGICAL EVENTS TO DELIGHT DISNEY FANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

In 2019, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will celebrate its 10th anniversary and, to mark the occasion, D23 is adding extra pixie dust to some of its most popular events while introducing new experiences, as well.

RETURN TO WALT’S BIRTHPLACE: In 2016 and 2017, D23 Members had the amazing opportunity to visit Walt Disney’s birthplace in Chicago. The home, which is being restored, was constructed by Walt’s father, Elias, and designed by his mother, Flora. This June, D23 Members will have the chance to see the incredible progress made on bringing the home back to its initial glory.

SCREENINGS ON THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS LOT AND AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT: Throughout the year, D23 will once again offer special screenings on both coasts of classic Disney favorites. As part of D23’s anniversary celebration, all the films screened will also be celebrating milestones, including Up (10th anniversary), Sleeping Beauty (60th), Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (35th), and The Lion King (25th).

THE OFFICIAL WALT DISNEY STUDIOS TOUR—PRESENTED BY D23: D23 Gold Member-exclusive tours of the historic Studio lot return and, for 2019, the tour—traditionally held four times a year—will run monthly starting in March and will include VIP experiences on select tours. Guests are able to take a look inside the Walt Disney Archives and see Walt Disney’s office suite during the tour, which offers fans a unique perspective on historic moments from Disney films, television shows, and theme parks.

D23’S LUNCH WITH A DISNEY LEGEND: Beginning in January, D23 brings back these exclusive luncheons with Disney luminaries. This year, D23 will be crossing the country so more fans than ever can enjoy the opportunity to meet Disney Legends and hear their fascinating stories, including an intimate lunch with Linda Larkin—the speaking voice of Jasmine in Aladdin—in New York City next April.

D23 HEADS TO THE HOLLOW: To celebrate the 70th anniversary of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow—and its infamous headless villain—D23 will hold a special event in Sleepy Hollow, New York, with a screening, special guests, reception, and more.

ADVANCE SCREENINGS: Next year, D23 Members can look forward to a host of exclusive, advance screenings across the country in partnership with our friends from The Walt Disney Studios. This year, D23 brought movie magic to 35 cities across the country, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Plus, this year D23 Members attended the red-carpet premiere of Disney’s Christopher Robin. D23 Gold Members across the U.S. will once again be selected at random to receive complimentary movie passes, and in honor of D23’s 10 years, 10,000 pairs of tickets will be sent throughout 2019.

SIGNATURE EVENTS: D23 will bring back foodie favorite Sip & Stroll during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Walt Disney Imagineering’s exclusive merchandise store, Mickey’s of Glendale, will open its doors to members. Guests at Walt Disney World Resort will once again make the holiday season bright next December, and on the West Coast, members will be invited back to The Walt Disney Studios to Light Up the Season. The Walt Disney Family Museum will extend a warm welcome to Gold Members for an exclusive look at a new exhibit in May. Also, D23’s Behind-the-Scenes Experiences will return, offering exclusive, one-of-a-kind events to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members.

MEMBER MIXERS: After mixing and mingling at complimentary gatherings in places such as Houston, Seattle, and San Diego in 2018, D23 will bring more mixers to U.S. cities in 2019, including a special San Diego Comic-Con mixer to celebrate Marvel Comics’ 80th anniversary.

D23 EXPO 2019: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event returns. It’s D23’s biggest event of the year, when all of Disney’s wonderful worlds come together once again August 23–25, 2019, at the Anaheim Convention Center for three magical days of once-in-a-lifetime live performances, star-studded presentations, exclusive collectibles, and more celebrating Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars.

Plus, 2019 will mark a year-long Fanniversary celebration for D23’s 10th anniversary. Every year, D23 honors a Disney favorite that has reached a milestone anniversary. And in celebration of a decade of D23, the Fanniversary will continue all year long with additional special events to be announced, new member discounts, and more.

Dates, ticketing information, and more D23 events will be announced throughout the year. Full details on D23’s lineup of 2019 special events can be found on the Fan Club’s website at www.D23.com/events. Additional dates will be posted soon. All events and dates are subject to change.

Current event calendar:

January 25: Lunch with a Disney Legend: TBA, Burbank, Calif.
January 26: The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23, Burbank, Calif.
February 16: D23’s Magical Screening Series: Sleeping Beauty, Burbank, Calif.
February 16: D23’s Magical Screening Series: Sleeping Beauty, Walt Disney World Resort
April: Lunch with a Disney Legend, Linda Larkin, New York City
April 7: The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23 (Gold Family exclusive), Burbank, Calif.
May: The Walt Disney Family Museum event for Mickey Mouse Exhibit, San Francisco, Calif.
May 4: D23’s Magical Screening Series: The Lion King, Walt Disney World Resort
May 11: D23’s Magical Screening Series: The Lion King, Burbank, Calif.
June: Return to Walt’s Birthplace: TBA, Chicago
June: Lunch with a Disney Legend: Legend and location TBA
June 22: The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23, Burbank, Calif.
July 20: D23 Member Mixer celebrating 90 years of Marvel Comics, San Diego, Calif.
August 23-25: D23 Expo 2019, Anaheim, Calif.
September 21: D23’s Magical Screening Series: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Walt Disney World Resort
September 28: D23’s Magical Screening Series: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Burbank, Calif.
October: Lunch with a Disney Legend: Legend and location TBA
October 21: Sip & Stroll, Walt Disney World Resort
October 26: D23 Heads to the Hollow, Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
November 9: The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23, Burbank, Calif.
November 16: D23’s Magical Screening Series: Up, Walt Disney World Resort
November 23: D23’s Magical Screening Series: Up, Burbank, Calif.
December: D23 Holiday Event at Walt Disney World Resort
December: Light Up the Season with D23, Burbank, Calif.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($74.99), Gold Family Membership ($99.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com and at shopDisney.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

About the Author: DBTN - FOUNDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF DBTN

My enthusiasm for all things Disney all started when my parents took our family to WDW for a vacation. My first trip was at age 13. Since that first time, I have made a trip to WDW almost every year from age 13. As far as I knew there was only one place to vacation! My fascination with WDW began on that first trip. I wanted to know how things at WDW operated and what made it so magical. I wanted to know details like how many people worked there and the length of the monorail track. It is that fascination that fueled my interest in WDW. Each year that my family vacationed at WDW, I learned more about WDW as they built more parks and added more attractions. I am not the average fan; I want to know all the details and I love researching the facts of WDW. I research facts through the Internet, books and DVDs. To me, the best part is to conduct research trip at WDW. After college, my father was transferred to Orlando and I moved with my parents. Seeking employment, I applied for a job at WDW. I passed the first rounds of interviews and was proud to join the Disney family as a security cast member! The job was great. It included Disney-specific training and security training before assuming four duties: driving a security vehicle, standing a post, working in a resort or walking a park or other area. Sometimes I even had special duties like working the Epcot Christmas Processional. I would escort the celebrity guests from backstage to onstage. Interestingly, every cast member is given a WDW fact book monthly to aid in answering guest questions. The pocket book contained great Disney facts that added more fuel for my thirst of Disney facts. Well, all-good things must come to end so we moved back to NJ. In the summer of 2010 I moved back to Florida I am now living in Orlando less then 15 minutes from WDW and living the dream and have fun along the way. Favorite Park – Magic Kingdom Favorite Character – Mickey Mouse Favorite restaurant – California Grill Favorite attraction – Toy Story Mania Favorite resort – Bay Lake Tower / Contempoary First time at a disney park – 1976 & have been every year since Who was on your first disney trip – My entire family Favorite disney memory – My first trip and my first trip with my kids How far do you live from disney now – 15 minutes When is your next Disney trip? – every weekend Favorite Disney Movie – Jungle Book & Toy Story

NEWS: D23 ANNOUNCES NEW SLATE OF MAGICAL EVENTS TO DELIGHT DISNEY FANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY