D23 for FREE! But WHY?

D23 announced today that they will begin a new version of D23 on June 17, to include a new free membership. What are the perks of paying for D23 is you can have it for free? Oh that's right, they also announced that the magazine will now be only for Gold Members. 

Me and D23 Head, Steven Clark

OK, then why would you take the free membership? Well, the only real perk is apparently the ability to get tickets for the D23 Expo. I had always heard that both of the Expos have been super crowded and that there were such long lines for every event and that they couldn't even allow every person in line into the events, so why on Earth are they trying to get more people at the Expo? It just doesn't make sense to me. D23 Head did mention that they may offer some of the popular Fanniversary events to the free members.

Some new things coming that sound very interesting are the Attraction Rewind where they will be delving into  extinct or, to use their terms, "retired" attractions. Ask a Disney Legend, which is promised to be like the Ask Dave column but featuring Disney Legends. Here's hoping that MiceAge allows Bob Gurr to write for this. Weird Disney to "look at weird promotions, weird events, weird characters, weird audio and more." Question, will they mention the weird Mowgli walk around character that was at Disney's Animal Kingdom this past week? I am also so excited for the Walt Files. As D23 describes it, "Walk in Walt's footsteps through rare stories, audio, video, and images."

However, they did announce some of the member only features that will be coming to the D23 site. I am excited that they will be bringing the Disney A to Z encyclopedia to the site. This is the encyclopedia with over 7,000 entries and was compiled by Disney Legend Dave Smith. And he will be updating it monthly. You can't get any better than that.

Dave Smith giving a presentation at the Walt Disney Archives

Some honorable mentions for members only is the Quotable Walt Disney book online for you, the usual discounts and their downloads page will be members only. No more free rides on wallpapers, sorry. 

So now the countdown begins for June 17th for the new site to come. Oh did you hear the rumor that Lone Ranger will be premiering at Disney California Adventure? Crazy right?