The Magic Kingdom's VIP room; D23 offers Disney's most passionate fans all the Mickey Mouse they can handle National Post Sat 14 Mar 2009 Page: WP12 Section: Weekend Post: Life Byline: Sarah Treleaven Source: Weekend Post Have you ever required quick access to the complete filmography of Clarabelle Cow? Or thirsted for news on the impending High School Musical 4? Have you ever wanted a one-stop web shop for all of your Mickey Mouse-related needs? If so, you are the target market for D23, the first official community for Disney fans in the company's 85-year history. "We have a fantastic legacy that started in 1923 and is based on timeless stories, beloved characters and unforgettable experiences, but it's our fans that keep the spirit of Disney alive year after year, generation after generation," Bob Iger, the company's president, recently told Disney's annual shareholder's meeting. "D23 is our way of saying 'thank you' and celebrating our fans, who bring the magic of Disney to life every day in every corner of the world." Disney says that the aim of the site is to take fans "backstage and behind closed doors to get the inside scoop from every part of Disney, while experiencing the nostalgia, adventure and fantasy of Disney as never before." Until now, online Disney worship was left to a motley crew of unofficial fandom: grown men and women with extensive collections of adorable paraphernalia and access to the Internet. These unaccredited Mouseketeers were the vehement online defenders and aggregators of all things Mickey and friends. Last year, when slate.com published Seth Stevenson's five-part series on some of the less charming aspects of visiting Disney World -- including non-Mickey mice in a hotel bathroom -- the pro-Disney online faction leapt into action, passionately accusing the author of unfairly maligning the happiest place on Earth. ("I found mini-France a lot more enjoyable than actual France," read one comment.) Disney is now officially getting into the game, hoping to attract loyal fans with its membership-model website. Non-members can access some free features, including a news feed and archived comic strips. A $74.99 one-year D23 membership includes the advertising-free quarterly publication Disney twenty-three, a membership card and "suitable-for-framing" member certificate featuring beloved Disney characters, and an exclusive collectible gift from the new Walt Disney Archives Collection (such as a limited edition statue that depicts a young Walt Disney with his pal Oswald the Lucky Rabbit). In addition, members will be invited to attend the D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Centre this September --billed as "the Ultimate Disney Fan Experience" --at a discounted price. The premiere issue of Disney twenty-three includes interviews with director Tim Burton and teen heartthrob actor Zac Efron; an inside look at Up, the new Disney/Pixar film, and an introduction to the Pixar animation team; and a look into the Cinderella Castle Suite at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Dream Suite overlooking New Orleans Square and the Rivers of America at the Disneyland Resort. Regular magazine features will include "A Walk with Walt," a look back at the life of the man who started it all; "D Society," a red-carpet something showcasing movie galas and grand openings; photos from the Disney archives; "The Funny Pages," vintage newspaper comic strips; "Making Magic," crafts inspired by popular Disney stories; and "Disney Dish," recipes from Disney-related eateries. The big emphasis is a walk down memory lane, and the comprehensive archives offer vintage press materials (including the classic 1940 headline: "Pinocchio Imperiled by Termite"); an archives library that includes biographies, filmographies and award chronologies; and "Ask Dave," where chief archivist Dave Smith answers questions about Disney history. (Question: Was Walt superstitious? Answer: Not according to his daughter, Diane, who notes that her father chose Friday the 13th as Donald Duck's birthday.) So who's going to pay for this? Casual fans might like to reminisce about their childhood ride on the teacups, but many might consider D23's annual price tag a little steep unless their need for mouse-related information can't be easily sated. Jim Hill, who writes and edits a Disneyfocused media blog, notes that some fans are already griping that D23 was only invented so that Disney would have another way to sell them merchandise. But he offers a defence of the quality of material at the new site, and quotes Marty Sklar, Disney Imagineering's ambassor-at-large, as saying D23 "isn't about merchandise. It's about communicating with our fans, getting them involved more than they already are." In other words, it's not for everyone. As one commenter who recently visited Disney World wrote on a USA Today's Pop Candy blog: "I suddenly realized that, you know, I don't really like Disney stuff all that much, and aside from the really hip technological things, it's really just a whole lot of standing around and watching kids cry."
