The official fan club that turns Disney's mythmaking into a massive biennial spectacle
In short: Since 2009, D23 has served as the ultimate gateway for the Walt Disney Company's most dedicated fans. From exclusive film previews to massive expos, this organization transforms corporate milestones into immersive cultural events that weave Disney's characters into the very fabric of modern life.
Founded by Bob Iger on March 10, 2009, D23 was designed to deepen fan engagement through a tiered membership structure. While the organization offers a free tier, the gold membership provides exclusive perks like yearly gifts and, until winter 2025, a quarterly magazine titled 'Disney twenty-three'. The name itself is a nod to the company's origins, with the '23' representing 1923, the year Walt Disney founded the Walt Disney Company.
The club's centerpiece is the biennial 'Ultimate Disney Fan Event' (formerly known as the D23 Expo). These massive gatherings, often held at the Anaheim Convention Center, serve as high-stakes launchpads for major studio announcements. For instance, the 2017 expo saw the unveiling of the name 'Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge' for new themed lands, while the 2015 event featured a surprise announcement from Bob Iger regarding new Star Wars lands for both Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios.
The scale of these events is immense. The 2013 expo saw an estimated 65,000 attendees, while The New York Times estimated attendance for the 2017 event reached approximately 100,000 people. Beyond the expos, the club maintains engagement through 'Destination D' events in off-years, studio tours, and specialized experiences like 'Member Night at Newsies—On Tour'. By blending archival treasures with sneak peeks of upcoming films and theme park expansions, D23 ensures the company's intellectual property remains a central part of its fans' lives.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: D23 (Disney)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-d23-disney.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Festivals & celebrations · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
