Next month, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will debut a completely redesigned website, featuring new content, new department, and new sections. As part of the launch, the fan club is looking to expand with a free membership level.
On the redesigned site, current D23 members will have access to newly digitized content from The Walt Disney Company’s vaults. The content includes items from the past and the present, including celebrity interviews, vintage film clips, rarely seen artwork and photos, and treasure from the Walt Disney archives. Members can unlock more Disney magic in each section by logging in and accessing content when a golden key appears.
“We’re creating a unique destination that celebrates, in all respects, the essence of Disney,” says Steven Clark, head of D23. “We believe the new site will offer one of the most engaging Disney experiences yet — with even more to come in the future. We look forward to debuting the new D23.com to our current members as well as to new ones from around the world.”
One of the highlights on launch day is D’scovered, where treasures from the archives will be shown, including rare imagery from the proposed Mickey Mouse Park – the concept that evolved into Disneyland. Two new microsites – Disney Legends and the Walt Disney Archives – are planned. Disney Legends will give members a deeper look at those who made significant contributions to the Disney legacy, while the Archives site will give members a chance to see more of the expansive collection.
The site will also feature new departments including Weird Disney, which looks at the more unusual pieces of Disney’s past; Characters which will profile the most beloved characters from television, film, and comics; The Quotable Walt Disney featuring some of Walt’s most endearing words; Ask a Legend where Disney Legends answer fans’ questions; First Look which gives D23 members a glimpse into what’s next; Attraction Rewind where past Disney attractions are celebrated; and Muppetology, where guests can experience the Muppet universe.
In addition to the new site, D23 will be offering a free membership to the fan club. This free membership will include access to all exclusive content on D23.com, exclusive merchandise, a subscription to the Weekly D23 FanFare e-newsletter, and discounted tickets to the D23 Expo 2013: The Ultimate Fan Event.
The redesigned website launches June 17 at D23.com
