Review: D23 15th Anniversary Celebration at Disney Springs or Disney Party with NO Disney. Imagine if you were invited to a child’s birthday party at the local bowling alley. When you get there you find out there are no balloons, cake, or any mention of the child. Then when you get to the party, they charge you an entry fee.
Now, let us take that example and use it in terms of the D23 15th Anniversary Celebration that happened last night at Disney Springs. Yes, there was cake! Actually, there were free Everglazed Donuts. There was a balloon arch, and you could get your photo in a photo booth or with 2 different backdrops. There were tables and tables of food located all around Splitsville. There was the most obnoxious cover band and DJs playing music so loud you couldn’t enjoy having a conversation anywhere outside. That was it. No Disney! Literally NO Disney!
Related: D23 Celebrates the #23 in Movies and Shows – Can You Find Them?
D23 is the Official Disney Fan Club, you would think with the name Disney in your name you would have some Disney at an event celebrating your 15th Anniversary. Just because it happened in a space occupied at Disney World does NOT count. Where was Mickey Mouse? Where was any mention of ANY Disney movie? Where were the fun backdrops, movies, characters, and nods to Walt Disney himself? Where was the fun?
That may seem like I am being snarky about the event because I am. After paying $50.00 a ticket for the D23 15th Anniversary Celebration, per person, the event was a major letdown. It comes down to a major issue. Where was Disney in the D23?
We are huge Disney Fans and have been a part of some really fun and well-run D23 events in the past year alone. Like the Ahsoka event last year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We had one of the best nights we ever had at Disney World that night. But, since then we have seen a rather lackluster turn of events here at Walt Disney World regarding D23.
I spoke with one of the heads of D23, who operates in the Florida area, and she mentioned she is the ONLY D23 Cast Member located in Florida. While D23 is located out of California, you would expect a larger team presence here at Walt Disney World. Especially when every other year you hold a major event called Destination D23.
We also spoke to the Vice-President of D23, Michael Vargo, who has done an amazing job with D23 since becoming Vice-President. The man flew in from CA in the morning, after attending the Madonna concert the night before, and was flying right back to CA the night after the 15th Anniversary.
While Mr. Vargo is doing a fantastic job, he has to be not too impressed with attending the 15th Anniversary of D23 and not seeing any Disney at his own party.
I know, writing a negative review is not something Disney fan sites and blogs are supposed to do, but this is just telling the truth. We truly believe in the Disney Brand, especially being Gold Members of the Ultimate Disney Fan Club, D23. We will be attending D23 Expo 2024, we will continue to support Disney, but something needs to change.
We did have fun talking and hanging out with other D23 members. We always do. It was great getting together with others who share the same passion as us. It was nice to sit at a table and just relax for an evening surrounded by friends. We got to talk to contemporaries, friends, and fans and met some great new friends. The event wasn’t a total loss. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey!
Prior to the event, we were able to pick up our credentials at Coronado Springs where we received a limited edition Mickey Statue, and could pick up any of our pre-ordered pins. Which looks amazing. So there is that.
Sorry, I know, this review sucked. Sometimes things aren’t what you expect, and that is where I am this morning. The D23 15th Anniversary was NOT what I expected and I felt let down. This morning I looked back at past Anniversary events that D23 threw. Which just made things way worse. During the 10th anniversary, there were characters, The Muppets van, Herbie the Love Bug, studio tours, celebrities, and so much more. While we went bowling. Sigh.
