Review: D23 2021 Gold Member Gift
As some of you might not know, there is a special club that Disney has for some of their most diehard fans. Called D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, this group hosts a variety of events throughout the year (including the D23 Expo). While joining this group is free to anyone, most of these events are only available to those who pay a yearly fee to be a Gold Member. Now, with that membership fee, the member receives a yearly “gift” as a thank-you. Each year, the gift is themed to a different part of Disney. For 2021, the gift celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, which opened October 1, 1971… and I recently got my gift in the mail after my membership renewal. Let’s check it out.
D23 Celebrates 50 Most Magical Years of the Walt Disney World Resort
First off, can I say how I am loving the retro design and coloring of the packaging so far? These were the colors of the logos, maps, signage, etc. that I grew up with. So awesome.
Let’s remove the items in the box.
First up: The Vacation Kingdom of the World: Then and Now. This record showcases two songs: “Big Bear Serenade” from the opening day Country Bear Jamboree attraction back in 1971 and “Nothing Can Stop Us Now” from Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, the most recent attraction to be opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Next, a special edition of the Walt Disney World News, honoring all of the newspapers in the past that Walt Disney World released, from celebrating anniversaries to introducing things like EPCOT.
Anyone else collect pennants when they were growing up? My mom was an avid collector when she went on road trips with my grandparents, and I remember collecting them when I was younger… and before they went out of style (I feel like magnets and stickers replaced them). Back in the 1970s, however, they were definitely all the rage and it’s great to see Disney honoring that. Also pictured is my new membership card.
Next up is the first of several pin sets released this year as part of this collection (D23 members can purchase the rest, if available, at shopDisney.com). Featured in this set are four Park Icons (one from each park): Henry from Country Bear Jamboree, Figment from Journey Into Imagination, R-3X from a previous incarnation of Star Tours, and the Yeti from Expedition Everest. In the center is another pin, that of the Orange Bird (a mascot created for the Florida Citrus Commission by Disney) posing as Tinker Bell in front of the retro WDW “D” logo.
Last up is a BEAUTIFUL lunchbox featuring fan favorite attractions and characters from throughout WDW’s four theme parks and beyond.
How many attractions and characters can you recognize?
Overall, this is a home run in regards to the member gift. A few years have been a bit lackluster, but this one is definitely not. As one who grew up going to WDW, I love every bit of this gift, but especially the lunchbox.
If you’re interested in joining D23 and getting yourself your own 2021 gift, please visit their website.
