D23 Fanniversary Celebration Returns In 2013: Tickets Available February 5th

D23 Fanniversary Celebration

I am so excited that D23: The Official Fan Club  has announced that they are bringing the Fanniversary Celebration to several cities to help celebrate Disney milestones and landmark anniversaries in 2013! I had the chance to attend the D23 Fanniversary in Orlando last year, and it was a great opportunity to spend some time with my fellow Disney Geeks!!!

Each special 90 minute show will be hosted by a Disney archivist and D23 Team member, and will highlight the rich behind-the-scenes stories of these magical moments through rarely or never-before-seen film footage, concept art, photography, and exclusive interviews with many of your favorite Disney Legends and luminaries.

D23 will lead guests on a journey through dozens of unforgettable Disney moments that have delighted generations of Disney fans, including beloved movies like Peter Pan, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and the first Pirates of the Caribbean film; classic characters like Mickey Mouse and Chip ‘n’ Dale; favorite attractions and entertainment spectaculars at Disney parks such as Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Horizons, and Mickey’s Toontown; the openings of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland, the launch of The Disney Channel; the first voyage of Disney Cruise Line; and the momentous founding of The Walt Disney Company in, of course, 1923.
Following each presentation, guests will have the opportunity to briefly mix and mingle with presenters and fellow Disney fans. Plus, we will have a special treasure from the Walt Disney Archives available on display!

D23′s Disney Fanniversary Celebration events will be held in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Newark, Orlando, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C so we can “Unlock the Magic” of Disney and D23 from coast to coast!

Los Angeles
Date: Friday, March 1
Location: The Studio Theatre, The Walt Disney Studios (500 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California)
Time: 5 and 8 p.m. (Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)
San Diego
Date: Saturday, March 2
Location: San Diego MOPA-Joan and Irwin Jacobs Theater (1649 El Prado, San Diego, California)
Time: 2 p.m. (Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)
Phoenix
Date: Sunday, March 3
Location: Phoenix Center for the Arts (1202 North 3rd Street, Phoenix, Arizona)
Time: 2:30 p.m. (Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)
Orlando
Date: Friday, March 8
Location: Atlantic Dance Hall, Walt Disney’s BoardWalk Resort, Walt Disney World
Time: 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. (Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)
Chicago
Date: Sunday, March 10
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago (220 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
Time: 2 and 5 p.m. (Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)
Washington, D.C.
Date: Thursday, March 21
Location: U.S. Navy Memorial (701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.)
Time: 7 p.m. (Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)
Newark
Date: Saturday, March 23
Location: Newark Museum, Billy Johnson Auditorium (49 Washington Street, Newark, New Jersey)
Time: 2:30 p.m. (Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)
Boston
Date: Sunday, March 24
Location: Boston Theatre 1 at the Revere Hotel (200 Stuart St., Boston, Massachusetts)
Time: 2 and 5 p.m. Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)
Seattle
Date: Friday, April 5
Location: Seattle Public Library in the Microsoft Auditorium on level 1 (1000 Fourth Ave, Seattle, WA; Access to the building for the event will be through the 4th Avenue entrance.)
Time: 7 p.m. (Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)
San Francisco
Date: Sunday, April 7
Location: Walt Disney Family Museum, (104 Montgomery Street, The Presidio of San Francisco, California)
Time: 2 and 5 p.m. (Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)

D23 Fanniversary Celebration
I love the D23 Fanniversary Celebration 2012 Pennant we got last year!!!

Tickets will be available February 5 at 10 a.m. PST for D23 Members to purchase online. The remaining General Admission tickets will be available February 12 at 10 a.m. PST if available.

Tickets are $21 for D23 Members (and their guest). Tickets are $35 for general admission when/if they become available. It’s important to note that parking is not included with the price of the ticket.

As always it’s important to keep in mind that D23 event tickets tend to go quickly, so make sure that you’re online quickly if you’d like to attend one of the D23 Fanniversary Celebrations!

And now for the D23 Fanniversary Celebration Fine Print and Details you want to make sure you know…

  • Available only to D23 Members in good standing. Members may reserve a ticket for themselves and one (1) guest.
  • There are a limited number of tickets available. D23 Members will be required to provide their membership number when reserving tickets.
  • Tickets may be picked up only with a valid photo ID AND D23 MEMBERSHIP CARD. D23 Members who do not bring their membership card may not be admitted to the event.
  • General admission tickets will be available only if additional seats remain. Ticketed Members who do not attend the event forfeit their place as well as all experiences, benefits, and gifts associated with the event.
  • If you wish to request for sign language interpreting services for this event, please submit your request to d23.guestservices@disneystore.com at least two weeks prior to the event date.
  • All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice.
  • There are no cancellations or refunds, tickets are not transferrable.

I hope that you’re able to make it to one of the D23 Fanniversary Celebrations, and if you’re at the Orlando Fanniversary Celebration make sure to give me a shout!!!

D23

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club celebrates the remarkable past, present, and future of Disney, taking its name from 1923, the year Walt Disney founded his world-famous company. D23 brings its members a host of exclusive benefits, including a weekly e-mail newsletter; an array of discounts and special offers; and exclusive, member-only special events.

Disney fans can join the world’s only Official Disney Fan Club by visiting www.D23.com or select shops at the Disneyland® Resort, the Walt Disney World® Resort and www.DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow “DisneyD23” on TwitterYouTube and Facebook.

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Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend As A Spectator With Jaimee – @Jaimd929

Hey There!  My name is Jaimee Dietz and I was asked to write about my experience as being a spectator at this year’s Walt Disney World Marathon weekend. This was my very first time going to marathon weekend so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

I went to support my friends who were running the Family Fun Run 5k, the Walt Disney World Half Marathon, the Walt Disney World Marathon and even the Goofy (the 1/2 on Saturday followed by the full on Sunday).

walt disney world marathon

First off, I had the opportunity to see the Family Fun Run 5kers early, 4:30 AM to be exact, Friday at the Epcot parking lot, which is where all the runners congregate before heading into their respective corrals. Even though I wasn’t running, I could feel the excitement in the air. There was music blasting, a photo opportunity with Mickey and Minnie, and just a great time of seeing some old and new friends.

As the time approached for the runners to start the 5k, I then headed over to Hollywood Studios with James Hansen and Mary Jo Collins for the Run Disney Marathon Meet up.  In order to be a part of the meet up, you had to follow the link in @runDisney‘s tweet announcing the event to sign up for a chance to attend. They only allow a certain number of participants, so it was very exciting to be chosen to go.

walt disney world marathon
Jaimee and the Big Cheese at the RunDisney Meet Up

We met at Hollywood Studios and ran 2 1/2 miles through the park followed by the opportunity to meet some inspiring runners, including Jeff Galloway. I even had my picture taken with celebrities Joey Fatone and Drew Carey. This was also my first time going to this event and it was so much fun.  I would definitely do it again if I get the chance.

Saturday was an even earlier start where I got up at 2 am to see the Walt Disney World Half Marathon runners get ready to start their trek through the Magic Kingdom and Epcot.  This race also started at the Epcot parking lot. I know this is insanely early but it was completely worth it.

walt disney world marathon
Jaimee and Beth before the Walt Disney World Half Marathon

After we left the runners, my friends James and Stephanie and I started our adventure by heading over to the Magic Kingdom via the monorail.  This was the most practical way to get over to MK rather than driving a car. The whole process took about 30 min.  To see the runners through MK, you don’t need a park ticket because technically the park is still closed. Main Street USA was breathtaking that early in the morning, because all the buildings were lit up with the sun rising behind them. They even had Cinderella’s castle all lit up with the Dream Lights. I could only imagine being one of those runners turning the corner to run down Main Street and see that glorious sight that is Cinderella’s castle. We stayed there for about an hour or two and then headed back over to Epcot to see our friends finish.

Taking the monorail back to Epcot was a little time consuming but we were in no rush so it really didn’t bother us.  What was really neat and unexpected was as we were riding the monorail we could see the runners below.  When we arrived back at Epcot, we headed over to the area where the resort buses are located to grab a spot to watch the runners head towards the finish line. Seeing my friends finish and wearing their medals proudly was so awesome and inspiring. It even made me proud for them.

Sunday was another amazing day being able to see some of my friends run the Walt Disney World Marathon. We made our way to the United Kingdom pavilion in Epcot to watch the runners come through the end of the race at mile 25. I saw a lot tired and weary faces but also determined faces knowing that they were nearing the end.  Some had smiles and some had tears in their eyes. I tried to cheer for everyone, strangers and friends alike, clapping, yelling, and ringing a cow bell!

walt disney world marathon
The whole gang after the Walt Disney World Marathon

Overall, I was so thrilled to be able to have this experience being a spectator at Marathon weekend. It was extremely inspiring seeing all different types of people running.  One of the most touching moments was seeing a man carrying the American Flag while running down Main Street.  It was such an amazing sight to see.  It filled my heart with gratitude. Another very special moment was seeing a few men dressed in full firemen garb carrying tanks and all.

This weekend will definitely be a weekend I will never forget. You don’t have to be a runner or interested in running to enjoy marathon weekend.   It’s so fun and exciting just being in the midst of all the Marathon Weekend activities. But be careful, you might just get inspired to hit the pavement and sign up for a race of your own.  I’ll be running my first half marathon in February, the Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon and I’m also training for the Dumbo Double Dare Challenge at Disneyland later this summer.

So get out there and cheer for those runners!  You never know where it might lead you!

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