This past Sunday night, D23 – The Official Community for Disney Fans – had its first real event of size at The Walt Disney World Resort. With charter members invited to come on out to Epcot so they could enjoy an evening of music, munchies and munitions.
So what was the verdict on the Flowers & Fireworks Celebration? Though I can’t claim to have talked with all 200 D23 members who took part in Sunday night’s festivities, those that I did talk with seemed very pleased with how this free concert / dessert package had been put together.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Of course, it didn’t hurt that – as you picked up your D23 event welcome packet at Epcot’s Guest Relations window – you found a free ride-at-any-time FastPass for Soarin’ tucked inside.
And as for the concert portion of the Flowers & Fireworks Celebration, it was hard not to feel special as we sat in our reserved seats at the America Gardens Theatre and heard Tony Orlando repeatedly refer to D23 over the course of his performance.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Tony sang the Mickey Mouse March in our honor.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Mr. Orlando even invited an official photographer up on stage to take a picture of the exciting people who were seated in the D23 section of his Flower Power concert.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Once this Flower Power concert was over, D23 ‘s charter members hiked around World Showcase until we reached the International Gateway. Here – in between the France & UK Pavilions – The Official Community for Disney Fans had set up its dessert party. Which was themed around Walt’s favorite nibblies.
Photo by Jeff Lange
So as we stood sipping soft drinks & coffee and enjoyed our primo view of “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth,” I have to admit that it felt pretty good to be a charter member of D23. To think that we could look forward to lots more fan events that would give us this sort of exclusive access.
Photo by Jeff Lange
And then when you factor in the lovely parting gift that all of the D23 charter members received as they exited the Flowers & Fireworks Celebration (i.e. a complete set of the D23 “Are you a member?” character buttons) …
Photo by Jeff Lange
… It made me happy that I had gone out of my way to attend this exclusive Epcot event. More to the point, it really made me look forward to all those D23 events that will be held on the West Coast this summer. Like that screening of “Disneyland U.S.A.” that they plan on holding in the Team Disney Anaheim building on July 17th.
Photo by Jeff Lange
If that screening is half as fun as Sunday’s concert / dessert party / fireworks thingy was, I’m sure that West Coast charter members of the Official Community for Disney Fans will have a great time.
Your thoughts?