(Original photo from Disney Movie ClubFacebook Page)

To join or not to join? That is the question!

You wouldn’t know this, but I actually wrote this blog backwards. That’s right, I started at the end, and ended up here. Well, actually, I wrote this in the middle… OK, too confusing. The point is, the stuff at the bottom is REALLY important and a huge part of this review, which is why I technically started with it to make sure I included it, so make sure to read it!

I’m sure you’ve seen the banner ads for Disney Movie Club, or saw the sponsored link on Facebook or somewhere similar, and then thought to yourself that it’s too good to be true. It has to be…. but is it though?

From reading the comments of angry mothers or grandparents on the sponsored post or consumer affairs complaints, you’d think that it was a big rip-off or that Disney is doing something that they shouldn’t. I am here to speak from experience as an actual mother who has purchased these and joined the club for the third time to build my kids a nice collection.

 (This is only part of my collection)

So why did I do it 3 times? And why do I think it is a GOOD deal? Here’s why;

The introductory offer – typically if you go through a referral of a member, you can get 5 Disney DVDs OR Blu-Ray DVD’s for just $1 with FREE SHIPPING. Literally just $1, that’s all. Ynou get to pick from popular Disney titles like Mulan, Brave, Finding Nemo, Planes, and even Frozen. The catch is, to get 5 titles for $1, you need to join with a credit card. This is so they can charge you every 4 weeks for a new title IF you do not decline on time (which I’ll be honest, I’ve forgotten a few times and been charged $40 and angry about it). But I’ll get to that shortly.

Continuing on, that’s $1, for 5 titles. Ichose Blu-Ray because I feel like in the end, they’re worth more. Then, they give you the option to add another for just $11.95, that will count toward your commitment status, making it only 3 movies to buy in the next 2 years, instead of 4, AND you get FREE shipping since it’s your initial order. Finally, during this initial order, they give you an option to buy a 2nd BONUS title for just $8.95, again, FREE shipping, but it will not count towards your commitment status.

Adding this initial order up, that’s 7 Blu-Ray DVD’s for a grand total of $21.90 (I can’t remember if that includes tax or not, but lets just say it does for the sake of this post – you’ll get the idea) and you’ll have 7 brand new Disney movies shipped to you within 4 weeks to start or add to your collection.

Now, you still owe the commitment of 3 additional movies. If you initially selected Blu-Ray, they’ll be at a premium price of $29.95, and if you selected DVD format, they’ll be about $19.95 each. Plus shipping which adds an additional $3.95 (for the first title, $1.95 for any additional in your order).  So it will be about $33 per Blu-ray to fulfill your commitment. That seems like a lot for a DVD right? Especially since you can get some of them at Wal-Mart for just $15. Well, not really. If you actually research the titles, the Blu-Ray is about $19.95+ at Wal-Mart, and $26+ at Target for the same movie. Still, it’s more then you’d pay at a big box retailer. Until you actually add it all up, PLUS the perks/benefits.

3 movies at about $33 each is $99- for THREE, yes THREE DVDs. That is blaspheme! No, it actually isn’t. You got a GREAT deal if you really wanted a collection for your kids or yourself. $99 + $21.90= $120.90 for 10 Blu-Ray Disney DVD’s. That totals $12 per movie which is much less then at the stores, no matter which store you get it from.

Sometimes they throw in an extra bonus movie and add shipping for that as well which is shady, so it’ll come to $40 if you’re not paying attention. Example, I forgot to decline my “feature title” this month and was charged $40 from my bank account… I was pretty ticked until I saw that they sent me the new “Planes – Fire & Rescue” Blu-Ray PLUS “Mickey Mouse Christmas Carol” Blu-Ray, my youngest loves planes and Mickey and it fulfilled a commitment, so I only owe 1 more within the next year.

MORE perks and FREE stuff.

Once you receive your initial shipment of DVD’s, you can join Disney Movie Rewards Club for FREE. Typically, when you sign up, they have deals going on for a FREE movie. I got Secretariat, on Blu-Ray for free (with shipping $3.95). Plus, spend your points however you want to. I have gotten so much from them with my points (each movie you register is about 100 to 150 points, so they add up QUICK and your initial DMG order of 7 DVD’s will snag you up to 1500 points right off the bat!!. To date I got;

1. $10 Disney Store Gift card
2. Secretariat Blu-Ray DVD
3. FREE Movie ticket to go to The Muppets Most Wanted
4. A Sully Hat with built in gloves (goes for over $30 on Ebay)
5. Free stickers and crafts
6. About 3 more free DVD’s

You can enter sweepstakes for FREE, and also add extra entries with points. Here is to show some of my unlocked offers;

Another perk of joining Disney Movie Rewards is that you are guaranteeing your registered discs. If anything, AHEM…KIDS… Happen to your movie, scratched beyond repair, cracked, or even broken in half, you can ship it back for a fee of $6.95 per the terms below, and they’ll mail you a new disc! That’s much better then paying for a brand new one! 

Disney Movie Rewards;

Terms and Conditions for the Blu-ray™ and DVD Disc Replacement Program

• Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) will only replace DVD or Blu-ray™ Discs (“Product”) purchased new from an authorized seller for private use. Product purchased from unauthorized third-party sellers, or purchased for use by schools, libraries and/or rental stores will not be replaced. Product that has not been manufactured or released by WDSHE will not be replaced.

• Limit: One replacement per title per calendar year.

• WDSHE will replace submitted Product with equal product. If inventory of your Product is depleted, a similar version of the same title will be sent.

• All submissions and Product are subject to review. Product that does not meet the program’s requirements will be returned to you, along with your check or money order ($6.95 for DVDs, $8.95 for Blu-ray™ discs), and no replacement product will be sent.

• If an incomplete submission is received, you will be notified and given an opportunity to submit any missing items. If these items are not received in a timely manner, we will return the incomplete submission to you.

• WDSHE is not responsible for Product lost or stolen en route to our office. Requesting delivery confirmation from your post office is strongly recommended.

• Please allow 4-6 weeks for our office to receive and process your submission.

The most important take-away is – No matter what it is, you’ll NEVER be disappointed or “misled” if you take the time to READ AND UNDERSTAND THE FINE PRINT!

Disney Movie Club;

Terms of Membership