Membership Has Its Privileges
Disneyland's "secret" Club 33 provides exclusive
experience
Thursday, November 27, 2001
by Lani Teshima, staff writer
Stewart J. is a familiar face to the regular visitors at MousePlanet's
MousePad discussion board,
posting as “Steamboat Stu.” Stewart recently joined a very elite
club of Disneyphiles by becoming a member of the Disneyland's exclusive
Club 33, located in New Orleans Square and tucked away upstairs from the
Blue Bayou Restaurant.
A small sign in Disneyland's New Orleans Square identifies the secret
club. Photo by Kevin Yee.
Stewart waited patiently for three and a half years, until Disneyland
finally contacted him and invited him to join Club 33. Today, Stewart
shares his experience—and excitement—about becoming a member
of Disneyland's elite club.
How did you go about letting Disneyland know you wanted to be on the
Club 33 waiting list?
Having no idea how to get on the waiting list, I did what any Disney
fan would do—I went to city hall. They gave me Disneyland's address,
and instructed me to send it “Attn: Club 33.” I then simply
sent a letter requesting to be added to the waiting list; there was no
form to fill out.
Club 33 members and their guests sit down for a relaxing meal at Club
33. Photo by Kevin Yee.
How long did you have to wait on the wait list? How long have you been
a member?
We decided to add our name to the Club 33 waiting list in 1997. I had
heard that the wait could be quite extensive—some had said as many
as 10 years—so we decided to add our name to the list without financial
consideration. Notification came via a package in the mail June of this
year (good thing I included a return address in my letter). I was given
a little less than a month to decide—and we took the whole month
to come to this decision. We dined there for the first time on June 27,
2001, our 14th wedding anniversary.
What made you decide to become a member? How tough was your decision
to pay for a membership?
This was not an easy decision to make! Unlike some of the members I have
met, we are by no means wealthy. The $7,500 initiation fee was manageable
but would certainly be felt. However, the lure of belonging to a club
that Walt himself intended to use for entertaining dignitaries was very
strong. And although we were only on the waiting list for three and a
half years, there is no guarantee that a similar wait would get us to
the top of the list again. So all that was left was how to justify the
expenditure in our own mind. Since country club memberships are similar
in price, if not more, the question is, would you rather have a membership
to play at a golf course or be at Disneyland? In our case, we chose Disneyland.
Mickey and Minnie stroll through Club 33 as a guest serves some food onto
her plate from the buffet. Photo by Kevin Yee.
What type of membership do you have?
When we signed onto the waiting list there was a choice of two memberships:
corporate or individual. We, of course, chose individual. Now there
are Corporate, Limited Company, Gold and Silver memberships. I am a
Gold member.
Has anything changed now that you are a member?
Club 33 membership has allowed me to let two of my annual passes expire.
Like premium APs, we get admission to both parks with no blockout days,
regardless of whether we dine at the club or not. We no longer have
to deal with the parking structures and all their headaches. Parking
for members is the valet at the Grand Californian. Membership also includes
a subscription to the Disney magazine and a Disney Club card.
I was under the impression that Club 33 memberships did not include
admission into the park unless you dined at the club on the day of your
park visit.
No. The membership permits the actual member and one guest to enter
both parks 365 days a year, without having to dine at the club. However,
guests of members who are admitted into the park must dine at the Club,
or the members are charged for the guests' admission tickets.
New Orleans Square from a perspective most people never get to see—from
the second floor balcony. Photo by Kevin Yee.
Do you find that all your acquaintances are “best buddies”
who want to dine there?
Surprisingly this has not been the case. Other than true Disney fans,
no one really knows the club exists. The friends and acquaintances that
are Disney fans have been very respectful. Club 33 membership is a privilege,
not a right. The rules do state that it can be revoked without compensation
and most people seem to understand this.
Several months ago a member on MousePlanet's
MousePad discussion board started a discussion, asking about
a unique way to propose at Disneyland. He was against the tried-and-true
areas but rather, looking for a unique, unvisited area to propose in a
more personal manner. Since my proposal to my wife was completely unromantic,
his romantic intentions caught my eye.
After several private message exchanges, I had decided that this person
would be the first one I would leave a Club 33 reservation and Disneyland
tickets for. He proposed that following day on the balcony overlooking
New Orleans Square, and I received a thankful message the day after
his successful proposal.
This is how I would like to use my membership. If I can leave such
an indelible memory with a true Disney fan or cast member, then I feel
that I am honoring Walt's true intentions for the club. I have read
many MousePad posts from people who desire to dine at Club 33, but I
have a difficult time distinguishing those who are truly looking to
create an everlasting Disney memory from those who just want to add
a notch to their Disneyland accomplishments belt.
Stewart noted that other Club 33 members are finding creative ways to
use their memberships: “I noticed on eBay a fellow member has auctioned
of the right to dine at Club 33. It included club reservations and four
Disneyland tickets, food and drink not included.” Before you get
upset that people are making money off of their Club 33 memberships, note
that this auction had permission from Disney, as every penny of the auction
was going directly to a non-profit charity. The winning auction price?
$451!
One of the dining areas in Club 33. Photo by Kevin Yee.
Stewart looked into this himself as a possible way to help out a good
cause and to also get some of the money back via a tax deduction. Stewart
contacted the person who placed the auction on eBay, and learned that
the person had a signed letter from the Walt Disney Company giving him
permission to do fundraisers this way. The charity he supports is also
the benefactor of the annual Ducks
in Tux event sponsored by the Anaheim Ducks professional hockey
team, which is owned by Disney. The rules that come with the membership
explicitly state that you cannot charge anyone for the use of the club.
“If I attempted to do this for any charity without Disney's permission
I risk losing my membership,” said Stewart.
Stewart recently received an invitation for his first special event.
Club 33 was celebrating Walt's 100th birthday on November 19 with a special
meal and speakers to share personal remembrances of Walt, including insights
into the man behind the Mouse. The evening included a secret behind-the-scenes
walking tour.
I bet Stewart had a great time!
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The listing below is current as of November
2001, and is courtesy of Club 33 member Stewart. It is all subject
to change; if you are interested in joining, contact Disneyland directly
for the most up-to-date information.
Currently there are two types of memberships,
Corporate and Individual, and there are approximately 400 members altogether
at this time.
There are no "sabbaticals"
or time off; that is, once you become a member, you cannot become inactive
for a year, then re-sign. This, says Stewart, makes sense. "If you
have a three year list of people ready and willing to part with $10,000
of their hard earned cash, why allow someone to take time off?"
Corporate Memberships
Initial fee: $20,000 nonrefundable
Annual dues: $5525 for primary charter
member, $4175 per additional associate member (up to nine permitted)
This plan permits a corporation to grant
one charter member and up to nine associate members. Corporations hold
title to this corporate account, and are allowed to transfer membership
within their organizations.
Limited Corporate Memberships
Initial fee: $10,000 nonrefundable
Annual dues: $4175
This plan permits a corporation to grant
a single membership to one of its employees. Corporations hold title to
this corporate account, and are allowed to transfer membership within
their organizations.
Gold Individual Memberships
Initial fee: $7500 nonrefundable
Annual dues: $2825
This plan permits an individual to hold
a single membership. Membership is not transferable. Gold members may
make reservations for themselves at Club 33 up to three months in advance,
and up to two months in advance for their guests.
Reservations for the holiday season
open in August for members and in October for guests of members.
Silver Individual Memberships
Note: Silver-level memberships were
discontinued in late 2000 and are no longer available. This information
is provided for historical reference only.
Initial fee: $4500
Annual dues: $1725
This plan permits an individual to hold
a single membership. Membership is not transferable. Gold members may
make reservations for Sundays through Thursdays for themselves at Club
33 up to three months in advance, and up to 30 days in advance for Fridays
and Saturdays. Reservations for guests could be made 30 days in advance.
Reservations for the December Holiday
Season open in September for members and in November for guests of members.
Read more about Club 33 in these MousePlanet
articles:
Chef
Kevin: Club 33 by Kevin Yee.
Happiest
Potties on Earth: Club 33 by Adrienne and Kevin Krock, reviews and
evaluates the poshest restrooms in Disneyland.
Ryman-Carroll
Foundation Special Tribute Event by Sue Kruse, who reports on a Club
33 buffet lunch as part of a special event.
The
Magic Years: Club 33 by Jewel, who talks to a friend about dining
at Club 33 as a teenager.
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