Club 33 coming to all four WDW parks

[Tonyz]

I think a club for the original investors was a truly awesome idea. I would serve them myself in gratitude! But I just don't understand the appeal of a club for rich people in Magic Kingdom. Personal opinion of course.

 

[FireflyTrance]

It's possible but something that costs 10s of thousands of dollars doesn't always have the biggest demand. Also I believe it has been said that you would only "buy into" one location rather than being able to go to all of them.

DVC also costs 10s of thousands of dollars (depending on how much you buy) and that has 200,000 members. So my guess is this will be popular. Or at least it will be popular IF there is perceived value there. If they give you perks similar to what Disneyland Club 33 members are given, my guess is this will be popular.

 

[OKW Lover]

I think a club for the original investors was a truly awesome idea.

Yes, it was pretty good. It also served as a place where new interests could be cultivated. New sponsors, new connections. A need that still exists.

 

[FireflyTrance]

Also DL Club 33 has a perk of 6 Instant Fastpasses per visit. Can someone explain to me what an instant fastpass is?

 

[Tonyz]

Yes, it was pretty good. It also served as a place where new interests could be cultivated. New sponsors, new connections. A need that still exists.

Again good point... but I have a strong suspicion it also has more than a few members that wouldn't be fulfilling these needs.

 

[tjkraz]

DVC also costs 10s of thousands of dollars (depending on how much you buy) and that has 200,000 members. So my guess is this will be popular. Or at least it will be popular IF there is perceived value there. If they give you perks similar to what Disneyland Club 33 members are given, my guess is this will be popular.

The economics of DVC are quite a bit different. 200 points purchased retail today might cost around $35,000 in up-front costs. However, the recurring annual dues payment is only about $1000. Since those dues are linked to resort operating costs, they will increase at a very gradual rate. And if the owner ever tires of the product, they can sell and recoup some or all of their initial investment.

With Club 33, there is little guarantee regarding the rate of inflation. (Disney may put something in the contract, but it's certain to run in their favor. They aren't going to cap the annual increase at 5%.) Even if the club does prove popular in year 1, that $15,000 annual fee could quickly rise to $20k or $30k with no end in sight.

If you can't afford it some year, you're simply done. The exorbitant initiation fee is gone.

And the Club 33 fee really doesn't get you anything except access to the room. As a Club 33 member, you still have to pay for all food & beverage at the lounges/restaurants with reservations likely required. You can buy the APs and tours for far less money.

I'm quite sure there will be demand for Club 33 but it's unlikely to be on any DVC-type level. With DVC, Disney will finance pretty much anyone who can afford a $250 monthly payment. Miss a few payments...they take it back and re-sell. By comparison, I don't think they're going to offer payment plans on that $25-50k Club 33 initiation fee. Better have cash on hand for that one.

 

[FireflyTrance]

The economics of DVC are quite a bit different. 200 points purchased retail today might cost around $35,000 in up-front costs. However, the recurring annual dues payment is only about $1000. Since those dues are linked to resort operating costs, they will increase at a very gradual rate. And if the owner ever tires of the product, they can sell and recoup some or all of their initial investment.

I agree with you, I'm just saying there are a lot of Disney fans willing to spend a lot of money. I'm sure some don't finance DVC and just pay all cash. The biggest downside of Club 33 is that it isn't a membership you can sell like DVC is. That's unlikely to change, but it would make it much more appealing.

 

[Patricksp]

I was a member of a Country Club and when you can't use your membership anymore (move etc) you get your initiation fee back, it all depends on what's in the contract. They usually put up front Initiation fees to weed people out.

 

[calimochi]

For those of you who are already Club 33 members -
or are planning on joining one of the "new" Club 33 locations -
do you feel like your membership isn't as exclusive now that
Disney are building other Club 33 locations? Is it still worth it to you even
though DL won't be the only park with a Club 33 anymore? Or is it still worth it to you?

 

[rteetz]

For those of you who are already Club 33 members - or are planning on joining one of the "new" Club 33 locations - do you feel like your membership isn't as exclusive now that Disney are building other Club 33 locations? Is it still worth it to you even though DL won't be the only park with a Club 33 anymore? Or is it still worth it to you?

Tokyo has had a Club 33 for years, and Shanghai opened with Club 33 so DL has not had it exclusively.

 

[opus1guy]

I have zero inside info on this, but I'm going to speculate that Walt Disney World's physical Club 33s are going to be more like the corporate VIP lounges that exist around property with a bit more emphasis on light food and adult beverages. Places where Members will be able to duck into and relax, have some drinks and perhaps a limited lounge light food menu, away from the masses. Very similar to Club 33's "1901" extension at the California Adventure Park. I don't think they're going to build a full blown restaurant at any of them like Disneyland in California has. I could be wrong of course.

Club 33 in California was for most of it's life...simply a place...a private restaurant. Today, Club 33 in California is more of a complete exclusive service program that includes VIP tours, special viewing areas, special events, handfulls of Fastpasses, 1901 Lounge & Bar, valet parking, hotel upgrades, etc, etc...and the physical original Club 33 restaurant which is now just a part of that whole membership "package" if-you-will. Today, Club 33 no longer just refers to a place (in fact, its entrance and address is no longer even located at 33 Royal Street)...it refers to a whole membership program. Today it is also designed to be much more of a social club than it used to be, with members developing personal and professional relationships among each other thru visitations and special "Member Only" events.

In a nutshell, in Florida I think it's going to be some VIP lounges plus some of the VIP access and services that are part of the traditions and benefits of their California counterpart. A way for you, your family, guests and clients to enjoy some very special and exclusive experiences when visiting, many in an uncrowed unmatched setting. Plus perhaps some networking opportunities.

 

[rteetz]

I have zero inside info on this, but I'm going to speculate that Walt Disney World's physical Club 33s are going to be more like the corporate VIP lounges that exist around property with a bit more emphasis on light food and adult beverages. Places where Members will be able to duck into and relax, have some drinks and perhaps a limited lounge light food menu, away from the masses. Very similar to Club 33's "1901" extension at the California Adventure Park. I don't think they're going to build a full blown restaurant at any of them like Disneyland in California has. I could be wrong of course.

That is indeed what I am hearing as well. These are overtaking some of the existing corporate lounges.

 

[Marthasor]

I have zero inside info on this, but I'm going to speculate that Walt Disney World's physical Club 33s are going to be more like the corporate VIP lounges that exist around property with a bit more emphasis on light food and adult beverages. Places where Members will be able to duck into and relax, have some drinks and perhaps a limited lounge light food menu, away from the masses. Very similar to Club 33's "1901" extension at the California Adventure Park. I don't think they're going to build a full blown restaurant at any of them like Disneyland in California has. I could be wrong of course.

Club 33 in California was for most of it's life...simply a place...a private restaurant. Today, Club 33 in California is more of a complete exclusive service program that includes VIP tours, special viewing areas, special events, handfulls of Fastpasses, 1901 Lounge & Bar, valet parking, hotel upgrades, etc, etc...and the physical original Club 33 restaurant which is now just a part of that whole membership "package" if-you-will. Today, Club 33 no longer refers to a place (in fact, its entrance and address is no longer even located at 33 Royal Street)...it refers to a whole membership program.

In a nutshell, in Florida I think it's going to be some VIP lounges plus some of the VIP access and services that are part of the traditions and benefits of their California counterpart. A way for you, your family, guests and clients to enjoy some very special and exclusive experiences when visiting, many in an uncrowed unmatched setting.

This is exactly why we would be interested in it. Would it be great if they had a full-service restaurant? Sure! But we are more interested in a lounge and the perks that are available at DL and hoping that's what they are bringing to WDW - special tours, passes, fastpasses, etc. We have investigated other ways to "own" in WDW - DVC, Golden Oak - and neither really fit into our vacation style or lifestyle right now. WDW Club 33 may just be the way to "up" our WDW experience in a way we've looked for for years. We'll have to see how they structure this. I'm going to assume if they have memberships per park, they may also have a 4 park membership? Obviously, we'll have to see how it prices out, but if we have to pick one park, it will be EP.

 

[opus1guy]

I'm going to assume if they have memberships per park, they may also have a 4 park membership? Obviously, we'll have to see how it prices out, but if we have to pick one park, it will be EP.

I've read where the memberships would be separate, but in the context of what I was reading it sounded like they meant if you had a Florida membership, you couldn't use it in California/Tokyo/Shanghai. Did someone state there would be separate memberships per each of the 4 WDW parks?

 

[rteetz]

Did someone state there would be separate memberships per each of the 4 WDW parks?

I have heard rumors that they would go even that far. Obviously things can still change.

 

[opus1guy]

I have heard rumors that they would go even that far. Obviously things can still change.

That would be really strange if they did that, IMHO. Would sort of defeat the whole VIP aspect of it. In California, membership includes both Parks and the private facilities within. In fact, if it were up to me a Walt Disney World Club 33 membership would include private/semi-private scheduled car service between the Parks for luxury park-hopping.

But at this point...who knows?

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I have a cost in my head that I could justify for my husband and I to have a membership. If its more than that - it will be many years before we will look at joining again.

I really enjoyed our visit to Club 33 in Disneyland. I would love the lounge aspect of WDW.

Guess its a wait and see now.

 

[KYMickey]

American Adventure

This location makes perfect sense. A great centrally located place that's accessible from both entrances. It's and you're also a private lounge In the Imagination building also?

Dino land

While I agree that this building has a private lounge, it's well off the beaten path and not very easily accessible. It certainly would provide any draw to get people there except for any amenities offered.

Adventureland

Where in Adventureland is there presently a private area? Pirates of the Caribbean building maybe? I do agree that that area or the Castle would be the preferred areas with Main Street being a distant 3rd. The only advantage to main street is that it most closely resembles where D33 is in Disneyland.

DHS is unsure

Obviously a very nice location could be built during the expansion however if it's also going to be open by the end of the year that's ruled out. ToT would be the most logical choice and also a very good choice.

 

[rteetz]

This location makes perfect sense. A great centrally located place that's accessible from both entrances. It's and you're also a private lounge In the Imagination building also?

While I agree that this building has a private lounge, it's well off the beaten path and not very easily accessible. It certainly would provide any draw to get people there except for any amenities offered.

Where in Adventureland is there presently a private area? Pirates of the Caribbean building maybe? I do agree that that area or the Castle would be the preferred areas with Main Street being a distant 3rd. The only advantage to main street is that it most closely resembles where D33 is in Disneyland.

Obviously a very nice location could be built during the expansion however if it's also going to be open by the end of the year that's ruled out. ToT would be the most logical choice and also a very good choice.

There is an existing lounge within the American Adventure pavilion on the second floor which is what would be used. Imagination is the existing DVC lounge.

AK is a hard one, you don't have much in terms of good views and on the beaten path. They want it open by the end of the year so that doesn't give them much time.

I have heard within the Skipper Canteen area.

 

[kungaloosh22]

I'm glad they're talking about park locations, and not the rumored Neverland Tunnels and/or Walt's Place at Disney Springs. Because, if/when the NT and WP ever materialize, I very much want a chance to frequent them myself.

I bring this up because last year my husband and I were having drinks at Jock Lindsey's, and talking about these places with our server. She told us she'd heard they would be "only for VIPs, just like Club 33 in Disneyland." This did not make me happy, but I brushed it off as probable "bus driver" talk. But now that Club 33 is turning out to actually be coming to Florida, I'm concerned again.