Club 33 lunch -- would you go?

[gcatt]

I realize that asking this question here is a bit like asking chocoholics if they'd like a hot fudge sundae, but . . . . how about a $400 hot fudge sundae?

We had just about finalized our plans for an August Disneyland trip when a friend informed me that her Club 33 membership had come through and offered to make lunch reservations for us. The cost runs to approximately $100 per person, since our kids are both adults by Disney standards. On the positive side, it does include a park hopper for each person eating on that day, plus of course the experience of Club 33 itself.

We arrive at DLR on a Sunday evening and leave on Friday morning. We have 3-day park hoppers, planning to go to the park Mon/Tues/Thurs and have Wednesday to sleep late and enjoy a beach, pool, and DTD day. So we do have an extra day where we could use the Club 33 park hopper and have lunch there, although we'd be giving up some of our relaxing time. We'd still try to go to the beach, to let our Northern CA kids experience warmer ocean water.

Our kids are 11 and 13 and love DLR, but I'm not sure if they're old enough to really understand the specialness of Club 33. My husband is not as much of a DL fan as I am, but is a good sport and will support what I choose. Money-wise, it might mean giving up an opportunity in the later part of our vacation.

I'm surprised at how indecisive I am. On the one hand, it's Club 33 -- of course we should go! On the other, it's a lot of money, I'm not sure if the rest of my family will enjoy it as much as I will, and the kids really do better with a rest day.

What would you do in my shoes?

Thanks!

 

[FlameGirl]

I would go and let the rest of the family decide if they wanted to join me.

 

[candygirlIRE]

Yep! Go! Tell them they will thank you later when they realize that it's an amazing experience (although I don't personally know that *sigh* someday)... You can always just do maybe one or two of their VERY favorite rides then leave the park for the beach!

Let us know what you decide!!

 

[Noelle]

Several years ago, we went for dinner. We went for my youngest daughters 4th birthday and she doesn't remember any of it. My older daughter was something like 11 at the time and she remembers it. She's a super Disney nut like me, so she gets a thrill about telling people we've been. It was summer time and we went at time that we were able to watch Fantasmic from the balcony which made it kind of nice. It wasn't a cheap dinner, don't remember exactly how much it cost. But, that being said, it's a memory that my parents, husband, oldest daughter and myself remember fondly and talk about even now.
I don't know if it would have been as memorable as lunch and I think Fantasmic & the fact it was a Birthday kind of added to the specialness of our memory.
If given the chance to go again; I would go, just because...But if the tables were turned and Club 33 was in WDW, I didn't have the luxury of living nearby, if it was a significant cost and would limit my family on the rest of our vacation, I'd probably skip it. I love Victoria and Alberts - but we seldom go when we go to WDW. (I use V&A simply for the niceness and cost factor - I do realize that Club 33 has the exclusiveness thing that V&A doesn't).
Either way...Good luck with your decision!

 

[scion5220]

As a Florida Gulf Coast dweller I am just amazed that anyone thinks the SoCal water is WARM!



(I know in comparison to NorCal it must SEEM warm.)

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

I would go. The reason why it costs so much is that it basically offsets the cost of a regular entrance ticket, so admission to the park isn't actually "free"--you just pay for admission and get a meal at Club 33. Have you considered changing your park hoppers for a 2 day park hopper ticket and using the Club 33 as one of your park days? It's not like you'll be sitting in there forever.

 

[taaren]

I'd grab the DH and go.
At 11 and 13 many kids are mature enough to spend a bit of time on their own. If you're not comfortable with that there are babysitting options (not sure how old Pinocchio's Workshop goes up to since mine is only 4; otherwise most resorts you can hire a babysitter).
Perhaps they could even go to something they'd enjoy more like Goofy's Kitchen while you go to Club 33?
Since your friend has a membership, they'll potentially have an opportunity to go on a later trip when they can really appreciate it. In the meantime grab that opportunity for yourself!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We are blessed to have a lunch reservation next weekend. You will be kicking yourself if you do not go. Club 33 is listed as one of the top 5 places that you can not get into.

Jack

 

[skiingfast]

As a Florida Gulf Coast dweller I am just amazed that anyone thinks the SoCal water is WARM!



(I know in comparison to NorCal it must SEEM warm.)

Along the same lines.
Being from the West Coast I'm surprised people think that people in Florida can surf.

OP.

I agree with Jack, you will be kicking yourself if you don't go. Take the chance that very few have.

Keep in mind the cost isn't much more when you factor in the free park ticket. It's more like $25-$50 a person for lunch when you look at the ticket savings.

 

[nunzia]

let me be blunt.....WHAT....ARE YOU CRAZY?? GO!!!!!

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Is this a trick question? Of course I would go....in fact, can your friend get me in?

 

[blackjackdelta]

There are tons of threads on Club 33, here is just one of them.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2342755&highlight=club+33

Jack

 

[Disney-Kim]

I realize that asking this question here is a bit like asking chocoholics if they'd like a hot fudge sundae, but . . . . how about a $400 hot fudge sundae?

We had just about finalized our plans for an August Disneyland trip when a friend informed me that her Club 33 membership had come through and offered to make lunch reservations for us. The cost runs to approximately $100 per person, since our kids are both adults by Disney standards. On the positive side, it does include a park hopper for each person eating on that day, plus of course the experience of Club 33 itself.

We arrive at DLR on a Sunday evening and leave on Friday morning. We have 3-day park hoppers, planning to go to the park Mon/Tues/Thurs and have Wednesday to sleep late and enjoy a beach, pool, and DTD day. So we do have an extra day where we could use the Club 33 park hopper and have lunch there, although we'd be giving up some of our relaxing time. We'd still try to go to the beach, to let our Northern CA kids experience warmer ocean water.

Our kids are 11 and 13 and love DLR, but I'm not sure if they're old enough to really understand the specialness of Club 33. My husband is not as much of a DL fan as I am, but is a good sport and will support what I choose. Money-wise, it might mean giving up an opportunity in the later part of our vacation.

I'm surprised at how indecisive I am. On the one hand, it's Club 33 -- of course we should go! On the other, it's a lot of money, I'm not sure if the rest of my family will enjoy it as much as I will, and the kids really do better with a rest day.

What would you do in my shoes?

Thanks!

I have been to Club 33...through a very special circumstance. We didn't have to pay for a day just dinner...which was comped. It was cool to say we had been there and take pictures but.......
I would no way pay $400 for your family to go there. I don't think the kids or your DH will get the specialness of it...and its fine dining...which most kids don't like.

I know I have been there and its easy to say...but my advice...is save the $400 and spend it on something else...

 

[blackjackdelta]

Along the same lines.
Being from the West Coast I'm surprised people think that people in Florida can surf.

OP.

I agree with Jack, you will be kicking yourself if you don't go. Take the chance that very few have.

Keep in mind the cost isn't much more when you factor in the free park ticket. It's more like $25-$50 a person for lunch when you look at the ticket savings.

SF is totally correct, minus the one day ticket(I think $76.00) you will pay more at the BB.

Jack

 

[scion5220]

Along the same lines.
Being from the West Coast I'm surprised people think that people in Florida can surf.

OP.

I agree with Jack, you will be kicking yourself if you don't go. Take the chance that very few have.

Keep in mind the cost isn't much more when you factor in the free park ticket. It's more like $25-$50 a person for lunch when you look at the ticket savings.

Yeah...no surfers ever came out of Florida *cough*Kelly Slater*cough*

And I would TOTALLY go to Club 33, but I might think twice about taking kids.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I would and I'd figure out a way to take my kiddos and here is why. We won the Dream suite when DD was 2 1/2. She remembers EVERY. BIT. of it. a 2 year old!!!

They are still trying to grasp the reality of the fact that it was so magical it will NEVER happen again.

We gave up a full day of plans to 'do' the dream suite. We had so many things we were going to accomplish...It was worth it.

There are some circumstances where you will NEVER the chance again. This is possibly one of them.

My suggestion (since we're 'doing' our trip the same way) is to not use the FULL day of park hopper. Use it for dinner..some nighttime fun and theend. It's a magical extra..you don't have to use the whole day. Spend the morning/afternoon doing what you wanted to (beach?) and then go over.

Good luck in your decision. I'm not disney obsessed, but after winning the dream suite I have converted to 'darn near'...and anything like this (with bragging rights) I'd totally do

 

[PatMcDuck]

I would take DH but not the kids....... they seem old enough to me to spend 1-2 hours in the parks on their own? Or stay in the hotel room alone and watch movies, play video games, whatever.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[vettegirl]

As a Florida Gulf Coast dweller I am just amazed that anyone thinks the SoCal water is WARM!



(I know in comparison to NorCal it must SEEM warm.)

Me too! We are dying here in Texas right now!

 

[NovemberMom]

If you have the means I would go. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I think 11 and 13 is a good age to come along with you. I remember everything about my Disneyland trip when I was 11 years old.

 

[HappyHaunt]

My son was 10 when we did lunch there. He loved it, he's a big disney fan like his mom though. I think it's old enough to enjoy it. Either way it's a once in a life time kind of thing. There is no way we'd pass that up! We were lucky enough to not have to pay for our meal either, but we were prepared to if we had to. It was going to be well worth it for me!