Club 33 membership re-opening...

[DISHoppy]

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/05/exclusive-club-33-at-disneyland-resort-invites-new-members/

$25K up front and $10K/year and you still get to pay for your own meals. Bargain!

-Kevin

 

[nannyz]

Anyone who would buy into this just isn't thinking straight.
Disney says that Mr. Disney envisioned this; but did he envision these prices?
$25,000 just to be able to eat at Club 33? Yes I know there are other perks.
If I had a spare $25,000 I would go to my city's barrio and gather up a bunch of kids who will never see DL and take them there. What a joy that would be.

 

[skiingfast]

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=8647967&pid=8647966

 

[gis]

It's funny this is on the news..

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Anyone who would buy into this just isn't thinking straight.
Disney says that Mr. Disney envisioned this; but did he envision these prices?
$25,000 just to be able to eat at Club 33? Yes I know there are other perks.
If I had a spare $25,000 I would go to my city's barrio and gather up a bunch of kids who will never see DL and take them there. What a joy that would be.

nice nanny

 

[ArchOwl]

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=8647967&pid=8647966

Thanks for the link, it was cool to see a brief peek at Club 1901, it looks really great!

 

[DISHoppy]

I wonder if I say Iger, Crofton or Lasetter after ringing the buzzer if they'll let me in.

-Kevin

 

[ArchOwl]

I wonder if I say Iger, Crofton or Lasetter after ringing the buzzer if they'll let me in.

-Kevin

Only if you had a really good mask.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm glad for those who can and want to join (the waiting list)!


Still dreaming of the maitai and macaroons I got to experience there thanks to a friend who belongs.



And, even though we aren't in a position to do this, I have at least two relatives who make plenty of money and can do all sorts of fun things. From conversations with them, I have to say...there is nothing saying that a person who does something amazing and expensive for themselves isn't ALSO doing things that are amazing and awesome for other people.

My relatives work HARD for their money (not physically hard like doing manual labor, but other types of work are hard as well), and their financial success took a lot of money and time in excellent schooling, which took a lot of hard work and time as younger students. They deserve to have fun with their money, and it's weird to hear that IF my family members were to join Club 33 (they won't, they aren't big enough fans), someone would think they aren't thinking straight. It's just not fair to think that or say that.

And since there are plenty of members that are on this very forum, it's really unfair to say it here.

 

[nannyz]

I am truly sorry if my post offended anyone.
Those who have discretionary funds certainly have the right to spend them however they please.
The price just seems so ridiculous to me, no matter how rich one is -- like spending $4,000 on a purse or $1,000 on a pair of shoes.
Maybe I don't understand what exactly one gets for the money. Is it just a prestige thing -- to be able to say I can eat at Club 33? Does the money fund any charities? Maybe someone can explain it to me.

 

[Mama Who]

I am truly sorry if my post offended anyone.
Those who have discretionary funds certainly have the right to spend them however they please.
The price just seems so ridiculous to me, no matter how rich one is -- like spending $4,000 on a purse or $1,000 on a pair of shoes.
Maybe I don't understand what exactly one gets for the money. Is it just a prestige thing -- to be able to say I can eat at Club 33? Does the money fund any charities? Maybe someone can explain it to me.

What you get is membership in an exclusive club and special, very limited, opportunities. Beyond your own use, you get the privilege of sharing (as you see fit) with other people.

A large number of people here have dreamed of a meal at the Club for years. A much smaller number have actually had that dream come true. The member who blessed my family said, when I wrote to thank him, that as a life long Disney lover, it is his extreme pleasure to bestow invitations on those who are less fortunate but just as passionate. He lives far away. He doesn't actually make it to the Club that often himself. What he says he gets out of it is the joy of sharing.

Clearly it's not what *you* would choose to do with your money. That's fine. More room on the waiting list for someone else. I'm sure you spend money in manners other folks would find frivolous too. Everyone gets to choose for themselves where their discretionary income goes.

 

[Huff]

I don't think its intended for individuals. I know a few corporations who have memberships. I believe they wine and dine their clients at Club 33 and visits to DL.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Been there, done that... I'd rather buy more DVC points!

 

[Malcon10t]

Does the money fund any charities? Maybe someone can explain it to me.

No, it doesn't directly. I'm not sure why you feel Disney needs to donate this. They do plenty of philanthropy work, between the various VoluntEars projects, Make A Wish, CHOC, etc...

Do you have any local country clubs? It is very similar. You pay an outrageous initiation fee, you pay annual dues, and the difference here is, you are required at most country clubs to spend a minimum a month between meals, green fees, shops, and lessons. If you don't spend $xxx, they bill you the difference. There is no minimum at Club 33. There are large country clubs that have $250,000-400,000 initiation fees. We have a very small club locally, and the initiation fee is $25000 a family, with $15,000 a year, and a $250 a quarter minimum. I have family that belongs. They also donate widely and have a large philanthropy list. Just because they make money, doesn't mean every penny above their actual needs needs to go to charity.

 

[Nonsuch]

Been there, done that... I'd rather buy more DVC points!

I have been thinking the same thing

Heated discussion about the Club 33 changes

 

[Malcon10t]

Oh, and they are sending invites to the top 100 people on the waiting list. So, if you have been on the list since before 2004, you might be getting an invite!

 

[Pesky]

Better go see if my money tree has any $100s to harvest.

 

[sonnyjane]

Maybe I don't understand what exactly one gets for the money. Is it just a prestige thing -- to be able to say I can eat at Club 33? Does the money fund any charities? Maybe someone can explain it to me.

No, it doesn't directly. I'm not sure why you feel Disney needs to donate this. They do plenty of philanthropy work, between the various VoluntEars projects, Make A Wish, CHOC, etc...

Do you have any local country clubs? It is very similar. You pay an outrageous initiation fee, you pay annual dues, and the difference here is, you are required at most country clubs to spend a minimum a month between meals, green fees, shops, and lessons. If you don't spend $xxx, they bill you the difference. There is no minimum at Club 33. There are large country clubs that have $250,000-400,000 initiation fees. We have a very small club locally, and the initiation fee is $25000 a family, with $15,000 a year, and a $250 a quarter minimum. I have family that belongs. They also donate widely and have a large philanthropy list. Just because they make money, doesn't mean every penny above their actual needs needs to go to charity.

I agree! If someone thinks that price is ridiculous, that's well and good, then don't pay it! But anyone who has play money that would like to join certainly can and should. If I could easily afford $1,000 shoes, I would buy them! Just because one person chooses to save their money or give it away to charity doesn't automatically make them a good person, and someone who chooses to spend their money freely isn't necessarily a bad person, so while it may seem ridiculous to you, it doesn't make it wrong.

 

[nannyz]

Thanks for your answers, folks. I understand a little more.

 

[Nonsuch]

Oh, and they are sending invites to the top 100 people on the waiting list. So, if you have been on the list since before 2004, you might be getting an invite!

While there might be a few people on the existing waiting list willing to pay the new dues, Disney will burn through the list very quickly. I'll be watching my mailbox, although I've only been on the list since 2006. Of course, I would rather spend my money on more VGC points

I expect Disney will market Club 33 to high end guests of the Grand California. A guest who books a $5000/night suite, could easily accept $10000 dues