Club 33 "Regulars" - Question about my 1st trip

[33FirstTimer]

So through the generosity of someone I can never repay, I will have the chance to take my wife to Club 33 later this year. Obviously things may be changed after the current refurb finishes, but if you've had the opportunity to visit a few times, I'd love your input on a few things.

1. Lunch or dinner? Assuming they keep the relatively same set-up, it's my understanding lunch is more of a grazing/brunch/buffet setup, where you pick a main entree and supplement it w/ whatever you want from the setup. Dinner I'm told is strictly off the menu. Again, assuming the same philosophy, which is the better way in your opinion? Obviously dinner seems more "intimate" like a normal restaurant...but it seems lunch may give more options?

2. Dress/attire. Jackets for men a must? Preferred? Not needed and over-the-top? Just a nice pair of pants and collared shirt?

I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions and revisit this thread.

Note: I am a regular on some of these Disney boards under another name, but my wife frequents them too, and this will be a complete surprise, so I'm posting under this other name for this. Thanks.

 

[DLR29]

My family and I were also given a generous gift to visit Club 33 last year and so we decided to go for an early dinner. We're not regulars, but here's my take on our day. We had a 5 course meal and it was all exquisite. I can't speak for lunch, but at least for early dinner we felt like we had the restaurant all to ourselves. There was probably one or two other parties dining at the same time as us.

For attire, we didn't dress up really. Collared shirts and nice pants work great. A jacket wasn't necessary.

Here's a link to my report from last summer: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3152391

 

[Nairnyn]

My personal preference is to go for lunch (this is all assuming that it doesn't change when they re-open). I have gone dozens of times, for both meals, but mostly for lunch as this is the meal I prefer.

I like the cold buffet, with all the salads and meats and seafood. It's light and refreshing, and gives you an excuse to get up and meander around the Club, looking at everything. And I also love the dessert buffet. Not as light, but certainly delicious! And then you still get to relax and enjoy being served for the entree portion.

I personally haven't found dinner to be more of an intimate experience. Maybe that's because I usually have a larger group with me. And I don't like the a la carte dinner menu, with it's minimum order price. I always felt like I had to order more than I wanted.

As for the dress, there is a dress code that is enforced. For lunch, it is not as strict. Off hand, all I can remember is no flip flops, but I know there's more to it than that! And, I'm pretty sure a jacket isn't required, as my dad and husband have never worn a jacket to Club 33. You should receive the dress code, as well as behavior guidelines/expectations, once your reservation is confirmed.

 

[crystal1313]

First of all, Congrats!! So awesome

I have been lucky enough to experience both lunch and dinner. Both times my DH wore slacks and a polo shirt. I wore a skirt, nice shirt and flats. Both times were AMAZING!!!

Dinner they let us stay and watch Fantasmic on the balconies. So cool! Although, not the best viewing spot from the trees, but still how cool is that!?!

Lunch, it wasn't very crowded and our waiter could tell I was totally geeking out and he showed us around the entire restaurant and pointed out items and was so gracious. We got to go in the trophy room because no one was dining in there. It was so awesome!!

Not sure if/how things will change when they re-open. I would lean more towards dinner if it were just my DH and I.

The CM's there are incredible and so welcoming. If they still have them, ask for a note pad. It looks like a book of matches, but inside it's paper! (I asked the receptionist) Oh and be sure to have you DW check out the thrones in the bathroom! And make sure to get a special piece of merchandise with the 33 logo. Have an amazing time!!!

 

[swooshbear]

My personal preference is to go for lunch (this is all assuming that it doesn't change when they re-open). I have gone dozens of times, for both meals, but mostly for lunch as this is the meal I prefer.

I like the cold buffet, with all the salads and meats and seafood. It's light and refreshing, and gives you an excuse to get up and meander around the Club, looking at everything. And I also love the dessert buffet. Not as light, but certainly delicious! And then you still get to relax and enjoy being served for the entree portion.

I personally haven't found dinner to be more of an intimate experience. Maybe that's because I usually have a larger group with me. And I don't like the a la carte dinner menu, with it's minimum order price. I always felt like I had to order more than I wanted.

As for the dress, there is a dress code that is enforced. For lunch, it is not as strict. Off hand, all I can remember is no flip flops, but I know there's more to it than that! And, I'm pretty sure a jacket isn't required, as my dad and husband have never worn a jacket to Club 33. You should receive the dress code, as well as behavior guidelines/expectations, once your reservation is confirmed.

We had lunch there last Dec, just before they closed for refurb and they removed the cold buffet. In its place, you got a platter of seafood/meats that was essentially what you could get at the buffet, just enough for the table.

I've had lunch there twice and it was great.

 

[whoever]

As I mentioned in your other thread over there -->

I'd go for Dinner. Its just more elegant. You can see what we wore in our pics in my trip report from May of last year, but nice trousers and a button down shirt are more than sufficient.

 

[Malcon10t]

All bets are off until the Club reopens. It is going to be an all new affair. The buffet was gone prior to closing, so I doubt it will reappear.

 

[tallpkb]

I've also heard the lunch buffet will not return.

 

[Malcon10t]

I've enjoyed lunch due to the buffet. But without the buffet, I would probably prefer dinner. For us, dinner is usually a 3+ hour affair.

As for dress code, lunch is more casual. Walking length shorts and capris for women are acceptable. Slacks and polos are the norm. Dressy jeans are acceptable. "Beach wear" is not allowed (ie flip flops, tank tops, short shorts.) For dinner, blouses and slacks or a dress are acceptable. No shorts or capris are allowed. Be aware, many members have their own dress code and will ask that you please dress for the occasion.

For lunch, I will typically wear dress jeans and a polo or blouse, my boys will wear slacks and polos.

Here is a lunch pic.

Kids dressed for dinner...

 

[blackjackdelta]

We have eaten at club 33 numerous times for both lunch and dinner, if the buffet goes away then we would opt for dinner and like Malcon10t stated, at least 3 hours to relax and enjoy.

Have a great time,

Jack

 

[33FirstTimer]

Thanks for all the answers to date. You guys are most helpful.

 

[Malcon10t]

Just a heads up, member friend sent a copy of all new rules for members regarding making non-member reservations.

 

[starry_solo]

Just a heads up, member friend sent a copy of all new rules for members regarding making non-member reservations.

I heard! Members can only make 20 reservations per year for their guests, if they are not dining with them. WOW!

 

[Malcon10t]

I heard! Members can only make 20 reservations per year for their guests, if they are not dining with them. WOW!

Add to it, they can only book reservations 14 days in advance for Mon-Thurs and 3 days for Fri-Sun and all days from Thanksgiving week thru New Years.

 

[DizMe]

Is that to cut back on the number of non-members who dine at the club? I'm guessing they'd like to increase the number of memberships and need to get rid of some of the pesky riff-raff that jam up the place.

ETA: I do understand if they need to reduce the numbers if there is an issue with members not having access due to too many unaccompanied guests. Since they are expanding, though, this doesn't seem like the main reason.

 

[whoever]

Disregard... I apparently couldn't read.

 

[Nonsuch]

Is that to cut back on the number of non-members who dine at the club? I'm guessing they'd like to increase the number of memberships and need to get rid of some of the pesky riff-raff that jam up the place...

You are likely correct on all points

...I do understand if they need to reduce the numbers if there is an issue with members not having access due to too many unaccompanied guests. Since they are expanding, though, this doesn't seem like the main reason.

The expansion is to the kitchen and the addition of the new lounge, the seating for the restaurant is actually reduced. The main dining room remains the same, but the trophy room (and for some events the hallway leading to the main dining room) will no longer exist for additional seating.

 

[Malcon10t]

ETA: I do understand if they need to reduce the numbers if there is an issue with members not having access due to too many unaccompanied guests. Since they are expanding, though, this doesn't seem like the main reason.

Reality is, for dining, they did not expand. The dining room seats approx 65. The Trophy room seated about 35. The Trophy room is no more. So, reality is, they lost 35 seats. The expanded area is a lounge, not dining area. It is exclusive to members. The reality is with the increased size in membership, decreased dining space, they had to make a change somewhere.

Add to this, all last year, it was difficult (especially from Sept on) for members to get reservations on Fri-Sun under 30 days. A lot of members were complaining. I do expect it to loosen up after the first of the year when the newness wears off. I don't expect the 20 reservations a year to wear off, but do expect the 3 days to loosen.

 

[DizMe]

You are likely correct on all points
The expansion is to the kitchen and the addition of the new lounge, the seating for the restaurant is actually reduced. The main dining room remains the same, but the trophy room (and for some events the hallway leading to the main dining room) will no longer exist for additional seating.

Reality is, for dining, they did not expand. The dining room seats approx 65. The Trophy room seated about 35. The Trophy room is no more. So, reality is, they lost 35 seats. The expanded area is a lounge, not dining area. It is exclusive to members. The reality is with the increased size in membership, decreased dining space, they had to make a change somewhere.

Add to this, all last year, it was difficult (especially from Sept on) for members to get reservations on Fri-Sun under 30 days. A lot of members were complaining. I do expect it to loosen up after the first of the year when the newness wears off. I don't expect the 20 reservations a year to wear off, but do expect the 3 days to loosen.

That makes sense. As a member, I would be put out if I couldn't make reservations for my own club. I do remember now that the dining numbers were being reduced (which seems foolish to me, but no one seems interested in soliciting my views ).

I did hear that the Trophy Room is still intact and the hope is it may not be eliminated after all. I was told the expansion did not eliminate it as was originally planned; I can't vouch for this information as I personally don't have any way to verify it.

 

[Malcon10t]

I did hear that the Trophy Room is still intact and the hope is it may not be eliminated after all. I was told the expansion did not eliminate it as was originally planned; I can't vouch for this information as I personally don't have any way to verify it.

I'm fairly certain it is gone. Chef Sutton was all excited about the kitchen expansion last time he talked. That was where the kitchen was expanded to.