Club 33 was a major disappointment.

[Keurigirl]

We just returned from Disneyland trip for my 35th birthday. All Disney trips are special, but this one was significant to me because it was more for me than for our kids or our family. My husband had surprised me with it reservations for dinner at Club 33 to celebrate my special day.

As any Disney fan knows, a dinner reservation at Club 33 is like THE EVENT. It's something amazing, something special, something just so stinkin' cool for us Disney peeps. For the weeks leading up to our trip I was so excited I started to get sick from anxiety. We were going to CLUB 33!!! I spent a ton of time sewing special outfits for my kids, thinking about what it would be like, and reading as much as I could find online about Club 33.

Maybe I should reinforce that we're Disney people. We love Disney. We believe in the Disney "Magic". We try and visit the parks a couple times a year, and we've been on four Disney cruises in the past two years. I don't say that to sound pompous or self-important. I say it simply because it is very difficult for me to find fault with Disney. We get Disney. We love it.

We had reservations for 5:30 on Saturday night. We spent the morning at Disneyland, and then headed back to our hotel (DLH) at 1:00 so we had plenty of time for naps, resting, and changing into our evening clothing for dinner. I had packed "fancy" clothes, as my daughter says, and wearing our finest (or at least a suit for my husband and cocktail attire for myself), headed back to the park at 4:45 to make sure we were there in time for our reservation.

Camping outside the Club waiting for the opening we were just giddy with joy. This was a "bucket list" item for us, something we'd always wanted to do. That it was for my birthday surprise just added to the experience. We took photos in front of the door, we talked excitedly to each other, and patiently waited for our time. I had prepped our kids (almost 4 and 7) about our trip to Walt's secret club, and they both were excited for a fancy, special evening.

Here are my super excited kids waiting for our reservation:

What we ended up with was basically a really awful experience. I could go into detail, but will just leave it with the fact that aside from our initial greeting and seating, which was done by the club hostess, we were never made to feel welcome. We were not offered a smile, a warm gesture, anything from our server. He acted as if he were doing us a favor by allowing us into his restaurant. The other hostess running around was worse, she snapped at my husband both times when he asked her a question (one about where the restroom was, one a question about the location of the club). I receive better service from a simple chain restaurant then we got from our server at Club 33. Heck, I'd received a friendlier smile earlier that day when I got corn chowder in New Orleans Square!

I do know that they were having issues with their computers - they could not order food with them and in turn had to write up orders on paper and hand deliver them to the kitchen, nor could they process credit cards (taking them to the adjoining Blue Bayou to process). I do not think, however, that either of these issues should have resulted in the type of service we received.

This was a once in a lifetime experience. Something that we've longed for, dreamed about, and then anxiously awaited once we had a reservation. It was my birthday dinner. It was $600. And it was awful.

I'm just so sad about it. It's something I will likely never get to do again (and wouldn't want to, if that is the way people are treated) and I feel very let down by the whole experience. I keep going over and over in my head about something we did wrong, but can come up with nothing. We dressed above and beyond what was asked of us, our children were perfect angels the whole time we were there (seriously, I was surprised how good they were). I was thankful and respectful of the club and the cast members there (even though they were not nice to us). As we were checking in the hostess asked if anyone had been to the club before, and all of the other parties that dined at our same time slot (6, I believe) were all there for their first time too. The only thing I can come up with is that they were having a bad day due to other issues, and it just spilled over into our dinner. Which really, really, really sucks. I want to say it was amazing. All my friends and family were so jealous that we were getting to go, and they keep asking me how it was. I haven't said anything to any of them because I don't know what to say. I don't know anyone who had a bad experience there.

I feel like I want to reach out to the club and let them know what happened. No one should have the kind of experience we did. Club 33 is an experience that people dream of, and when that dream comes true, it come true! It shouldn't be so much of a disappointment that it kind of ruined your whole Disney birthday trip. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? I would appreciate it.

 

[PatMcDuck]

That is so awful for you and your family, and what an expensive mess too.

All I can say is that, I was very disappointed by the "Walk in Walt's Footsteps" Tour. Everyone RAVES about it. I was pretty bored. The recordings were not audible, the information was not new to me either. (And I am a Disney FAN, but no expert). The visit to Club 33's lobby?? I was underwhelmed, it seemed old and uninteresting. The only thing I liked was the visit to Walt's apartment.

So you are not alone....... But I only spent a fraction of what you did!

 

[ArchOwl]

Wow, so sorry to hear about your experience. I would definitely let Disney know about it. From my own experience dining at the Club and what I have heard from others, it would seem that something went very wrong that day. I am sad to hear that things went so badly at a place that should be so special.

 

[jonahsmommy]

First off, I'm so sorry that you had a bad experience.
My advice, please talk to someone about your experience, the only way they can fix the problem is if they know about it.

 

[Keurigirl]

I did speak to someone at guest services the next day, but she did not seem like the right person. She listened, but did not take any names down nor make any moves to seem as though she was going to actually let the right people know. She suggested that if I wanted a response that I should contact corporate through the Disneyland website "contact us" link. That doesn't seem right to me either. I'm hoping someone here will push me in the right direction for the right person to contact?

 

[PinkiexLi]

You could probably write a review somewhere. I feel like a lot of the "fancy" restaurants at Disney that are supposed to be "experiences" are disappointing. If it's not the actual food quality, it's the price, or the service. I had a horrible time at Cinderella's Royal Table when I went to Disney World in August. The service was awful! I felt like a beggar! It was supposed to be a magical experience dining with the princesses in Cinderella's castle, instead it was the worse meal of our trip. I wrote a review on the Disney dining page.

 

[DisneytheKid]

I'm sorry to hear that. What a disappointment. Thank you for at least posting your concerns. There's no way for them to fix it if it's not talked about.

 

[starshine514]

I did speak to someone at guest services the next day, but she did not seem like the right person. She listened, but did not take any names down nor make any moves to seem as though she was going to actually let the right people know. She suggested that if I wanted a response that I should contact corporate through the Disneyland website "contact us" link. That doesn't seem right to me either. I'm hoping someone here will push me in the right direction for the right person to contact?

I've had good luck with the "Contact Us" link. Give it a try.

 

[sonnyjane]

I did speak to someone at guest services the next day, but she did not seem like the right person. She listened, but did not take any names down nor make any moves to seem as though she was going to actually let the right people know. She suggested that if I wanted a response that I should contact corporate through the Disneyland website "contact us" link. That doesn't seem right to me either. I'm hoping someone here will push me in the right direction for the right person to contact?

Actually that WOULD be the best method. I've addressed issues through the "contact us" link and received a personalized response within 72 hours.

 

[AZlady]

Just to let you know I did a contact us via the website and got no response (not even a bounce back "we are looking into it ")...so 2wks later I sent it again. This time I got the bounce back, so I felt they got it.
They just called me this week. About 2 wks after the second email. She stated they have been very busy.
I wanted to share that with you. I know when your frustrated and waiting for a response it feels like forever.
I think you should right a letter, that is a large expense to pay for unsatisfactory experience.

 

[Keurigirl]

Actually that WOULD be the best method. I've addressed issues through the "contact us" link and received a personalized response within 72 hours.

That's good to know, thank you. I just assumed that address gets thousand of random emails a day, so that I'd never get any kind of response.

 

[Escape2Disney]

I did speak to someone at guest services the next day, but she did not seem like the right person. She listened, but did not take any names down nor make any moves to seem as though she was going to actually let the right people know. She suggested that if I wanted a response that I should contact corporate through the Disneyland website "contact us" link. That doesn't seem right to me either. I'm hoping someone here will push me in the right direction for the right person to contact?

The only time I've received a response from their customer service is to use the 'contact us' link on the website. I gave feedback - good and bad - and someone contacted me within a week. It might be worth a shot to voice your concerns through that link.

You could probably write a review somewhere. I feel like a lot of the "fancy" restaurants at Disney that are supposed to be "experiences" are disappointing. If it's not the actual food quality, it's the price, or the service. I had a horrible time at Cinderella's Royal Table when I went to Disney World in August. The service was awful! I felt like a beggar! It was supposed to be a magical experience dining with the princesses in Cinderella's castle, instead it was the worse meal of our trip. I wrote a review on the Disney dining page.

I would have to say that Club 33 actually has fantastic food. We've been twice, and both times had great service, and wonderful food. I only wish the PP had been able to experience it as we have!

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

We had a similar experience the last time we were there. We were rushed through dinner by an apathetic waiter.

 

[cmwade77]

This is something that I have heard from several people that have dined there. Most of them say that they now prefer Cathay circle, as the service is better and it's usually attributed to the fact that it's not exclusive.

 

[dismomofbn]

I just wanted to add that though your evening did not go as planned, your children looked absolutely adorable! You are very talented to have made those amazing outfits!

 

[tdhickey]

Wow @ $600 your meal should have been dreamy.

Honestly, I have always felt let down by any SUPER FANCY restaurant experience I have had to the point where I simply won't bother. Blue Bayou at Disney is as fancy as I will get at DLR.

I've had some other fancy meals at places for parties, events or simply just dinner (e.g. the super fancy and expensive places in Vegas) and quite frankly I feel taken for granted there, like I am the privileged one to be there even though I am spending $200-$300 there...so I just gave up on that scene for good.

 

[disneydeb64]

I did speak to someone at guest services the next day, but she did not seem like the right person. She listened, but did not take any names down nor make any moves to seem as though she was going to actually let the right people know. She suggested that if I wanted a response that I should contact corporate through the Disneyland website "contact us" link. That doesn't seem right to me either. I'm hoping someone here will push me in the right direction for the right person to contact?

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. That's completely and totally inexcusable. Keurigirl is correct; please contact corporate. Contact them IN WRITING. Also make a copy of your letter to TDA, and keep it for your own refererence. They will definitely contact you.

 

[Keurigirl]

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. That's completely and totally inexcusable. Keurigirl is correct; please contact corporate. Contact them IN WRITING. Also make a copy of your letter to TDA, and keep it for your own refererence. They will definitely contact you.

When you say in writing, do you mean via email or printed letter? Also, what is TDA? Thank you

 

[Malcon10t]

Actually that WOULD be the best method. I've addressed issues through the "contact us" link and received a personalized response within 72 hours.

Actually, your best way to address this is to contact your sponsor and let them know. I know our sponsor always wants to know if there was any issues. You need to give them specific details. I am so sorry you had a bad experience. I have been very fortunate, in that all my experiences (except one) has been great. The one that was negative was not the Clubs fault but rather a guest issue.

 

[Girimama33]

Actually, your best way to address this is to contact your sponsor and let them know. I know our sponsor always wants to know if there was any issues. You need to give them specific details. I am so sorry you had a bad experience. I have been very fortunate, in that all my experiences (except one) has been great. The one that was negative was not the Clubs fault but rather a guest issue.

That's what I was going to suggest to...I would be contacting the Club 33 member and inform them about the experience.