Club 33 with a black AMEX?

[nannyz]

I do not get the whole Club 33 thing. I am sure it's a lovely restaurant, but I do not pay to eat.
My husband worked hard all his life and we are well off financially, but we would rather give our money to help the less fortunate than buy the right to eat in a fancy restaurant.
Just give me a corn dog!

 

[Malcon10t]

My husband worked hard all his life and we are well off financially, but we would rather give our money to help the less fortunate than buy the right to eat in a fancy restaurant.
Just give me a corn dog!

Are you implying Club members don't help the less fortunate? I know one member who uses their allotment tickets to allow foster families to take their foster children to Disneyland. Another member uses their tours to take developmentally disabled children to Disneyland. Another is a large supporter of a child abuse center. It is nice to say that instead of using your funds to eat out, you choose to donate your excess funds to help the less fortunate, but just because someone joins Club 33 doesn't mean they do not also support various causes.

 

[nannyz]

No, I am not implying any such thing.

 

[Grand CA]

The Club 33 wait list is no longer just one in-one out in chronological order. Yes they do go down the list, but position will not guarantee an invitation. They are "qualifying" new prospects and courting high net worth individuals. That is why they made reservations available to people that can afford VIP tours, they were at one point offering reservations to guest at the Grand that were staying at the concierge level...especially the suites...so it would make sense that they would want patrons that have AMX Black cards as potential members.

 

[Gisele]

The Club 33 wait list is no longer just one in-one out in chronological order. Yes they do go down the list, but position will not guarantee an invitation. They are "qualifying" new prospects and courting high net worth individuals. That is why they made reservations available to people that can afford VIP tours, they were at one point offering reservations to guest at the Grand that were staying at the concierge level...especially the suites...so it would make sense that they would want patrons that have AMX Black cards as potential members.

That is very interesting. Thank you for the information. I was figuring it was something along those lines.

 

[nannyz]

I do not understand this. Why is Disney seeking out folks with a lot of money to become members of Club 33? How does this benefit Disney?

 

[Gisele]

I do not understand this. Why is Disney seeking out folks with a lot of money to become members of Club 33? How does this benefit Disney?

Based upon a conversation I had with guest relations, it has to do with the club being "exclusive"
Translation;
the way that is done is by creating the membership levels that are in place and of course having and or changing policies as warranted.

 

[Ember]

Money makes the world go 'round. Wealth buys privileges, so I'm not surprised in the least that a high-income only credit card has the ability to do things like make reservations at Club 33.

I don't think anyone with a membership (or ability to get a reservation) should be criticised simply for their ability to have something high status. We all have our own privilages, our own struggles, and our own set of priorities. i would love the chance to see Club 33, though I suspect now that being able to see the Court of Angels again would be my favourite part (I have memories with my mum from that space), but I'm not going to put down someone else because I can't have something.

So, what else can this magic black credit card do??

 

[Aladora]

So, what else can this magic black credit card do??

I bet it is good at scraping ice off of a car window.

 

[Malcon10t]

So, what else can this magic black credit card do??

They have concierge services, and can get you things like private boxes at the super bowl or basketball games. You pay a pretty penny for these things. But if you paid $7K as an initiation fee, and $2500 a year to be allowed to charge on the card, it probably won't bother you.

 

[AustinTink]

Money makes the world go 'round. Wealth buys privileges, so I'm not surprised in the least that a high-income only credit card has the ability to do things like make reservations at Club 33.

I don't think anyone with a membership (or ability to get a reservation) should be criticised simply for their ability to have something high status. We all have our own privilages, our own struggles, and our own set of priorities. i would love the chance to see Club 33, though I suspect now that being able to see the Court of Angels again would be my favourite part (I have memories with my mum from that space), but I'm not going to put down someone else because I can't have something.

So, what else can this magic black credit card do??

I just hope they (the rich and famous) appreciate Club 33 as much as us regular folks would. I have a feeling someone getting a reservation via a Black AMEX might not feel the same way about the privilege as the average joe. I can't fault them for it. They have every right to enjoy the fruits of their wealth. I just wonder if it's as special a place to them. But reading about this makes me feel like my odds of getting in worsen by the year.

 

[nannyz]

I totally agree, Ember. Part of what makes America great is that one can make a pile of money and then spend it (or not spend it) however he wishes.

I am curious now -- is the food at Club 33 on a par with Carthay Circle or Napa Rose -- or is it superior to those?

 

[Grand CA]

I am curious now -- is the food at Club 33 on a par with Carthay Circle or Napa Rose -- or is it superior to those?

That is a subjective question based on what you like but post remodel food is much better than before in my opinion. I like the diversity and portion sizes that allow for a appetizer, multi courses, dessert and drinks while leaving full but not bloated on one large course. Before the remodel I would only visit the Club if entertaining as I was never impressed with the food...now I look forward to getting there when I can.

Personally I would still put Napa Rose first...in both food and service with the Club second and Cathay third as far as best restaurant food in the park.

 

[MommyJKM]

I was told by someone that has a black card "AMEX" that they could get me into club 33. Is this true? with the new alterations to perks will this be effected?

Bad News for the OP...We just tried yesterday to get C33 through Centurion AmEx and were told they discontinued this concierge option. They only book VIP tours and Special Events now.

Concierge said "It's not likely someone is still on a waiting list that we previously confirmed with Disneyland's Club 33"

So I would have your friend double check before you go, but hopefully it works out

On a good note - they DO have an option to book you private seating for Fantasmic!

 

[Nonsuch]

...On a good note - they DO have an option to book you private seating for Fantasmic!

Along with the fastpass changes, VIP viewing is now in chairs (to the left of the anchor, formerly used by the dessert package). VIP viewing was previously on the ground on the steps surrounding the anchor.

 

[AdamG2]

When I saw this thread I contacted a friend of mine who has a black card figuring he might be able to help me out with a reservation. He called and asked. A manager called him back and told him that previously there were several Club 33 members with black cards who allowed AMEX to make reservations for other black card members through their membership, but that is no longer available (I am assuming due to the new 20 unaccompanied reservation limit). So while it used to be an unofficial benefit, it is no longer possible.

 

[dae3dae3]

When I saw this thread I contacted a friend of mine who has a black card figuring he might be able to help me out with a reservation. He called and asked. A manager called him back and told him that previously there were several Club 33 members with black cards who allowed AMEX to make reservations for other black card members through their membership, but that is no longer available (I am assuming due to the new 20 unaccompanied reservation limit). So while it used to be an unofficial benefit, it is no longer possible.

This may very well be the reason the 20 reservation limit was implemented. The word got out and a few people's memberships were making hundreds of reservations. Either that or there were likely some people that were selling reservations and the same thing happened. They were making hundreds of reservations per year and not personally using any of them. This is purely speculation on my part but it seems likely.

 

[Grand CA]

They were making hundreds of reservations per year and not personally using any of them. This is purely speculation on my part

Not speculation at all...that was exactly what was happening. Some were making literally hundreds...one reported over 1000 reservations per year. Some were corporate reservations giving them away like candy, some were reportedly "selling" reservations to subsidize their membership fees.

Now we have a limit of 20 which in my opinion is a good thing.

 

[Gisele]

I am still attempting to figure out why the powers that be of Disney ever was interested in having an "exclusive" club in the park in the first place. Aside from the obvious monetary increase.
I personally did not have a big problem with it (C33) until it closed off the Court of Angels to main stream park guests.

 

[Aladora]

I am still attempting to figure out why the powers that be of Disney ever was interested in having an "exclusive" club in the park in the first place. Aside from the obvious monetary increase.

Likely there is no other reason.