Club 33

[MissDisneyTeach]

My friend's parents have friends that are members. They have been asking them to go with them and they never have. Finally my friend told her parents that WE want to go!! We were wanting to go in late July or early August. How far in advance do you have to make reservations?

 

[M4travels]

If the member is not dining, they are able to make reservations for guests 2 months out. Weekend lunches seem to be a more popular time.

Michael

 

[RickinPA]

I have to agree with what some others have posted. Don't give up hope! It's all about networking and asking around.

I will be traveling from Pennsylvania to San Diego for a business conference in May. I have the Saturday and Sunday before the conference to myself and decided to visit DL for the first time.

I've always wanted to eat at Club 33 but thought it would be impossible. I started emailing business contacts of mine about two months ago asking if anyone had any contacts who were members. Some of the replies I received were pretty comical. My favorite was from a contact who never heard of Club 33. After he did some research and asked around, his reply was "Are you nuts, do you know how exclusive this place is?"

It paid off this past Thursday. I received an email that I have dinner reservations for two at Club 33 the Sunday before my conference!!!

I will say that the person who made the reservation for me was very cautious about doing it. My contact had to personally put his name on the line for me stating that I would not embarrass the member.

What helped convince the member to make the reservation for me was the fact that I am a DVC owner and have been to WDW 9 times in six years. It helped convince the member that I understood the history behind Club 33 and not do anything to embarrass him.

 

[smile4stamps]

I have to agree with what some others have posted. Don't give up hope! It's all about networking and asking around.

I will be traveling from Pennsylvania to San Diego for a business conference in May. I have the Saturday and Sunday before the conference to myself and decided to visit DL for the first time.

I've always wanted to eat at Club 33 but thought it would be impossible. I started emailing business contacts of mine about two months ago asking if anyone had any contacts who were members. Some of the replies I received were pretty comical. My favorite was from a contact who never heard of Club 33. After he did some research and asked around, his reply was "Are you nuts, do you know how exclusive this place is?"

It paid off this past Thursday. I received an email that I have dinner reservations for two at Club 33 the Sunday before my conference!!!

I will say that the person who made the reservation for me was very cautious about doing it. My contact had to personally put his name on the line for me stating that I would not embarrass the member.

What helped convince the member to make the reservation for me was the fact that I am a DVC owner and have been to WDW 9 times in six years. It helped convince the member that I understood the history behind Club 33 and not do anything to embarrass him.

I wish I could have this luck but I am an RN and do not have business contacts. I promise I would not disgrace the member. I do like fine dining and know how to behave myself. (Not necessarily all the correct utensils though )

This is likely the only trip to DL I am allowing myself to spoil myself. Usually I go on a budget but this time its my Birthday and I want the best time possible!

Do I need Club 33 to make my birthday special? No, but it sure would be an awesome addition!

 

[blackjackdelta]

I wish I could have this luck but I am an RN and do not have business contacts. I promise I would not disgrace the member. I do like fine dining and know how to behave myself. (Not necessarily all the correct utensils though )

This is likely the only trip to DL I am allowing myself to spoil myself. Usually I go on a budget but this time its my Birthday and I want the best time possible!

Do I need Club 33 to make my birthday special? No, but it sure would be an awesome addition!

We do wish you luck with your pursuit of a reservation. I consider the invitation an honor and a privledge just to have the opportunity. There is so much history inside the club I could spend days touring.

Jack

 

[frijolefrito]

I was shocked at the history of Disney. Also how much stuff it has period... not just 33. I love old DL photos and stuff like Walt’s apartment and the lily bell. I like the fact that there is actually living quarters in the park. Disney is my Santa Claus. I’m going to be staying in Disney for 4 days in the hotel that’s been a 1st for me. I've always did one day blazing trails! This last time I went was the first time taking the kids.. well as interactive little people not cute little drool machines. While things like 33 are awesome I still think my best moments are being with family and enjoying the rides. I'd like to finsih this post with a "ROUND OF NANNERS!"

 

[RickinPA]

Now I have a quandary regarding my reservation for club #33. My reservation for two. My nephew, who is from San Diego, was supposed to join me for dinner. He is now unsure if he can make it.

My quandary is to I go alone or do I take the chance and invite someone I have never met before? It's not like I can invite someone from Pennsylvania and expect them to fly to California for dinner.

I am more than willing to pay the minimum for his reservation.

What would you do in this situation?

 

[sonnyjane]

Now I have a quandary regarding my reservation for club #33. My reservation for two. My nephew, who is from San Diego, was supposed to join me for dinner. He is now unsure if he can make it.

My quandary is to I go alone or do I take the chance and invite someone I have never met before? It's not like I can invite someone from Pennsylvania and expect them to fly to California for dinner.

I am more than willing to pay the minimum for his reservation.

What would you do in this situation?

I'm a bit cynical but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

I would change my reservation to make it for one. Plenty of people here would love to go but it's just too risky for both you and the Club 33 member to have you inviting strangers.

 

[M4travels]

Now I have a quandary regarding my reservation for club #33. My reservation for two. My nephew, who is from San Diego, was supposed to join me for dinner. He is now unsure if he can make it.

My quandary is to I go alone or do I take the chance and invite someone I have never met before? It's not like I can invite someone from Pennsylvania and expect them to fly to California for dinner.

I am more than willing to pay the minimum for his reservation.

What would you do in this situation?

Wow....I'm kind of in both camps here....

I would have no issues about going up there alone. There are some really good tables that are dueces and I can stare out of them all day/night long watching what's going on (well, the viewing is not fantastic, but you can do it).

Is this person a real Disney fan? Do you think he would enjoy the experience as much as you would? Has he ever mentioned Club 33 before or would this be out of the blue? Some might think it's a bit over the top to invite a stranger to dinner but I've done it before (actually once was at 33, though we were a party of 3 and it became 4 and we all had a great time) and would do it again! Hell, I moved to Mexico when the rest of my family thought I was crazy - I enjoy pushing the envelope and I keep doing it!

Is the nephew definitely out of it? Is there the chance he can make it? How far down the road is this reservation?

Michael

 

[RickinPA]

The reservation is for two in May. I was told by my business contact that the table actually seat four and If I wanted to invite two additional guests that I should just let them know.

This is a business trip for me. It just so happens that I have the entire day of the reservation to myself.

I would be inviting someone who is attending the same conference as I am to dinner.

I just don't want to do anything that may embarrass the person who made the reservation for me.

 

[M4travels]

The reservation is for two in May. I was told by my business contact that the table actually seat four and If I wanted to invite two additional guests that I should just let them know.

This is a business trip for me. It just so happens that I have the entire day of the reservation to myself.

I would be inviting someone who is attending the same conference as I am to dinner.

I just don't want to do anything that may embarrass the person who made the reservation for me.

Many tables seat 4 (and some 6, 8 and/or 10) but if it is a set party of 2 they will definitely try and put you at the 2 top. I would invite him! I do have to ask though, would you invite anyone to dinner at any restaurant (fast-food joints included!) who you think would embarrass you?

Does the person you're thinking of inviting know anything about Club 33?

Michael

 

[sonnyjane]

This is a business trip for me. It just so happens that I have the entire day of the reservation to myself.

I would be inviting someone who is attending the same conference as I am to dinner.

I just don't want to do anything that may embarrass the person who made the reservation for me.

Ahhh, I understand. I thought you were saying that you didn't want to go alone so you were thinking of offering the spot to someone here on the boards or someone that you find elsewhere online. If it is someone that you have a chance to meet in person first at the conference that is different. I'd just be nervous about if you didn't find anyone willing to go, since then you'd have to pay for the price of the second person on the reservation even if you didn't have one. If it were me, if I couldn't confirm someone going with me in advance, I would reduce the reservation to one so that I wouldn't be on the hook if I couldn't find a second.

 

[M4travels]

Ahhh, I understand. I thought you were saying that you didn't want to go alone so you were thinking of offering the spot to someone here on the boards or someone that you find elsewhere online. If it is someone that you have a chance to meet in person first at the conference that is different. I'd just be nervous about if you didn't find anyone willing to go, since then you'd have to pay for the price of the second person on the reservation even if you didn't have one. If it were me, if I couldn't confirm someone going with me in advance, I would reduce the reservation to one so that I wouldn't be on the hook if I couldn't find a second.

As long as that second parkhopper ticket isn't picked up from Guest Services, you wouldn't be charged for the no-show. Is it safer to cancel one person? Yeah, but not necessary.

 

[CMHusband]

If you wind up there I hope you get a sever by the name of Louis, he is absolutely over the top. You will not find any better anywhere and I have eaten at places all over the world.

Jack

We've had an amazing waiter named ERIC twice. And the bartender pours a mean drink.

 

[frijolefrito]

It's a restaurant... If the person can eat at any fine dine restaurant you should be fine. Make sure you let the person know where he is going and the price of things and as a courtesy let the member know. It's not like if you put your elbows on the table you are going to be banned from the place. It's a friggin restaurant. Last time I went I saw big parties there laughing and having a good time. You can say your steak is over/under cooked, you can not like a plate and ask for something else. I would trust anyone on this site to be able to eat just fine. Chance it? If my sisters children can eat there.. you can.

 

[RickinPA]

Ahhh, I understand. I thought you were saying that you didn't want to go alone so you were thinking of offering the spot to someone here on the boards or someone that you find elsewhere online. If it is someone that you have a chance to meet in person first at the conference that is different. I'd just be nervous about if you didn't find anyone willing to go, since then you'd have to pay for the price of the second person on the reservation even if you didn't have one. If it were me, if I couldn't confirm someone going with me in advance, I would reduce the reservation to one so that I wouldn't be on the hook if I couldn't find a second.

Sorry for the confusion. No, I would never go online to invite someone anywhere. I would be inviting someone from the conference. I am married, so I would want to invite a male as apposed to a female.

I actually came up with a solution to this last night. I am going to ask my business contact if someone from his office would want to go along.

Thank you to everyone for your input.

 

[RickinPA]

It's a restaurant... If the person can eat at any fine dine restaurant you should be fine. Make sure you let the person know where he is going and the price of things and as a courtesy let the member know. It's not like if you put your elbows on the table you are going to be banned from the place. It's a friggin restaurant. Last time I went I saw big parties there laughing and having a good time. You can say your steak is over/under cooked, you can not like a plate and ask for something else. I would trust anyone on this site to be able to eat just fine. Chance it? If my sisters children can eat there.. you can.

Thank you, this takes some of the pressure off. The person who made the reservation for me gave me a lot of do's and don'ts so I am just a little nervous.

 

[ArchOwl]

It's a restaurant... If the person can eat at any fine dine restaurant you should be fine. Make sure you let the person know where he is going and the price of things and as a courtesy let the member know. It's not like if you put your elbows on the table you are going to be banned from the place. It's a friggin restaurant. Last time I went I saw big parties there laughing and having a good time. You can say your steak is over/under cooked, you can not like a plate and ask for something else. I would trust anyone on this site to be able to eat just fine. Chance it? If my sisters children can eat there.. you can.

This is so funny. When I was there in February, a large group of people came in and were quite loud at times. They were enjoying themselves, drinking dirty martinis, and clearly had no idea they were in an exclusive restaurant. They were very proud of themselves for finding the one place in Disneyland that served alcohol. So while hard core Disney fanatics may think of it like a museum almost, most people just enjoy it a restaurant. There was a group with a small child who threw a fit in the middle of lunch. (Thankfully the parents took them out on the balcony to cool off.) If these people weren't asked to leave, I think you will be okay. Especially since you will be there to make sure your guest doesn't swing from the chandeliers while singing "yo ho and a bottle of rum".

 

[frijolefrito]

Oh I found out who one of my hook ups actually is. I can't say the name but his membership was personally given to him by disney and he's the youngest member ever to join the club.

*I'm also not inviting people to guess either* LOL

 

[Disney Dreams]

I wish I could have this luck but I am an RN and do not have business contacts.

You don't need business contacts. You need contacts that have contacts that have contacts.

One of the times I went I was invited by a friend who knows I am a die-hard Disney fan. She (along with 3 guests) was invited by her boss who was invited by a client.

You never know who the people you know, know. Just talk about it with everyone you know - literally.

- Dreams (who has been working on putting the "vibe" out there again to everyone she knows to land an invite for her upcoming birthday )