Does WDW have a "Club 33?"

[ganggreen4jc]

I'm sure many of you are aware that Disneyland has a "Members Only" restaurant called "Club 33" that sits quietly hidden in DL's New Orleans Square. A simple un-marked green door is it's entrance point. You must be a member or be invited by a member to be able to eat in this premier, private restaurant. Currently there is a 7 year waiting list to become a member, that requires a several hundred dollar, non-refundable deposit, that "allows" you to pay a several thousand dollar up-front fee (plus annual dues!) to become a member when your number comes up.

Does WDW have their own version of this? If not, should they and where would you put it?

BTW, the name "Club 33" comes from the original 33 investors that helped Walt finance Disneyland originally.

 

[DVCconvert]

Does WDW have their own version of this?

This is about as close as it gets --CLICK HERE




Editied to add, that the name for Club 33 comes from it's street address in New Orleans Square -- 33 Royal Street, hence; Club 33

 

[gigi1313]

thanks for posting that link... it is one of my fave all-time disboard threads... it was fun re-reading it

 

[alabamaalan]

From Snopes.com
Club 33 was intended as a place where Walt would entertain friends and business associates (including the park's forty-seven participants), but Walt died before the club was finished. It was left to others, therefore, to decide what to do with the club; with Walt gone, the club's original reason for being no longer made sense. The forty-seven participants were polled, and thirty-three of them opted for turning Walt's club into a private club, one in which the general public could obtain membership for a fee

Full background here

 

[mking624]

I think the name of the club has been a matter of debate...I've heard the snopes story, I've heard the OP's story...but the most common one I've heard is the one DVCconvert gave. As far as Snopes goes, I've seen them be wrong on a few things before, so I always try to check a bunch of sources before I determine if they're accurate or not on a particular subject (in fact, I've seen several websites that say that Snopes explanation really has no basis).

There is a site that talks all about Club 33 that's actually pretty cool. Their explanation for the name is the same as DVCconvert's...that it was named after the address (33 Royal Street). Here's the link:
http://www.disneylandclub33.com/
The website owner has one of the original publications regarding membership and it says:

A limited number of charter and associate memberships are now available in Club 33. These memberships are limited by several important factors:

First, the desire to create an exclusive private club service for top level VIP's and their important guests.

Second, the restrictions of size. At any one time, only 145 diners may enjoy luncheon or dinner at Club 33.

Third, the anticipated demand for private party usage. Membership in Club 33 will include the privilege of reserving individual rooms or, at certain times, the entire club for business or personal occasions. The Trophy Room, with its one-of-a-kind private show that can be tailored to suit any audience, was in fact conceived as a private meeting room for luncheon and dinner gatherings.

In service and convenience to members and guests, Club 33 will operate in the tradition of the finest private clubs. For your convenience, all charges will be made to your membership card number; no cash will be exchanged. A private PBX operator will be available to place your local and long distance calls.

Club 33 is Disneyland's new "center for VIP guest relations." With its opening, many of Disneyland's traditional red carpet services for Very Important People - including guests of the United States Department of State and the clients and key executives of companies represented in Disneyland - will revolve around this distinguished address: 33 Royal Street, New Orleans Square.

Now, for your convenience in using the services of this Disney staff, "one call covers everything." You may choose from a variety of guest relations services arranged to suit the particular group or individuals your company is entertaining.

For some guests, you may simply wish to have a hostess greet them on your behalf, present ticket books with your compliments, and orient them to the Magic Kingdom.

For others, your choice may be to add luncheon at Club 33 or reservations at the Golden Horseshoe show. And for others, your Red Carpet may include an entire visit planned around the time they have available. A hostess may meet your VIP guests at the Disneyland Hotel Heliport, spend part or all day touring them around Disneyland, dine with your guests at Club 33, and even provide souvenir merchandise with your compliments.

Now a new era has dawned in the entertaining of Very Important People in a Very Important Fashion at Disneyland. We call it CLUB 33, after the most exclusive address in all Disneyland: 33 Royal Street, New Orleans Square.

 

[ganggreen4jc]

You know, the cute story about the preppies and the interesting info on how "Club 33" may or may not have gotten it's name is nice, but does anyone know if one of these "clubs" exists in WDW???

If not, should there be one and would you pay to be a member?

 

[mking624]

You know, the cute story about the preppies and the interesting info on how "Club 33" may or may not have gotten it's name is nice, but does anyone know if one of these "clubs" exists in WDW???

If not, should there be one and would you pay to be a member?

The only reason why people started discussing the name of Club 33 is because *you* kind of initiated it with the "BTW, the name "Club 33" comes from..." statement you made. If you're gonna make a statement like that, expect members to discuss it.

That said, to everyone's knowledge, there is not a similar club at WDW.

 

[ImprovGal]

thanks for posting that link... it is one of my fave all-time disboard threads... it was fun re-reading it

*sniffle*
I re-read my post in that thread and I think I peaked too soon.

 

[bavaria]

Ahhhhh, Club 33. The only time I visited I was in my 20's with a friend who worked for Kodak, and was too young to appreciate it....

Had I known in my youth how exclusive it was, I would have enjoyed it even more!

 

[DVCconvert]

*sniffle*
I re-read my post in that thread and I think I peaked too soon.

Oh I disagree!! You're best days are still ahead of you!

 

[joliesmom]

I thought there is a private club in spaceship earth that was used by the corporate execs from AT+T??

 

[Chuck S]

I thought there is a private club in spaceship earth that was used by the corporate execs from AT+T??

Most "sponsored" attractions at EPCOT have a lounge for the use of the sponsoring company. I have been to the one at the GM pavilion when it was World of Motion. It had a nice seating area with free refreshments (soda, bottled water, etc) A few offices and meeting rooms....nothing fancy...it did offer a nice view of future world. My understanding is that the lounge is still in the same location now that it has changed to Test Track.

 

[Mister Disney]

There is also a corporate sponsored private lounge / view area at Living Seas. I attended a private dinner party there about 6 years ago. It was a beautiful space and the food was great too.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

About 8 years ago I was inside the lounge in Spaceship Earth. It was nice- cool, air conditioned, modern furnishings, free drinks - I had a coke and a tray of cookies. It was a nice break, but certainly not the caliber of Club 33. There was also an AT&T employee lounge at the ET ride in Universal- not as nice, but we got backdoored into the attraction as well. I wonder if any other companies have little lounges like that?

I think Club 33 is special because it was Walt's idea. If I ever had the opportunity to go, I would feel special because it was supposed to be a place for "Walt's friends". The associations are really sweet for big fans of Walt. If they created a private club in WDW, it just wouldn't be the same, imo.

And we always have Tyrolean Club 33- that thread was hysterical. The OP should be a writer!