*+*+*Dreams Can Come True*+*+* Club 33 Trip Report COMPLETED!!

[DizNee Luver]

Everything looks fantastic so far, DH and I hope someday to experience the club. For now we will live through you! I saw some of the relics when I visited the WD Family museum this past January, it was great too

We haven't made it to the museum yet & it's closer to us than Disneyland......lol Hoping to do a family road trip in the next year that would include that & a few days in San Diego.

 

[kaoden39]

We haven't made it to the museum yet & it's closer to us than Disneyland......lol Hoping to do a family road trip in the next year that would include that & a few days in San Diego.

I am worse than you on this than you are Laurie. We live 45 miles from the museum. In our defense Scotty and I tried once. We got lost. The gps doesn't work well among tall buildings. By the time we got there we couldn't figure out where to park. It was a fiasco. We ended up at Ghiradelli Square instead. We played tourists and had a blast!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I am worse than you on this than you are Laurie. We live 45 miles from the museum. In our defense Scotty and I tried once. We got lost. The gps doesn't work well among tall buildings. By the time we got there we couldn't figure out where to park. It was a fiasco. We ended up at Ghiradelli Square instead. We played tourists and had a blast!

lol......I've never used a GPS......I google map everything prior to leaving home and so far so good. Mike & I make a great team!! I let him drive & I tell him where to go!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

So I'm only getting one post done today, but it's one that most of you are interested in seeing......the "FOOD PORN"!!!

So they start your table out with a Club 33 Cordial (like a starter/tasting plate). We had two in our party that aren't fans of shellfish, so they were given a plate of grilled, then chilled vegetables. This was Tyler's plate. He said the sauces were very good but we are both unsure what the fried thing was on the top. The consistency was strange.......he was thinking tofu??





This was the Plateau de Fruits de Mer for the table~~It had shrimp, lobster tail and I believe crab claw. YUM!! I love seafood!!





Next up was our appetizers. Tyler went with the Butternut Squash & Gala Apple Bisque. "Curried Root Vegetable Compote, Pumpkin Seed Oil & Dehydrated Apples". The ones that went with this dish were ooohing & aaahing as they ate this.





I went with the Pan Seared Day Boat Scallop. "Black Pearl Osetra Caviar, Aromatic Risotta Croquette & Brussels Sprout Emulsion". Oh my goodness......so delicious!! It also was my first caviar!!





The entrees were next. Tyler went with the Colorado Rack of Lamb Chops. "Salsify & Black Garlic Crust, Creamy Polenta, Saga Blue Balsamic Reduction". I could tell the Tyler was in a heavenly food coma. I tasted the lamb and I could see why!





I had the Zahtar Spiced Grilled Arctic Char. "Caramalized Forest Mushroom, Celery Root & Sweet Potato Hash, Pomegranate Jus". I did inquire prior to ordering on what exactly Zahtar Spice is. Our waiter said it was a Mediterranean spice (not hot and not curry) but it was hard to explain. After having it, I can tell you it's hard for me to explain it too......but it was DELICIOUS!





Louis, our waiter, also pointed out that they had the Truffle Mac-n-Cheese, which is a favorite of many diners...so Vikki & Liza ordered some and Sherry, Tyler & I would be able to try it as well this way. It was ok, I really didn't get what the big deal was but maybe that was just me. Sorry about the blurry pic!



After finishing our meal, we were able to head out to the Dessert Buffet.









These were Ty's & my plates: Angel Food Cake, Bailey's Cream Filled Eclair, Fruit Tartlet, Eggnog Cheesecake, Chocolate Mint Mousse, Gingerbread Shingle & Hot Chocolate. They are as good (or better) than they look!! (especially the hot chocolate!!)



These pictures were out by the Dessert Buffet & Bar.

 

[kaoden39]

Wow! That shingle is huge! Was it soft gingerbread?

 

[DizNee Luver]

Wow! That shingle is huge! Was it soft gingerbread?

I believe it was......we took ours to go & then cracked into later. I was a little dry then. The moistest (and best) gingerbread I've had from Disneyland is the one we get on the Holiday Tour and it's individually packaged. They are so soft & delicious!!

 

[Sherry E]

I didn't eat any of the mac & cheese. I'm not a big mac & cheese person to begin with, and I had no interest in the truffle version of it on this trip. A lot of people go crazy for anything with truffles in it, though -- truffle oil, black truffles, etc.

I wasn't entirely sure what the breaded item on the veggies was. If it hadn't been sitting atop a vegetable platter I would have thought it was a small piece of breaded fish. I thought it could be made of potato -- like a fancier version of an Ore-Ida item or a Tater Tot! It seemed a little too flaky to be tofu, but who knows? It wasn't bad, though. I ate it and it didn't have much flavor so the breading on it was the star.

The hot chocolate that I had was actually lukewarm chocolate. I don't think it had been refreshed in a while. But it had a good flavor to it and it was fairly thick, so I think it would have been fantastic if it had been hot.



The softest and best gingerbread that I have had at DLR so far (and this covers all Halloween Time and holiday season trips) was the "zombie" cookie that was put out for this year's Halloween Time festivities (Limited Time Magic), in honor of the 13th year of HMH. It was only sold in NOS, and it was gone as soon as Halloween Time ended, if not before. I got it on the first day of that season -- September 13th -- so I am thinking that DLR had just gotten in a new supply of them that hadn't had time to harden. It was so soft, fresh and delicious. However, it was also wrapped, as you said the cookies that you get with the holiday tour are -- so I wonder if that has a great deal to do with how fresh the cookies actually are!

The slab o' gingerbread (which I saw at Royal Street Veranda on November 15th) is just that -- a hard slab. It was not soft. It was hard to manage because it had hardened so much. The decoration on the cookie was edible sugar, which was interesting.

I was told by a CM at Trolley Treats this past Thursday that the gingerbread cookies with mouse ears were temporarily discontinued (which explains why they seemed scarce on November 15) and they didn't expect to get anymore in. I have no clue why DLR would discontinue such a popular and delicious item such as those cookies, but they did. All of a sudden, the CM said, they got more in for this year, though she is not sure if they may be gone forever after the 2013 holiday season ends.

I have a hunch that the slab o' gingerbread was quickly brought in to fill the gingerbread void when DLR discontinued the cookies with mouse ears. Otherwise, I don't know who would choose to get it -- because, really, when you can have the ears cookies why would you want the slab? Maybe the slab wasn't selling as well and they quickly ordered more of the ears cookies.

The slab o' gingerbread works better at WDW, where there is a big gingerbread house/gift shop in the Grand Floridian and they sell gingerbread shingles. It doesn't work at DLR because there isn't a big gingerbread house with shingles to sell anywhere! (The gingerbread castle in the DLH lobby is fake gingerbread, with a piped in smell to make people think it's real!)

 

[DizNee Luver]

I didn't eat any of the mac & cheese. I'm not a big mac & cheese person to begin with, and I had no interest in the truffle version of it on this trip. A lot of people go crazy for anything with truffles in it, though -- truffle oil, black truffles, etc.

I wasn't entirely sure what the breaded item on the veggies was. If it hadn't been sitting atop a vegetable platter I would have thought it was a small piece of breaded fish. I thought it could be made of potato -- like a fancier version of an Ore-Ida item or a Tater Tot! It seemed a little too flaky to be tofu, but who knows? It wasn't bad, though. I ate it and it didn't have much flavor so the breading on it was the star.

The hot chocolate that I had was actually lukewarm chocolate. I don't think it had been refreshed in a while. But it had a good flavor to it and it was fairly thick, so I think it would have been fantastic if it had been hot.



The softest and best gingerbread that I have had at DLR so far (and this covers all Halloween Time and holiday season trips) was the "zombie" cookie that was put out for this year's Halloween Time festivities (Limited Time Magic), in honor of the 13th year of HMH. It was only sold in NOS, and it was gone as soon as Halloween Time ended, if not before. I got it on the first day of that season -- September 13th -- so I am thinking that DLR had just gotten in a new supply of them that hadn't had time to harden. It was so soft, fresh and delicious. However, it was also wrapped, as you said the cookies that you get with the holiday tour are -- so I wonder if that has a great deal to do with how fresh the cookies actually are!

The slab o' gingerbread (which I saw at Royal Street Veranda on November 15th) is just that -- a hard slab. It was not soft. It was hard to manage because it had hardened so much. The decoration on the cookie was edible sugar, which was interesting.

I was told by a CM at Trolley Treats this past Thursday that the gingerbread cookies with mouse ears were temporarily discontinued (which explains why they seemed scarce on November 15) and they didn't expect to get anymore in. I have no clue why DLR would discontinue such a popular and delicious item such as those cookies, but they did. All of a sudden, the CM said, they got more in for this year, though she is not sure if they may be gone forever after the 2013 holiday season ends.

I have a hunch that the slab o' gingerbread was quickly brought in to fill the gingerbread void when DLR discontinued the cookies with mouse ears. Otherwise, I don't know who would choose to get it -- because, really, when you can have the ears cookies why would you want the slab? Maybe the slab wasn't selling as well and they quickly ordered more of the ears cookies.

The slab o' gingerbread works better at WDW, where there is a big gingerbread house/gift shop in the Grand Floridian and they sell gingerbread shingles. It doesn't work at DLR because there isn't a big gingerbread house with shingles to sell anywhere! (The gingerbread castle in the DLH lobby is fake gingerbread, with a piped in smell to make people think it's real!)

I'm a fan of my homemade mac-n-cheese (not a cheese sauce....just noodles & co-jack cheese mixed in). I used to tolerate Kraft boxed stuff, but I can hardly stomach it now.

I got something similar on my entree, but the consistency was totally different. The one on my entree was risotto that had been battered & fried.

The "hot" chocolate wasn't hot, but the thickness/creaminess & flavor was delicious!!

I wasn't sure the hardness of the gingerbread, we brought from our lunch, was because it had sat in the box or it was just the way these are done. The ones that are packaged are definitely softer and flavorful. I'd actually prefer that they didn't dip the ears.....I just want the tasty gingerbread.

Derek brought us back gingerbread from the Grand Floridian and it was nasty!!! I don't know if it was just that old (they were packaged) or what they use to actually construct the houses.....but ick!! I'll take the packaged from Disneyland any day! I sure hope they don't discontinue the cute Mickey gingerbread cookies.....doesn't make sense to get rid of one of the most popular holiday items. Sometimes I just don't get Disney & their execs. I think they've lost track of us "regular folk".

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I'm glad you enjoyed club 33!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I'm glad you enjoyed club 33!!

We really did!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

This was our waiter, Louis! He's been with Club 33 for 22 years!! We couldn't believe it!! He doesn't look old enough to have been there that long! We were sure to get some stories out of him before finishing up. He actually just did the food service for Barbara Walters & Kurt Russell during "The View". His hands were all that was seen in the clip.....lol We asked about my 2 favorite Disney stars~~Dick Van Dyke & Julie Andrews. Dick Van Dyke has been in Club 33 over the years but Julie Andrews has never been there. I was actually shocked by that news. I would love to meet both of them........only celebrities I would truly treasure a meet up with!



As darkness was falling on the parks, a couple more pictures at Club 33.









.....and this is what our table looked like when we finished up!



Ok, throwing a disclaimer in here.........we don't usually take photos in bathrooms, but we didn't want to miss anything (even though we never got into the main dining room). So here you go~~The Men's Room.











Now The Women's Room.











Pretty fancy huh?!!

Ok, one more post of Club 33 pics coming up!

 

[DizNee Luver]

We were hoping to check out the rest of the club (main dining room, balconies, etc) but unfortunately, they were setting up for a private party (and we had been there over 3 hours at this point & last of the lunch diners). We did get to see a few more things in the hall area, that Louis shared info & history on.















The cabinet that displays merchandise available. I left the group long enough to get my order in for some souvenirs.







The phone booth......not like the ones you see at 7-11!









Well as hard as it was, we did make our way back out of the door and into New Orlean's Square. Liza & I decided to get a picture done with the "33" sign.





What an amazing experience and fantastic meal!! I feel so blessed to have been chosen by Sherry to go with her. I had met Liza 2 years ago when I joined Sherry for a couple days back in 2011 and then again during our family trip at Surf's Up with Mickey at the PPH. I've seen many posts by Vikki, but this was the first time I had met her. What really made this unforgettable, was the company that shared it with us. This was new to all of us and I think we all appreciated the history and being given this opportunity. So whoever gifted Sherry with this memorable offer, THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!! I really never thought I would be given this chance and to see the Club before the remodel really meant the world to me & my son!!

The souvenirs that came home~

 

[DizNee Luver]

We walked with Sherry & Liza out over the bridge over POTC and then we said our goodbyes. Ty & I wanted to head over to DCA before World of Color to maybe do a ride or two. We stopped by our locker to drop off the big camera & grab coats (and change out of our dress clothes) and into the park we went.

We walked by Soarin' and the stand-by line was 5 minutes, so we decided to go ride. We then walked past the waterless Grizzly River Run and then to Ariel's Under Sea Adventure. (which was also pretty much a walk on). We headed down towards Goofy's Sky School and have no idea what came over me.....but I actually agreed to ride it with Tyler. It was also a very short wait and pretty much walked up & on (didn't give me time to chicken out) and we were on our way. I rode this when it was Mulholland Madness and HATED IT!! I'm scared of heights & you feel like you're going to fall out!! Well I survived but it won't be happening again!!

We walked our way around the Pier, passing Toy Story Mania.....this place always has a line......30 minute wait, so we skipped it. It's not worth waiting that long for it. Ty noticed that Screamin' had a 5 minute wait, so we got in line for it. So I've done Screamin' and I like it but I'm scared to death of it breaking down and having to walk down and off this beast. So riding it at night just adds to the anxiety. We made it thru & I snapped this picture as we were leaving.



The Paradise Pier Tree.



We decided it was close enough to show time, to check in for World of Color. We stayed at the very back (there was only a couple other people back there) and waited for it to begin. A group of 4 came over & stuffed themselves between us & the other people standing there. The whole rest of this area was wide open.......really people??? You have to stand on top of us?? Anywhos.......these were the only pics I got.



















So the whole show is a holiday show and we were probably 5 minutes into the show & then it went dark and stopped. We hear an announcement that due to the high winds, the show had to be shut down and the standard apology. So the lights come up and people start making their way to the exits. It probably was 2 minutes later the announcement comes on stating the park is now closed and get out!! Ok, it doesn't say that, but you know what I meant!!

We get up by the Starbucks & Trolley Treats, and because I had my sweatshirt hood up, I totally missed where the curb was gradually starting & rammed my toes into it and it dropped me on both of my knees & elbow. I did this right next to a janitorial CM. He stayed with me & Tyler until I was able to get back up. I walked about 10 feet and had to sit back down on a bench. Holy crap that hurt!!!! I don't do well in the cold as it is, but with my fibromyalgia.....I already hurt like crazy! Well now times that by 100 and that's how I was feeling. I really wasn't sure I would make it out of the park & to the shuttle. We took it slow (going thru the shops....no curbs in there) and did get out to our ART stop. We waited for 10+ minutes and then another 5+ as they loaded a wheelchair rider. Our driver didn't move very fast....... So I stood, with shaky legs like a new born animal standing for the first time, as we waited to load the bus. We finally were on & headed back towards our resort. We got off and walked our half a block to our resort and then up to our room.

As I put my legs up, Tyler went and grabbed a little Taco Bell for a late night snack. This ended our first day.

**on a side note to WoC.......they did an "Honor Choir" from people selected around the US that submitted a video of them singing a song written for the show. I had registered, practiced and was ready to record to enter to try and be picked and then realized I really don't have equipment good enough to actually record clearly and as good a quality as they needed. So I never submitted a video but it was fun seeing this part of it and singing along from where I stood!!**

 

[Sherry E]

Well, I'm glad you made it back up on your feet after taking a tumble! Yikes! I can totally empathize with you -- if you step the wrong way or on the wrong section of one of the streets, it's not that difficult to have an accident. I have tripped over curbs -- either trying to step on them or step off of them -- and on those darn tracks in the middle of Main Street. I've injured my foot on one of these occasions. I would imagine there are probably accidents happening all the time in a place as busy as that.

It's interesting what you said about TSMM not being worth the wait. At one point -- maybe 2 to 4 years ago -- I would have waited in a long line for TSMM without hesitation. If it was 30 minutes, that would have been lucky! But I would have waited 45 minutes if need be, because I loved that ride. I still love it and I have great fun when I'm on it but I think that enough time has passed at this point -- it's been in DCA for 5-1/2 years and counting -- that I am over waiting in the line! I feel like the line for TSMM should be much shorter than it is by now, or it should be moving faster. It's not a new ride anymore. The novelty should have worn off a bit.

So when I was about to go on TSMM a few days ago, I approached the line and saw that it was 40 minutes...and I kept on walking.

The other thing I was going to comment on was the people who wedged themselves into your viewing spot for Winter Dreams (which you barely saw even a few minutes of!). You're absolutely right -- did they need to stand right in that spot?

I've been observing how people handle themselves in crowds on my last couple of DLR visits. Some people are very courteous and polite, and even apologetic if they bump into someone. Others are just totally unconcerned with whoever else they inconvenience. They walk through photos when they see that photos are being taken. They run strollers into ankles. They stand in one spot, blocking access to something (like the silly woman who was standing at the pick-up counter and blocking my way when I was trying to get to my peppermint mocha at the Market House in November).

I've even had more than one occasion in which I was standing close to a wall or a curb, with maybe only a foot separating me from the wall/curb and all kinds of space on my other side, and some idiot will come along and sandwich themselves between the wall/curb and me instead of walking around to the other side where there is plenty of space to walk!!! It makes no sense. I don't know what happens to some folks when they get into DLR, but they seem to lose all common sense and courtesy.

So when I read your Winter Dreams story, I nodded as if to say, "Yep. I've seen people do things just like that at DLR!"

Anyway, great Club 33 pictures! I like the one you had Ty get of the window, overlooking NOS.

The Screamin' picture is hilarious!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Well, I'm glad you made it back up on your feet after taking a tumble! Yikes! I can totally empathize with you -- if you step the wrong way or on the wrong section of one of the streets, it's not that difficult to have an accident. I have tripped over curbs -- either trying to step on them or step off of them -- and on those darn tracks in the middle of Main Street. I've injured my foot on one of these occasions. I would imagine there are probably accidents happening all the time in a place as busy as that.

It's interesting what you said about TSMM not being worth the wait. At one point -- maybe 2 to 4 years ago -- I would have waited in a long line for TSMM without hesitation. If it was 30 minutes, that would have been lucky! But I would have waited 45 minutes if need be, because I loved that ride. I still love it and I have great fun when I'm on it but I think that enough time has passed at this point -- it's been in DCA for 5-1/2 years and counting -- that I am over waiting in the line! I feel like the line for TSMM should be much shorter than it is by now, or it should be moving faster. It's not a new ride anymore. The novelty should have worn off a bit.

So when I was about to go on TSMM a few days ago, I approached the line and saw that it was 40 minutes...and I kept on walking.

The other thing I was going to comment on was the people who wedged themselves into your viewing spot for Winter Dreams (which you barely saw even a few minutes of!). You're absolutely right -- did they need to stand right in that spot?

I've been observing how people handle themselves in crowds on my last couple of DLR visits. Some people are very courteous and polite, and even apologetic if they bump into someone. Others are just totally unconcerned with whoever else they inconvenience. They walk through photos when they see that photos are being taken. They run strollers into ankles. They stand in one spot, blocking access to something (like the silly woman who was standing at the pick-up counter and blocking my way when I was trying to get to my peppermint mocha at the Market House in November).

I've even had more than one occasion in which I was standing close to a wall or a curb, with maybe only a foot separating me from the wall/curb and all kinds of space on my other side, and some idiot will come along and sandwich themselves between the wall/curb and me instead of walking around to the other side where there is plenty of space to walk!!! It makes no sense. I don't know what happens to some folks when they get into DLR, but they seem to lose all common sense and courtesy.

So when I read your Winter Dreams story, I nodded as if to say, "Yep. I've seen people do things just like that at DLR!"

Anyway, great Club 33 pictures! I like the one you had Ty get of the window, overlooking NOS.

The Screamin' picture is hilarious!

I'm still hobbling around & my left knee if very colorful but my right one still only has a colored ring around the knee cap....it hurts the worse & it obviously was a deep injury. I've stepped into the tracks on Main Street too.....always fun to get your shoe stuck in there.

I meant to say TSMM isn't worth the wait to me. It's an ok ride, but the game ones just don't thrill me none & I surely don't want to wait in a long line to do it (that goes for Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters too). I'm just not that interested in them. I can't believe the waits & the mad dash runs at opening are still happening.

I think some people have no clue about personal space. With my anxiety, I have to have that imaginary box around me, otherwise I get panicky. Tyler switched places with me, so I didn't have them breathing down my back. By the time the show started, we had the parent that shows up last minute & expects their kids to have front row seats. If you leave any space between you and someone else in your party, this child will be pushed up between you so they can see and then the parent will start pushing on your back to stay close to their child. It's so frustrating. I see it Disneyland all the time & experienced it at the parade at WDW. The father was irate that we wouldn't let his kid up on the curb when the parade started. He actually said I think it's rude that you won't let my kid see.......well buddy, I think it's rude that you expect me to hold a front row seat for your kid. If you want him to be front row, feel free to plop down on the curb 2 hours before the parade starts and not when you see the first float.

I'm glad Tyler got as many good pics as he did. He really hasn't used Mike's camera much (and neither have I).

I was holding my hair down.....every Screamin' pic I have, my hair is standing straight up......lol

 

[PHXscuba]

We get up by the Starbucks & Trolley Treats, and because I had my sweatshirt hood up, I totally missed where the curb was gradually starting & rammed my toes into it and it dropped me on both of my knees & elbow. I did this right next to a janitorial CM. He stayed with me & Tyler until I was able to get back up. I walked about 10 feet and had to sit back down on a bench.

Holy cow Laurie! I think I saw you fall outside Trolley Treats but didn't realize it was you with your hood up! After the WoC got canceled we walked over to Trolley Treats looking for peppermint bark and treats for my Dad and I did see a woman stumble. I would have stopped but she had someone with her (obviously Tyler) and the CM right there seemed so attentive. I feel so bad for you -- those curbs are murderous. In hope your knee feels better.

I did get a good photo of the macaroni and cheese if you end up wanting one. It will be in my TR eventually.

Sherry -- My hot chocolate was lukewarm too. I had Ghirardelli hot chocolate later that night that totally ruined me for other hot chocolate. It was amazing and so worth the 10-minute wait to get it.

PHXscuba

 

[DizNee Luver]

Holy cow Laurie! I think I saw you fall outside Trolley Treats but didn't realize it was you with your hood up! After the WoC got canceled we walked over to Trolley Treats looking for peppermint bark and treats for my Dad and I did see a woman stumble. I would have stopped but she had someone with her (obviously Tyler) and the CM right there seemed so attentive. I feel so bad for you -- those curbs are murderous. In hope your knee feels better.

I did get a good photo of the macaroni and cheese if you end up wanting one. It will be in my TR eventually.

Sherry -- My hot chocolate was lukewarm too. I had Ghirardelli hot chocolate later that night that totally ruined me for other hot chocolate. It was amazing and so worth the 10-minute wait to get it.

PHXscuba

Yup, sounds like me.......I felt so stupid but it happened so quick. I wanted to get right back up, but couldn't. I probably sat there for 5 minutes before I got up and moved to the bench.

I'll watch your report for photos to "borrow"......lol

 

[The Fox Menagerie]

Thanks for the Club 33 pics, this is on our Disney bucket list also, someday! In the meantime, we appreciate your photos!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Thanks for the Club 33 pics, this is on our Disney bucket list also, someday! In the meantime, we appreciate your photos!

You're welcome!! Keep your dreams alive.....you just never know what the future holds!!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I'm glad you got to go to Club 33!! Anyway, this week is spirit week at school. One of the days is Disney which was today.