One day in DL with Club 33

[GaPaige]

Hi Disneyland experts. I am a WDW veteran and my husband recently surpised me with a trip to California for our anniversary in October. He has friends that are Club 33 members and we are thrilled to have lunch reservations there! We only have that one day for Disney (Sunday, Oct. 11). I know I won't be able to come close to doing everything, but I would love some advice so we don't miss the most important stuff. I don't know if we able to enter the park early (?), so I was thinking maybe to do DCA first, then go to our noon reservation at Club 33?
I definitely need help with night time shows. Since I can't see all of them, what's the best strategy to see as much as possible without making us absolutely crazy?
Also, the dress code says no sandals/flip flop. Does that really mean no sandals at all, even dressier ones? Can my husband wear tennis shoes?
I would appreciate any help!

 

[ashley0139]

If you're only there for one day, I would just focus on Disneyland. There's a ton to do there and with a long lunch reservation you'll be able to fill the day up easily. For nighttime shows, I would see the early Fantasmic and then watch the Disneyland Forever fireworks from there. Then go and find a spot for the second Paint the Night parade.

 

[whoever]

That is the day of the CHOC walk. Disneyland is going to be PACKED. So much so that we are doing the walk and then doing cabana/pool time during the day. You'll have to have some patience...

 

[Malcon10t]

Also, the dress code says no sandals/flip flop. Does that really mean no sandals at all, even dressier ones? Can my husband wear tennis shoes?
I would appreciate any help!

This is a question I would ask your member friend about. Sneakers are acceptable. The dress code does say no flip flops, and on a visit last month I watched a couple argue with the front desk, which ended with the front desk sending them up, then a call made to management regarding a notification to the member about the issues. I think my jaw was on the floor that a guest would even consider arguing with the staff!

Men absolutely cannot wear open toed shoes. I have seen women wear dressy sandals.
These were acceptable

These were not

Again, ask your member and let them decide. Some members also set their own dress code.

 

[Indiana Scott]

I would stick to DL but IMO, coming up with some kind of detailed "plan" to see the park just takes all the fun out of it. What ever ride plan you come up with, you end up abandoning it because of something beyond your control anyway.
So I just suggest you look at the smaller details and walk around the park taking in what ever strikes you. You don't need to do everything because it will be there for another time. I think it's kind of fun not doing everything so I can look forward to it in the future.
Just have fun and don't feel rushed no matter what the crowds are like.

 

[ADLFAN]

Wow! How exciting! I would suggest focusing on classic and wild rides at Disneyland in the morning, gathering Fastpasses for Star Tours, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad if they appeal to you. All of them are probably better done before a long leisurely lunch. Same with the Matterhorn, although no Fastpass is available. I would also explore Fantasyland in the morning, in case it is really busy after lunch. California Adventure won't open til 10 a.m. and then you wouldn't have much time to play before your noon reservation. But if you will have park Hopper tickets, I would definitely recommend checking out California Adventure in the early evening, when I think it looks it's best! The lights in both Carsland and on Paradise Pier are beautiful! If you want to go on Radiator Springs Racers, maybe try to hop over between about 11:00 and 11:30 to snag a Fastpass for it. The FP location isn't too far from the end of Buena Vista St. near the entrance for Bugs Land. If you wait until right before noon, chances are you will get an evening return time. Maybe even around the magical moment they have their evening "neon lighting" just like in the movie. After lunch you will be dealing with high crowds and it might be a good time to appreciate the shows like Mickey and the Magical Map back towards ToonTown. Maybe take the railroad round trip and relax. Pull a bonus Fastpass for Buzz Lightyear and email yourselves a goofy picture. Take some of the Main Street Vehicles up and down. Relax and decide which evening entertainment to line up for and secure your Fastpasses if you choose Fantasmic or World of Color in DCA. Both shows are awesome, and if you get FP'S for the second Fantasmic show, you shouil be able to watch the parade and fireworks from the hub and then make your way over to F! Have fun planning!

 

[Nonsuch]

...Since I can't see all of them, what's the best strategy to see as much as possible without making us absolutely crazy?

This is one approach to night shows:

• Get fastpasses to the first Fantasmic show (in the morning)
• Watch the first Fantasmic show, and stay in the same area for Fireworks
• Ride the train to Fantasyland, and watch Paint the Night Parade near It's a Small World

 

[Disneyluvr2]

Here's the dress code rules for the Club.....
"For lunch, Guests may come in fashionable casual attire in order to enjoy the Disneyland Resort in comfort. However, no tank tops, cutoffs, swimsuits, bare midriffs, sweatpants, flip flops/sandals or beachwear may be worn. Walking length shorts are acceptable. Jeans are acceptable, provided that they cover undergarments completely and are not extremely faded or torn."

Lunch is more casual and park attire is acceptable, although we always like to dress up. I consider it an honor to eat there and your attire is a reflection of you on your member friend. Flip flop type sandals are not allowed, but you CAN wear sandals. Just make sure they have a strap around the back of your heal. Tennis shoes are allowed. If you need to, get a locker and change into something more comfortable after you leave the Club. Plan on 2-3 hours for lunch. They never rush you and it's fun to spend some time out on the balcony, look around the Club and shop from the case filled with Club 33 items. Like Whoever said, it's probably going to be crowded in the park, so soak up your time in the Club!! Have a great time!!

 

[SMD]

When I did CHOC there was a 10am opening with a 9am MM. The ticket lines were insane because of the CHOC discount offer (buy in advance if you need tickets), the entry lines were insane and the crowds on Main St and the hub were insane. We went straight for HMH (no FP then), then rode POTC and then we had to go straight for our reservation. Not sure if it was 11:30 or 12pm. I wouldn't try DCA first and chance being late. Also, plan on being there at least 2 hours. Why rush that experience? I'd plan on having a half park day and skip DCA.

 

[amyg1975]

Both my husband and I wore flip flops for lunch at Club 33 and no one ever said a word to us...

 

[Malcon10t]

Both my husband and I wore flip flops for lunch at Club 33 and no one ever said a word to us...

Interesting. They usually ask you to go change. And they notify the member. Were you not given a copy of the dress code?

 

[amyg1975]

Interesting. They usually ask you to go change. And they notify the member. Were you not given a copy of the dress code?

We had read the dress code, but apparently missed the part about shoes. I was wearing a skirt, my daughter in a dress, and my husband in something nice, so maybe they did not notice the shoes.

 

[GaPaige]

Thanks for all of the help. The commando WDW tourist in me is freaking about the 2-3 hour lunch and big crowds, knowing this may be my only time to get to Disneyland. I'm going to try very hard to relax, take it all in and just enjoy it. I'm thinking of wearing a casual (and comfy!) dress with regular (non flip-flop) sandals. We will be dining with the member and a couple of other friends. Will both parks be equally packed b/c of the walk that morning?

 

[whoever]

I'd go for the must-rides.... PP, Matterhorn, Splash, Pirates, HM, BTMRR, and Alice.

 

[Nonsuch]

...We will be dining with the member...

While you are with the member you will be able to visit the Club 33 Lounge and 1901 in DCA. These lounges are more exclusive than the Club 33 dining room, since a member must be present.

 

[Disneyluvr2]

While you are with the member you will be able to visit the Club 33 Lounge and 1901 in DCA. These lounges are more exclusive than the Club 33 dining room, since a member must be present.

Not all Club 33 members have access to 1901, but if your member does, go check it out!! Just remember....you can always come back to Disneyland, but you may not always have the chance to dine at Club 33, so relax and enjoy your visit.

 

[MommyJKM]

Not all Club 33 members have access to 1901, but if your member does, go check it out!! Just remember....you can always come back to Disneyland, but you many not always have the chance to dine at Club 33, so relax and enjoy your visit.

I agree. We once did a VIP Tour and sat in 1901 for 3 hours of it and only did like 4 rides (but it was relaxing and fun). You could also ask your friend to make your dining res at Fantasmic time so you can watch from the balcony.

I'd rather GO to Disneyland and have the great experience than commando run on a bunch of rides. It's all about the ambiance.

 

[BritBrit]

I agree. We once did a VIP Tour and sat in 1901 for 3 hours of it and only did like 4 rides (but it was relaxing and fun).

Was this part of the VIP tour, or were you with a member too? Just curious if you can request this as part of a VIP tour.

 

[Canuck16]

If DL is supposed to be crazy that day because of the walk then like OP have suggested only go to DL and not even attempt DCA if it doesn't open until 10 am.

Enjoy Club 33 and take it all in as that is a once in a lifetime opportunity!

 

[Malcon10t]

Was this part of the VIP tour, or were you with a member too? Just curious if you can request this as part of a VIP tour.

She would have been with a member. This is not part of the VIP tour.