Imagine a place, hidden neatly away, that no one even knows exists…. except for you. Concealed in broad daylight, only you know what lies behind the door that everyone else simply passes by. That oval-shaped sign with a shiny “33” on it is home to the most private club in the world. Club 33, found in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square, was a secret for several years, until followers and trackers of Disney lore and legend uncovered its hidden identity and made it part of Disney culture. It is located next to the space formerly used for the Blue Bayou Restaurant on Royal Street; its address is 33 Royal Street, although a renovation in 2014 moved the entrance of the club to the intersection of Royal Street and Orleans Street. The name, however, still remains, despite the technical change in address.
Walt Disney drinking Greek coffee in New Orleans Square.
The need for the club was born from the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, which we discussed a couple of weeks ago. While in attendance at the fair, Walt Disney took note of the various VIP Lounges at the many corporate-sponsored pavilions and exhibits. Knowing this, and that a number of international dignitaries were visiting Disneyland each year, Walt decided to include a special VIP Lounge near his and Roy’s studio apartment that was to be planned for the upcoming New Orleans Square. The land was the first to be added after Disneyland’s opening and sits at the bend of Frontierland’s Rivers of America.
The musical alleyways and wrought-iron rails of New Orleans Square.
So why the name Club 33? Is it really because of its arbitrary address on Royal Street? Some speculate that it actually derives its name from the list of corporate sponsors for Disneyland at the time, a theory that falls in line with Walt’s initial desire to build the restaurant in the first place. Some noteworthy sponsors include Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Douglas Aircraft, Kodak, Frito-Lay, General Electric, Pepsi-Cola (both Coke and Pepsi?? Blasphemy! Only in Disneyland…), Hallmark, and Wurlitzer Pianos and Organs. The total tally racks up to… 33 sponsors. These familiar faces can be seen throughout nearly all of Disneyland and Disney history: Bank of America was the first sponsor of Disneyland’s maps, a sponsorship that has since been acquired by Kodak; General Electric sponsored The Carousel of Progress, while Pepsi-Cola attached their name to “it’s a small world;” Coca-Cola is an in-park sponsor, even to this day (there’s even a new old-timey Coca-Cola restaurant coming to Disney Springs in Florida).
The somewhat-famous 33 sponsors of Disneyland, ca. 1966-67
The Court of Angels, entrance to Club 33.
The club itself didn’t open until June 15, 1967, exactly six months after Walt Disney’s death. At this point, individual memberships were also added to the list of possible packages, in addition to corporate memberships. So just how much does it cost for a company or person to get into the super-exclusive club? As of 2011, there is a 14-year waiting list for new memberships. Yes, you read that correctly. The membership waiting list was even closed off entirely for a five year period, until May 2012. A corporate initial membership fee rings in at the tune of $40,000, while an individual membership will set you back only $27,000. This doesn’t include yearly dues, which come at a price of $12,000. But fear not! Initiation and dues can change annually (though, I wouldn’t count on them going down).
The Trophy Room dining area
So after you’ve paid tens of thousands of dollars to prove that you love Disney that much, what exactly do you get to see? The decorations and experience are, in my opinion, truly astounding….
And by astounding, I mean, look at this. This is a bathroom for God’s sake. Stunning.
A hidden panel in the doorway contains a buzzer and intercom that will let you into the club. When access is granted by a receptionist, you are let through the door and into the Court d’Anges, an open-air courtyard. You are then escorted up a curved staircase and into one of two main dining areas: The Grand Salon and the Salon Nouveau. The former is used for reserved dining meals, while the latter is accessed through a dark wood paneled wine cellar. The Salon Nouveau even features an exact replica of an antique-style glass lift that Walt Disney saw while on vacation in Paris. The owner of the original lift refused to sell it to Walt, so he sent a team of engineers to Paris to measure the lift and even take a sample of the original finish to ensure a faithful reproduction in Club 33. And so, it was done.
The glass lift, an exact reproduction of the Parisian original.
The upstairs is decorated with antique furniture pieces collected by Lillian Disney, along with pictures of Walt Disney, framed concept art for the club, hand-painted animation cels from Fantasia, and even pinned butterflies in glass cases. A fully functional glass telephone booth adjacent to the bathroom balcony is from the live-action picture The Happiest Millionaire and there’s even a white marble and walnut table from the classic film Mary Poppins. A custom-built harpsichord was even installed per Lillian Disney’s request and features a hand-painted Renaissance-style art piece by Disney artists. It is also noteworthy to add that this harpsichord has been played by Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney.
The beautiful harpsichord in the so-called “Lounge Alley.” Note the gorgeous painting on the lid’s underside.
Walt Disney originally intended to use Audio-Animatronics throughout the restaurant by installing microphones near dining areas that would be near a robotic bird. Cast members would listen in on conversations and then respond to guests through the talking birds. Also this plan never came to full fruition, the interior sound mechanisms are partially installed in the restaurant and some of the birds, namely California Quail in the dining room and a large vulture atop the upstairs lobby’s grandfather clock, are also neatly perched throughout the restaurant. Quite the eclectic grouping of decorative pieces, but unique and intriguing nonetheless.
A sitting room inside of the club.
Along with gaining exclusive access to this club, Club 33 members also enjoy other perks throughout the resort. The balconies provide beautiful viewing for Fantasmic, which takes place on the southernmost bend of Frontierland’s Rivers of America. Club 33 is also the only place in Disneyland Park that serves alcohol, so bottoms up! (California Adventure Park does as well, but that’s part of the Disneyland Resort, not Disneyland Park.) Gold members receive two premier passes to Disneyland and Walt Disney World, while Platinum members earn four. Club 33 membership cards also allow early admission into the parks on most days of the week, as well as valet parking at Disneyland’s Grand Californian Hotel, private seating in the wheelhouse of the Mark Twain Riverboat, and access to the engine compartment on trains and the Lily Belle, the Presidential Car on the Disneyland Railroad. Gold members received 12 FastPasses, while Platinum members can get up to 24 FastPasses; Platinum guests also receive Disney Cast Member escorts throughout the park.
The entrance (and, since the blog has concluded, exit) to Disneyland’s Club 33.
Now I had a really REALLY cool video of the Disneyland Dream Suite (Walt’s apartment adjacent to Club 33) but I can’t find it because YouTube is mean to me. So enjoy this video of Matt Prokop, Vanessa Hudgens (both of High School Musical fame) and Sarah Hyland (from Modern Family) at Club 33….
If you’d like an official, authorized tour of Club 33, please check out this website:
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/08/inside-club-33-at-disneyland-park/
If you’d like an UNofficial, UNauthorized tour of Club 33, please check out THIS website:
(HINT: You’ll find more behind-the-scenes stuff on the second site, because it’s not run by Disney… lolz)
What’s this? A picture tour?! Nick, you dog! At the entrance point to the Disneyland Dream Suite (shown above), I now invite you to go on a photo tour of one of the most magical places on Earth.
The layout of the Disneyland Dream Suite: the inner courtyard at the ground level is surrounded by the apartment that sits on the second story; it is complete with a master bedroom, a secondary bedroom, a living room, a bathroom, a balcony, and an elevator.
The courtyard… ahhhh it’s so beautiful
The master bedroom… designed around Adventureland, this room features a Peter Pan shadow that flies over the wall and a lively tropical serenade right before you fall asleep
Details of the master bedroom… the lower right hand corner features a mermaid painting that glows at night, and the upper right hand corner is the nighttime version of the bed space shown at the left
The secondary bedroom…. themed around Frontierland, the room features a miniature train that runs around the ceiling and wakes up steamboats, animals, and other kinetic objects around the room
The living room…. based on Main Street, the room features a number of paintings of European castles that inspired Sleeping Beauty Castle and a carousel horse that compliments the Victorian parlor atmosphere. The mirror above the fireplace slowly fades into a rendering of Sleeping Beauty Castle, and Walt’s words from his Opening Day address are heard throughout the room.
The bathroom…. complete with stained glass and marble, this room is meant to reflect the spirit of Fantasyland.
The balcony… overlooking Frontierland, this beautiful seating space provides prime viewing for nightly showings of Fantasmic and daytime relaxation above the winding alleys of New Orleans Square and the sprawling wilderness of Frontierland.
Thank you for going on the photo tour…. OH WHAT IS THIS?!?!?
I found the video! HA! It looks like you’re in for a real treat! This is something that you can’t search on YouTube because it’s a private video, so you’re in for something truly special! ENJOY!!
Jack Shean says
If one day I have the means I would love to also invest in a Club 33 membership. The benefits of this elite club are incredible!
Abby says
Ah, I’ve always wanted to know about Club 33 and what it entailed. Thank you, for detailing all of the excitement.
Hailee Strom says
This blog post was AWESOME! I had absolutely no idea that something like this even existed. The membership cost is OUTRAGEOUS– but one day, I can totally see you “investing in it”. If you do, invite me to Disneyland? I can’t express enough how nifty this blog post was to read. Thanks for adding in some special content for us non-super fans!
Lexie says
I HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER FROM WHATEVER HORRIBLE DISEASE YOU MUST HAVE lolololol!!!!!!!
I’ve also decided that you should continue your blog forever and ever so that I can eventually know as much about Disney as you do.