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Lunch at Disneyland’s Club 33

Disneyland’s Club 33 is an enigma. It’s located in one of the most popular destinations on Earth, and yet it’s one of the most secret destinations on Earth. What exactly is it? It’s an exclusive club and five-star restaurant that has a jaw-dropping price tag and years-long wait list for membership. To get in – as a guest or a member – you basically have to “know someone who knows someone.”

Club logo with Club 33 coffee and rose.

 

However, once you get in, you’re in for an enormous treat. We recently had a unique opportunity to dine as a guest at Club 33, so we thought we’d share a few insights.

What is Disneyland’s Club 33?

First things first: What is it? It’s a private membership club in Disneyland (in Anaheim, CA) that is very hush-hush. In fact, the Disneyland web site hasn’t had anything to say about it since 2012.

What we did learn is that Walt Disney opened the club in June 1967  as a special location to entertain VIP guests. (It was renovated and expanded in 2014.) The space is filled with history, relics from Disney’s travels around the world, and a variety of objects that carry special meaning and symbolism to the Disney family.

Panoramic view of lounge at Club 33.

The lounge at Club 33.

It contains a luxurious lounge, a formal dining room, and a small reception-slash-gift-shop area where you can buy Club 33 souvenirs. (Because of course you want people to know you’ve been there.)

Why is it Called Club 33?

The official explanation for why it is called Club 33 is because that’s its address: 33 Royal Street in New Orleans Square.

But a variety of different theories abound. Some say it’s a reference to the 33 degrees of Freemasonry. Others say it’s a wink-and-nod reference to 1933, the year that the U.S. repealed prohibition. Still others say that it has to do with the 33 corporations that were the original lessees of Disneyland.

Tiled formal entrance of Club 33.

Either way, the number 33 now carries a special significance of its own. You’ll see the number “33” all around the club, in the windows, in tiles, and even swirled into the top of your coffee.

Where is Club 33 Located?

The "secret" entrance door to Club 33.

The “secret” club door entrance.

The entrance to Club 33 is in New Orleans Square, just above the French Market and Cafe Orleans. You enter through a non-descript door (you could easily walk right by it without even noticing), which leads you into a small entry hall. The receptionists in the entry hall check your membership, and then you walk through to the Courtyard of Angels.

The stairway up in the Courtyard of Angels.

The stairway up in the Courtyard of Angels.

From here, you have the choice of taking a winding staircase or an Art Nouveu-themed elevator up to the club on the second floor.

Once you’re in the club, it’s like you’ve stepped into another world. You are clearly far away from the crowds and bustle of Disneyland. There’s a hushed atmosphere, and as the staff greets you by name, you immediately feel like a VIP – which of course you are.

Panoramic view of Club 33 dining room.

Inside, you have a choice of going to the lounge or the formal dining room. Curiously, if you step out onto the balcony outside the main dining room and look down… you’ll see people but they won’t see you. People don’t expect anything to be happening on the second floor in that area, so they don’t even think to look up.

View of the balcony onto New Orleans Square.

The private second-floor balcony overlooking New Orleans Square.

If you’re interested in people-watching with a bird’s-eye view on Disneyland, that balcony is the place to be.

Lunch Begins with Cocktails

OK, so moving on to the most important part: The meal. Lunch at Club 33 starts with cocktails, and there are a few that are renowned classics. Most are New Orleans-themed (you’re in New Orleans square, after all). Some of the most famous choices include the Hurricane or the Pimm’s Cup.

Hurricane cocktail.

If you’re in New Orleans Square, why not have a Hurricane?

Looking for a hot drink? You may be tempted to try the Tom & Jerry, a creamy concoction of rum, cognac, vanilla, sweet meringue, and steamed milk.

Tom and Jerry coffee drink in mug.

And if you go into the lounge/bar area, your choices range from high-end to out-of-this-world. We took a picture (but not a sip) of this $2,000-per-shot 60-year Scotch in a glass case.

The Glen Grant 60-year Scotch.

 

A Four-Course Meal

Are you ready to eat yet? Of course you are.

Place setting with rose in Club 33 dining room.

Lunch is a four-course prix-fixe meal. (Here’s a tip – You can mix and match choices from the first and second courses, and even the dessert course if you want.) There was a cheese plate listed among the dessert choices, so we opted to have that as our first course.

Just to give you a sense of the offerings: The first course included choices of mixed vegetables, karpachi crudo, or a pancake with duck confit. Second choices included a pear salad or apple soup. Then came main courses, which included “catch of the day,” chicken salad, wild mushroom ravioli, or beef and dumplings. For dessert we could have either pumpkin cheesecake, chocolate layer cake, apple tart, or a cheese platter.

Pumpkin dessert and Club 33 menu.

There’s also an optional wine pairing, which fits perfectly with whichever course you choose.

Bottle of Pino Grigot paired with vegetable course.

Every course is exquisite – but of course it will cost you. Lunch currently runs $130 per person, or $205 with the optional wine pairing.

How Do You Join Club 33?

The short answer is… it’s not easy. We’ve seen estimates of the current waitlist to join ranging anywhere from 5 to 14 years. And to be honest, the whole process (like much about the club) is shrouded in secrecy.

Dark lounge booth with red seating.

If you’re willing to wait, you can write to Club 33, Wait List Information, 1313 Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92803. But remember about that waitlist. Don’t call to see where you are on the list (this is frowned upon). And keep in mind that you supposedly are at an advantage if you have another member vouching for you.

What does it cost? Membership is not cheap. Currently as of 2022 (we have no official confirmation on this, other than various news stories), the estimated initiation fees range from $30,000 to up to $60-70,000. Then the estimated annual fees run approximately $20-30,000 annually.

There are also Club 33 locations in Disney parks around the world, so if the Disneyland one doesn’t work for you, you can try at another location. (Although we hear the memberships are not transferable.)

We hope you enjoyed this peek into one of the world’s most exclusive dining clubs.

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Lunch at Disneyland’s Club 33.

This post is dedicated to the memory of our friend Shelby Barone, who loved Disneyland and left us too soon.

 

 

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