Visiting Disneyland’s Exclusive Club 33
Or why Disneyland makes you feel special
Visiting Club 33 in Disneyland is the pinnacle on bucket lists for most Disney aficionados. Club 33 is an exclusive and rare experience. It features plush surroundings, gourmet food and the opportunity to do something that was once completely restricted in Disneyland — drink alcohol. It is also a part of the history of the theme park as Walt Disney’s personal space to entertain special guests. But the most important aspect of Club 33 is that it is very difficult to get into.
And therein lies my puzzle of what to say when asked what it’s like to visit Club 33. Sometimes I’m not sure exactly how to express my feelings.
I was able to go in April of 2018 when my soon to be husband was asked by a friend of a friend who was a member if we wanted to celebrate our upcoming wedding there. Our answer was an emphatic yes. This was something I had fantasized about for a long time as a Disney enthusiast — especially as I love accomplishing everything there is to be done in Disneyland.
When my husband and I arrived for our lunch reservation, we were awed by the exceptional service. They treated us to warm towels to freshen up and gave us an energizing minty and fruity tea. We were also encouraged to take pictures in the beautiful courtyard before being seated in the dining room.
The menu — with artwork featuring the entrance courtyard — presented our meal choices:
We chose four courses from a prix fixe menu — a light dish, an appetizer (soup or salad) a main course and dessert.
The portions may look small (aided by the large white plates they were displayed on) but I was stuffed by the end of this meal. I’m not a connoisseur of fine cuisine, but it’s clear the Chef at Club 33 is an artist — the food was ridiculously delicious and the food felt like art while we were eating it.
However, after the food, the location and design of the Club merit all the praise. It is right in the middle of New Orleans Square with an expansive view of the Rivers of America and the other guests in the park. Before I visited, I would have never thought to look up at these windows from below and wonder who was enjoying a fantastic meal in Club 33.
They may also feature props from Disney films in the Club — like this table used in Mary Poppins Returns, with a photo of its use in the film and signed by the cast.
And here’s a little more of the gorgeous decor in the Club.
After our meal, we roamed the Club (with the exception of the members only room) and the staff was happy to take pictures of us cheesing it up. And of course (everyone who goes will tell you this and it’s true, you need to do this) we visited the bathroom. It’s amazing. We also had to purchase some of the exclusive merchandise since you can not buy it anywhere else. It was sad when we had to leave but I could not have asked for a more fulfilling visit there.
Stepping inside of Club 33 was a wonderful and memorable experience. But going back to what I mentioned earlier about my puzzled feelings on being able to visit, I realize that yes, it’s a wonderful experience and a treat, but being in Club 33 was not so wonderful in itself, but because I felt special there. Is it weird to want to visit a place — not so much to see it, but because you want to feel special?
It is healthy for everyone to feel special; it’s a part of self-love and knowing your self-worth. And I hope that I have a healthy sense of self-love, but in the terms of Walt Disney himself, there is nothing wrong in “plussing it” sometimes. Whenever Walt wanted his Imagineers to take something to the next level, he would ask them to “plus it” — make it better and more awe-inspiring. And somehow being in an environment that has been plussed, makes you feel plus as well. There is so much nostalgia associated with Disneyland, but it’s important to remember the superior experience and service it offers compared to other theme parks. And that is also why people keep coming back.
Club 33 is the height of a superior experience. Sure there are other lavish VIP lounges, but are they in The Happiest Place on Earth? Do they have a 10-year wait-list to join? (Perhaps some may, I wouldn’t know.). Club 33 is an amazing experience, and I think it’s wonderful that it’s mostly because it makes you feel amazing. And while it feels somewhat immodest saying that, there is nothing wrong with indulging in that experience. People love being made to feel special, and Disneyland goes out of its way to make everything better than you would expect. So now if someone asks me what it is like to visit Club 33, I’ll say “I felt incredible there.”
