Club 33 offers fine dining and the only alcohol available in the park to a select list of high-paying members. Only these chosen few and their guests are admitted, and the only way to become one of the approximately 400 members is if one drops out. One man said he spent fifteen years on the waiting list before he was called. And more than 25 years after is unveiling, the club's waiting list remains several years long.

Walt himself originally conceived the idea of Club 33 during the mid-1960s planning of New Orleans Square. He wanted a quiet, elegant place where he could entertain visiting dignitaries and lessees of the park away from the crowds. Artist [Dorothea] Redmond again did the concept drawings. Then Walt, his wife, and his personal interior decorator and one-time chief studio art director, Emile Kuri, traveled to New Orleans to purchase antiques and other furnishings for their showcase.

Club 33 opened five months after Disney died, as a place to entertain and thank the park's sponsors, such as Carnation, Kodak, General Electric, and Frito-Lay. Some say it was named Club 33 because there were 33 original lessees. Officially, the name came from its address, 33 Royal Street.

Yet the club can't be found on any maps of the park. Perhaps presuming that the public can't feel deprived of something they don't even know about, Disneyland shrouds Club 33 with a veil of secrecy. It does no advertising and even discourages publicity of club details. It also keeps a low profile to protect members' privacy, since many are high-powered businessmen wining and dining clients.

The club has members from as far away as Florida, England, and Australia. The cost to join is an initial $5,000 for individuals and up to $20,000 for corporations, plus annual dues of $2,000. Corporate memberships are transferable to all executives within the company.

A night at Club 33 begins with dinner reservations, which must be made in advance by a member, though the member himself needn't accompany his party. Reservations include free admission to the park for that day. Parties, often escorted by Disneyland guides through the park, arrive at the green door and press its red doorbell. Years ago, diners slipped their membership card through a slot below the buzzer. Now the hostess asks for the party's name via intercom, and she checks it against her reservations list. Upon confirmation, she releases the door.

Inside the small burgundy foyer, guests are greeted by a black gowned hostess or tuxedoed host. As a "luxury formality," most diners take the antique wooden elevator with glass door upstairs rather than the spiral staircase that wraps around it. At the top of the stairs are a rare console from New Orleans and an oak telephone booth with beveled leaded glass panels adapted from the one used in the Disney movie The Happiest Millionaire.

Straight ahead is the Trophy Room, a richly cypress-paneled room often used as the second dining room or for larger parties or banquets. It was originally decorated with stuffed-and-mounted animals including the heads of a water buffalo and a gazelle, pheasants, and a fully encased bobcat. A huge mammoth tusk unearthed in Alaska stood six feet from tip to tip, and a colorful collection of butterflies from around the world that Mrs. Disney had collected over the years adorned walls throughout the club. But after the change of leadership in 1984, she removed these and other personal treasures. The Trophy Room is now decorated with original concept drawings for the Pirates of the Caribbean. A once-audio-animatronic vulture is still perched high in a corner. "At one time Walt had talked about animating the animals on the Trophy Room walls," revealed one waitress. "But he decided that wouldn't be very elegant, so he nixed the idea."

Dear Mr. Mikkelson

Thank you for you interest in becoming a member of Club 33.

We are unable to offer you a Club 33 membership as we are at capacity. However, we will place your name on our waiting list and will contact you when an opening occurs. Enclosed is an informational brochure which explains our policies and the benefits associated with membership. Your interest in Club 33 is very much appreciated, and it is our sincere hope that we will be in a position to offer you a membership soon.

Sincerely,

Tom Arthur
Manager

Next, there was the informational brochure, printed on thick paper with the 
Club 33 logo at the top:

The colorful realism and the precise architectural detail of New Orleans Square in DISNEYLAND captures the atmosphere of the nineteenth-century New Orleans French Quarter. Glancing upwards to the second story balconies and the ornate iron railings hung with flowers, one would hardly guess that they surround the little-known but quite elegant Club 33.

Years ago, Walt Disney felt that a special place was needed where he could entertain visiting dignitaries and others in a quiet, serene atmosphere where superb cuisine and distinctive decor would complement one another. He asked artist Dorothea Redmond to provide watercolor renderings of what such a place might look like. Accompanied by renowned decorator Emil Kuri, Walt and his wife traveled to New Orleans to select many of the beautiful antiques that are on display. After years of planning, Club 33 became a reality in May of 1967. Sadly enough, it was never seen by its creator because of his untimely death five months earlier.

Club 33, so named after its address, 33 Royal Street, is comprised of two dining rooms and several adjoining areas, all of which hold a wide array of magnificent antiques and original works of art. After ascending in the French lift to the second floor, guests enter into The Gallery. Here they find interesting items such as an oak telephone booth with beveled leaded glass panels adapted from the one used in the Disney motion picture "The Happiest Millionaire" and a rare console table which was found in the French Quarter of New Orleans. In The Gallery, as elsewhere in the Club, are many original works by Disney artists and sketches done as design studies for New Orleans Square and the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.

The Gallery leads into Lounge Alley which serves as a vestibule and also the buffet for the Main Dining Room and Trophy Room. One wall displays several conceptual sketches of New Orleans Square, and directly across from these sketches is a custom-designed harpsichord decorated with a hand-painted scene depicting New Orleans harbor in the nineteenth century. The furnishings are a combination of antique and reproduction pieces.

The Main Dining Room is decorated in First Empire, recalling the era of Napoleon and the early nineteenth century. Three glimmering chandeliers and wall sconces illuminate the entire room. Much of the framed artwork on the walls is again, the work of Disney artists. Fresh flowers, parquet floors, and antique bronzes create an atmosphere of serenity and warmth.

The Trophy Room is the second dining room and offers a more informal atmosphere. The cypress-planked walls provide an excellent background for sketches done as design studies for the Jungle Cruise and Tiki Room attractions. The design of the room incorporates the use of microphones in the center of each chandelier and a vulture with the ability to speak. Walt Disney's intention for this concept was humorous in nature, as the vulture was to converse with guests during dinner. The Trophy Room also contains a number of antiques and it is usually sunlit from a long row of windows.

Today, Club 33 functions as an exclusive private club where members or their guests may enjoy a gourmet meal complemented by the finest wines. Tradition, accompanied by gracious hospitality, has been the hallmark of Club 33 since its opening day... and will continue to be for many years to come.

The last item was a leaflet detailing the membership costs:

High above the streets and courtyards of New Orleans Square, hidden from public view and the bustle of a typical day at Disneyland, is a page of old New Orleans that even the proud Creole society might have chosen and cherished as its own.

Here French doors open onto balconies that overlook Disneyland's own muddy Mississippi, the Rivers of America. Here in the tradition of the good host, Walt Disney and his staff planned and executed Disneyland's most exclusive setting -- part elegant dining room, part relaxed refreshment center, part distinguished art gallery, part meeting room and part private showplace.

Here, away from the general public, adult beverages are available, including the finest of wines to match the house food specialties.

This was Walt Disney's concept -- an elegant, exclusive club... a place for conversation, and a conversation piece in its own right.

Corporate Membership

This membership is designed for organizations to make Club 33 available to a number of their executives, and has a membership fee of $20,000. This entitles the corporate member to designate up to nine associate members. Dues for associate members are $1,800 per member per year. All memberships are transferable to other executives in the corporation.

Members no longer in the employ of the corporate member's company must surrender the membership cards to Club 33. The corporate members may then designate another member of his company.

Limited Corporate Membership

This membership is designed for organizations wishing to make Club 33 available to one of their executives, and has a membership fee of $10,000. This entitles the corporation to transfer the membership to another employee whenever necessary. For individual members, credit is extended based upon the membership fee initially paid if a transfer of membership is desired. Dues are $1,800 per year.

Individual Membership

This particular membership is for individuals and is available at $5,000 membership fee and $1,800 annual dues. These memberships are nontransferable.

Members will be billed monthly for all charges.

Information

All members must have a valid membership card to gain entrance to Club 33. Additional utilization of the card is to spouse only, with reservations accepted only from the cardholder, the spouse or the cardholder's secretary. Use of the membership card is subject to the terms covering membership agreed to by the member in the membership application.

The membership card entitles the member and a party of nine to free parking and admission through the Main Entrance of DISNEYLAND (except when special tickets are the only admission to a special event or private party). This privilege is applicable when the members plan to dine at Club 33. If the card is used for admission but the member does not dine at the Club the member will be billed for the regular price of admission. If the member is unable to accompany the guests, the Club will arrange admission for them at no charge.

Members may purchase DISNEYLAND passports through Club 33 for pick-up at the Guest Relations Booth. The membership card authorizes the member to receive credit by signing special charge slips when presented at Club 33 and other restaurants and merchandise locations owned and operated by DISNEYLAND park.

We reserve the right to approve or disapprove any membership to assure that our high standards are maintained.

To remain a member in good standing, dues must be paid annually within thirty (30) days following receipt of invoice.

Usage of Club 33 is by reservation only. It is advisable to call for reservations well in advance.

Private parties utilizing the entire Club facilities are available upon member's request with the required minimum number of guests.

                                The Surge!
 
Part of the Magic of Mickey's Kingdom BBS (714) 526-2659
---
"Disneyland Flight 295 to Mars is now ready for boarding at gate number three."