Guide to Club 33 at Disney World | What is Club 33?
Guide to Club 33 at Disney World
Have you heard of Club 33 at Disney World? This exclusive and mysterious club is an elusive hangout. While many Disney fans have heard of this famous club, not many people know exactly what Club 33 is or how to join. Looking for answers to what Club 33 is, how to join, and more? Keep reading!
What is Club 33?
Club 33 is an exclusive club reserved for members who want to get away from the crowds. A creative concept from Walt Disney himself, members have access to private dining and lounge areas. Named after the address of the original Disneyland Club 33 location, which was 33 Royal Street in New Orleans, it started in 1967.
This is after Walt Disney visited the New York World’s Fair in 1964. While at the fair, he experienced executive VIP lounges made available to corporations. This inspired Walt Disney to create a private and exclusive club for VIP guests to Disneyland.
Originally, Club 33 was for corporate sponsors of Disney. But when the first lounge opened, memberships were offered to those who could afford it. Sadly, Walt Disney died six months before the original Club 33 opened. However, members can feel Walt Disney’s spirit running through the exclusive club. Today, Club 33 is open to VIPs, executives, celebrities, and other members.
Besides exclusivity and privacy, Club 33 offers guests gourmet food and excellent service.
How Much Does it Cost to Join Club 33?
Walt Disney loved to do business at Disneyland with special friends, film folks, and investors. When Club 33 was born, they reserved a special location for Walt Disney despite having passed away. Most business deals take place over drinks and dinner. This is what Club 33 embodies. There is a lounge, bar, and restaurant.
The club has authentic movie props from popular films such as The Happiest Millionaire, Mary Poppins, and others. There is also artwork decorating the walls of the club.
So, how much does it cost to join Club 33? The cost of joining Walt Disney World Club 33 is an eye-watering $33,000 and an annual fee of $15,000. To join Disneyland Resort’s Club 33, the initial membership fee is $25,000. Then, you’ll have to pay $10,000 every year. The high cost of joining the club is to keep its membership elite. The costly fees also fund the numerous benefits that Club 33 offers.
Meals and drinks are not included in the initial membership fee. This means if you want to dine inside the club, you’ve to pay extra. Lucky for you, the meals are great. Members are usually served a gourmet five-course menu to pick from. All meals are always prepared using the best quality ingredients.
Besides paying extra for meals and drinks, being a member of Club 33 does not give you access to all Club 33 locations. To gain access to Club 33 in a different location, you’ve to get a membership for each one of them.
Where Is It Located?
At Walt Disney World, the locations of Club 33 are as follows:
- Animal Kingdom – Harambe House near the festival of the Lion King
- Magic Kingdom – Captain Quarters, Adventureland Entrance
- Hollywood Studios – Spotlight Lounge, behind the Brown Derby
- EPCOT – American Adventure Pavilion, World Showcase
At Disneyland Resort, you can find Club 33 at these locations:
- Le Grand Salon Restaurant – New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
- 1901 Lounge – Disney California Adventure
- Le Salon Nouveau – A Jazz Lounge in New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
What Are the Benefits of Joining Club 33?
A membership to Disney’s Club 33 gets you:
- Five daylong VIP guided tours
- Access to private concierge serves
- Instant Genie+ reservations
- Access to all four Club 33 lounges in Walt Disney World
- 50 one day park hopper tickets
- Passholder status to Disneyland and Walt Disney World for you, your spouse, and children aged 26 years and under
Passholder perks include:
- Free standard parking
- 365 days of admission to Disneyland and Walt Disney World
- Discounts on merchandise, guided tours, table service dining, and recreation
- Unlimited PhotoPass downloads
- Other benefits include:
- Tour of the Disneyland Resort Dream Suite
- Access to all exclusive restaurants
- No block out dates
When members visit the bar, restaurant, or lounge, staff in Club 33 will entertain you with fascinating stories and facts about Club 33. They will also give you a tour and show you interesting artefacts and even narrate the stories behind them.
How Can I Join Club 33?
Everyone who spends time at the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort wishes to be a member of Club 33. Sadly, there is a long waiting list for new memberships. Disney reported that they have a waiting list decades long. To join Club 33, you’ve to get invited.
For example, Orlando’s Golden Oak community received spontaneous invitations to the Constellation Club at Epcot’s Club 33 in 2019. Becoming a Club 33 member is not as simple as buying tickets to the Disney parks.
The process is long and requires a measure of patience. Each year, Disney offers a limited number of memberships. Some years, they do not offer any memberships while in some, they do grant several memberships.
If you wish to become a Club 33 member, you’ve to email or submit a written letter of inquiry to Walt Disney World or Disneyland. As memberships become available, the Disney management team will contact you.
Final Words
You can get lucky and know a Club 33 member. If you do, they can invite you, and you can visit and dine inside one of the Club 33 locations. One of the benefits Club 33 members enjoy is 50 park hopper tickets every year. As such, they can invite family, friends, and guests to join them during one of the five VIP tours.
If you’re not a member but are lucky to receive an invite to visit Club 33, you’ll receive an email with the rules. One of the rules is not taking photos and videos that include other members inside the club. This is to ensure the anonymity of the members.
Next time you visit Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort and see a doorway marked 33, know that luxury lies behind the door.
