Club 33 was originally intended to be a private place where Walt Disney himself could entertain VIPs away from the hustle and bustle of the park. Sadly, Walt passed away before the club was completed in 1967, but it lives on as an elite hideaway where members and their guests can enjoy a quiet and elegant meal.
Aside from the number 33 that adorns the entrance, there are no other signs or special markings to identify Club 33. It would be easy to not even notice it unless you were looking for it.
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| Club 33 entrance. |
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| Club 33 foyer. |
To step into the Club 33 foyer is to transport yourself to a world far removed from Disneyland's hectic crowds. Victorian and Napoleonic flourishes abound, with sculptures, busts, artwork, vintage furniture and textured wallpaper everywhere. You reach the restaurant itself by climbing the stairs to the second floor or by taking the old fashioned Parisian lift that accommodates two or three passengers at a time. Custom dictates that guests who have never visited Club 33 nor been in the elevator before should be given preference to ride instead of walk.
The lift, by the way, is not wheelchair accessible. Disabled guests requiring assistance must use a freight elevator behind the Pirates of the Caribbean queue to reach the back entrance of the kitchen adjacent to the Disneyland Dream Suite. It's not the most glamorous way to enter Club 33 and reportedly this issue will be corrected with the next major club refurbishment.
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| The lift. |
At the top of the stairs is Lounge Alley, the L-shaped passageway that connects Club 33's two dining rooms. Take some time to explore this area which is full of beautiful antiques and Disney art.
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| Lounge Alley. The cabinet on the right contains Club 33 souvenirs, available for purchase. |
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| A look down Lounge Alley toward the main dining room. |
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| This table was used in the film Mary Poppins. |
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| Costume design sketches from The Happiest Millionaire. |
The harpsichord in Lounge Alley was said to be a favorite of Walt's wife, Lillian. The artwork on its cover depicting 19th century New Orleans was painted by Disney artist Collin Campbell.
Pirates of the Caribbean artwork:
The main dining room, which overlooks Royal Street and the Rivers of America:
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| This sculpture, across from where we were seated, has always been a favorite of mine. |
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| The view from the balcony. "When I'm human, and I'm gonna be...." |
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| Did I mention there were desserts? |
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| Yep, lots of desserts. |
To make our visit even more special, two of my bestest friends dropped by:
At the other end of Lounge Alley is the second dining room dubbed the Trophy Room. Once upon a time, there were plans to have audio-animatronic characters around the room interact with the guests. It never panned out. The room was also once adorned with actual hunting trophies which the Disney family has removed over the years.
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| This silent, motionless vulture is all that remains of a once-planned audio-animatronic experience. |
I've been very fortunate to dine inside Club 33 on more than one occasion. With it's wonderful atmosphere, excellent food and impeccable service, it's always a special event to be treasured.
Related:
Reservations at Club 33? Think Again
Reservations at Club 33? Think Again
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