|
|
|
() THE WINNER IS
Mark Todd
508 E. Keigan St.
Dawson Springs, KY 42408
ILL GET A CHIP RIGHT OUT
Club 33 is a private club located in the heart of the New Orleans Square section of Disneyland. Officially maintained as a secret feature of the theme park, the entrance of the club is located next to the Blue Bayou Restaurant at "33 Royal Street" with the entrance recognizable by an ornate address plate with the number 33 engraved on it. When riding Pirates of the Caribbean, just as the ride departs, the Blue Bayou restaurant is visible, but the balconies above it are actually a part of Club 33.
Membership
Club 33 members enjoy access to the club's exclusive restaurant and full bar. It is the only location within Disneyland to offer alcoholic beverages, though Disneyland has a park-wide liquor license and has set up bars throughout the park for private events. Club 33's wine list includes vintages priced at $200.
Club 33 members are privileged with access to the park 365 days a year. Club 33 offers individual and corporate memberships. As of February 2008 the current membership levels are Corporate Membership, Limited Corporate Membership and Gold Membership. The Silver Membership is not currently being offered. As of June 2007, the membership waiting list was 14 years, and membership closed as of April/May 2007.
Those interested in membership must send a written letter of inquiry to Disney and will receive a confirmation letter and information packet. As memberships open, potential members are informed via a letter of intent from Disney.
Initial fees and annual dues vary by membership. The Corporate and Limited Corporate Memberships allow for transfer of members.
The Corporate Membership fee is $27,500 plus $6,100 in annual fees. Up to nine associate members can be designated at an annual fee of $4,650 each. Members no longer in the employment of the corporate member's company must surrender the membership cards to Club 33. The corporate member may then designate another member of the company.
The Limited Corporate Membership fee is $13,750 with only one member at an annual fee of $4,650. This entitles the corporation to transfer the membership to another employee whenever necessary.
The Gold Membership is for an individual with a member fee of $10,450 and an annual fee of $3,275. Additional use of a membership card is by spouse only, with reservations accepted only from the cardholder, the spouse or the cardholder's assistant. The Gold Membership is not transferable.
Members at any level are allowed to make personal reservations 90 days in advance and guest reservations 60 days in advance. Private parties utilizing the entire Club facilities for special occasions such as birthdays, holiday parties, business functions, and such are available upon member's request with a required minimum number of guests. Members may request any of Disney's costumed characters to appear at the club, as Disney believes "special events [are] always more fun with Mickey or Donald."
Club members and up to nine guests are allowed complimentary admission to Disneyland. The member and one guest (or spouse) receive complimentary admission at any time whether or not they eat at the Club. If the member is unable to accompany the guests to Club 33, the Club will arrange admission for them at no charge. The price of lunch at the Club hovers around the cost of admission. Club members receive complimentary parking.
History
There are various origins that have been claimed for the name "Club 33." One says that Club 33 was named for Disneyland's 33 sponsors at the time, one of which was Chevron. Another explanation is that Walt Disney chose the name simply because he liked the way "33" looked. Another, given by a Club 33 employee, says that since Walt wanted to serve liquor in the Club he had to obtain a liquor license — which requires a full street address. Walt, wanting to protect Disneyland's alcohol-free status, didn't want to use the park's Harbor Boulevard address, so he ordered that all the buildings in New Orleans Square (then under construction) be given addresses. According to the employee, "33" was chosen because Walt's lucky number was 3. One explanation, arguably the most common, is that "33" when turned on its side bears similarity to two letter "M"s, as would stand for "Mickey Mouse." In actuality, it was the address assigned to the door by chance — all of the buildings in the square have addresses, but they are internally-designated numbers. According to Snopes.com, the address listed on Disney's liquor license is their general-delivery location.
When Walt Disney was working with various corporate promoters for his attractions at the 1964–1965 New York World's Fair, he noted to himself of the various "VIP Lounges" provided as an accommodation for the corporate elite. This gave him the idea that culminated in Club 33. When New Orleans Square was planned, this special area for corporate sponsors and VIPs was included. Disney hired Hollywood set director Emil Kuri to design the facility. Club 33 opened in May 1967, five months after Disney's death.
Club 33 was originally intended for use by Disneyland's Corporate sponsors and other industry VIPs. After Disney's death, Club 33 was opened to individual members also.
|
|
