A Peek Behind the Magic of Disneyland's Secret Club 33

Sure, we can say that we have all been to Disneyland. Since 1955, this Southern California theme park has been a place for many memories and adventures for millions of guests. But, there is a place within the park that few have been able to get into. This place is known as Club 33.

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 mirror backed plate with the number 33 engraved on it. Club 33 is the only location within Disneyland to offer alcoholic beverages and is also the home to one of the most fascinating collections of Disney art work and personal Disney Family items.

There are many stories that have been claimed for the name "Club 33". One says that Club 33 was named for Disneyland's original 33 sponsors at the time that the club was built. Another is that Walt chose the name simply because he liked the way that "33" looked. And the most popular explanation, 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 simply the address assigned to the door by chance (33 Royal Street).

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" made as a novelty for the corporate elite. This gave him the inspiration that culminated in Club 33, originally designed for the use of Disneyland's Corporate sponsors and other industry VIPs such as celebrities and royalty. When the design of New Orlean's Square was planned, this special area for Corporate sponsors and VIPs was included in it. After Walt's death, Club 33 was opened up to individual members also.

Guests enter the ornate lobby (Which has a bust that was used in the film "Mary Poppins" and a painting of the last three people Walt personally hired to work in the park.) and have the option of going to the dining level via an antique wood and glass elevator. (Which as the story goes, was built from scratch by the Imagineers as they had travelled to Germany and were so impressed by an ornate elevator at the hotel they were staying at, that they offered to buy it. When refused, they were allowed to take pictures of the elevator and used those pictures to build the end result.) Once at the dining level, guests can view antique furniture pieces collected by Lillian Disney as well as furnishings used as props in Disney films. There is a fully functional glass telephone booth just off the elevator which was used in The Happiest Millionaire, and an ornate walnut table with white marble top which was used in Mary Poppins. A video capture from the film on display atop the table shows actors Karen Dotrice, Matthew Garber and David Tomlinson standing immediately to its left. A newly-installed bar prepares drinks to order for members and their guests. Concept art from the Haunted Mansion Attraction adorns the walls in this hallway.

A harpsichord which was rumored to have been an antique was in fact custom-built for Lillian Disney specifically for use in Club 33, resides near the bar. The underside of the lid features a Renaissance-style painting that was actually done by Disney artists.

Walt Disney also wanted to make use of his Audio-Animatronic technology within Club 33. Microphones in overhead lighting fixtures would pick up the sounds of normal conversation incase a guest to the club needed anything. Though the system was never fully implemented, it was at least partially installed and remains so to this day. An Audio-Animatronic vulture is perched in one corner of the club's "Trophy Room." The microphones remain in the room's lighting fixtures and are clearly visible at the bottom of each. The animal trophies (Walt inherited them from a friend), for which the room was named, have been removed by Disney family members. Photos of the room with the trophies still installed can be seen on the walls now. There is also a two way mirror where Walt would have been able to check on his guests with antique Donald Duck toys. This room is currently known as the "Disney Room."

The main dining room features concept artwork from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" attraction. The food is exquisitely prepared and incredibly delicious. The menu can range from the New York Strip Steak, to the Lobster Thermidor. The cost of food is essentially the price of a day pass to the park. Should you be lucky enough to experience this, you will find that is well worth the price as you get to go to both parks and eat a good meal.

Disneyland guests participating in the "Walk In Walt's Footsteps" tour are provided entrance to the lobby of Club 33. The tour guide provides a brief history of the club and explains some of the artifacts in the lobby. The tour members are allowed to be photographed in the elevator but are not allowed upstairs. There have been reported rumors that there will likely be an expansion for Club 33 which will take over the gallery that is located over the entrance to "Pirates of the Caribbean."

Club members and one guest are allowed complimentary admission to Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. Unaccompanied Member guests with reservations at Club 33 are allowed admission to Disneyland by picking up passes at Guest Relations but a club member has to call ahead and make the reservations. Club members receive complimentary parking.

Should you ever get a chance to get into this remarkable location in Disneyland, do not pass it up. I can't stress this enough. This is an important part of Disney history that very few get to see but everyone who does get to go, wants to go back. I know I do.