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| By Lindsey Allmon |
Tucked away in New Orleans Square in Disneyland is a simple door. It
blends in well, barely noticeable, except for the large plaque brandishing the
number 33 marking its address, 33 Royal Street. Yet behind that simple door
lies the most exclusive club in America, housing priceless Disney artifacts and
an experience that does have a price…and it is hefty. Continue after the page
break for a look inside the elite Club 33...
The idea for Club 33 came from the VIP lounges Walt Disney admired at
the New York World’s Fair in the mid-sixties. He loved the idea of having a
place that he could take the corporate elite, thus, the seed for Club 33 was
born. Club 33’s name officially hails
from the address already assigned to the space when the park was built, 33
Royal Street, however it is rumored that the name
actually pays homage to the 33 corporate sponsors that were supporting
Disneyland when the club was being built. The club opened in May 1967, just
five months after Disney died, and though initially only planned to be host to
corporate sponsors and Hollywood and animation VIP’s, Club 33 began offering
individual memberships as well. Think you want in? Well I hope you have deep
pockets. An individual membership will run you $11,000 per year, and that’s in
addition to the $27,000 initiation fee. Don’t have that kind of cash? Don’t
worry, the waiting list is so long it takes 14 years to get a membership, and
even then Average Joes will often be passed up for more famous clientele. And
even after you make it in you still need to book reservations sometimes years
in advance before you are able to get a table.
Once upstairs you are immersed in pure Disney history. Amidst the decadent atmosphere lies a full
bar and props and furniture from Disney films and his own life, including
Victorian pieces handpicked by Walt himself. The above picture shows a piano in
the background that is one of these such artifacts. It’s said that this piano
was specially made for Lillian Disney to play, and since the club's opening, it
has also been played by Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney. The club also
features the dining room table from Mary
Poppins and a telephone booth used in The
Happiest Millionaire, along with original cels from Fantasia.
The club is separated into two main rooms, the trophy room and the main
dining room, both pictured below.
The club doesn’t end there though. It also has a balcony overlooking
the square, reminiscent of the balconies overlooking Bourbon Street in New
Orleans. It allows patrons to catch many of the shows that take place in the
square and offers them a one of a kind view of Disneyland.
Club 33 is Disney’s own personal handiwork and yet few have ever or
will ever see it. It is a piece of Disney history that is frozen in time and
while I will likely never get to see the inside in person, I will always marvel
at the history that lurks behind the inconspicuous door at 33 Royal Street.
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| A painting a Walt that hangs inside Club 33 |
Below are some beautiful photos of Walt taken inside Club 33:
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