Club 33, Disneyland (Anaheim, CA)

Disneyland
Attn: Club 33
1313 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 90803
714.781.4033
www.disneylandclub33.com (unofficial)
Sun 10/08/2006, 11:10a-1:00p



I had the rare opportunity to dine at Club 33 after I participated with the Boeing team in the CHOC Walk at Disneyland. Boeing has a corporate membership to the Club and we were able to secure a few spots for lunch.

Club 33 was built by Walt in order to have a place within Disneyland where he could entertain visiting dignitaries. The Club was completed in May 1967; however Walt was never able to see the fruits of his vision, and he had passed away five months earlier. Today, Club 33 operates as an exclusive private club with a very limited membership (several hundred persons). Membership is available to both individuals and corporations, at a cost of several thousand dollars a year. Even so, there is still a multi-year waiting list to become a member.


Here is the entrance to the Club, which is located right next to the Blue Bayou restaurant at 33 Royal Street in New Orleans Square.


I went up the French lift, which is a copy of an original lift that Walt saw in New Orleans. He tried to buy it, but when the owners wouldn't sell, he made his own replica for the Club. The second photo is where the lift takes you on the second floor.


The hallway connecting the Trophy Room (where we were seated) with the Main Dining Room. On the left part of the picture, you can see a case of Club 33 memorabilia for sale. I ended up purchasing a shot glass for $18. Pricey I know, but it is the heaviest shot glass I've ever held.


Our table in the Trophy Room. The Trophy Room was named such since it originally had various animal busts and other hunter's prizes mounted on the walls.


Our tuxedoed waiter taking orders for our entrées. I had the Pan Seared Petit Châtaeubriand, medium-rare of course.


The Club 33 bar. Since it was Sunday, there was complementary champagne with lunch.


The appetizer buffet line, replete with custom-made fine china.


The first station consisted of various salads; this was followed by cured meats with olives, grilled veggies, and what I believe is pâté.


Then we had a choice of various cheeses, fresh fruit, and smoked salmon with capers, onions, and crème fraîche. Finally there were crab claws, cocktail shrimp, and lobster tails on ice.


Chocolate-raspberry cake, cheesecake, brownies, fresh berries, and various glasses filled with mousse.


Made a pitshop before chowing down.


What my plate ended up looking like. My favorite items were the salmon and the shrimp.


Cheers!






Various Disney characters are known to make guest appearances at the Club. One of my dining companions made the unfortunate mistake of calling Pluto Goofy; Pluto was not pleased.


The Contessa Shrimp Scampi and my Pan Seared Petit Châteaubriand. The filet was cooked closer to medium than medium-rare, but was excellent nonetheless. I found the steak to the tender, juicy, and very flavorful; it was a favorite among many members of my party.


My dessert. Of the three cups, I enjoyed the middle on the most; it was a chocolate-raspberry mousse. The one on the left had a very strong lemon flavor, which put me off a bit. The one on the right was very fruity. I also had the chocolate-raspberry cake, the cheesecake, the brownie, and the macaroon.

I definitely enjoyed my time at Club 33. Although the food was quite good, it's the atmosphere that really sets the place apart. There is something nice about being able to dine at a place that very few people will ever get to experience. And that's really what it comes down to: the experience; it's the rare combination of food, exclusivity, and Disney charm that makes Club 33 a winner. I'm definitely looking forward to coming back next year.