News Club 33 coming to Walt Disney World this Fall

[Josh Hendy]

This looks awesome. I'm impressed. The other lounges look a bit stuffy to me but I like the atmosphere is this one!

 

[TP2000]

This looks awesome. I'm impressed. The other lounges look a bit stuffy to me but I like the atmosphere is this one!

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It's funny, when this lounge opened a few years ago it was the most controversial part of the expansion for members, because it was notably more casual than the dining room and entrance area. But it seems to have become a beloved part of the Club 33 experience now. Here's an overview of the space, with the expansion colored in blue that is the new entrance lobby and cocktail lounge, compared to the original 1967 footprint of the club and its dining room.

What's interesting is that at WDW they seem to have just cut out the dining concept entirely and have based the Club 33 experience solely on a casual cocktail lounge environment and a limited bar menu.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It's funny, when this lounge opened a few years ago it was the most controversial part of the expansion for members, because it was notably more casual than the dining room and entrance area. But it seems to have become a beloved part of the Club 33 experience now. Here's an overview of the space, with the expansion colored in blue that is the new entrance lobby and cocktail lounge, compared to the original 1967 footprint of the club and its dining room.

What's interesting is that at WDW they seem to have just cut out the dining concept entirely and have based the Club 33 experience solely on a casual cocktail lounge environment and a limited bar menu.

It’s not a mystery at all...

Wdw customers are notorious (to Disney...I mean) for being a different makeup than their California customers and requiring different things

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

When I think about it... isn’t Victoria & Alberts the actual club 33 of WDW?

 

[TP2000]

When I think about it... isn’t Victoria & Alberts the actual club 33 of WDW?

Perhaps, but since there are analogies to that Grand Floridian hotel dining experience at Disneyland, most notably Napa Rose at the Grand Californian, I don't think it's the right way to think about Club 33.

I could make an argument that the Disneyland equivalent of Victoria & Albert's is the 21 Royal dining experience at Disneyland, where for an exorbitant cost you get a custom designed fine dining evening that lasts hours and hours for you and up to a dozen friends in Walt Disney's old family apartment complex in New Orleans Square.

But no affiliation with Club 33 is required for a private dinner at 21 Royal, and you merely have to pick up the phone and call them with a date in mind and a hefty charging limit available on your Amex.

Home - 21 Royal - 21 Royal Disney

Experience 21 Royal, an exclusive dining experience in a private residence at the heart of Disneyland Park for parties up to 12 guests

www.21royaldisneyland.com

That said, I haven't been to V&A's in almost 20 years and I don't remember details but I remember it being wonderful, so perhaps I'm off base. But I would think the WDW analogy for V&A's at Disneyland Resort is 21 Royal.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Unlike DL, WDW has multiple high end dining options (V&A and Takumi-Tei come to mind at the highest end); a full club restaurant would be less of a draw in WDW.

 

[A Noble Fish]

Unlike DL, WDW has multiple high end dining options (V&A and Takumi-Tei come to mind at the highest end); a full club restaurant would be less of a draw in WDW.

Walt Disney World is a different beast, so it's nice seeing them being treated separately.

WDW is exceptional when taking all the resort's offerings into account, but the quick service is relatively weak, almost accepting it caters to one time guests; though Orlando is improving with each new addition. Comparatively, minus the touristy ones, fine dining at the resorts is stellar, and many of the park ones are great too. With a larger clientele of tourists, a restaurant could make sense at some point, but upscale lounges make the most sense for now.

 

[Benjamin_Nicholas]

It doesn't bother me that 33 WDW are just lounge spaces (at this point). We are hearing rumors from our 33 guest services people that it will change in the next year. The existing designs for the WDW 33s are beautiful, especially Epcot.

If I want a meal in a quiet, refined space, I can go to Markham's.

I don't really want to have to fight my way through the park to sit for a meal anyway.

 

[TP2000]

It doesn't bother me that 33 WDW are just lounge spaces (at this point). We are hearing rumors from our 33 guest services people that it will change in the next year. The existing designs for the WDW 33s are beautiful, especially Epcot.

If I want a meal in a quiet, refined space, I can go to Markham's.

I don't really want to have to fight my way through the park to sit for a meal anyway.

And yet something tells me that once an actual dining room shows up in WDW, maybe several years from now or maybe a decade from now, we'll be bombarded with breathless reports and Instagramable Moments sent from the dining room.

One of the things I find the most interesting is the complete lack of reciprocity between the WDW Club 33 and the Disneyland Club 33. Even the Tokyo Club 33 will extend courtesies to California members, and vice versa. But the WDW Club 33 members are persona non grata when they go to California, and the same applies to Disneyland Club 33 members if they happen to go to Florida.

That's so interesting! And it's run by the same exact company.

 

[Benjamin_Nicholas]

And yet something tells me that once an actual dining room shows up in WDW, maybe several years from now or maybe a decade from now, we'll be bombarded with breathless reports and Instagramable Moments sent from the dining room.

One of the things I find the most interesting is the complete lack of reciprocity between the WDW Club 33 and the Disneyland Club 33. Even the Tokyo Club 33 will extend courtesies to California members, and vice versa. But the WDW Club 33 members are persona non grata when they go to California, and the same applies to Disneyland Club 33 members if they happen to go to Florida.

That's so interesting! And it's run by the same exact company.

Reports, sure, but I think that Disney will continue to keep a tight lid on those guests photo-documenting every moment of their time at 33.

I agree that the lack of 'one' membership is odd, but it is what it is. Disney's game, Disney's rules. Even with membership at 33WDW and buying into GO, I still had to find a West coast member to sponsor me into the DL33 machine. The financials and interview process was nearly identical.

 

[CPS17]

One of the things I find the most interesting is the complete lack of reciprocity between the WDW Club 33 and the Disneyland Club 33. Even the Tokyo Club 33 will extend courtesies to California members, and vice versa. But the WDW Club 33 members are persona non grata when they go to California, and the same applies to Disneyland Club 33 members if they happen to go to Florida.

That's so interesting! And it's run by the same exact company.

Not really - there's plenty of networking between the two clubs and members of each host others on both coasts. Absolutely zero need for an official link between clubs. No different than how there's no official reciprocity between the world's best golf courses. Members have member friends elsewhere.

 

[CPS17]

I find it really interesting how the people with the least experience have the most immovable impressions on what WDW33 is all about. The financial commitment is real, but has absolutely changed the way my family vacations at WDW. Instead of 1 visit a year that is fully planned 60-180 days out on a rigorous schedule, we fly to Orlando on a moment's notice, get to do virtually everything without worrying about lines/crowd levels and can share our experience with friends and family, giving them something they couldn't do on their own. We can Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Splash, BTMR...everything in between....Space Mountain in the order as originally intended by 11am. You think it's all about the social flex of sitting in a dark lounge, but it's really about taking my parents to WDW after their own dozens of visits over the last 40 years and having them tell me they've never had a better time, by a mile. Or taking my son and his friends/family and giving them the opportunity to enjoy the parks the way we do. Not once in my tenure as a member have I given a crap about complete strangers knowing I'm a member - but if that's what you think we care about, have fun. Just clearing it up for the casual observers.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I find it really interesting how the people with the least experience have the most immovable impressions on what WDW33 is all about. The financial commitment is real, but has absolutely changed the way my family vacations at WDW. Instead of 1 visit a year that is fully planned 60-180 days out on a rigorous schedule, we fly to Orlando on a moment's notice, get to do virtually everything without worrying about lines/crowd levels and can share our experience with friends and family, giving them something they couldn't do on their own. We can Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Splash, BTMR...everything in between....Space Mountain in the order as originally intended by 11am. You think it's all about the social flex of sitting in a dark lounge, but it's really about taking my parents to WDW after their own dozens of visits over the last 40 years and having them tell me they've never had a better time, by a mile. Or taking my son and his friends/family and giving them the opportunity to enjoy the parks the way we do. Not once in my tenure as a member have I given a crap about complete strangers knowing I'm a member - but if that's what you think we care about, have fun. Just clearing it up for the casual observers.

Isn’t this always how it is with some people about anything in forums?

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I find it really interesting how the people with the least experience have the most immovable impressions on what WDW33 is all about. The financial commitment is real, but has absolutely changed the way my family vacations at WDW. Instead of 1 visit a year that is fully planned 60-180 days out on a rigorous schedule, we fly to Orlando on a moment's notice, get to do virtually everything without worrying about lines/crowd levels and can share our experience with friends and family, giving them something they couldn't do on their own. We can Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Splash, BTMR...everything in between....Space Mountain in the order as originally intended by 11am. You think it's all about the social flex of sitting in a dark lounge, but it's really about taking my parents to WDW after their own dozens of visits over the last 40 years and having them tell me they've never had a better time, by a mile. Or taking my son and his friends/family and giving them the opportunity to enjoy the parks the way we do. Not once in my tenure as a member have I given a crap about complete strangers knowing I'm a member - but if that's what you think we care about, have fun. Just clearing it up for the casual observers.

I mean I’m just as critical of the cupcake parties that I’m never going to spend the money on. Actually I can see the value of club 33 more than the cupcake parties.

The Florida version of club 33 is just odd to me. I do wonder what the full motivation was for building it.

I’m guessing club 33 is it’s own division in the company? Or do the individual resorts control it?

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I appreciate the validation

Lol. I actually meant to add this and why I originally quoted you...

Do you see the value in having “free tickets” as a way to be able to host family / friends? Cause I can see that. Even though financially it’s the same thing, me saying “come with me I’ll buy your ticket” is way different than saying “come with me, my membership will get you in.”

 

[MagicHappens1971]

I mean I’m just as critical of the cupcake parties that I’m never going to spend the money on. Actually I can see the value of club 33 more than the cupcake parties.

The Florida version of club 33 is just odd to me. I do wonder what the full motivation was for building it.

I’m guessing club 33 is it’s own division in the company? Or do the individual resorts control it?

I would believe it’s under the umbrella of Parks & Resorts but that’s now Disney consumer products experiences whatever nonsense

 

[TP2000]

I agree that the lack of 'one' membership is odd, but it is what it is. Disney's game, Disney's rules. Even with membership at 33WDW and buying into GO, I still had to find a West coast member to sponsor me into the DL33 machine. The financials and interview process was nearly identical.

That's really interesting to me, thanks for confirming. When a Disneyland member told me there was no reciprocity benefits between the coasts in the contract, and then showed me his Club 33 contract book to prove it, I was floored. The two coasts are entirely separate and have no ability to offer benefits, or even a courtesy, between the two resorts.

Again, that's just so weird. I have family down in San Diego that have been members of the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club for several generations now, and just like any good club there is reciprocity between country, yacht and beach clubs around the world for them; we've had a nice weekend at the fabulous Coral Club up at the Santa Barbara Four Seasons thanks to that reciprocity, and even had dinner once at the Hurlingham Club in London thanks to that reciprocity built into the contract 6,000 miles away in La Jolla.

A good reciprocal program benefits the members when they travel, and can bring a fun and cosmopolitan new vibe into the home club as well when those members from around the world visit the home club.

The only thing I can think is that this is a money grab by Disney. They want to force those truly interested in a Club 33 membership on both coasts to go through the financial process of joining each club separately. I can think of no other reason, but if there's someone with a different theory out there please weigh in!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

The only thing I can think is that this is a money grab by Disney.

Isn't this the forums' answer to everything? Why look any further?

 

[TP2000]

I find it really interesting how the people with the least experience have the most immovable impressions on what WDW33 is all about. The financial commitment is real, but has absolutely changed the way my family vacations at WDW. Instead of 1 visit a year that is fully planned 60-180 days out on a rigorous schedule, we fly to Orlando on a moment's notice, get to do virtually everything without worrying about lines/crowd levels and can share our experience with friends and family, giving them something they couldn't do on their own. We can Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Splash, BTMR...everything in between....Space Mountain in the order as originally intended by 11am. You think it's all about the social flex of sitting in a dark lounge, but it's really about taking my parents to WDW after their own dozens of visits over the last 40 years and having them tell me they've never had a better time, by a mile. Or taking my son and his friends/family and giving them the opportunity to enjoy the parks the way we do.

It sounds like the whole WDW Club 33 concept really pencils out for you and is worth it, which is great!

Just like a vacation timeshare or the purchase of a leisure boat, it has to pencil out for you or else it's a giant money pit.

I guess what I find interesting is that the Club 33 experience at WDW is mostly made up of a few key elements that could be purchased off-the-shelf by anyone; Premiere AP, VIP Tours, valet parking, and an assortment of included extras like rain ponchos and ice cream bars.

The two things that are not available for purchase by anyone else are; the stack of Fastpasses handed out when you enter a park for the day, and access to the cocktail lounge spaces in each park. Although the Fastpasses become unnecessary if one is on a VIP Tour, it's a nice perk to have so you can save your five VIP Tour allotments for special visits instead of more casual ones.

So in reality, it's access to the Club 33 cocktail lounges that are the sole benefit of membership that no one else can just purchase off-the-shelf. But again, if it all pencils out for you and you've found value in the totality of those services grouped under the WDW Club 33 umbrella, then it's a great thing for you and your family!

 

[TP2000]

Isn't this the forums' answer to everything? Why look any further?

Well, true, it's an easy excuse for Disney fans to throw out there.

But can you think of a reason why they would not have reciprocity between the two clubs?