Poll: Club 33 -- are you in?

[RustySpork]

I strongly suspect that the vast majority of Club 33 members are companies who use their membership to reward high ranking employees with a day at the Club. I'm sure there are individual members, as well -- especially Disney execs and those connected with the company.

I had the chance to go to Club 33 at Disneyland twice as the guest of a company with a membership. Besides being far and away the best meal I've had at any Disney park, having a quiet, lovely respite from the park was really nice. It wasn't $25k nice. But if I was a multi-millionaire who lived at Golden Oak and had plenty of cash to burn? Of course I'd want to be a WDW Club 33 member.

Yep. You'd be an outcast if you weren't.

 

[21stamps]

I wasn't trying to bring up an old argument, I was just pointing out that you are talking out both sides of your mouth.

Lol. If you read, you'll see that I'm not. My opinions on the subject of spending have always been the same. But hey, what do I know.. I need to scrape together some change so I can go buy some noodles in a bag. Because ya know.. women can't possibly earn enough money to support their family.

I stand by my original comment.. I think this club will not be overwhelming huge. I think it will be great for the people who do it. And I think those people are a minority of Disney vacationers.

 

[Laketravis]

Yep. You'd be an outcast if you weren't.

Peer pressure. Sometimes it's never outgrown.

 

[Laketravis]

Back on topic, I'd have to say I'll let others partake and live vicariously thru their accounts of it.

I tried the country club scene years ago and determined I'm not a Bushwood kind of guy

 

[JIMINYCR]

Correct.
I'll retract that "no one" and replace it with "99.99% of people on this site."

The prices listed are similar to a person's local club, or a good majority of them anyway. To add something like this now you're talking an even higher wealth level. Sure, there are people who don't care about their local clubs, and there are people who can afford, and want to do both. Those are the small percent.

... Reading the furor that ensues when Disney bumps up the price of tickets a bit or offers tours and programs that are looked at as affordable only to the more affluent guests..imagine a WDW club that excludes soooo many of us. Cant wait for the torches and pitch forks to come out .... "WE"RE BEING EXCLUDED. WALT BUILT WDW FOR THE AVERAGE FAMILY... ONLY THE RICH CAN GO THERE!!! "

 

[DznyGrlSD]

NOPE.

 

[contrariwise]

... Reading the furor that ensues when Disney bumps up the price of tickets a bit or offers tours and programs that are looked at as affordable only to the more affluent guests..imagine a WDW club that excludes soooo many of us. Cant wait for the torches and pitch forks to come out .... "WE"RE BEING EXCLUDED. WALT BUILT WDW FOR THE AVERAGE FAMILY... ONLY THE RICH CAN GO THERE!!! "

To me, this would be akin to an "add on" that impacts no one.

 

[21stamps]

... Reading the furor that ensues when Disney bumps up the price of tickets a bit or offers tours and programs that are looked at as affordable only to the more affluent guests..imagine a WDW club that excludes soooo many of us. Cant wait for the torches and pitch forks to come out .... "WE"RE BEING EXCLUDED. WALT BUILT WDW FOR THE AVERAGE FAMILY... ONLY THE RICH CAN GO THERE!!! "

Right!
Dessert Parties- Bad.
Tours- Bad.
Holiday Parties- Bad.
Extra Hours Events- Bad.
Exclusive Club- Good.

I'm so confused. Lol

 

[Phonedave]

Something like Club 33 in WDW - nope, not when I live in NJ.

I have looked at some country clubs / lake clubs around here. Granted they are cheaper than the Club 33 prices that the OP posted, but they would be right in line with my DVC membership ("buy in" and dues) but honestly, I just don't have the time to take advantage of it, to make it worth the price.

If I could spend every weekend at the club, and some weeknights for dinner or events, then maybe it would be worth it. But between my work schedule, my wifes work schedule, the kids schedules, and the other activites we do that we would not want to give up, I would end up going to a club about twice a month, not worth it. We tend to do things together. I really have no desire for my wife to go somewhere while I go to the country club. It may be odd, but I actually like spending time with my wife and kids.

-dave

 

[contrariwise]

Right!
Dessert Parties- Bad.
Tours- Bad.
Holiday Parties- Bad.
Extra Hours Events- Bad.
Exclusive Club- Good.

I'm so confused. Lol

Some of those upsells impact other guests negatively. Those are the ones that bug me. Some more than others. I don't see how Club 33 or whatever would impact other guests, but maybe I'm being short-sighted. I don't give a flip whether they implement a Club 33 type thing at WDW because it would have zero impact on me. Do it. Don't do it. Don't care.

 

[JIMINYCR]

To me, this would be akin to an "add on" that impacts no one.

It is an add on and doesn't impact a guests trip BUUUT it does continue the perception to many that Disney is offering another thing that is outside of the average little guys ability to afford, and therefore to enjoy their trip to the level that others can.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

Nope.

 

[RustySpork]

Some of those upsells impact other guests negatively. Those are the ones that bug me. Some more than others. I don't see how Club 33 or whatever would impact other guests, but maybe I'm being short-sighted. I don't give a flip whether they implement a Club 33 type thing at WDW because it would have zero impact on me. Do it. Don't do it. Don't care.

The up sells do impact other guests negatively, but a club within WDW doesn't. It's a non-issue.

 

[Beacon Joe]

It's certainly intriguing, but as a diehard Boglehead, it doesn't make much sense.

I doubt the earlier assertion that the majority of Club 33 memberships are corporate-owned. There's a larger market than one may realize for something like this. I don't know what country club prices are like in southern California or Orlando, but I expect that they are similar to where I live. For comparison, our local country club (the elite one, not the nouveau-riche one, or {{gasp}} the rednecky one) features a ~ $33K initiation fee (slightly less for lower tiers such as young executives or non-residentials), and annual dues are over $10K. Even if one can get in the door, so to speak, there is a waiting list for membership that won't disappear in my lifetime.

I don't belong there (in more ways than one), but am friends with several members and socialize there as a guest from time to time. The expense is well worth it for them, due to the value of making and nurturing business contacts, and networking. The wonderful gym and dinners are just side perks in reality.

I suspect that Club 33, in CA or in FL, will serve the same purpose, and is more of a draw for those who live locally.

 

[beertiki]

In my previous life, I did tile work for some very rich people. Most people have no clue just how much money the very rich have and how many of them there are. I remember early on looking for a box of tile and opening a crate that was about the right size, no tile, just a neet looking shower faucet and an invoice for $10,000. I could not believe it, then it was pointed out that this night club owner made $10,000 a night just on the cover charge at the door. Worked on a $12,000,000 house being built in Maryland just so the owner could come up for one week to fish the big white marlin tournament.

$25k and $10k a year for a hobby? That covers most boaters. Lots of people have money to blow.

 

[Laketravis]

The up sells do impact other guests negatively, but a club within WDW doesn't. It's a non-issue.

Right. For an accurate comparison (aside from cost) this would be on a list that includes resort Club Level.

 

[Laketravis]

It's certainly intriguing, but as a diehard Boglehead.........

Always gotta wave hi to a fellow Boglehead

 

[Beacon Joe]

Always gotta wave hi to a fellow Boglehead

Howdy! Are you on the forum? There are a few other Disney types there.

 

[Laketravis]

Howdy! Are you on the forum? There are a few other Disney types there.

I am, as well as another lesser known one (FIRE). Lots of great people and solid wisdom on both.

 

[RustySpork]

In my previous life, I did tile work for some very rich people. Most people have no clue just how much money the very rich have and how many of them there are. I remember early on looking for a box of tile and opening a crate that was about the right size, no tile, just a neet looking shower faucet and an invoice for $10,000. I could not believe it, then it was pointed out that this night club owner made $10,000 a night just on the cover charge at the door. Worked on a $12,000,000 house being built in Maryland just so the owner could come up for one week to fish the big white marlin tournament.

$25k and $10k a year for a hobby? That covers most boaters. Lots of people have money to blow.

Yep, it covers boaters, anyone who goes to the track on the weekends, people who fly model planes, and many other hobbies. Hobbies are expensive.