You’re walking through New Orleans Square in Disneyland, dodging strollers and hunting for a decent churro, when you pass a nondescript door marked with the number 33. It’s elegant. It’s quiet. Behind that door is a world of five-course meals, Napa Valley wines, and a level of hush-hush exclusivity that feels entirely out of place in a theme park. So, how do you get into Club 33 when you aren't a Fortune 500 CEO or a Hollywood A-lister?
Honestly? It's hard.
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It is famously the most exclusive address in the Disney universe. Walt Disney originally envisioned it as a place to entertain corporate sponsors and dignitaries—think leaders of industry who were helping fund the 1964 World's Fair exhibits. Today, it’s a private membership club with a waitlist that spans years, if not decades. Getting through that door requires more than just a fat wallet; it requires patience, a specific social network, or a massive stroke of luck.
The Reality of the Waitlist
Let’s talk numbers because they are staggering. Estimates for the initiation fee usually hover between $25,000 and $50,000, depending on whether you're looking at an individual or corporate membership. That’s just the "hello" fee. After that, you're on the hook for annual dues that reportedly range from $12,000 to $25,000.
The waitlist is legendary. Some people have been sitting on it for over fourteen years. At certain points, Disney has even closed the waitlist entirely because the backlog became unmanageable. If you want to join, you send a written letter of inquiry to Club 33 Member Services. You don't just "sign up" on a website. You wait for them to contact you, which might never happen.
How Do You Get Into Club 33 as a Guest?
If you don't have $50,000 lying around, your best bet—really your only realistic bet—is knowing a member. This is the "Golden Ticket" method. Members are allowed to make reservations for their friends and family, even if the member isn't present.
But there’s a catch.
Members get a limited number of guest passes, and they are fiercely protective of their memberships. If a guest behaves poorly, gets rowdy after a few too many cocktails at the Salon Nouveau, or tries to "flip" their reservation for money, the member can lose their status. Permanent ban. No appeals. Because of this, members rarely extend invitations to people they don't know personally and trust implicitly.
When you are a guest, you don't just stroll in. You press a buzzer at the door. A cast member checks your name against the manifest. If you're on the list, you're ushered into the Court of Angels or the lobby. It feels like you’ve stepped out of a theme park and into a high-end boutique hotel in Paris.
The Dress Code Matters
You can’t show up in your sweaty "I’m with Stinky" t-shirt and flip-flops. Club 33 enforces a strict dress code, especially for dinner.
For the evening service, men are generally expected to wear a collared shirt and slacks—jackets are preferred. Women usually opt for dresses or dressy separates. During lunch, things are slightly more relaxed, and "park casual" (nice jeans and a clean shirt) is sometimes permitted, but you’ll still feel out of place if you look like you just came off Splash Mountain. If you violate the dress code, they will politely but firmly turn you away at the door. Imagine the heartbreak of finally getting a reservation and being rejected because of your footwear.
What’s Actually Inside?
Is it worth the hassle? That’s subjective, but for Disney fanatics, it's the holy grail. The club underwent a massive renovation a few years ago, expanding into the space formerly occupied by the Blue Bayou's kitchen and some upper-level storage.
The Main Dining Room is called Le Grand Salon. It’s opulent. Crystal chandeliers. Heavy linens. The food is legitimate fine dining—think Wagyu beef, sustainable seafood, and seasonal produce that tastes like it was picked an hour ago.
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Then there’s the Salon Nouveau. This is the lounge area. It’s themed with dark wood and nods to Fantasia. It’s a bit more "relaxed" than the dining room, but it still maintains that air of quiet wealth. One of the biggest perks? It’s one of the few places in Disneyland Park where you can actually order a drink. While Oga’s Cantina and the Blue Bayou now serve alcohol, Club 33 was the pioneer of the "boozy Disney" experience.
The Perks Beyond the Food
Membership isn't just about a fancy dinner. It comes with a suite of "Disney Elite" benefits that make a regular trip to the park look like a chore.
- Premier Passports: Members usually receive annual passes that cover both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
- VIP Tours: A certain number of guided VIP tours are often included, letting members skip lines via the "plaid" guides.
- Private Events: Access to 1901 (the lounge in California Adventure) and exclusive merch that you can't buy anywhere else.
- Early Access: Occasionally, members get a first look at new attractions before the general public.
Common Misconceptions About Entry
One of the biggest myths is that you can "buy" your way in through a third-party service. You might see people on forums or auction sites claiming they can sell you a reservation. Do not do this. Disney’s security and membership teams monitor these sites. If they catch a member selling a spot, that member is gone. If you show up with a "purchased" reservation, you will be denied entry and likely flagged. It’s a scam that preys on the desperate.
Another misconception is that staying at a high-end Disney hotel like the Grand Californian gets you access. It doesn't. Even the most expensive suite in the park won't get you past that door. The hotel concierge might be able to work wonders with dining reservations at Carthay Circle or Napa Rose, but Club 33 is a completely separate entity.
The Strategy for the Rest of Us
So, if you aren't a member and you don't know one, how do you get into Club 33? You network.
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It sounds corporate and cold, but it’s the truth. Many members are high-ranking executives at companies that sponsor Disney attractions. If you work for a major corporation, check your internal "perks" or "concierge" portal. Sometimes, corporate memberships are managed by the HR or marketing departments of companies like Coca-Cola or Siemens.
Alternatively, engage with the Disney fan community. Genuine friendships often lead to invitations. Don't be "that guy" who only hangs out with people to get a favor, though. People see through that instantly.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re serious about seeing the inside of the club, here is your roadmap:
- Audit Your Network: Check LinkedIn. Do you know anyone who works at Disney in a corporate capacity? Do you know anyone at a major sponsor company? You’d be surprised who has a connection.
- Write the Letter: If you have the financial means, send a formal letter of inquiry to: Club 33 Member Services, 1313 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92802. Be professional. State your reasons for wanting to join. Don't expect an answer for years.
- Visit 21 Royal: If you can't get into Club 33 but have a group of 12 and about $15,000, you can book 21 Royal. It’s another private dining experience in New Orleans Square, originally intended as a private residence for Walt and Lillian. It’s arguably more exclusive than Club 33 because it's a one-party-per-night deal.
- Follow the Rules: If you do get an invite, treat it like a state dinner. Keep your phone in your pocket. Don't take photos of other guests (many are celebrities). Be the kind of guest a member would want to invite back.
The mystique of the club is its greatest product. Once you're inside, you realize it's just a very nice restaurant with incredible history. But in a place as chaotic as a theme park, that "very nice, quiet space" is the ultimate luxury.