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Disneyland's Secret Restaurant
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Ever since I was a kid I've heard stories about a secret, legendary restaurant hidden on the grounds of the Anaheim Disneyland to which only a few select people are allowed entrance.
In fact, the restaurant is so secretive that I've always assumed it just might be urban legend. Well, according to an LA Times article by Kimi Yoshino, it exists and it is indeed a nearly impossible place to find and get into.
Located in the New Orleans section of Disneyland behind an unmarked door, the club has just 487 members and a nine-year wait to get on the list -- if you're lucky. And then, one must pay $9,500 to become a member and annual fees of $3,175 after that. This does not cover the cost of the meal, but reservations at the restaurant (good luck finding a phone number) allow free access to the park.
Apparently the restaurant is five-star and, if I remember the legend correctly, is the only place in Disneyland that serves alcohol. It is also frequented by actors, presidents, and other celebrities, according to DisneylandClub33.com, a fan site created by Dale Mattson, one of the many hopefuls sitting somewhere on the ominous wait list.
His site has a detailed selection of photos of the restaurant which, after an entire life of wondering about this place, has now demystified it for me. It's very strange, but now that I can actually see what it looks like, the mystery and allure is gone. Damn!
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(photo above from DisneylandClub33)
Filed under: Food and Drink
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Darlene Wallace Feb 7th 2008 9:45AM
Club 33 has been at Disneyland for many years. It was originally used by Walt Disney himself because he wanted a place where he could serve gourmet meals and alcohol to visiting dignitaries, and I suppose, his friends and family. I've been there many times and everytime it was so much fun slipping through the Blue Bayou line, ringing the doorbell to the restaurant, and watching people's faces as you disappear behind the door. The harpischord upstairs always fascinated me. The food is superb! Back in the 70's when we first started going there, it cost $20,000 to join. Most people, like ourselves, got our membership through work. Back then, you didn't even HAVE to eat there to get in free, but for many years now, to get in free you have to eat there. Also, back in the 70's people really dressed to go there, so you can imagine everyone gawking at us after we finished eating and then got on the Pirate of the Carribean ride. Fun!
Chris Oct 3rd 2009 6:00PM
I got to go here with a girlfriend and her friends. Her friend was a babysitter for the guy from Creedence Clearwater Revival... John Fogerty? They were next door neighbors in "the hills". She also lived across the street from Tom Bosley and said he was a grumpy old man that would yell at anyone driving by and taking pictures of his house... but I digress.
Fogerty gave her reservations for 4 at the restaurant as a thank you. Because we weren't members, we still had to pay to get in to the park.. or maybe we just didn't know?
Anyway, it was very nice, very "Disney", like what you'd see on the intro's to the TV show. Looked like Victorian built in the late 50's/early 60's. Pretty neat.
I'm surprised people are saying the food was no better, they must have no taste at all.
My gf's friends were vegetarian, but one guy ate the Filet Mignon because it looked so good. Obviously he wasn't "hardcore". I remember it being some of the best beef I'd ever eaten. I don't usually drink alcohol, had I know it was the only place they serve it in the Magic Kingdom, I would've had something.
I didn't take any pics because I didn't know if it was allowed, and didn't want to get the babysitter in trouble with Mr. Fogerty.
Ah well, a very memorable experience.
And yes it's funny how the entrance is right there but you don't really notice it unless you're looking for it.
Funny thing, I remember the brass buzzer on the left side, we actually lifted it up and saw a plastic button underneath, then realized "oh... you're supposed to just press on the brass buzzer" Felt kind of silly...
Anthony Jun 25th 2007 3:23PM
I've actually been there with my a couple of my former church groups. One person had membership through her work, and was allowed to get tickets for the rest of us.
It actually is pretty well hidden and the looks on the people's faces when we were being chaperoned through the mysterious door was awesome.
Don't really remember how the food was, but I do have the wrapper of a mint I saved with a 'Club 33' logo on the front. :)
tseliot Jun 25th 2007 3:10PM
Wow. I have personally never heard of this place but it does sound incredible, almost secret-society-ish. Wouldn't think that this kind of a place would be in Disneyland.
Crabby McSlacker Jun 25th 2007 8:24PM
I don't know why this strikes me as really funny--all these people waiting years and paying tens of thousands... to eat in Disneyland.
I'm sure the food is fine and all, but the combination of "exclusive" and "Disneyland" makes my brain hurt. The place has it's charms, but generally it seems so manufactured and plastic and lowest-common-denominator.
I would hope if I had that much money to throw around I'd throw it at a charity first.
(Crabby, when she's not being obnoxious here at Gadling, has her own grouchy health and fitness blog at http://crankyfitness.blogspot.com/. It ain't nearly as classy as Disneyland.)
Neil Jun 25th 2007 8:27PM
Great point, Crabby. I agree. Spend your money elsewhere -- unless they're serving Bambi. Mmmm....
Melissa Jun 26th 2007 9:39PM
I've been eating here with friends for years-- I had no idea it had such an enormous cult following or that it was even secret at all.. 9 years waiting list? Trust me.. the food isn't THAT amazing. Free tickets to the park? Disney Land SUCKS. SO.NOT.WORTH.IT.
carolyn Jun 27th 2007 12:26PM
ive been there 3 times! and dont let the naysayers tell you it isnt awesome, because it is! i have gotten in by the shirt tail, my friends' mothers' friends' business has a membership. yeah, the food is awesome, but if youre into disney stuff, the history of the famous CLUB 33 will astound you....it was meant for walt to entertain dignitaries and vips, and the photos on the walls give you chills if you are into that sort of thing. they have their own club 33 china, and yes, serve alcohol. i have had some cool experiences in life, but being a major disney fan, let me tell ya, there aint nothin quite like walkin in that secret door, and watching new orleans square below you, having a fabulous meal, and then cruising disneyland with a good buzz. am outstanding experience!
justin Jun 27th 2007 12:25PM
i've been there and it was so bomb, there is something like a $50 per person minimum
Ponygirl Jun 27th 2007 6:09PM
Here's what snopes has to say about it:
http://www.snopes.com/disney/parks/club33.htm#add
sk Jun 29th 2007 8:16PM
I actually used to work custodial (aka, potty duty) at D-land when I was in college and NO Square was one of my areas. So yeah, I've been in Club 33, been in the restrooms, eaten the food and seen all that. I even have one of the highly sought-after Club 33 pens (yeah, I know). Honestly, I knew it was hoity-toity and I'd heard all sorts of legends about the place before I started working there (I grew up in OC), but to see it in person...was crappy. The place was worn down, the bathrooms were Pepto-pink and it just seemed a little too full of itself. And, just because I'm obnoxious like this: the door is right next to the exit for Pirates of the Carribean...ah, those were the days!
J Fitzgerald Jun 29th 2007 8:26PM
Club 33 is awesome. It has a simple door with the number 33 and a buzzer on it.
Ah, wonderful
Ryan Jul 6th 2007 7:57PM
Ok... for one, the door is marked. There are two large plaques on either side of the door that have "33" in gold lettering. The naming is not a mystery either. Club 33 is simply its address; 33 Royal Street. Nearly everyone knows that. There's even a tour at the park that goes inside. If you thought this was an urban legend, you've been living under a rock.
K Jul 2nd 2007 10:48PM
Can I just say, I'm already back from the photo tour (I didn't make it past foyer) and I'm laughing? Uh...can't afford decent help with all those membership fees? Enough to fix up the receptionist's desk, fix the varnish which has been scraped off teh floor by the legs of her chair, and actually SWEEP under it and tie up those phone cords? GREY DUST! What a fright ... ! But hey, it's 5 stars and you get a churro outside.
alfryda jens Jun 29th 2007 11:24PM
This whole thing is soooo stupid! I can't believe you all buy into crap like this.....yawn!!!!!!
LynnLynnLy Jul 9th 2007 1:19AM
I've been to the "secret restaurant". It was a once in a life time dining experience for me. I enjoyed every minute of it.
Cheryl Jun 29th 2007 9:30PM
Dining at Club 33 was an incredible experience, one that I shall cherish forever. I was the high bidder for an auction package benefiting a non-profit organization -- dinner for 4, airline vouchers, Disneyland passes. My husband and I took our daughter and one of her friends to celebrate our collective birthdays.
The winning bid went to a good cause and we were able to indulge ourselves on a sumptuous meal. Oh, how I wish the opportunity would present itself once again!
A dream is a wish your heart makes...
Pilates Chick Jun 29th 2007 9:34PM
I have nothing new to add except that people shouldn't waste money on something like this when there are so many things the money could do that would be more beneficial and would make you feel better. Maybe they should turn into a museum?
Diane Jun 29th 2007 9:34PM
I've been to Club 33. I even have a pen! You have a view of the lagoon. When you are in the New orlenes shopping area by the glass shop, you walk under the "window bridge" that is the club. The food was just as good but not better than other parts of Disney. It was a buffet the day I went. Some of the private members are are made up of corporations and give their employees a free lunch pass plus guests, for 25 years of service. The service was great. The memorabilia was what I thought made it a special treat to be there. But the food wasn't anything out of the ordinary. Disney has a lot of good eats for the masses. I like the food in carnation square better. lol
fran Jan 16th 2008 9:03PM
The food for the dinners are much better. That is where Club 33 gets' it 5-star rating.