Club 33

Club 33 is still a secret to many, but is probably far more public than ever before. Yes, there is a private dining location on the second story above New Orleans Square, and yes, it is restricted to members only, and yes, reservations for those members must be made weeks or months in advance. Immediately next to the public entrance to the Blue Bayou Restaurant is a plain door. Next to that door is a small brass grill and a push button. This is where you report. If you name is on the list, you're in. If not, you're politely asked to not push the button again. Club 33 was originally intended as a place where Walt and Roy Disney, and their corporate leaders, could meet and greet and entertain other corporate or political leaders. This was during the design stage for NOS, and you can actually walk from the rear entrace to the Disney Gallery (intended as Walt's apartment in the park, but left unfinished for years after his death) to the kitchen area of Club 33, all quietly hidden from mainstream park guests. Walt had planned to have the place wired and bugged, not so much to clandestinely record conversations, but to have guests interact with animated (audio-animatronic) characters he planned to install there, such as a deer's head on the wall that would move, talk, blink, etc. in response to a guest's comments. I'm told that some of the microphones were actually installed, although the animals never were, but this may be something of an urban legend.

BTW, memberships in Club 33 are on different pricing structures, depending on whether they are private or corporate, and how many individuals are permitted to use the privileges. A corporate membership for top brass can go for $10,000 (annually) and yes, there is a waiting list up to three years.

As part of the 2001 National Fantasy Fan Club convention, quite a few of us went to breakfast at Club 33 one early morning in July. I have been there on three previous occasions, but never had a camera with me. That time I did. Here's the pictures:

Entrace to Club 33 to the right of Blue Bayou