Secrets of Club 33
Secrets of Disneyland – Club 33
History of Club 33
During the New York World’s Fair in 1964-1965 Walt Disney had learned the value of having a private dining place for his sponsors. Walt was persuaded to have a “lessee club” like many of the other exhibitors at the fair. When the New York World’s Fair closed, Walt agreed to bring back to Disneyland, along with “it’s a small world”, and “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” a place to “lessees club.”
As New Orleans Square was being built, an apartment was created for Walt. The apartment is now open to the public and is referred to as the Disney Gallery. You can find it above the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean. The apartment easily connected to what would later become Club 33. Club 33 was created so that Walt could entertain dignitaries, celebrities, members and his personal guests in a quiet area. Here he would offer first class cuisine, nestled in magnificent décor.
Academy Award winning set designer Dorothea Redmond, known for her work on “Gone with the Wind,” “Rebecca,” and “Rear Window,” was asked to create some watercolor sketches for Club 33’s design. Emile Kuri accompanied Walt and Lilly Disney to New Orleans to furnish the club with antiques and other furniture. Emile Kuri is also known for decorating Walt’s apartment above the fire station and many films such as “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” where he won an Oscar and “Mary Poppins” where he was nominated for one.
Sadly Walt Disney died just a few months before Club 33 ever opened. Although no date specifically is credited with the opening of Club 33 it is known that meals were starting to be served as early as May 1967. Mostly utilized by members and their guests, Club 33 occasionally has a celebrity or dignitary visit. It is the only place inside of Disneyland where alcohol is served, but alcohol is not the focus of dining there.
How did Club 33 get its name?
Some people thought that there were 33 lessees to the club. Not true. Others thought that there were 33 original investors to Disneyland. Also not true. Still others thought that 33 turned on its side looks like mm. While that may be true, that is not how Club 33 got its name.
Club 33 was named for its liquor license. According to Disney Legend Bill Martin who is credited for naming Club 33, the club needed an address that was separate from Disneyland since it would not be appropriate for Disneyland to register for a liquor license. New Orleans Square was numbering the building facades and Club 33 was located at 33 Royal Street. The restaurant was called the 33 Club until the name Club 33 stuck. Club 33 was just inches away from being named Club 35.
How to find Club 33
To look for Club 33, just turn down Royal Street in New Orleans Square and look for 33 next to a green door. You might see guests coming or going from this secret place in Disneyland.
Hidden Mickey and Trivia
There are no Hidden Mickey’s officially in Club 33, but wonderful movie props and signature pieces by Disney artists instead.
Contrary to popular belief, the lift is not an antique. Walt and Lilly stayed at a hotel in France with a lift very much like it. When the hotelier refused Walt’s offer to purchase the lift, Walt sent a couple of his artists to France to study and draw the lift so that it could be reproduced back in Los Angeles.
Movie Props
The legend is true about the phone booth. The functional oak phone booth at the top of the stairs with beveled glass is a movie prop from the 1960’s film, “The Happiest Millionaire.”
Another popular movie prop is a lovely table with a white top. It was used in the 1964 film, “Mary Poppins.” Recently there was a photograph of actor David Tomlinson standing next to the table in the film.
Other Secrets of Club 33
There is a large painting of Pirates of the Caribbean, created for Disneyland Paris hanging in the lounge. The artist made one of the pirates in the bottom border look like Disney Legend Marc Davis. Also hidden among the islands is “Gilligan’s Island.”
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