Club 33

Some of you probably know that we belong to Club 33, the private club inside Disneyland designed and founded by Walt himself, hidden away above the New Orleans Square area.  [I say we, but there is only one member allowed, so Michael - as the younger of we two - is the actual member, figuring that he should outlive me.] Although my family arrived in Southern California in 1957 (just 2 years after DL opened), I had no idea that the Club even existed until Michael came into my life and he knew all about it, although he'd been in So Cal only a few years.

So we wrote the letter, filled out the application form, and waited about five years (enjoying the Club as guests of a member during the wait) before we were invited to join.  Others joining at the same time had waited 8 - 11 years; guess we were just lucky to be asked when we were....

Anyway, although we had just decided that we wouldn't join if it was offered (the money we'd set aside in the bank account burning a hole in our pocket), we immediately changed our minds and wrote the check.  The cost is on the extreme side: there's the hefty initiation fee and an annual membership fee that only goes up each year.  When people ask what benefit we receive from being members, we always reply: We are given the opportunity to spend even more money!  Meals are not free and special events are really not free.  Yes, we get into the parks free, but that was available as a Premium Passholder for a much lower cost - even with free parking included.

Still we love it and although living in Mexico now, hope to continue our membership as long as we can afford it.  This year the dues notices did not come out on schedule; a bad sign.  It turns out that the Club will be run by Walt Disney World Resorts etc and they are bundling things together with a new club in the remodeled DCA that will be part of the Carthay Circle Theatre building.  I don't think we'll be opting for the whole shebang, valued at $10,000 for the first year, but will remain members of Club 33.  They seem to be turning the management over to Disneyland Special Activities, too -- no telling what that foretells.  Several perks will be changing; some have been announced already.  Just waiting for the call that will explain it all....

The web is abuzz with news of the phone calls Disney is making to existing members.  I suppose that they will be hoping to scrape some folks off the waiting list (currently closed and with an anticipated wait of 11+ years) when they offer them the CCT membership.

We shall see.