What It’s Like Inside Disney World’s Ultra-Secretive, Super-Exclusive Members-Only Club | ShermansTravel
What It’s Like Inside Disney World’s Ultra-Secretive, Super-Exclusive Members-Only Club
Carly Caramanna | September 6, 2024
Courtesy of the author
As I sat enjoying a cheese board and a well-crafted Hendricks gin martini, I couldn’t help but think of the last time I’d been inside a friend’s country club. But the view of Cinderella Castle and the Disney memorabilia adorning the walls — not to mention fellow diners wearing Mickey shirts and the faint screams coming from Space Mountain in the distance — quickly brought me back to reality. Sure, the dining room was dark and moody and filled with wood furnishings, but this was no ordinary private club. I was inside Magic Kingdom, one of the most visited theme parks in the world.
Welcome to Club 33, Disney’s ultra-exclusive, members-only dining club — a hidden oasis where enchantment and whimsy meets privilege. Inside, members (many of them Disney bigwigs and celebrities) trade the heat and crowds for privacy and much better food than what you’ll find in the theme park restaurants. It’s Mickey’s version of the white-glove treatment — and most parkgoers walk by unaware.
Credit: Unsplash/Kaleb Tapp
The secretive experience dates back to the early days of Disneyland, which opened in Anaheim in 1967. The idea was born from Walt Disney himself, who wanted a secluded place in the park to entertain VIP guests and corporate sponsors over classic cocktails and multi-course meals. It also allowed him to showcase props from classic movies; Anaheim’s club is home to a table from “Mary Poppins” and the phone booth used in “The Happiest Millionaire.”
Club 33 has since evolved to offer memberships that cost a hefty initiation fee and annual dues, and Disney parks around the world now have their own top-secret locations. Besides bragging rights, membership comes with other perks, like early access to new attractions and Lightning Lanes, which allow you to cut lines. The entertainment giant goes to great lengths to keep the details (and its impressive list of members) hush-hush. And don’t even think about taking photos inside.
Credit: Unsplash/Thomas Kelley
Thanks to a friend, I scored an invite to visit the Club 33 locations inside Walt Disney World Resort’s four parks in Orlando. The first opened in 2018, inside Hollywood Studios, and each has a unique theme inspired by Walt and his wife Lillian’s globetrotting travels.
If you’re wondering just how hidden Club 33s are, I’ve visited Magic Kingdom hundreds of times, and not once have I ever noticed the entrance to the club, known here as the Captain’s Quarters. Steps from Aloha Isle (the park’s most famous Dole Whip vendor), it looked like any other building in Adventureland — except for a discreet “Club 33” logo emblem on the exterior. We scanned our MagicBand+ to the logo, and voilà. We were in. (It’s the same band that non-members use as their ticket and hotel room key.)
Credit: Courtesy of the author
As I made my way through the intimate, two-level club, I noticed nods to Disney history — including a tribute to the forgotten Plaza Swan Boats attractions. It was like stepping directly into scenes from your favorite movies, in the same way Disney’s signature rides do.
A spacious patio on the upper level offered a picture-perfect view of the castle. Nearby, a private bathroom was outfitted with custom Club 33 paper napkins (yes, I took one home). For lunch, I was seated on the lower level in a room that was modeled after a captain’s private quarters on a “Pirates of the Caribbean”-style ship. (Speaking of pirates, Johnny Depp is said to be a member.) The lounge with the main bar was especially delightful: Inspired by “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea,” the design replicated the interior of a submarine, with nautical décor and vibrant lighting that made me feel like I was actually submerged under the sea. Around me, I saw everything from young families sharing a meal to business execs having power lunches.
Unlike the multi-course meals at Disneyland, Disney World’s clubs are less formal, offering à la carte menus with shareable plates (like flatbreads and charcuterie boards). Cast Members — Disney speak for employees — were attentive and their passion for the parks and its history was palpable. Our server not only guided us through the cocktail and wine list (which includes a select group of California vineyards with ties to Disney’s cinematic history, such as Skywalker Vineyard), but also shared her knowledge of the parks. Unlike other private clubs, there wasn’t a drop of pretension in the air, and geeking out was not only okay but encouraged. While the food was high quality, the experience was less about dining and more about the lore, privacy, and history. For Disney fans, getting invited to a club is the ultimate white whale.
From the Captain’s Quarters, I made my way to the other parks to discover the Club 33 lounges. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Harambe House embraced its location in the Africa-themed section down to the inscription on the front, which read “thelathini na tatu,” meaning “33” in Swahili. Its interior was bright and modern, with sprawling windows overlooking the park. Unsurprisingly, the cocktails also leaned into the theme; I sipped on the Project Beehive, which used South African cream liqueur and topped with honey in candy form. Several cocktails on the menu, including mine, included a $1 donation to the Disney Conservation Fund.
EPCOT’s Constellation Club was much sleeker, perched above the American Pavilion in World Showcase. A tiny elevator (something else I’d never noticed) led me to the dark, woody interior, where the walls were lined with black-and-white photos of Walt Disney. Last on the Club 33 tour was the cozy Spotlight Lounge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which has an Art Deco vibe and pays homage to old-school Hollywood, complete with relics from Disney’s storied cinematic past.
Credit: Courtesy of the author
While my chances of becoming an actual Club 33 member are zero (rumor has it there’s a lengthy waitlist, and it’s a “they’ll come to you” situation to get off of it), I was able to do the next best thing: buy some merch. At each location, a shiny glass case was filled with current offerings, including hats, jewelry, and glassware with the club’s logo. Members are particularly enamored by limited-release items, and it’s not uncommon to find these on Ebay for hundreds of dollars over retail price.
I commemorated my whirlwind journey with a Dooney & Burke purse, coffee mug, hat, and pin — the ultimate Disney flex to wear on future visits and a reminder that, for one day only, I felt like a member of the club.
