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Years ago, Walt Disney felt that a special place was needed where he could entertain visiting dignitaries and others in a quiet, serene atmosphere where superb cuisine and distinctive decor would complement one another. He asked artist Dorothea Redmond to provide watercolor renderings of what such a place might look like. Accompanied by renowned decorator Emil Kuri, Walt and his wife traveled to New Orleans to select many of the beautiful antiques that are on display. After years of planning, Club 33 became a reality in May of 1967. Sadly enough, it was never seen by its creator because of his untimely death five months earlier.

Club 33, so named after its address, 33 Royal Street, is comprised of two dining rooms and several adjoining areas, all of which hold a wide array of magnificent antiques and original works of art. After ascending in the French lift to the second floor, guests enter into The Gallery. Here they find interesting items such as an oak telephone booth with beveled leaded glass panels adapted from the one used in the Disney motion picture _The Happiest Millionaire_ and a rare console table which was found in the French Quarter of New Orleans. In The Gallery, as elsewhere in the Club, are many original works by Disney artists and sketches done as design studies for New Orleans Square and the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.

The Gallery leads into Lounge Alley which serves as a vestibule and also the buffet for the Main Dining Room and Trophy Room. One wall displays several conceptual sketches of New Orleans Square, and directly across from these sketches is a custom-designed harpsichord decorated with a hand-painted scene depicting New Orleans harbor in the nineteenth century. The furnishings are a combination of antique and reproduction pieces.

The Main Dining Room is decorated in First Empire, recalling the era of Napoleon and the early nineteenth century. Three glimmering chandeliers and wall sconces illuminate the entire room. Much of the framed artwork on the walls is again, the work of Disney artists. Fresh flowers, parquet floors, and antique bronzes create an atmosphere of serenity and warmth.

The Trophy Room is the second dining room and offers a more informal atmosphere. The cypress-planked walls provide an excellent background for sketches done as design studies for the Jungle Cruise and Tiki Room attractions. The design of the room incorporates the use of microphones in the center of each chandelier and a vulture with the ability to speak. Walt Disney's intention for this concept was humorous in nature, as the vulture was to converse with guests during dinner. The Trophy Room also contains a number of antiques and it is usually sunlit from a long row of windows.

Today, Club 33 functions as an exclusive private club where members or their guests may enjoy a gourmet meal complemented by the finest wines. Tradition, accompanied by gracious hospitality, has been the hallmark of Club 33 since its opening day . . . and will continue to be for many years to come.

first mention of Club 33 in Usenet:

From: Barry Nesmith (barry@vaxwaller.UUCP)
Subject: Re: Secret Places
Newsgroups: rec.arts.disney
Date: 1990-08-30 17:06:55 PST
 

In article <685@dbase.A-T.COM>, brucem@dbase.A-T.COM (Bruce Madsen) writes:
}
} The only other private place I knew of in the park is now public.  Walt and
} Roy had apartments above New Orleans square.  These were directly above the
} entrance to Pirates.  These apartments now house an attraction where you can
} examine the "Art of Disneyland".   The wrought iron railing on the balcony
} is still there, and is the only place in the park where walt and roy's initials
} can be found.
}

In addition to the Gallery and Club 33 someone already mentioned Walt's original apartment above the Fire Station in Town Square. Does anyone know anything about the 2nd floor for the rest of Main St.? Are the rest of the rooms merely shells?

As someone who has gone to Disneyland dozens of times I now find it interesting to find any new nooks and crannies there that I hadn't previously discovered. ( I think I'd have a heart attack exploring all that WDW has to offer!  :^)  ) I realize that none of the Main St. 2nd floor is open to the public anyway, but I just wonder what's there.

                                Barry Nesmith

--

{zehntel,dual,amd,fortune,rtech,lll-crg,rtgvax,pacbell,csi}
                                                !varian!vaxwaller!barry

• Club 33 has about 400 members, and the waiting time for membership is approximately 2-3 years.
• Members have many priveleges. One of these is that they get to ride on the "Lilly Belle." This was Walt Disney's private car and is the only remaining car left from the original train. It was named after his wife. There are four trains at the park and each day three are in operation. This car is always locked and is seldom used. This benefit is only for members. The member must be present and it is only for their party.
• There is a secret door in the Trophy Room of Club 33 that leads to the audio room where Walt had intended to interact via an animatronic Vulture. The idea was scrapped but the room still exists.
• Club 33 is the only place within Disneyland where alcohol is served.
• The spiral blue staircase in the secluded portico near the restrooms (in New Orleans Square) was used by the employees, and the Club 33 employees for entrance to the club (and our break area). At the top of the stairs there is a balcony, to the right is the rear entrance to Club 33, to the left is the entertainment break area where the area musicians had a locker room.
• There is a "secret elevator" somewhere near the exit of Pirates of the Caribbean. It's very well hidden. It takes you to three floors:
• a basement that seems to hold food storage
• the floor you enter the elevator on. And,
• the kitchen for Club 33.
• Members are given a Club 33 card that has the appearance of a charge card but it is only used for admission to the park or to the club. Photo ID must also be presented. Members do not have to ring the bell to get into the club. Right below the bell is a slot. Whe you put the card into the slot the door opens.
• The waiters and waitresses get one (perhaps it's 2) Club 33 pens each day, and are very selective about who they give them to. Also, when your reservation is made, they print up matchbooks with your name on them (although this may have changed since the new no-smoking laws took effect in California).
• The phone booth in the upstairs hallway, modelled after the one seen in the film The Happiest Millionaire, contains a working telephone. Club guests are permitted to make free telephone calls from this booth.

• 604 track _Acid   Level 33_ MP3 (192k) by Wizzy Noise off of _Zoo_ compilation CD on Shaffel (2001)

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