Disney parks are some of the world’s biggest man-made attractions, with 12 theme parks across six resorts in America, Europe, and Asia. Over 900 million people have visited Disneyland in California since it opened, while roughly 50 million people visit Disney World in Florida each year. Disney theme parks are places of magic and entertainment, but also secrets, like the HEPA cleanup code used for dealing with scattered human remains.
Many parks also have secret areas that go unobserved by regular visitors, including underground tunnels for cast members and even a suite in Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom. But one of the most fascinating secret areas, frequented almost entirely by celebrities, is Club 33. This very exclusive, very expensive, and very opulent members-only club grants the rich and famous access to secret VIP lounges and dining rooms at several Disney theme parks. The Club 33 at Hollywood Studios, rated one of the worst Disney theme parks, was one of the first to open in 2018. Now, according to travel agency Mainstreet Travel, you can find two in California at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, four at Walt Disney World (one in each park), one at Tokyo Disneyland, and one at Shanghai Disney.
What exactly is Club 33? Imagine yourself transported from the crowded, noisy, and sun-soaked pathways of the theme parks into a 1920s-esque dining and drinking space with VIP members hand-picked by Disney. Alcohol is on the menu (a rarity for Disney parks), and you’re surrounded by vintage furnishings, original Disney drawings, and props from various Disney films. The food and drinks served in these hidden establishments differ greatly from typical theme park fare (imagine cheese boards, gin martinis, caviar, champagne, and gourmet burgers). It’s also a more sophisticated experience than ordering through your phone to skip the lines at Disney World’s quick-service restaurants.
Why celebrities value Disney’s Club 33
Along with access to these secret venues, Club 33 members are said to enjoy a variety of perks. Annual park passes, VIP tours, private character meet-and-greets, and exclusive events all contribute to the club’s allure. However, what many celebrities might appreciate the most is complete anonymity (most photos and videos are banned, too). Only Disney knows the full extent of its membership list, including which celebrities are paying for the privilege, which doesn’t come cheap. Initiation fees can cost as much as $50,000 while annual dues range from $10,000 to $30,000. Certain resorts are cheaper than others. Still, the high cost of entry is one of the reasons Club 33 is frequented almost exclusively by celebrities.
Another reason is that Disney doesn’t just select members based on money alone. You can’t buy your way into Club 33; you have to be chosen based on your merits. There aren’t specific boxes you need to tick, but having celebrity status, doing a lot of philanthropic work, and being a noteworthy Disney fan all likely help. All this makes it nigh impossible for regular folks to become a member, which is just the way Walt Disney envisioned his exclusive little club: private spaces for celebrities and other important guests to unwind and socialize.
If you’re not a member, you’ve probably never even noticed the entrances to these secret areas. The one in Disneyland is an unassuming blue door at 33 Orleans Street in the New Orleans Square park. The one in Magic Kingdoms’ Adventureland, meanwhile, is a forgettable black gate in a drab white building. The secret to finding an entrance is spotting the discreet “33” often affixed beside it. Getting in is another thing entirely, either by member invitation or reportedly waiting up to 10 years for membership (i.e., don’t bet on it).