If you are a big Disneyland fan, then you have probably heard of Club 33 — an elite Disney membership that is seriously expensive and even more exclusive. Club 33 is located in New Orleans Square, and members can sometimes be seen relaxing on the balconies near Pirates of the Caribbean. Being a member of Club 33 is something most Disney fans can only dream of.
A Club 33 membership comes with some very strict rules, and if a guest breaks them, Disney does not hesitate to revoke their membership. And one couple learned that the hard way in 2017, and they have since spent $400,000 trying to get it back.
Related: Disney Reveals Concept For “Club 33-Style” Magic Key Lounge
Diana and Scott Anderson spent 10 years on a waiting list until they were finally given the chance to join Club 33. They gladly paid the initiation fee — which was around $60,000 — and the annual membership fee, which was a whopping $15,000.
The membership was revoked in September 2017, when Disney security spotted Scott Anderson outside the entrance to Disney California Adventure Park. He appeared to be intoxicated, and security noted that he smelled like alcohol and was slurring his speech.
Scott disputes security’s account of what happened. He claims that his symptoms were the result of a vestibular migraine, which was triggered by the glass of wine he had earlier. He said no breathalyzer or blood tests were performed.
Unfortunately for the Andersons, a court sided with Disney, saying that the company had every right to revoke their Club 33 membership. However, the Andersons have vowed to keep fighting.
So, What Do You Get With a Club 33 Membership?
To many people, spending that kind of money on a membership to a club at Disneyland seems absolutely insane. And while a Club 33 membership comes with a serious price tag, it also comes with some serious perks.
Park Entry + Guest Passes
This one, of course, seems pretty obvious. A membership to Club 33 comes with a top-tier Annual Pass, which allows the guests to visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure 365 days a year.
Related: Disney Tries to Defend Major Price Hike Amid Growing Guest Frustration
In addition to unrestricted theme park access, a Club 33 member will receive 50 complimentary passes that they can give to family and friends. One-park, one-day Disneyland tickets recently reached a new high, sometimes costing more than $200. So, with these complimentary passes, guests can save nearly $10,000 on entry for family and friends.
Complimentary VIP Tours
If you visit Disneyland regularly, you have probably noticed the cast members we lovingly refer to as “plaids.” The cast members who wear the iconic plaid vests give private tours to people willing to shell out thousands of dollars for the privilege.
Guests who book a private VIP tour guide are given a personalized schedule and front-of-the-line access to the attractions they ride. They are also given priority seating at restaurants and for parades and nighttime fireworks shows.
Related: Disney Guest Reportedly Arrested After Violent Theme Park Attack
A Disneyland VIP Tour costs between $500 and $800 per hour for up to ten guests, and there is also a seven-hour minimum.
However, each member of Club 33 is given five VIP Tours per year. Again, that is a savings of tens of thousands of dollars per year for something that most guests do not get to experience.
Free Lightning Lane Access
In 2021, Disney announced that it was getting rid of its complimentary FastPass system and replacing it with Disney Genie+ at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, which would cost a certain amount of money every day, for every guest.
Related: Disney World Announces Price Increases for Select Lightning Lane Attractions
Guests had many problems and complaints before Disney Genie+ launched, and the complaints didn’t slow down after it began at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World.
Genie+ was not even around for three years before Disney announced that it was discontinuing it and launching a new program called Lightning Lane Multi Pass. The new system allows guests to make Lightning Lane reservations in advance. At Disneyland Resort, the Lightning Lane Multi Pass also gives guests unlimited PhotoPass downloads.
Thankfully, a club member does not have to pay those fees and can automatically access the Lightning Lane each time they visit.
As you can see, a Club 33 membership cost is no joke. It can take years of saving and even longer to get off the waiting list. However, if you do manage to fulfill your dream of becoming a member, there are some really great perks that might just make the cost worth it.
Would you ever shell out tens of thousands of dollars to become a Club 33 member? Has it ever been a dream of yours? Let us know in the comments!