Club 33, it seems, has been beaten to death both literally
and in discussions these days, so please excuse yet another contribution to the conversation. The
previously exclusive and “top secret” restaurant residing in the upper floors
of Disneyland’s New Orleans Square has recently undergone an extensive
refurbishment and remodeling, bringing forth a seemingly endless tide of
opinions and debates. Since my last post on the subject, much more information has been released as well as progress
made on the actual project, as construction is to wrap up this month. And I say “progress” in the loosest sense
possible because the results have been less than impressive. Change is apparent but it seems overall more
will lost than gained when Club 33 is completed.
In my last post I touched on some of my reservations (no pun
intended) with the refurb, including a “cheapening” of the overall experience for
everyone. My reasoning was that more capacity would be added so more members = more money = big win for
Disney. I argued this would lead to a
decrease in exclusivity when more members have access to the Club. I can tell you now some of my opinions have
changed with new information that has since been released. It appears Disney has managed this by
making it harder for members to make reservations for non-members. The number of these reservations is now
limited to 20 a year, and can only be made 14 days in advance. So the exclusivity remains intact as non-members are more limited in ability to partake in the Club.
Something not addressed in my last post was the then-rumor
that the Court des Anges (Court of Angels) would be removed from the public’s
access. Time has now shown that rumor to
be true as the Court has been locked and walled off since October. I was thrilled to find it still open during
my trip to Disneyland in October, only to be devastated to find it locked the
very next morning as I was headed home.
Instead of serving as a serendipitous alcove themed beautifully and
peacefully to be “found,” now it will be an area for those awaiting their
reservation time at Club 33. The public
will no longer have access to it, which echoes the recent loss of the Disney
Gallery to the now exclusive Dream Suite.
Quiet, historical, and unique areas of New Orleans Square are
disappearing one-by-one, and not without notice and outcry by its fans of all
kinds.
One of the great benefits of Club 33 of old was its extreme
secrecy. One could try to see members
sneaking through the blue door with a “33” inconspicuously hanging on the frame. One rarely noticed guests on the upper levels
and this contributed to its allure. Those
on private tours only got to see the entrance and lobby but were not granted
access to the dining rooms. One of the
main noticeable differences that will come with the new remodel is that several
areas have been changed to a huge degree.
The Court of Angels is gone, the bridge connecting the main area and the
new jazz lounge cuts through the street jarringly, and the façade facing the
Rivers of America has been rid of its two small windows in favor of one large
and brightly lit one. If that doesn’t scream
“Look at these people!” I don’t know what does.
It seems that Disney has moved from the philosophy of exclusivity and
classy secrecy to blatant advertising.
As someone who has never set foot in Club 33 I recognize
that I don’t have all the information. I
can only draw conclusions based on what I’ve learned through the Internet and
what I’ve experienced in the park. I’m
positive members will have a better dining experience with a new kitchen and
other improvements, but now much of the old charm will still be there with the
new theme? And how much will that matter
to members? I’m eager to hear differing
viewpoints when it does open once again.
Finally, if I sound bitter, it’s because I honestly am. There are a variety of different levels of
experiences at which guests can experience a Disney park, which is to be
expected. When one’s experience at one’s
level begins to impede on mine at my level, I feel I have a right to start
taking it personally. I get that Disney
is in the business to make a profit. The
fact that they’re doing this under the guise of harmless renovation is what
rubs me the wrong way. They aren’t adding anything for the rest of
the general public to make up for what they’ve lost so guests may actually begin
to spend less time there.
I like to examine the different strata of park experiences,
including those of privilege, and I also feel there is a right way and a wrong
way to market to the wide variety of people who visit Disneyland. Myself and many others to whom I have spoken
are just not interested in Club 33 anymore because of the connotation it now
has with cheap change, removal of history, and conflict within the
community. Maybe one day I’ll be open to
the idea but I can’t find myself supporting the way Disney handled this area of
the park anytime in the near future.
