A couple have dished the details on Disney’s secret ‘Club 33’ after they were booted out of it by the company, despite claiming to have spent $1 million at the parks during their lifetime.
Diana and Scott Anderson were kicked out of the secret Disney club after the latter was accused of public drunkenness in one of Disney’s theme parks.
The couple, from Arizona, USA, didn’t agree with Disney’s decision and spent $400,000 (£307,000) fighting the decision in court.
They lost, leaving them with a hefty legal bill and a continuing ban from Club 33.
Given its secretive nature, Club 33 comes with a lot of perks that the Andersons are now missing out on. As a result of the court ruling, they decided to spill the beans on exactly what Disney gives you for paying to be a part of its exclusive members’ club.
What is Disney’s Club 33 and how much is it?
Club 33 was thought up way back in 1967, formed to offer private dining with a number of Disney theme parks after first opening in the Anaheim complex, Disneyland Park.
Since then, it has expanded to Tokyo and Shanghai Disneyland, as well as Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Nowadays, it offers more than just private dining, something that is reflected in the price.
The Andersons said that they spent $33,000 (£25,300) to join Club 33, with annual fees on top of that of $15,000 (£11,500).
Nowadays, Club 33 gives you access to special dining events, spending time in Walt Disney’s actual private apartment in Disneyland Park, drive private train cars belonging to Walt, and spend time in VIP lounges sipping cocktails.
The Andersons even got to hang out with celebrities, including Nicolas Cage and Julia Roberts.
The Andersons also claimed that members of Club 33 buy its exclusive merchandise to then sell online at marked up prices.
They also claimed that celebrities were given a level of VIP treatment that was higher than standard Club 33 access, allowing them to flout rules such as taking photos.
One member’s collectables from Club 33 (Mindy Schauer/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
How do I get in to Club 33?
You don’t just get to join. The Andersons waited 12 long years before they were invited to become a part of Club 33 back in 2012.
Back in 2007, the waiting list was even closed for five years due to the demand to get inside.
Once inside, it became their social life, visiting Disney parks up to 80 times a year. They would mingle with names such as Dick Van Dyke and enjoy the best of what VIP status gives you.
Given the status of some of those with membership, photography and video is not allowed inside the club or at its VIP events.
Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, where Club 33 first opened (AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
Getting kicked out of Club 33
The Andersons were booted from Club 33 after Scott was reportedly found slumped on a theme park bench, smelling of alcohol and slurring his words.
Scott Anderson was adamant he had only had two beers and a glass of wine over a three-hour period when he was found by security guards.
As a result, their membership was terminated immediately. They tried to fight this, filing a lawsuit in the Orange County superior court to get the membership reinstated, claiming that Mr Anderson had been suffering from a vestibular migraine.
The Andersons also wanted $231,000 (£177,330) in lost membership fees and damages. But in reaching trial last month, the case was thrown out after just 45 minutes of jury deliberations, with the jury ruling in favour of Disney and the actions taken by the company.
Featured Image Credit: Anderson Family / Gary Hershorn / Getty Images
