Guests Can Open These Secret Doors at Disney World and Disneyland, But Only If The Price Is Right

To visit a Disney park is to revisit the wonderful parts of childhood. Suddenly, you remember what it feels like to embrace the simple joys of the day without the cynicism and negativity of the world. You’re taken back in time to a place where magic is real, where seeing is believing, and where there are no limits to what your imagination can dream or do.

The Magical Lure & Childhood Wonder of a Disney Park

If only for the duration of time spent in the parks, dreams really do have a way of coming true, magic is real, and surprises lurk around every corner. And at Magic Kingdom at Disney World and Disneyland Park at Disneyland Resort in California, there are even a few secret doors hidden around some of those corners.

Along Main Street, U.S.A., at Disney World and Disneyland, a majority of the structures are actual guest areas–gift shops, art galleries, and eateries like Casey’s Corner in Magic Kingdom. A few of those “structures,” however, are only facades meant to replicate the look of Walt Disney’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri.

Not every window can be opened, and some of the doors don’t actually sway on their hinges. It makes some of Disney’s most secret entrances and passageways all the easier to hide.

Disney Parks’ Unassuming Secret Doors

There are secret doors hidden in plain sight at Disneyland and Disney World that look about as ordinary and dull as any door can look, but a few of those seemingly boring doors are actually passageways to an entirely exclusive experience for Disney fans.

But if you want to see what’s on the other side of those doors, you’ll need to be extremely curious–and extremely financially prepared. That’s because having the right to open those doors will cost you a small fortune, payable upfront.

These are the doors to Disney’s most elite and exclusive locations in the world–Disney’s Club 33.

According to the Orange County Register

The doors that lead to Disney’s Club 33 are hidden in plain sight at the parks, but most guests simply walk past them, as they are largely unassuming. What lies behind the doors, however, is something that has only been experienced by a select few.

Many Disney fans have no interest in the club, but for some diehard Disney superfans, membership in Disney’s Club 33 would be a lifelong dream come true, though they are almost certain it’s a dream that will never be realized. But it’s not because they’re cynical and negative at their core. On the contrary, they’re simply being honest and real about the exclusivity of Club 33.

Entrance into Disneyland’s Club 33 and Disney World’s Club 33 would appear to begin here–at one of the secret doors that open to a foyer where Club 33 staff members await your arrival so they can verify your identity and your credentials.

Ah, but you’ll need to have already established those credentials by becoming a member of Disney’s most exclusive group, and it’s not an easy feat to accomplish. Though no one has been able to say for sure exactly how much club members must pay for the right to be called a Club 33 Member, the estimates are similar.

Elusive Fees For Membership in Disney’s Most Exclusive Club

In 2018, membership in Walt Disney World’s Club 33 reportedly cost an upfront fee of $33,000. An annual membership fee of $15,000 was also a requirement for members. The same year, Disneyland’s Club 33 membership reportedly required an upfront joining fee of $40,000, followed by an annual $25,000 membership fee and annual dues of $10,000.

In 2018, the waiting list for new memberships in Disneyland’s Club 33 was reportedly more than 14 years long.

Extremely Elusive, Undeniably Exclusive

Club 33 has long been steeped in mystery. Not only is it a highly exclusive club, but Disney reportedly has very specific restrictions when it comes to social media use posts about the club. And it’s not the kind of club where you get in because you’re in good with someone on the inside.

On the contrary, membership in Disney’s Club 33 is not only exclusive; it’s very expensive, even by Disney’s standards. For Disneyland Resort’s Club 33, members pay $25,000 upfront and $10,000 every year after that to maintain membership. For Walt Disney World, the upfront cost is higher. Members pay $33,000 to join and the annual fee after that is $15,000.

Disney’s Club 33

Club 33 was originally envisioned by Walt Disney himself, but as a private lounge, and not for park guests. It was created for executives who held sponsorships of rides, attractions, and other offerings at Disneyland. Though Walt was responsible for imagining Club 33, it didn’t open until 1967, a year after Walt’s passing. The first individual memberships weren’t offered until 1970.

The Club 33 mascot is an animatronic vulture named Alfred. He has been found in various spots at Disneyland’s Club 33 but currently resides atop a beautiful grandfather clock in the club’s foyer.

Interestingly enough, various sums and figures are thrown around when fans discuss the exclusivity of Disney’s Club 33, but no one except for The Walt Disney Company actually knows how much individual memberships cost at Club 33, how much the cost has increased over the years, and whether there is actually still a waiting list for new memberships.

There are several Club 33 locations–multiple ones exist in just the U. S. Disney Parks:

At Disneyland California

• Le Grand Salon Restaurant – New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
• Le Salon Nouveau – A Jazz Lounge in New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
• 1901 Lounge – Disney California Adventure

At Walt Disney World in Florida

• Captain’s Quarters – Adventureland, Magic Kingdom
• Constellation Club – American Adventure Pavilion, EPCOT
• Spotlight Lounge – Above The Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Harambe House – Africa, Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Club 33 Memberships

A limited number of memberships are available each year, and some years have more memberships available than others. Guests who want to become Club 33 members begin their quest by emailing Club33@WaltDisneyWorld.com for Walt Disney World. For Disneyland Club 33 memberships, Guests must submit a written letter stating so to this address:

Club 33 Member Services, 1600 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA 92802

As memberships become available, Guests are reportedly contacted by Disney Parks leadership.

Perks of a Club 33 Membership

So why do people join Club 33? Well, for starters, if we’re honest, a lot of people enjoy the very thought of exclusivity, even if just for exclusivity’s sake. In addition to that perceived perk, there are a few real perks that come along with a Club 33 membership (as of 2021):

• Annual Park Passes
• 50 single-day admission tickets
• 5 private VIP tours per year
• Set FastPasses during their visit
• Access to all of the exclusive lounges and restaurants
• Exclusive access to Club 33 merchandise

Are you or a family member a Club 33 Member? Let us hear from you in the comments below. If you’re not a member and hope to be one day, we’d love to hear from you too!