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| - Once considered an "urban legend" due to the secretive nature of the club, various origins have been claimed for the name "Club 33". One says that the club was named for Disneyland's thirty-three corporate sponsors at the time. Another is that Walt Disney chose the name simply because he liked the way that "33" looked. And one explanation, arguably the most common, is that "33" when turned on its side bears similarity to two letter "M"s, as would stand for "Mickey Mouse". Still another claims that the number represented Disney's alleged membership level with the Masons. In actuality, it was simply the address assigned to the door by chance, namely the aforementioned "33 Royal Street". The Blue Bayou Restaurant has an "address" of 31 Royal Street while a gift shop immediately to the right o
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| abstract
| - Once considered an "urban legend" due to the secretive nature of the club, various origins have been claimed for the name "Club 33". One says that the club was named for Disneyland's thirty-three corporate sponsors at the time. Another is that Walt Disney chose the name simply because he liked the way that "33" looked. And one explanation, arguably the most common, is that "33" when turned on its side bears similarity to two letter "M"s, as would stand for "Mickey Mouse". Still another claims that the number represented Disney's alleged membership level with the Masons. In actuality, it was simply the address assigned to the door by chance, namely the aforementioned "33 Royal Street". The Blue Bayou Restaurant has an "address" of 31 Royal Street while a gift shop immediately to the right of the entrance is number 35. Even this fictitious address is thought to have come about in order for Disneyland to obtain a California liquor license; the license for the restaurant is assigned to Disneyland's physical address of 1313 South Harbor Boulevard in Anaheim. Cocktail napkins show the fictitious address of "33 Royal Street, New Orleans Square, Disneyland USA". When Walt Disney was working with the promoters of the 1960 World's Fair, he noted that there was a special area for "wining and dining" the corporate sponsors of the Fair. This gave him the idea that culminated in Club 33, originally designed for the use of Disneyland's corporate sponsors and other industry VIPs. When the design of New Orleans Square was planned, this special area for corporate sponsors and VIPs was included in it. After Disney's death just prior to the opening of New Orleans Square, it was decided that Club 33 was to be opened up to individual members. Guests enter the ornate lobby and have the option of going to the dining level via an antique glass elevator. Once at the dining level, guests can view antique furniture pieces collected by Lillian Disney as well as furnishings used as props in Disney films. There is a fully functional glass telephone booth just off the elevator which was used in The Happiest Millionaire and an ornate walnut table with white marble top which was used in Mary Poppins. A video capture from the film on display atop the table shows actors Karen Dotrice, Matthew Garber and David Tomlinson standing immediately to its left. Another antique table chosen by Mrs. Disney for display at the end of the main hallway has a base of carved ebony and depicts two children in Arabic dress. A newly-installed bar prepares drinks to order for members and their guests. Original conceptual artwork by Disney artists such as Marc Davis is on display throughout the restaurant. A harpsichord which was rumored to have been an antique was in fact custom-built for Lillian Disney specifically for use in Club 33. The underside of the lid features a Renaissance-style painting that was actually done by Disney artists. At one time, it could be played by anyone who sat down at it. The instrument is currently in need of tuning and partial restringing. Wait staff will gladly raise the lid and keyboard cover for photographs. Walt Disney also wanted to make use of Audio-Animatronic technology within Club 33. Microphones in overhead lighting fixtures would pick up the sounds of normal conversation while an operator would respond via the characters. Though the system was never fully implemented, it was at least partially installed and remains so to this day. An Audio-Animatronic condor is perched in one corner of the club's "Trophy Room". The microphones remain in the room's lighting fixtures and are clearly visible at the bottom of each. The animal trophies which Disney inherited and for which the room was named have been removed by Disney family members. Photos of the room with the trophies still installed can be seen on the walls now. This room is presently known as the "Disney Room". A second Club 33 is located in Tokyo Disneyland. Rather than being located in New Orleans Square, it is located on Center Street off Main Street. Members of Disneyland's Club 33 do not have reciprocal privileges in the Tokyo club.
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