ADisneyPrincess
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Nov 13, 1999
My friend Monika and I decided we needed to do something fun. We checked into different places to go, but airfare was always too high or it would take to long to get there for just a short visit. Since we both had DL AP's from our last visit earlier this year, we decided to just go to DL again.
We were able to get an AP rate at the DL Hotel and found a great airfare on Alaska Air so we were set. Then fate set in.
I got a new neighbor at work. She's worked there a couple of years, but I didn't really know her. She saw my Disneyesque desk and asked me about it and I told her that basically I'm a Disney Freak and that Disneyland and Disney World were like my Motherland. I then mentioned that I would be visiting DL in just a month or so. She asked if I knew anyone who worked in our LA office as they had a Club 33 corporate membership. What???? I've worked here almost 13 years and had never heard this before?? Sadly, I didn't know anyone in the LA office, but she did! She asked her friend about it and he was able to get Monika and I dinner reservations for Saturday, June 7. Hip hip Pooh-ray!!
Our AP's were blocked out for 6/7, but it didn't matter since we got comp tickets with our dinner reservation. We picked them up at Guest Relations outside DCA. It was very cool saying we had a reservation at Club 33, getting our name checked off and being handed free tickets to Disneyland! We could have used the tickets for both DL and DCA for the entire day, but we just popped into DL for a short visit before returning to the hotel to change for dinner. Since it was Saturday night we wanted to dress up somewhat.
We took the Monorail to DL then rode the train to New Orleans Square. We were early so we wandered around a bit. No one had told us what to do and I just knew about other peoples visits from what I had read on the internet. I had read you should check in a bit early and I would check in early no matter where I had a reservation so at 7:50 we rang the buzzer for our 8:00 reservation. A female voice asked the name of our party. She then said they would be ready for us in 10 minutes. This was fine, we didn't expect to be seated early, we just wanted to check in.
There were a number of other people waiting outside as well. We wondered what would happen in 10 minutes. Would she come get us or would we need to ring the buzzer again? A few minutes before 8pm a large party waiting outside rang the buzzer again. The CM, Casey, opened the door and invited them inside. Another couple had come up after us and had not rung the buzzer, they seemed like they didn't know what to do. She asked for their name and checked them off her list. She then looked at us and I gave her my name (again). She told us to come inside. The lobby is very small and it was packed. After a few minutes the large party went upstairs. Casey called up and told the rest of us waiting it would be a bit longer as they weren't ready yet.
She then proceeded to trash talk the people buzzing in early and saying that she wished she could zap the people who buzzed in early because of course they weren't going to be ready for people early on a Saturday night. Hmmm...she's a little bit snotty and full of herself. I don't think she got that we had buzzed in early (thinking we were supposed to get there a bit early) and she was basically trashing us. She talked non-stop the entire time we waited. I was not impressed and were I a member I would have complained about her attitude and behavior.
After about 10 minutes she sat the couple who had arrived after us. I was now even less impressed by her as we had arrived before them and checked in before them. We waited another 10 minutes before they called us. Casey opened the elevator door and we were carried up to that mysterious place called Club 33.
Our server, Louis, was waiting for us at the top and he opened the door for us. He led us to a small table in the main dining room. This was what I had wondered about for so long. It was not quite what I had expected. It was nice, but perhaps I was expecting too much. The thing I noticed immediately was that the Club 33 plates that were on the table were covered in greasy fingerprints. These plates are for looks only and were soon taken away, but they really should clean them before putting them on the table.
For those of you thinking that I'm being picky, you're right. I am a mystery shopper and get to go to a lot of nice restaurants so I am very picky, especially when I'm about to spend over $150 for dinner. I didn't let these things spoil my evening, but I did notice them.
Louis asked to take our drink orders and I asked for a Grape Nehi. He asked what was in it and I said Chambord, vodka and something else, but I wasn't sure what. He checked with the bartender and he had never heard of it. I get them all over Seattle, weird that they haven't heard about them in SoCal. I got a Cosmopolitan instead, good, but not as good as a Grape Nehi.
I considered ordering the prix fixe meal, but decided it seemed like too much food. Both Monika and I ordered the Butternut Squash Bisque ($7) to start. It was a huge bowl of soup and was really good. This was a good deal. For our entrees Monika ordered the Chateaubriand ($38) and I ordered the Trio of Seafood Newburg ($37). Monika's steak was the most tender I have ever tasted. You could probably cut it with a spoon. Mine came with 1/2 a lobster tail in Newburg sauce, one shrimp on a sweet potatoe puree and one scallop on something that I forget. Mine was quite tasty, but one shrimp and one scallop?? I really think they could have thrown in two shrimp and two scallops for the price. We also were served bread. They bring it around on a big tray and offer you a slice of many different kinds. I think there were 5 different kinds, sun dried tomato, olive, banana nut, and a couple of others I don't remember. We both took the sun dried tomato which was quite good. I thought it odd they didn't leave us with a basket of bread and we were never offered a second slice. Another table had a whole basket full. And I do love my bread.
We decided to share dessert, but soon regretted it. Not because dessert was fabulous, but because it was tiny. We ordered the date poundcake with Dolce de Lechi ice cream ($9). It was tiny. This tasted OK, but wasn't as good as I think it could have been. Monika regretted not ordering the Creme Brulee Trio. In addition we had decaf coffee which was wonderful. I love good restaurant coffee.
The service throughout the evening was very good. Louis was very friendly and we liked him a lot, though I was disappointed he didn't share any of the history of the Club with us. The waitress at the next table was telling her group all kinds of things, but I couldn't really hear. Louis had asked if we had been there before so he did know it was our first, perhaps only, visit.
After dinner we stopped by the merchandise cabinet to buy some souvenirs. Monika chose a keychain ($10) and I opted for the latte mug ($20). Michael went in the back to get these for us and returned with everything wrapped in tissue and bagged (important to note for later). We took some time taking pictures of ourselves at the phone booth and descending the stairs. There was no one around by this time so we weren't in jeopardy of bothering anyone. We then said good-bye to Club 33 and headed out to join the common folk.
I didn't look at my mug until I got home as I didn't want to unwrap it. When I did unwrap it I was very annoyed to find that the inside was cracked and chipped! It was apparent it was damaged when I got it as it was only on the inside and it had been wrapped very securely. Like I'll be able to get another one of these anytime soon, if ever! I returned it to the Disney Store as I'm not one to spend $20 on a broken latte mug. Now I wish I had taken the Club 33 pen I signed my charge slip with. I hadn't because I didn't want to be rude, but now I wish I had been! C'est la vie...
If I do get another chance to visit Club 33 I think I'll opt for the buffet to try something different. I hope I get to come back, but if not, at least I got to go once in my lifetime. A visit I will always remember.
We were able to get an AP rate at the DL Hotel and found a great airfare on Alaska Air so we were set. Then fate set in.
I got a new neighbor at work. She's worked there a couple of years, but I didn't really know her. She saw my Disneyesque desk and asked me about it and I told her that basically I'm a Disney Freak and that Disneyland and Disney World were like my Motherland. I then mentioned that I would be visiting DL in just a month or so. She asked if I knew anyone who worked in our LA office as they had a Club 33 corporate membership. What???? I've worked here almost 13 years and had never heard this before?? Sadly, I didn't know anyone in the LA office, but she did! She asked her friend about it and he was able to get Monika and I dinner reservations for Saturday, June 7. Hip hip Pooh-ray!!
Our AP's were blocked out for 6/7, but it didn't matter since we got comp tickets with our dinner reservation. We picked them up at Guest Relations outside DCA. It was very cool saying we had a reservation at Club 33, getting our name checked off and being handed free tickets to Disneyland! We could have used the tickets for both DL and DCA for the entire day, but we just popped into DL for a short visit before returning to the hotel to change for dinner. Since it was Saturday night we wanted to dress up somewhat.
We took the Monorail to DL then rode the train to New Orleans Square. We were early so we wandered around a bit. No one had told us what to do and I just knew about other peoples visits from what I had read on the internet. I had read you should check in a bit early and I would check in early no matter where I had a reservation so at 7:50 we rang the buzzer for our 8:00 reservation. A female voice asked the name of our party. She then said they would be ready for us in 10 minutes. This was fine, we didn't expect to be seated early, we just wanted to check in.
There were a number of other people waiting outside as well. We wondered what would happen in 10 minutes. Would she come get us or would we need to ring the buzzer again? A few minutes before 8pm a large party waiting outside rang the buzzer again. The CM, Casey, opened the door and invited them inside. Another couple had come up after us and had not rung the buzzer, they seemed like they didn't know what to do. She asked for their name and checked them off her list. She then looked at us and I gave her my name (again). She told us to come inside. The lobby is very small and it was packed. After a few minutes the large party went upstairs. Casey called up and told the rest of us waiting it would be a bit longer as they weren't ready yet.
She then proceeded to trash talk the people buzzing in early and saying that she wished she could zap the people who buzzed in early because of course they weren't going to be ready for people early on a Saturday night. Hmmm...she's a little bit snotty and full of herself. I don't think she got that we had buzzed in early (thinking we were supposed to get there a bit early) and she was basically trashing us. She talked non-stop the entire time we waited. I was not impressed and were I a member I would have complained about her attitude and behavior.
After about 10 minutes she sat the couple who had arrived after us. I was now even less impressed by her as we had arrived before them and checked in before them. We waited another 10 minutes before they called us. Casey opened the elevator door and we were carried up to that mysterious place called Club 33.
Our server, Louis, was waiting for us at the top and he opened the door for us. He led us to a small table in the main dining room. This was what I had wondered about for so long. It was not quite what I had expected. It was nice, but perhaps I was expecting too much. The thing I noticed immediately was that the Club 33 plates that were on the table were covered in greasy fingerprints. These plates are for looks only and were soon taken away, but they really should clean them before putting them on the table.
For those of you thinking that I'm being picky, you're right. I am a mystery shopper and get to go to a lot of nice restaurants so I am very picky, especially when I'm about to spend over $150 for dinner. I didn't let these things spoil my evening, but I did notice them.
Louis asked to take our drink orders and I asked for a Grape Nehi. He asked what was in it and I said Chambord, vodka and something else, but I wasn't sure what. He checked with the bartender and he had never heard of it. I get them all over Seattle, weird that they haven't heard about them in SoCal. I got a Cosmopolitan instead, good, but not as good as a Grape Nehi.
I considered ordering the prix fixe meal, but decided it seemed like too much food. Both Monika and I ordered the Butternut Squash Bisque ($7) to start. It was a huge bowl of soup and was really good. This was a good deal. For our entrees Monika ordered the Chateaubriand ($38) and I ordered the Trio of Seafood Newburg ($37). Monika's steak was the most tender I have ever tasted. You could probably cut it with a spoon. Mine came with 1/2 a lobster tail in Newburg sauce, one shrimp on a sweet potatoe puree and one scallop on something that I forget. Mine was quite tasty, but one shrimp and one scallop?? I really think they could have thrown in two shrimp and two scallops for the price. We also were served bread. They bring it around on a big tray and offer you a slice of many different kinds. I think there were 5 different kinds, sun dried tomato, olive, banana nut, and a couple of others I don't remember. We both took the sun dried tomato which was quite good. I thought it odd they didn't leave us with a basket of bread and we were never offered a second slice. Another table had a whole basket full. And I do love my bread.
We decided to share dessert, but soon regretted it. Not because dessert was fabulous, but because it was tiny. We ordered the date poundcake with Dolce de Lechi ice cream ($9). It was tiny. This tasted OK, but wasn't as good as I think it could have been. Monika regretted not ordering the Creme Brulee Trio. In addition we had decaf coffee which was wonderful. I love good restaurant coffee.
The service throughout the evening was very good. Louis was very friendly and we liked him a lot, though I was disappointed he didn't share any of the history of the Club with us. The waitress at the next table was telling her group all kinds of things, but I couldn't really hear. Louis had asked if we had been there before so he did know it was our first, perhaps only, visit.
After dinner we stopped by the merchandise cabinet to buy some souvenirs. Monika chose a keychain ($10) and I opted for the latte mug ($20). Michael went in the back to get these for us and returned with everything wrapped in tissue and bagged (important to note for later). We took some time taking pictures of ourselves at the phone booth and descending the stairs. There was no one around by this time so we weren't in jeopardy of bothering anyone. We then said good-bye to Club 33 and headed out to join the common folk.
I didn't look at my mug until I got home as I didn't want to unwrap it. When I did unwrap it I was very annoyed to find that the inside was cracked and chipped! It was apparent it was damaged when I got it as it was only on the inside and it had been wrapped very securely. Like I'll be able to get another one of these anytime soon, if ever! I returned it to the Disney Store as I'm not one to spend $20 on a broken latte mug. Now I wish I had taken the Club 33 pen I signed my charge slip with. I hadn't because I didn't want to be rude, but now I wish I had been! C'est la vie...
If I do get another chance to visit Club 33 I think I'll opt for the buffet to try something different. I hope I get to come back, but if not, at least I got to go once in my lifetime. A visit I will always remember.
