Disneyland's Club 33 Private Restaurant

A discreet 33 marks the location of Disneyland's Club 33.

Welcome from a Disney Cast Member.

Unbeknownst to most Disneyland visitors is the legendary Club 33, a private restaurant located in the park's New Orleans Square. Members must be invited to join in addition to shelling out a $25,000 initiation fee and $10,000 in annual dues.

Disney is sending embossed invitations to the first 100 people on the club's 800-name waiting list, the first time in over a decade. All members will also gain access to 1901, a private lounge named after the year Walt Disney was born, which is set to open June 15 at Disney California Adventure. Membership also offers access to use VIP tour guides, itinerary planning services, valet parking and complimentary hotel upgrades. Member names are kept strictly confidential. But celebrities reported to have gone to the club include Tom Hanks, Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera and Elton John.

The club, which opened in 1967 six months after Walt Disney's death, was created as a place to entertain corporate sponsors and dignitaries. Since then the club has gained a mythical status. Club 33 serves alcohol setting it apart from all other restaurants in the park. It is reported that cell phones are prohibited in dining area along with lewd conduct and inappropriate attire.

A second Club 33 is located in Tokyo, Disneyland and located off the park's World Bazaar. Members of Club 33 do not have reciprocal benefits between parks. The origin of the name Club 33 is reported to be associated with the club's address of 33 Royal Street at Disneyland's New Orleans Square.

A harpsichord sits across the club's bar.

The formal main dining room.

The china is marked with the club's emblem.

The ornate interior of the restaurant.

View of New Orleans Square from the Club 33.

Appropriate attire is required for members dining at Club 33.
(photos: Joshua Sudock/Orange County Register)

Abandoned Fake Disneyland in China

(photos: David Gray)

Several news outlets have published images by photographer David Gray of the abounded construction site of an amusement park called Wonderland in China. Despite the economic and construction boom in China, these photos are haunting and sign that some of the country's growth is poorly managed.

Gray discovered the late 1990s remains of the Wonderland amusement park last December. Starting in 1998 it was planned as the largest theme park in Asia by Reignwood Corp (a Thai-owned property developer), the site is now a ghost town surrounded by the reclaimed crop land of local farmers. Wonderland, located 20 miles outside of Beijing, was to be 120 acres.

Trouble begin in 2000 when the developer, local government and farmers could not agree on the value of the land. Attempts to restart the project in 2008 also failed. The developer eventually moved its concentration to a golf course and a chain of luxury hotels while Wonderland lay in waste.

Today those willing to access the abandoned site will find the skeletal remains of a palace, a castle and the steel beams of what was to be an indoor playground.

Click HERE to view David Gray's blog post on the Reuters news website.