Fairestoneofall - April 16, 2010 - Club 33

[fairestoneofall]

Travel dates: April 16th 2010
Travel method: Car
Resort:N/A
Accommodations:N/A
Ages Represented in Group:Thirty-something to Fifty
Disney Resort Experience Represented in Group:All six of us are APs
Cast of characters:Myself, DH, Disneyfunfamily4, DFF4's BFF, My DF and her DH

Myself along with my DH, DF and her DH headed up to DLR for a special kid free afternoon/evening! We arrived late afternoon and after a few minor mishaps, we decided to check out DCA's Food and Wine Festival first. We sampled some great Italian wines and then headed towards the Festival Marketplace to check out this year's merchandise and grab a much needed bite. We had all skipped lunch, anticipating an earlier arrival, so we were starved. Keeping in mind that it was after 4pm and our Club 33 reservation was at 6:15 we kept it light. We sampled the Festival and the Artisan Cheese plates. They were a perfect snack to tide us over for a couple of hours. We headed over to DL with a plan to get over to NOS and stay in the general area so there would be no way that we would be late for our reservation. The park crowds seemed light for a Friday afternoon and the weather was beautiful. We picked up FP's for Indy that we anticipated using after dinner and then headed to BTMRR. The queue was short, only about 10 minutes, which was great! Since that took so little time, we decided to head over to HM, which was only a 5 minute wait! While we were on HM DFF4 contacted me to let me know they were in the park. We met up in front of POTC and since we still had over 45 minutes until our reservation, we decided to ride. Once we were off of POTC it was 6pm, 15 minutes until our reservation, so we stayed near the Club 33 entrance. I changed my shoes (I wore flip flops in and brought appropriate dinner shoes) and we had a little photos session. At 6:15 I pushed "THE BUTTON!" Unfortunately, someone else was coming out (we originally though they were turned away because of dress code) and almost hit me with the door. The door was opened and the CM met me there. I informed her of my name and our reservation time and she welcomed us in. DH was having trouble with our 'good camera' so I was fumbling through my bag looking for our little back up camera. We took several photos in the lobby before heading up the lift. All the while DH is still having trouble with our good camera. Once we were upstairs, we were quickly seated. Well, the hostess tried to get us to our table quickly, but we were all snapping photos along the way. Once we were seated, in very comfortable seats, I might add, we were introduced to Alistair, our server. He did a great job of answering all of our questions. He was attentive to our needs, but did NOT rush us at any point. We continued to snap away at our cameras even before our drinks were ordered.

Everyone in our party ordered a glass of wine. DF and I ordered Silverado Sauvignon Blanc, which is made by Walt Disney's daughter, Diane. The wine was light and crisp, and a little on the sweet side. DFF4 had the Fess Parker Chardonnay, bottled exclusively for Disney. She said that she enjoyed it very much. My DH had a glass of St. Francis merlot, he enjoyed it, but it wasn't as spicy as he prefers. DF's DH and DFF4's BFF both had a glass of Pinot Noir that they enjoyed.

For dinner we all chose an appetizer course. The diver scallop and shrimp cakes were favorites of everyone at the table. DF's DH ordered the vintner's menu so his appetizer course was a spinach salad that he very much enjoyed. There was a lot of sharing of appetizers and entrees among our party, everyone wanted to sample as much as possible! It was great.

For dinner, I ordered the Prime Braised Short Rib with sweet potato gratin. The short rib was delicious, so tender, moist and tasty! The sweet potato gratin, on the other hand, was just OK. I think the potatoes were a little undercooked and a bit lacking in flavor. I ate a few bites off of the top and bottom where the potatoes were cooked more thoroughly. DH had the filet of chatauebriand and it was excellent! It was cooked to a perfect medium rare, wonderfully seasoned and so very tender, just as chateaubriand should be. DF ordered the duck confit, and was gracious enough to share a bite with me. I thought it was very delicious. DH enjoyed it, but did admit that it was just a tad on the dry side. Her DH had a lake whitefish second course that he said was good, but not to die for. Followed by a main course of New York strip steak. He said it was cooked very well and much more tender than he expected it to be when he initially cut into it. DFF4's BFF ordered the John Dory. She shared a bite with me and I have to say, for a moment I was sorry that I didn't order it. It was lightly pan seared and seasoned with white pepper, which I love. DFF4 also ordered the John Dory, if I'm remembering everything correctly. It's not easy to remember what 6 people ate and drank!

I'll finish the report tonight!

[DisneyFunFamily4]

Yes, you are correct with what we ordered! I might add that the John Dory was very filling neither one of us was able to finish it, it was served with crispy artichokes and potatoes with a kumquat marmalade, it was wonderful. When we were telling the kids about our meal later in the evening.. They said "you ate Dory's husband John? How could you?" They are too funny...

And don't forget about the Shrimp Cake appetizer either, BFF and i had that and I believe Fairest DH had it as well, we really enjoyed it!

[fairestoneofall]

And don't forget about the Shrimp Cake appetizer either, BFF and i had that and I believe Fairest DH had it as well, we really enjoyed it!

I didn't! It's in the paragraph above!
I guess I'd better get back to work and finish this report!

[DisneyFunFamily4]

I didn't! It's in the paragraph above!
I guess I'd better get back to work and finish this report!

opps, you're right, that's what happens when I read when I'm tired. I really need to get some sleep! Great report by the way.

[fairestoneofall]

So, when everyone had finished their main course, DF's DH had his cheese course. He said the cheeses were good, but it was just cheese, nothing to get too excited about. Me, on the other hand, I LOVE cheese and probably would have been a bit more excited about it. While that was being served, DFF4 and her BF went to the ladies room and had a little photo session! Not that I can make fun of them, I took my camera into the bathroom and I made DH take it when he went. He was NOT pleased.

Next came dessert. DF's DH was served Apple Charlotte with the vintner's menu. I was curious about this one since I have had the Apple Charlotte at Napa Rose. My DH ordered the Apple Charlotte as well. Let me tell you, that it was NOTHING like the one at the Napa Rose. In fact, I think it was much better. There, I said it. There was an apple cinnamon 'loaf' of some sort that was absolutely amazing, it was served with apple compote, ice cream and the most amazing whipped cream I have ever tasted. DF and I both ordered the chocolate trio. It was incredible! There was a molten chocolate cake that was simply perfect, but even more so than that, was the chocolate caramel creme. It wasn't quite a pudding or a mousse. It as incredibly silky, smooth and rich. Lastly there was a crispy chocolate cookie-esque dessert atop an orange mini cake. It was very good, but it didn't stand up to how amazing the other items in the trio were. Next was DFF4, she had the creme brulee infused with black tea. She said it was very good and the waiter explained it has having a smokiness from the black tea. For the life of me, I cannot remember what DFF4's BFF had for dessert (DFF4, help me out here!). DF, DFF4's BFF and I all had coffee with our desserts as well.

We took our time with our desserts. Not only were we NOT in a hurry, but we were stuffed and it was taking us longer to eat by this time. When dessert was over Alistair brought our bill. It was nice that they had separated the tab by guest numbers automatically. That was nice since the bill was actually being split four ways.

On our way out we took our time, took more photos and picked out our merchandise. All of the girls got a set of Club 33 Mickey Ears! I also bought a trading pin, which, I'm sure, I will never trade.

It was a most memorable night. Overall, I would say that the food at Napa Rose is better, but there is something so special about Club 33, it was Walt's place. Our invitation to Club 33 came very unexpected. When our reservation was made it still didn't seem real. It finally hit me when they called to confirm our reservation on Thursday. We're really going to Club 33! I know that it's a privilege to visit. I'm aware that most people, in their whole lives, will never have this opportunity and I don't take that for granted. I hope one day that I am invited back, but if not, I count my blessings and have many wonderful memories with great people that I can call upon!

I'll never forget April 16, 2010.

[MammaSilva]

Wonderful trip report! I've been blessed to be able to visit the club once for my 50th birthday thanks to a hook up thru a work situation of one of my nephews...the hookup is gone but the memories of that trip will last forever!

[bennette]

I'm glad you all had such a good time!

[fairestoneofall]

Wonderful trip report! I've been blessed to be able to visit the club once for my 50th birthday thanks to a hook up thru a work situation of one of my nephews...the hookup is gone but the memories of that trip will last forever!

Thank you, MammaSilva. It sad to think that Friday could have been the first and last time I ever visit there. But, I agree, I will hold the memories sacred.

I'm glad you all had such a good time!

We really did! I'm glad we went with the group we did, they were fun and it made all the difference. It also helps that they people we went with really understand what a special opportunity it was.

[fairestoneofall]

Oh, and I failed to mention that we never made it back to Indy to use our FPs. We were so stuffed! But, we did make it out of Club 33 in perfect timing to view fireworks.

[cstephens]

Thanks for a terrific report. Sounds like you all had a terrific time.

[houseofmouse]

Mmmmm I am hungry now! Sounds like a wonderful evening and you had a great time.

[DisneyFunFamily4]

I made DH take it when he went. He was NOT pleased.

No, he was not at all pleased, but it was quite humorous when you asked him if he wanted to take a camera to the bathroom with him.

I cannot remember what DFF4's BFF had for dessert (DFF4, help me out here!).

She had the apple charlotte too!

Oh, and I failed to mention that we never made it back to Indy to use our FPs. We were so stuffed! But, we did make it out of Club 33 in perfect timing to view fireworks.

Hey, we went on Indy after dinner, the "babysitter" got us all FP's for it while we were dining! We're you able to get a decent spot for the fireworks? DD6 loves her Club33 ears, we went to the hat shop in Fantasyland and they embroidered them for us! It was such an amazing night.

[oreo1112]

Wow sounds like you had an awesome time! I recently found out that I am getting the chance to go to Club 33. I was wondering if someone could maybe give me more information about the pricing. It is going to be Mom, sister and myself who are going. My sister and I both have passes to the park and my mom does not. I cant wait to see this amazing place from so much I have heard about it!

[Malcon10t]

Wow sounds like you had an awesome time! I recently found out that I am getting the chance to go to Club 33. I was wondering if someone could maybe give me more information about the pricing. It is going to be Mom, sister and myself who are going. My sister and I both have passes to the park and my mom does not. I cant wait to see this amazing place from so much I have heard about it!

Estimate about $100 per person. If you are going for lunch, it is $72 before tax ($6) and tip ($13). Alcohol will raise the price. Lunch is a buffet for appetizers and desserts, with a plated entree.

Dinner is based on the meal you choose. I think Fairest posted pics of the menu with prices. Vintner menu is $85 (plus tax and tip).

[fairestoneofall]

We're you able to get a decent spot for the fireworks? DD6 loves her Club33 ears, we went to the hat shop in Fantasyland and they embroidered them for us! It was such an amazing night.

It WAS an amazing night! And no, we didn't stay for fireworks. I think I was on sensory overload.

Estimate about $100 per person. If you are going for lunch, it is $72 before tax ($6) and tip ($13). Alcohol will raise the price. Lunch is a buffet for appetizers and desserts, with a plated entree.

Dinner is based on the meal you choose. I think Fairest posted pics of the menu with prices. Vintner menu is $85 (plus tax and tip).

FWIW our bill averaged $100 (before tip and after tax), almost to the penny, per person. Granted we were there for dinner and we all had wine, appetizer, dinner and dessert. Plus, three of us had coffee.

[chuck5722]

Hey nice report !

Going to the club on June 18th ! How much are the mickey ears ? And what do they look like ?

Chuck

[fairestoneofall]

Hey nice report !

Going to the club on June 18th ! How much are the mickey ears ? And what do they look like ?

Chuck

The ears were $20 and there are two styles. One just has the classic gold Club 33 logo. The other has a silver Club 33 logo, but it's not the standard logo.

[Malcon10t]

The ears were $20 and there are two styles. One just has the classic gold Club 33 logo. The other has a silver Club 33 logo, but it's not the standard logo.

The silver ones were the Christmas ears. The gold ones sold out last weekend. Hopefully, they will have them back in stock by the 18th. (SOMEONE bought the last pair out of the case.)

Here is what they look like:


And if you look at the meal report here, there are pics of the case with items that can be purchased.

[wabby1]

I enjoyed reading over your report....and thanks for all of the details. I had the honor of going into Club 33 in 2005, as it coincided with my sister's 50th birthday and DLR's birthday as well. I was working for Coke at the time, and they were gracious enough to get us into the Club. It remains one of the most surreal experiences of my life, and one that I doubt I'll ever be able to repeat again, but you never know.

Thanks for bringing back some good memories!

[chuck5722]

Thanks So Much for the info and detailed report ! Love the dog

Chuck

[anniedg]

I don't know how I didn't see this until now! Thanks for the great report - this is probably as close as I'll get to a meal at Club 33 so I really appreciate it! I'm glad you guys had so much fun, and I'm totally with you all on the picture-taking mania.