The holiday lunch at Disneyland’s Club 33 was one of the best meals ever

• For Christmas, I was treated to lunch at Disneyland’s elite Club 33, an invite-only club in the park.
• The Christmas prix-fixe meal featured baked salmon, lobster tail, filet mignon and specialty pastries.
• As a foodie and Disney fan, I had high hopes for Club 33 – and the food still exceeded expectations.

This year, as a Christmas present, I received a rare experience that I doubted I would ever have the chance to experience: dining at the exclusive Club 33 in Disneyland.

As a Disney fan and foodie, I’ve long heard rumors of an elite members-only club with a secret entrance on Royal Street in New Orleans Square. Business Insider previously reported that there is an initial fee of $25,000 to $100,000 to join, in addition to a yearlong waiting list for membership. Club 33as well as an annual price tag ranging between $12,500 and $30,000, depending on membership level.

The mysterious club made headlines again this year after an Arizona couple said they spent $400,000 on legal fees in a lawsuit to regain entry after their membership has been cancelled.

And while it’s too rich for my blood, after thoroughly enjoying my lunch there, I can see why they’d fight so hard to maintain access.

Here’s a glimpse of the seasonal holiday experiences offered this year at Le Grand Salon Club 33 restaurant, which – despite my already high expectations – left me feeling surprised and delighted at every turn.

When you dine at Le Grand Salon, you will never forget that you are in for a luxurious – and exclusive – experience. Park staff are already known for their dedication to customer service, but Club 33 takes things to another level.

Guests enter the club through a secret door across from La Mascarade d’Orleans in New Orleans Square, using the buzzer to log in to the reservation. After walking through the Angel’s Court – a perfectly decorated courtyard where you can have your photo taken – you’ll be greeted by hosts who already know your name and seated for a meal.

Photography is permitted in the dining room and courtyard, but not in the bathrooms or members-only lounge.

Hosts will put any non-essential items you carry through a free coat check – no hoodies, yoga pants or dirty sneakers allowed inside.

The club’s iconic ’33’ logo is prominently featured throughout the venue, including dishes, menus and artwork on the walls and floor.

While you wait for your food, you can explore the balcony overlooking New Orleans Square, interact with the animatronic turkey vulture Alfredo, the club’s mascot, and admire the concept art and hand-painted vintage harpsichord. Walt Disney gifted to his wife Lillian, which now decorates the lounge.

Three-course fixed price of food it costs $140 per person for lunch, with wine pairing options for an additional $75. The cocktail menu is as thoughtfully curated as the rest of the experience, with classic options like mint juleps and whiskey sours available alongside seasonal twists like the ‘Winter Solstice Spritz’ and ‘Butter Rum Drummer Boy’.

Alcohol is still only served at a few select locations in Disneyland, and Club 33 offers the largest variety of options anywhere in the amusement park.

Although it was hard to choose—everything looked delicious and there were more options than we diners had at the table—I decided on the baked salmon for an appetizer, the filet mignon cooked medium for my entree, and the hot chocolate affogato for dessert.

My partner, who kindly called a family friend to get us to the club, had a prawn starter, a lobster starter and a warm sticky toffee cake for dessert.

We had such a hard time deciding on the details of our meal that our waitress, Beth, suggested we order her favorite dish – the sweet potato ravioli – à la carte.

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Although this option came with a $100 price increase, in the end we were glad we spent as the food was one of the best things we tasted all day.

Every dish was executed perfectly. The salmon was flaky, the steak was juicy with a beautifully cooked crust, and the pasta was smooth and flavorful.

During the meal, my partner and I exchanged surprised exclamations. While we enjoy the occasional dining experience, we have sometimes found more pomp and circumstance than taste in high-end restaurants. Not so at Club 33, where every dish prepared by Chef de Cuisine Gloria Tae was beautifully presented and delicious.

I used to work in a bakery and I have a special fondness for desserts. When I tell you I was blown away by Club 33’s sweet offerings, I mean it – from the moment I took my first bite, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

I ordered a hot chocolate affogatowhich was topped with mint ice cream and served alongside warm chocolate bars. The sticky toffee cake my partner chose was also exceptionally tasty, with a brown sugar sauce and egg cognac.

The dessert menu was so surprising that I ended up asking our server who Club 33’s pastry chefs were—and she mentioned that they also cook for Big Californianwhich means I’ll have to schedule a visit 4 star hotel to try more of your creations in the future.

Our server gave us Club 33 themed macaroons before we left, allowing me to continue enjoying the experience the next day when I finally relented and opened the box they were served in.

Overall, the dining experience at Club 33’s Le Grand Salon lived up to the hype I’ve heard over the years. I half expected to set it to an unattainable level in my head, but I really should have known. magic that Disney is able to pull off.

And while I wasn’t invited to join the club myself—nor do I have the $30,000 to join if I were—I now completely understand why Club 33 has earned the reputation it has.