The plans for the upcoming Club 33 Remodel are being revealed to members, during special assigned viewing sessions within the Disneyland Hotel. The dog-and-pony show includes a short video that does confirm that The Court of Angels will be closed off to the public. The area will be spruced up a bit, with the addition of more statues and lighting. The entrance to the Club itself will be at the top of the stairway in a new enclosed area; a new ADA compliant elevator will take guests up to this entry door.
The "street" entrance will changed to what has been the Christmas Ornament shop (L"Ornement Magique).
The arched portico of the Court of Angels will be sealed off to the public with stained glass, which will replace the (formerly) always open iron gates.
They're redoing the entire main dining room and lounge alley. All new floors, removing the fireplace to add more windows, widening lounge alley and sure enough, removing the old Trophy Room.
The entire second story above the French Market Restaurant will be converted into a large Jazz Club that can seat approximately 90 people.
Kim Irvine's designs for the interior are supposedly spectacular, including concepts from Tiana's Place ("The Princess and the Frog").
One of the highlights will be a good-sized handcarved bar and a computerized grand piano with recording capabilities. At this point, Club 33 Gold Members will be allowed entrance into the Jazz Club.
The original numbered Club 33 entry door will remain, but will be only an unused façade. The original elevator will also be kept, but will be moved towards the new entrance. Because it is not ADA compliant, at this point it will no longer function.
The main dining room and entry hallway will be expanded and redecorated, looking less Victorian and more New Orleans. Wicker chairs with lighter fabrics have been chosen, reducing the somewhat formal feel of what has been there in the past. The balconies will remain, but the fireplace will be removed so that more windows can be added.
Whew...that's a lot of info. What are your thoughts?
See more vintage & current Disneyland Club 33 photos on my Club 33 web pages.
16 comments:
For some reason, I seem to remember that when the whole area was built, and the Court of Angles was put in, it was common knowledge that it would someday be the entrance to a restaurant, or possible for Walt's new private apartment. The idea seems to have come full circle after all these years.
The Tiana’s Place/Jazz Club sounds interesting; however Club 33 holds little to no interest for me since my chances of ever experiencing it are slim to zero. It's too bad about the Court of Angels, but honestly what percentage of Disneyland visitors are actually going to miss it enough to affect Disney’s bottom line. Now I can file the Court of Angels into my "fond memories" file of lost Disneyland attractions and move on to other things.
Lee - It wouldn't surprise me, and your memory has been spot on so far!
Dave, will the jazz club be open to non Club 33 guests?
Mark - No, as it's part of Club 33.
^^ Too bad- a wasted opportunity!
That all depends on how you look at it...if the Corporation makes enough money on new memberships and private events, they might disagree with you.
I've always loved the idea of incorporating a Tiana's Place into New Orleans Square, but it is a shame that it should be so restricted. I felt that Club 33 was a more luxurious experience, than a "Disney experience". And by putting a Princess and the Frog twist in, it just seems to make Club 33 a bit cheesy, instead of posh. But then again, it depends on how they go about it, it could very well be incredible and still fantastic and gorgeous.
I think I'm still the most bummed about the Court of Angels. Where will New Orleans character meet-and-greets happen? That's were Tiana was, as well as all of the Mardi Gras Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Chip and Dale meet-and-greets were! It was such a wonderful intimate space. However, I do see what K. Martinez is saying. I remember my first few visits wondering if I was ALLOWED to go in there.
All in all, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised...New Orleans Square keeps hurting my feelings. I hated that they took away the Gallery from above Pirates and moved it to Main Street. It was such a great location to look over the Rivers of America and New Orleans Square.
Dave,
What's going to happen to the really nice open air feel that the French Market Restaurant has now with the construction of the new "wing" of Club 33?? Also, with the expansion have you heard if club membership fees will go down? I had the opportunity to join last year but had a heart attack when I saw the fees had jumped to $30,00!
Unknown: Fees go down? At Disney? From the exterior, I believe the French Market will look the same once the construction is done. As for Club 33 fees...management is offering other private venues throughout the park for members to use during the relatively short construction period, so as far as I know, there is no reduction in price.
Janey - The closure of the Disney Gallery above Pirates of the Caribbean actually bothered me more than the Court of Angels. I spent a lot of time in that place. Oh well. Change is change.
Dave - If you ever get a chance to see the Jazz Club portion of the new Club 33 after it opens, that I would be interested in reading about.
Horrid. Why don't they just take all of NOS and make it a Princess and the Frog themed playland for the rich? I think the whole original idea of 33 has been lost. Instead of an exclusive place to entertain VIP's, its now an ever more obvious money grab. Horrid..and sad.
So sad. New Orleans Square is the most beautiful area of the park. I adore the Court of Angles --it's enthralling. Many peaceful moments were captured there over the years, and the beauty of the design is unrivaled. even in the original plan I don't believe the court was meant to have no public access. Walt's private apartment, and the club were discrete in design, and although exclusive did not announce themselves in the way this new expansion will. I think it is contrary to Walt's philosophy of the park to exclude the general public in such an obvious, and divisive manner. So much of what makes the park special, and unique seems to be getting lost. It is most regrettable. I am saddened to think of loosing yet another cherished place, and absolutely disgusted by the reason why. Shame on them.
"Anonymous" stated it perfectly above. Shame on them, indeed! So Kim Irvine is involved in this project? I guess I really shouldn't be surprised. She obviously likes to destroy Disneyland history whenever and wherever she gets the chance.
As a Club 33 member who has seen the drawings of the new design I must say I am very impressed. Those that will get the opportunity to see the new club I am sure will feel the same. And yes, the club is not inexpensive but I truly feel it is worth every penny and is worth membership given the opportunity.
To the Anonymous who insulted Kim Irvine, shame on you! You don't even know her! And you're only saying mean things about her because of one mere little thing that you personally don't like and for no other reason.
If you'd listen to interviews and whatnot with her, you will learn that she has nothing but the utmost respect for the park and its history and legacy. She understands it very deeply, especially when you realize that she's the daughter of the late Leota Toombs.
As Thumper once said, if you can't say something nice, don't say something at all.
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