It has been great while here in Anaheim to fit in some time at Disneyland. Besides the Scholarship Bash on Saturday night, MSLA president-elect Gerri Fegan and I had the privilege of attending two special events Sunday night courtesy of Disney. The first was a cocktail reception at the Grand Californian hotel, were we were entertained by Bob Dorough, the composer/pianist of the Schoolhouse Rock songs that were aired on Saturday mornings from 1973 to 1985 between cartoon shows. Do you remember Conjunction Junction or Three is a Magic Number? Judging by the number of people singing along, it seemed like most of the guests there last night did.
Disney Educational Productions is about to release an updated series of Schoolhouse Rock songs on science and ecology, and we were given a preview, along with a selection of hors d'oeuvres, specially decorated Disney cookies, and cocktails.After about an hour or so of entertainment, some Disney cast members escorted a small group of us into New Orleans Square in Disneyland where we waited outside a nondescript door with just the number 33 next it to hint that this was the legendary Club 33. This is a private club that Walt Disney conceived where he planned to entertain VIPs and the park's original sponsors. Although he died before it opened, it was completed and is a membership much sought-after by true Disney aficionados. We learned from our waiter that it is limited to 475 members and that people can stay on the waiting list for 10 years or more. Members get access to the club along with 365-days admittance to Disneyland and other benefits.
The public is not admitted to Club 33, so the only way you can get in is if you are the guest of a member or Disney management, so this was an uncommon opportunity. We were treated to a delicious, multi-course meal, starting with field greens, then a sweet red pepper bisque. Next came a large grilled prawn on a bed of baby spinach. We had a choice of either salmon or chicken for our entree. Everyone at our table chose the salmon and it was excellent. It came with broccoli rabe. Our desert was creme brulee. The wine I selected was a Pinot Noir from the vineyard of Fred MacMurray (remember Father Knows Best?).After our meal was completed around 11pm, the park was still open for one more hour, so Gerri and I - all decked out in our dressy clothes - decided to go on some rides. We went on the Indiana Jones Adventure and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, leaving an almost-deserted Disneyland well after midnight. This was a really fun and unique evening and an experience we'll bother long remember.
Click here to see all the photos from our special evening.
2 comments:
Was the Club 33 experience supposed to be for all the scholarship bash attendees? I went to the bash, but no one could tell me where we were supposed to go. :(
The Club 33 event was a private, by invitation only - not during the Bash. It was on Sunday night. I was invited by our Disney Educational Productions rep.
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