Couple's $400,000 Struggle To Re-Enter Disney's Elite Club Ends In Defeat

Club 33 is an exclusive invite-only club that requires a significant annual fee.

Damjan

• Published in Disney
• September 13, 2024

Exclusive memberships often come with privileges, unique experiences, and a certain level of prestige. Among these is Disney’s Club 33, an invite-only private dining club known for its exclusivity and high price tag.

Members of this club gain access to exclusive events, private lounges, and dining experiences within Disney’s parks, making it a coveted membership for Disney fans.

However, what happens when members are expelled from such an elite group, and how far would someone go to regain access? The story of Scott and Diana Anderson offers insight into this very question.

Scott and Diana Anderson, a couple from Arizona, have spent over $400,000 in legal fees over the past seven years to regain membership to Disney’s Club 33 after being removed in 2017. Despite their efforts, they recently lost the case, highlighting their lengths to reclaim their spot in the exclusive club.

Club 33 is not an ordinary membership. It reportedly costs around $31,500 per year, and in some cases, the waitlist to join has extended to as long as 14 years.

The Andersons paid around $125,000 annually to join and regularly visit Disney’s two parks in California. It was a significant financial and emotional investment for the couple, who treasured their membership at Disneyland’s most exclusive club.

The incident that led to their expulsion occurred at Disney's California Adventure Park in September 2017. According to court documents, a security guard reported that Scott Anderson appeared to be "heavily under the influence," describing his behavior as slurred speech, hunched posture, and difficulty standing.

As a result of this incident, the general manager of Club 33 decided to terminate the couple’s membership. Scott Anderson, however, disputed the allegation. He wrote a letter explaining that his apparent behavior was due to a severe allergy attack, which caused him great physical pain and discomfort.

Anderson admitted to drinking on the day of the incident but insisted that the amount consumed was not excessive. Despite these explanations, Disney upheld its decision to terminate the Andersons’ membership.

"There is no way we're letting this go," Mr. Anderson said.

The Andersons have not given up on their efforts to return to the exclusive club. Over the past seven years, they have spent significant time and money fighting the legal battle to regain their membership.

Scott Anderson has stated that the legal fees have delayed his retirement plans by five years, but he remains determined to pursue the case further.

In an interview with the LA Times, Diana Anderson expressed her commitment by jokingly saying she would sell a kidney if it meant they could be members of Club 33 again.

Despite their efforts and financial losses, the couple’s dream of rejoining Club 33 remains unfulfilled, and the lawsuit's outcome has left them without the coveted membership. Disney, for its part, has not commented on the matter publicly, and the Andersons’ lawyer has also been unavailable for comment.

This case shows how the drive to be part of exclusive groups can push people to make significant personal or financial sacrifices. The Andersons' persistence reflects the solid emotional ties individuals can develop to certain memberships, especially when it involves something as valued as Disney.

Though their efforts haven’t been successful yet, their story prompts reflection on the lengths people will go to to preserve access to a space that holds both status and personal happiness.

Damjan