Wondering What's Next….

Day 4 started in usual fashion – early and rushed. However, because we were within hailing distance of the parks, we had great motivation and soon met everyone in the lobby. Everyone was buzzing with excitement, because this was the morning for the…. ta da!

Breakfast at Club 33!!

Before breakfast, we walked en masse to Disneyland park and gathered outside the gates.

It’s always a surreal experience anytime you are able to visit Disney parks before they open to the public. This was sort of magical as we walked through Walt’s park at the start of the day. The streets were freshly washed, and cast members were putting extra polish on the windows. Groundskeepers were plucking faded blooms from planters, and carpenters dabbed paint on railings. We were asked by our guides to avoid photographing maintenance, and gladly complied.

Passing under the railroad over head into the park:

Early morning on Main Street:

Our group, google-eyed:

Sleeping Beauty’s castle ahead:

More:

Looking back down Main Street:

The amazing Partner’s statue:

Once at the end of Main Street, we were all able to get pictures in front of the Castle – here are our first timers at Disneyland:

Finally, it was time to head to one of my most favorite memories of  the trip – the glorious, infamous Club 33!

True Disney fans know of the legendary restaurant designed by Walt before his death. Located in New Orleans Square, it is an almost hidden entrance tucked back along a side street. Membership is exclusive and there are reports of a 10-year wait-list for consideration. I was surprised to learn that while Walt designed the eating space, he actually died before dining there.

During this entire trip I had so many moments when I thought “The trip could end right now and I would be perfectly satisfied” . This breakfast was another one, as we crossed through the hallowed entrance and made our way inside:

The lobby and stairs leading to the second story dining rooms:

Buffet line for our breakfast:

The surprisingly small main dining room – our party of 60 filled it to capacity:

Inside the dining room – the place settings were of fine heavy silver and delicate china :

Light fixture from the dining room:

Longer shot of the buffet line:

Inside the trophy room:

Inside the light fixtures we discovered the hidden microphones. Legend has it that Walt ordered these installed so he could monitor guests comments unobtrusively….

We ate a scrumptious buffet that was outstanding in every way. Even though Club 33 is not usually open for breakfast, the food was amazing and kept us buoyed all day.

All too soon our time in Club 33 came to an end. We had all managed to shop from the small display case and take plenty of pictures, and the rest of our day was ahead.

More to come: