Matt's Fall, 2019 adventure with Club 33 and 21 Royal

[Malcon10t]

Apologies, I read this thread the first day he posted, which was on Friday, I believe, and didn’t remember which hotel, or that he’d even included the name.

No apology needed, I was a little surprised at the cost of the PPI as it is usually a cheaper motel.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I'm really looking forward to hearing about your experience at 21 Royal. We had a fabulous time there back in 2017, and I'm still trying to piece together 12 people to go back! It's like herding cats to get 12 people together on the same night who are willing to spend that sort of cash!

We'd love to go sometime if you are ever looking for fill-ins I have vague recollections of a thread a while back trying to organize--not sure if that was you guys?

 

[bethwc101]

I thought the Grand California

the BWPPI isnt a pretty penny. Maybe a pressed one..

I believe they are staying at BW, but met up with the dining group at the GC.

 

[whoever]

I believe they are staying at BW, but met up with the dining group at the GC.

Correct, you depart for the experience from the Grand. The experience includes complimentary valet at the Grand for that reason as an FYI.

 

[whoever]

It was such a great experience for the price.

 

[whoever]

That’s not horrendous..

$1250 each...
I went to dinner at Atelier Crenn and it was $3k for 4 of us...if it’s fine food and an amazing atmosphere I think it’s completely worth it. I’d love to join a group someday, really.

Bear in mind you also get a 1-day park hopper and complementary valet at the Grand, so that's about a $180 value as part of it. The pre-meal drinks you could easily say are worth $50-100. The wines drank and food we ate would have been easily $5-600 per person, so it starts to get really cost-neutral, and getting that much time in the DS and watching F! from the bacony is just icing on the cake IMHO, especially if you get the cost down to $835/per person like we paid. The pin they give you from the experience will sell for $2-300 all day long on fleabay, so if you aren't interested in the souvenirs, you could have an amazing experience for not much $.

 

[bethwc101]

Bear in mind you also get a 1-day park hopper and complementary valet at the Grand, so that's about a $180 value as part of it. The pre-meal drinks you could easily say are worth $50-100. The wines drank and food we ate would have been easily $5-600 per person, so it starts to get really cost-neutral, and getting that much time in the DS and watching F! from the bacony is just icing on the cake IMHO, especially if you get the cost down to $835/per person like we paid. The pin they give you from the experience will sell for $2-300 all day long on fleabay, so if you aren't interested in the souvenirs, you could have an amazing experience for not much $.

Hmmm.... Maybe there is a way i could convince DH to do this for our mini milestone anniversary this year instead of doing a full vacation. If I catch wind of another group coordinating one of these meals I just might pitch the idea to him.

 

[maleficent55]

Bear in mind you also get a 1-day park hopper and complementary valet at the Grand, so that's about a $180 value as part of it. The pre-meal drinks you could easily say are worth $50-100. The wines drank and food we ate would have been easily $5-600 per person, so it starts to get really cost-neutral, and getting that much time in the DS and watching F! from the bacony is just icing on the cake IMHO, especially if you get the cost down to $835/per person like we paid. The pin they give you from the experience will sell for $2-300 all day long on fleabay, so if you aren't interested in the souvenirs, you could have an amazing experience for not much $.

I’m loving all of this. Let me know when the next one starts getting planned

 

[StarlitNight05]

Love the trip report so far. I LOVE Amy's dress!

I'd definitely be interested in going in on this one day too.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Love the story and great pics, thanks for sharing Matt. Looking forward to the rest of the trip.

 

[gerilyne]

I am loving living vicariously through your photos. I was lucky enough to experience C33 a few years ago before the remodel. I am drooling with jealousy!

 

[Carolwoodpr]

Did I miss the rest? . Not so patiently waiting for more.

 

[MommyLove]

Matt, you know I'm a fan of your TRs! This is already fantastic. Love your story telling, details, and of course excellent photos!

Your tie. I die! You both look great in your HM wear.

Looking forward to the rest!

... and I'm still trying to piece together 12 people to go back!

Put me on your list for two attendees. You never know, the stars could align...

... especially if you get the cost down to $835/per person

$835/person certainly sounds better than $1,250/person!

 

[cruisehopeful]

I'm still trying to piece together 12 people to go back! It's like herding cats to get 12 people together on the same night who are willing to spend that sort of cash!

As this report unfolds, I may end up asking to join your list. I love unique experiences, but am not much of a foodie. I'm waiting to hear if the chef can deal with people like me or if I'd end up just passing most of my food to someone else. Is the booking still about 6 months in advance?

 

[whoever]

Did I miss the rest? . Not so patiently waiting for more.

No, I've just been busy. I'll have the next installment up soon.

 

[whoever]

Matt, you know I'm a fan of your TRs! This is already fantastic. Love your story telling, details, and of course excellent photos!

Your tie. I die! You both look great in your HM wear.

Thanks! Had that tie for years, and only had occasion to wear it a couple times.

Looking forward to the rest!



Put me on your list for two attendees. You never know, the stars could align...



$835/person certainly sounds better than $1,250/person!

It really is a decent price considering all you get. I think I paid $300 just for breakfast behind the scenes on the Jungle cruise and I thought that was a deal at the time.

 

[DizMe]

Jumping in late, Matt, but you know I love to hear all about your trips! You and Amy look fabulous as always, and what an amaazing adventure! I should bring you along whenever I travel because you have so much fun and you take great pictures . I'm still in for one of the 12 attendees if there is a group being set up. One of the issues with that is that the organizer is responsible for full payment, so if people bail, that person has to either find others to fill the slot(s), ask the other attendees to split the extra cost, or pay it him/herself.

I remember when we were talking about this last time and wanting to organize a group, we were told by the admins that it was against DIS rules to do so on the board, so it needs to be done privately.

 

[whoever]

Jumping in late, Matt, but you know I love to hear all about your trips! You and Amy look fabulous as always, and what an amaazing adventure! I should bring you along whenever I travel because you have so much fun and you take great pictures .

Thanks Cheri! Always love meeting up with you at the parks. Such good times. I think last time was for my 40th Birthday when we met over by the Hyperion.

I'm still in for one of the 12 attendees if there is a group being set up. One of the issues with that is that the organizer is responsible for full payment, so if people bail, that person has to either find others to fill the slot(s), ask the other attendees to split the extra cost, or pay it him/herself.

I remember when we were talking about this last time and wanting to organize a group, we were told by the admins that it was against DIS rules to do so on the board, so it needs to be done privately.

Yep, that's why payment is due up front once a commitment is made. That way, you can sell your seat to someone else, but if you have to bail, you just paid to not attend.

 

[whoever]

Around 4:45 our group assembled. We were each wearing something HM-esque, and several parties of the group had brought favors. We had HM goodie bags, 21 Royal Pins, 21 Royal Shirts, and a special extra to come later. Don't worry, pics will be at the end of the TR.

I had seen this Plaid hovering around by the Fireplace earlier, and had mentioned I was part of the 21 Royal Party. At 4:52, he had come around and met us on the other side of the lobby by the Grandfather Clock where we had gathered. His name was Dakota from Orange, CA, and he would be escorting us to our hand-off backstage!!!

Our parties assembled, we were off. We ventured through the majestic doors of the Grand to the Porte Cochere and out to where the limo services normally park. We made a left, were greeted by our Limo bus. We boarded, selected seats and all looked at each other. Were we REALLY doing this?

The limo bus was nicely appointed, and the screens had the 21 Royal logo on the Driver's side and the 21 Royal Script on the Passenger's side. Dakota took his place up front and welcomed us on our journey. We were told ZERO pics once we re-entered Disney Property as we'd be backstage and made us swear a solemn blood oath we'd follow those instructions. (OK, I made that last part up.)

We exited the Grand's parking lot and made a right hand turn on Disneyland Drive and followed it up to Ball Rd, where we made another right and then stopped at the light at Cast Place and made another right.

From there, we wove our way through the warehouses, which we witnessed the parade floats and various other ride vehicles being serviced/prepped. We wove past Star Wars, Galaxy's Edge behind the Smuggler's Run attraction. We passed the show building for the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and then saw the Back-side of Water... I mean Splash Mountain. On our Right had side, we saw the West Sider, the Cast Member cafeteria.. Then, we were there.... We edged in along a building with two signs affixed to the corner. The top one stating "NOTICE - Authorized Access Only. Locked During Park Operating Hours" The bottom...."DOOR 2-2 BOAT ELEVATOR CHASE SCENE BOAT STORAGE AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY". YES!!! We were parked next to the show building of Pirates!!!!


We exited the limo and were greeted by several well adorned gentleman. This was where we would say good bye to Dakota and would be guided from here on by Paul, our 21 Royal Host of the night. We walked behind the show building, through a gate, and emerged next to the New Orleans Square Disneyland Railroad Train Station... ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS!! We looked to the left, said a silent prayer, and crossed!!!

We ventured past the emergency exit to Le Salon Noveau, past the New Orleans Square bathrooms, past Club 33. We paused there and he asked if any of us had been. A collective school-girl giggle went through the group as we said nearly in unison that we had just been there nary an hour earlier.
We congregated for a brief moment outside the entrance to Cafe Orleans where we discussed what we were about to experience and made sure the entire group had successfully arrived without being lost to the many sights and sounds of New Orleans Square, the best land in Disneyland!

Below is a pic of the path we took. The limo in red, on foot, in yellow. (Yellow subject to change if I remembered it wrong)

After much anticipation, we arrived at our destination... the hallowed stairs to heaven... I mean 21 Royal. We paused for a group pic or two before we went up amid much questioning of curious bystanders.

And we finally entered the inner sanctum.

 

[MommyLove]

Wow! What a cool experience already! Loving this.

Even your map is fabulous! Thanks for sharing all these awesome details!