Well, I've visited the 1901 Lounge via Disneyland personnel as they  tried their best to talk existing Club 33 members into upgrading their memberships from gold to platinum.
It's a nice place, but nothing too terribly special. It's certainly not worth the extra annual dues. Carthay Circle Restaurant is just as nice and requires no over-inflated membership fees. Napa Rose excels ahead of all three.
As a long time Club 33 member, I'm personally disheartened and outright astonished that Disney would resort to such a low brow tactic as building an extension of Club 33 and not allowing the original gold members to enter and utilize.
It's really no wonder that over 100 long term members of Club 33 have dropped their memberships, many out of principle, in protest of Disneyland lowering Club 33 member benefits, failing to support the loyalty of original members with seniority ranging from 8 to 34 years.
Disney is truly riding on their laurels and I'm sorry to say, not every decision they make is a 'good decision'.
Excluding the folks who have been so supportive of the company is in exceptionally poor taste and reflects a complete lack of concern for original members.
The current Disney business model of making more money by providing less services and benefits will not prove a solid platform.
To be brutally honest, most who review Club 33 and the 1901 Lounge are simply so happy for the access, they somewhat lose track as to what quality service truly is, not to mention the value of those services and products.
As a long term member of Club 33 I've learned that the Walt Disney Company is no longer the quality/service driven organization it once was. The company suffers from a massive complex of self-entitlement hiding behind an American Icon with round ears and big yellow shoes.
Disney should be grateful for those who have supported their many efforts and never hesitated to write their Club 33 annual dues checks during their membership terms and when these loyal folks refuse to renew then clearly there is an issue.
I've read in so many reviews about Club 33 and 1901 being on peoples 'bucket list'. Perhaps my view of such things is based on my age and experience and having dealt with Disney for so many years but honestly, Club 33 and the 1901 Lounge shouldn't be on anyone's 'bucket list'. Time with family and friends is more important, not necessarily where you spend it. Prior to 2012, I would have encouraged you to join the club, wait the wait, spend the funds, but not now. If the Club is on your 'bucket list', then take your bucket outside and toss the contents to the hogs and let them chew on it. They'll probably choke. You're not casting pearls before swine, you're casting slop before swine which is exactly what they enjoy. No matter what the cute little sales girls say to you, remove your rose colored glasses and caveat emptor. Remember what Disney did to the founding gold members, they'll soon do to the platinum members, and so on.
When exactly the huntsman from Snow White cut the heart from the Walt Disney Company, I'm not sure, but rest assured, it's somewhere in a box, far, far away. Perhaps Davey Jones has it somewhere in the Caribbean!
I've often said that if the current management of Disneyland could place a dome over the park and charge each guest for 'Mickey Brand Oxygen - It's Swell!', they would. Sad thing is, some would buy into it and justify the tactic only because Mickey is on the bottle with his head in some sci-fi looking bubble and a retro looking air tank on his back.
I don't even know how to fathom a fancy pants club in the middle of Disneyland. Going in with jeans and a t-shirt was a little weird. What was not weird was drinking a fancy pants drink... Because it was good!
I was impressed by the classic cocktail menu. I did NOT expect the drinks to be quality, but they exceeded my expectations. They were just like you'd get at a regular cocktail specialty bar. I ordered the Negroni and it was strong and delicious. Or, just ditch the other drinks and get the martini just so you can see them melt the circular ice cube! Trust me, it's really cool to watch!
I like that there's little artifacts from Walt's life inside. I especially was entertained by the little note that states they didn't want the cartoons to have belly buttons shown anymore. Oh, how times have changed!
You can actually get some free warm olives as a little app teaser. It's quite large and delicious! I was surprised considering Disney food is sometimes a little iffy. I know this isn't necessarily something you get to experience every time you're in Disney because you need to have the special pass in, but if you have one or know someone that does, go for it! You're allowed to feel classy in Disney!
We recently went to the park with a group of friends and found it to be a) extremely hot and b) extremely crowded...so we made our way straight over to 1901 to cool off with a nice cold beverage. Â The secret door is to the right of the entrance of Carthay Circle and you have to have a Club 33 member with you to check in upon entering. Â We found the place to be peaceful and quiet and the perfect place to catch up over some cocktails. Â I tried two cocktails - the curve ball, which is a creation by one of the cast members here that is a bourbon based drink. Â I can't recall exactly what's in it because it's not even on the menu but it was simply delicious! Â The curve ball is that you'll be feeling nice and happy after one or two of those! :) Â And then I had to of course try Pimm's Punch which is gin & strawberry lemonade served over crushed ice and topped off with a strawberry and a raspberry. Â Equally delicious especially on a hot spring day! Â
I LOVED this lounge so much. Â From the relaxing music to the 1950s themed decor, it was perfect! Â It's truly such a special place. Â This is the place to go to escape all of the crowds and screaming children. Â The only downside is that they do allow children in here and a crowd of kids came in and were pretty loud...a brief little reminder that we were still at Disneyland. Â Fortunately they left after 5 minutes.
You know that scene in "The Nightmare Before Christmas" when Jack Skellington enters Christmastown and starts singing, "What's this? What's THIS?" Â That's exactly how I felt as I entered 1901 Lounge, located discreetly to the right of the Carthay Circle Lounge and Restaurant. Â This members-only lounge can be accessed by Club 33 members, and unlike the Club, the actual member has to be in attendance. Â There is no reservation to be made; just a show of membership card and entrance is granted for you and your guests.
I was celebrating a friend's birthday at the Disneyland Resort and he mentioned that we should grab a drink over at DCA. Â My mind flashed to the Alfresco Lounge or the Carthay Circle, but never could I have imagined my fortune of seeing him nonchalantly walk into 1901's doors with a secrecy that still escapes me. Â
Disney never ceases to amaze me with their attention to detail. The interior designers really did a great job of transporting me back to a time when Walt came to California and brought his animation dreams to life. So as not to ruin the mystery and exclusivity, I won't reveal too many details but there are so many great photographs on the wall and hidden references. Â Of course, "Carthay Circle Lounge Sessions" CD was on full loop, jazz renditions of popular Disney songs (i found you can buy this at one of shops in DCA!)
Our Cast Member, Greg, was fantastic and gave us menus, which are pretty much identical to the Carthay Lounge next door, except they have '1901' printed on the front. Â We ordered some drinks and sank into some fancy chairs. Â There are phone chargers available for iPhone and Android, and the ambient lighting gives this a very charming, cozy feel. Â There was only one other couple in the lounge when we visited it.
Order a Manhattan or a martini in this establishment and see the wondrous Ice Sphere machine - which really isn't much of a machine but more of a lesson in physics. Â A cylindrical piece of ice is compressed into a perfect sphere devoid of any ability to water down your drink. Â
If you're lucky enough to know someone who has a membership, do take advantage of seeing the Lounge, if not for the drinks, for just the sense of nostalgia to a time long past that a room built in 2012 could evoke.
Thank you WH for the brilliant experience!
At California Adventure Park next to the Carthay Circle Restaurant
Perhaps I would have to speak to a member of this club to massage my opinion of this lounge, but I found it to be a bit overrated.
For those who haven't heard of 1901 it is a membership only club/lounge akin to the more famous and offering quite a bit more Club 33.
Pricing to be a part of this Club is similar to the pricing of Club 33, but one receives a lot less in terms of benefits so to speak. While Club 33 is a full restaurant with various events, souvenirs, and history this is a newer lounge that makes for a nice escape from the crowds at California Adventure, but truth be told if that is what one desires then that can be achieved sans membership by going over to one of the Disnelyand Hotels.
The food menu here was designed by Chef Andrew Sutton of Napa Rose fame so I could only imagine how delicious that must be. They also have a full bar here too.
There is quite a bit of comfortable seating inside to relax in a nice temperature controlled atmosphere. The walls are also adorned with various Disney artwork that one can appreciate.
I also love that they have iPod/Android Phone charging stations which proves quite handy as well.
Before your day in the park is done,
When it's time to escape the sun,
If you should have the chance to come,
You'll find your respite in 1901.
I believe the actual name of this place is "1901 Lounge," though I could be mistaken. In any case, I was lucky enough to spend an evening here, recently, and let me tell you, I enjoyed it so much that I stayed from late afternoon very nearly until closing. I should mention - the drinks are reasonably priced, as they probably should be given the minimum annual fee to be a member. So a few hours of drinking won't break the bank.
As a Disneyland passholder, I am no stranger to the crowds and the noise of a day or night in the parks. And I love that. But there is something amazing about the ability to spend a quiet evening or even just a brief respite from the noise in the heart of the park. And quiet it was - for most of the night, it was just me, soft clinking here and there of glasses at the bar, and jazz versions of Disney classics (where can I buy that album??) played at the perfect volume.
The decor and ambiance of 1901 Lounge is truly wonderful if you're a discerning Disney fan. I personally thought Walt's presence was even more touching and keenly felt than even in Club 33, which is a feat considering it's brand new. If you get into the lounge and you don't take some time to look at all the artwork, you are remiss.
As for the service, it was basically perfect. After I'd been there for a little while, I scrapped my plans to do anything else in the park and decided to stay there and drink and read all evening. It was really like being in a cozy hotel lounge, and for much of the night (after my date had to leave) I was delighted to be the only patron. The bartender came by at well-timed intervals, not too often, to see how I was doing. By the end of the night, I realized that I was never really waiting for service to ask me what I wanted next.
I also took the opportunity at the end of the night to get a demonstration of their cool ice cube maker (search youtube if you're curious), and took my ice sphere with me as an ephemeral souvenir.
I had one appetizer there - some sort of moroccan skewer, I think. It was very similar, I thought, to something you can get at Paradise Garden Grill. Good, but nothing groundbreaking.
For drinks, I would say don't miss the Chip Shot. It was so good that I want to try to replicate it. I want one right now.
All told, even though I have had many a magical evening at Disneyland and DCA with friends and family, I can't believe I'm saying it, but I count the night I spent alone in 1901 among my very favorites.
1901 is probably the best hidden gem in all of Disney. Â At least in my humble opinion. Â Since we live close enough, we'll plan to meet folks at the park or just go and get away for an escape. Â Once in the park(s), if we find it to crowded or hot (depending on the season) we simply slip into 1901 where we are greeted with warm smiles, cold drinks, and soft seats. Â Once inside you're surrounded by all sorts of Disney Magic - did you seriously think I was going to give everything away...you'll have to experience it for yourself. Â Walt would be so proud of 1901.
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