Club Wyndham Anaheim

Club Wyndham Anaheim is in Anaheim, California. Anaheim is the foundation of many wonderful things.

Video by Cow Missing 

Day One Travel & Arrival

My day started with a flight with a single stop or layover, then on to Anaheim. Total travel time was about 8 hours with that layover. Then I grabbed a rental car to have it not only for the trip to the resort but also for around town and the area during my visit.

This will be a fun trip. I already have several things planned, including a trip back to Disney and I have even secured entry via a member to the private club 33 at Disney for lunch. That took me a decade of asking friends with connections, but it is done.

On arrival, my rental car was ready and waiting for me, and I did not check my bag, so I hit the ground running. The drive from John Wayne Airport to the resort was only about 20 minutes. A little over 12 miles in distance.

The drive itself was really a straight shot up Interstate 5 and was very easy to find. It does take all the stress away when finding the resort is as easy as this.
My first impressions of the resort are exemplary. It has an impressive tower appearance and the lobby and entryway are well-staffed and set up. This made a check-in a breeze.

Villa Amenities

Resort Amenities

After getting the bags up to the room and refreshing, I headed to visit the resort pool and see the outside area. It was very nice and made me think that I might get some supplies to cook out on the grill one night while I am here.

For now, I wanted to grab something to eat close by since I had just spent 8 hours traveling and did not stop to eat anything.

Nearby I found a simple buffet called Teppanyaki Grill Supreme Buffet this is not an overpriced, buffet just a basic Asian, buffet, but the staff was nice and the food was good.

Filled to the gills, I returned to the resort and my room so I could rest for an early start tomorrow.

Day Two Favors Called in at Disney

Today for me an “old school” Disney fan it was going to be a big day. I was headed to Disney but also meeting a Club 33 member for lunch and the Disney upscale experience few have ever been able to experience.

Before lunch, I was excited to visit the park some and then come back and meet my friend of a friend. It turns out a member of the club wanted my feedback on their business website, and what could be done to improve the SEO or search engine optimization. Since SEO is my primary business effort these days, I was happy to help and provide some answers during lunch at the legendary Club 33 inside of Disney.

It should be a fun lunch and then it may lead to additional work for the friend’s business associate. I guess you could say it was a lunch, experience, and interview of sorts, all wrapped into one. But before that part of my Disney Magic would happen, I went to ride a few rides. The club is in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square. I focused on rides in Disneyland to make certain I was not late for lunch.

First, I rode the Pirates of the Caribbean it is a short ride by one that I remember from years ago just after the first movie came out. Like much of Disney for me, it is such a trip down memory lane as it is anything else.

Next, I went on the Jungle Cruise. This is a carbon copy of the one I went on in Walt Disney World way back in the green ticket days when Disneyland was the only park in Disney World. Even before Epcot. I then scooted over to the Mark Twain Riverboat. The ride is an original that offers a 14-minute cruise around Tom Sawyer’s Island.

Club 33

This is one exclusive club. I bet it is the most exclusive club in any amusement park in the world. Membership at the California park comes with dues that include $25,000 down and $10,000 a year. If you can get access to Walt Disney World’s Club 33, the cost is thought to be even higher at $33,000 down and $15,000 annually.

Membership does have its benefits. You get 5 VIP tours each year, and 50 single-day passes. As well as Annual Passes for your party. If I lived near the Disney World Parks in Orlando and could join, I would consider it. Especially if I was a family man. I just enjoy going to Disney that much.

When I arrived for my lunchtime meeting. I had to find the door, then ring the buzzer and announce the name of the party I was the guest of. Afterward, a greeter came and walked me into the courtyard to wait for my party and offered me a refreshment while I waited. I accepted, figuring this might be the only time in life I am asked at Club 33 in the courtyard.

About 20 minutes later, my host arrived and then we were led to the dining area. You are informed as a guest before you arrive of some of the rules of the club. Most have to do with the privacy of other guests, and no video is allowed inside. You may take a photo of your host or they of you, and the staff may take a photo for you, but only in certain areas that are controlled to protect the privacy of others. One such location is the staircase to the upstairs area where the club’s hostess offered to take a photo of myself and my host. I politely declined. But I did inquire about another photo location and she pointed it out on our short tour that followed before seating us in the dining area.

The club has a private jazz bar and a balcony where guests and members can watch the fireworks and view Fantasmic. There is also a small shop where you can purchase Club 33 gifts and select merchandise only available in the private shopping rooms.

You are provided menus that outline options for a 5-course meal that follows. The food was outstanding and to the level, you would expect at a fine country club or private club at this level.

For membership inquiries, you may email Club33@WaltDisneyWorld.com for Disney World. For this Anaheim location, you must write to Club 33 Member Services, 1600 S. Disneyland Drive Anaheim, CA 92802.

Membership is limited and exclusive, so it may well benefit you to find another member and ask for recommendations on amending your method of approach for the best results.

After an amazing meal, and a business meeting unlike any other I can remember. I headed back into the park with a meeting to follow up with the business owner the following week for the next steps on their project. I think they enjoyed that I liked and appreciated the club, but did not lose my mind over it. Or I did not let it overwhelm me.

Back to the Park

Headed back into the park for more fun, I turned my direction and headed for all things in Star Wars. The Star Wars area in Disney is an absolute must for all Star Wars fans, old or young.

Day Three in Anaheim

Today I had a tour booked that would take me from the resort in Anaheim to many locations in Hollywood. The tour company provided free pick up from the resort and drop off at the end of the day as well. So, it made it easy. Getting up in time for the 7:45 AM departure was not too bad since I was still feeling the time difference as was up by 6 AM, anyway.

Venice Beach

Venice Beach and the surrounding area were the first stop.

From the website

The Boardwalk

People-watching is a popular activity at Venice Beach because the beach attracts such a colorful cast of characters. You can watch people skate, cycle, and play volleyball or basketball from a convenient perch on the boardwalk, which also provides breathtaking views of the Pacific.

Muscle Beach

While the original Muscle Beach was located in Santa Monica, that once-popular hotspot disappeared way back in the 1960s. Since then, a newer, better Muscle Beach has evolved at Venice Beach. You can watch chiseled men and women exercise from outside a building that’s appropriately shaped like a dumbbell, or you can watch the action sitting in the stands near the facility’s competition stage.

Venice Skate Park

Constructed in 2009, Venice Skate Park has quickly turned into one of California’s most iconic skateboarding hotspots. Situated mere steps from Venice Beach’s beautiful shore, Venice Skate Park boasts gorgeous, mature palm trees and some of the best skateboarding action you’ll find anywhere.

Santa Monica

Next stop is Santa Monica. Beautiful beaches and the pacific wheel were parts of this stop I enjoyed. There was also a nice selection of restaurants to enjoy, and a few shops here.

Beverly Hills

Hard to imagine a tour of the area that would skip the former homes of the rich and famous in Beverly Hills. Here I enjoyed the Greystone Mansion and my visit there. It was also neat to see many of the famous homes from the bus as the driver and guide pointed them out. You name it we saw what once was their famous home.

Rodeo Drive

The rodeo will interest many but shopping at exclusive stores does not thrill me. It was neat to see in person, but not something that I would enjoy as much as the special lady in your life might.

Museum of Radio and Television

I did go to see the museum and had an enjoyable visit. They do a number of talks here, just not on the day I visited the location.

All in all, I think the trip was about 9 hours and included many more spots than I can mention. It was nice just driving around and seeing the locations you have seen in movies and TV throughout your lifetime.

If you want to travel like this and see Anaheim like never before, book through TZort and consider this resort as your launching point.