Disney Exclusive VIP Club Called A Cult By Ousted Members
A married couple that recently filed a lawsuit over their membership in a secret club run by Disney has opened up the storied entertainment company to a fair amount of public criticism. Scott and Diana Anderson, who were former members of the hyper-exclusive Disney Club 33, gave details in an interview last week that accused the organization of being a cult whose members liken founder Walt Disney to “the messiah.”
Disney Club 33
The Andersons saved money for 12 years to have enough for the $40,000 membership fee plus the $10,000 needed for their first installment of annual dues. As members of Disney Club 33, they possessed what they referred to as a “glorified annual pass.”
As Silver level members, they received 100 guest passes per year, had access to an uber-private lounge, top tier drinks and dinners, and true front of the line privileges that allowed them to skip to the very front of the longest of ride lines.
Membership Revoked
But after Scott was found keeled over a park bench on Disneyland grounds, the Andersons soon found that their membership was revoked. Disney Club 33 was now totally off limits to two people who were among the club’s most ardent supporters.
The Anderson’s membership was seized as a result of Disney Club 33 officials believing that Scott was intoxicated at the time he was approached by park personnel that fateful day.
The Andersons maintain that Scott was suffering from a “vestibular migraine triggered by red wine.” Shocked after they received their termination letter, the couple began a long legal quest to sue the park for $231,000 in damages.
The Lawsuit
But a jury wasn’t on the Anderson’s side. The pair spent nearly $400,000 in their ill-fated attempt at getting damages they say were owed to them for the corporation terminating their Disney Club 33 membership only to be denied by a jury after 45 minutes of deliberation.
The incident that led to the Anderson’s losing their Disney Club 33 membership occurred in 2017. But during the five years prior to the park bench incident that led to its end, the membership had other issues.
Previous Conflicts
In 2016, Diana had her own run-in with club personnel after a friend of hers knocked over a champagne glass and spilled her mimosa. After the waiter refused to give her any more alcohol, Diana went to bat for her friend and approached the manager. Diana asked him “What the f**k is going on,” to which the manager took issue with.
The Honeymoon Is Over
The revocation of the Anderson’s Disney Club 33 membership does not bar the couple from any of Disney’s properties and they are still free to pay to get into any of the entertainment giant’s theme parks. But the Andersons maintain that since their membership ended seven years ago that they have only visited the place three times.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
