Lunch or Dinner: Biggest Bang For The Buck?

Ok, you've met a member and they have offered to make Club 33
reservations for you. Times are tight, everyone is being careful with their budget and you want the most memorable experience for the least about of money. Lunch or dinner?

Here are my observations, and they're just that, observations.

Lunch:

Figure your lunch with drink will cost approx. $78.00. Now, your lunch will be a partial buffet, meaning that everything is in ample quantity except the hot entree which is plated and served by the staff. Chilled meats, crab, fresh fruit, artisan bread, all for the taking! The dessert bar, while not quite as large as in previous years, it very impressive. Rich mousse, cheesecake, cookies, s'mores martinis, wow! It's good. Very, very good! The plated entree portions are fair sized and normally quite rich. So, you're going to walk out the door barely able to think of anything except your bed and about four hours to recover!

Dinner:

It's dark out, the lights are twinkling all about you and your stomach is grumbling! Dinner offers various options, these being single dishes from salads, soups, appetizers, and then your choice of entree from the menu. Keep in mind the club maintains a minimum charge of approx. $68.00. Soups and salads are approx. $10.00 to $13.00, appetizers can be slightly more based on choice. Soup/salad portions are of average size (bisques are extremely rich), appetizer portions are fair, do not expect a plate with items falling over the sides (remember, this is French cuisine). Entree portions are fair, not huge, but certainly enough to satisfy most adults. Desserts are approx. $12.00, and would, by most American standards, could be considered small. Lets face it, most Americans consider dessert a meal unto itself. Check out the chocolate cake at the Golden Horsehoe and you'll understand! Figure your basic dinner will cost approx. $70.00.
The Vintner menu is the club's five course meal. Approx. $90.00 with drink. After five courses, you'll be satisfied and a walk around the park will be most welcome.

Conclusions:

Quantity or ambiance? There it is.

If you're a big eater and really want to experience the club in a more casual setting with food being the main draw, lunch if probably your best choice. The selection of chilled seafood, cheese, meats, pate', salads and desserts is voluminous. It's a joy to eat to your hearts content, enjoying the daytime sounds of Disneyland.

If you're looking for a more elegant/romantic setting, evenings are simply unbeatable! You can easily enjoy the club, meeting the club's minimum purchase requirements, and leave gastronomically satisfied. Stuffed, we'll, that just depends on your personal capacity. If you're hungry and can swing a few extra dollars, the Vintner menu may be your best bet.

So, lunch for those who prefer a slightly more casual atmosphere and wish to sample a large variety of the club's creations and dinner for those seeking a more formal or romantic evening.

For my first experience at the club, I chose lunch. I wanted to sample the buffet and see what the club was capable of producing. After our wonderful lunch, it was only two days until the club received our letter requesting membership. Wow, that was a long time ago and yes, we're still waiting!

Patience, patience.....