Southern California?

Hail, snow, tornados, avalanches, high winds, and flooding... in Southern California? We have been having a freak storm this past week. On Thursday, we woke up at 5 am to a huge racket. I looked outside and we were having a hail storm - it looked like snow, and it stuck on the ground until mid-morning.

Disney's Club 33

Do you want to go to Disney's Club 33? That's the question our friends, the Devards, asked us on Saturday morning, 15 minutes before we would have to leave. So our answer was "Of course!" Who would miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to Club 33? Not us!

Brian and I have always wanted to go to this exclusive club in Disneyland. Neither of us had been, despite Brian's insider knowledge of everything Disney and my having worked at Disneyland for 3 years (cast members cannot even visit this club). So if any of the rest of you have wondered what Club 33 looks like, we'll show you...

This club is not on any map or guide of Disneyland, the only indication this club exists is this "33" sign by an inconspicuous door. Sterling had to give the secret password (our reservation name) into this top secret hidden intercom.

Once inside, a cast member checked our reservations and acted as bouncer for anyone not authorized to enter. There were stairs or a glass elevator to reach the club above. Of course we had to try the awesome elevator.

Here is what the club looks like. There are crystal chandeliers, parquet wood floor, crown moldings, formal place settings, and of course very attentive wait staff. Also to our surprise, the club was very small - just this one room. No wonder it was nearly impossible for Sterling to get reservations.

Here is our table, overlooking New Orleans Square below. It was so exciting to be there, we didn't care that we were tacky tourists taking photos of everything.

When you get there, you are given a menu to choose your entree. On the menu was salmon, prime rib, lamb chops... but no prices. Once you select an entree (hoping you didn't blow the bank), you go to the "salad bar" where you choose from a bunch of unrecognizable fancy foods. The ones I can name are crab legs, shrimp and lobster.

My salmon came garnished with caviar and complimented with Champagne encrusted rice cakes. Eli and I were having a good time.

After lunch, we got to go to the dessert bar. I of course had to sample everything. Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity right? No counting calories here. They were so yummy. They look mouth watering even in photos.

Even the bathrooms were unique and fancy. There were toile wallpaper, molded mirrors, crystal chandeliers, antique vanities, and of course... wicker toilets? That is odd. Good thing I didn't have to use it. :)

Before we left, we visited the balcony above New Orleans Square to take some pictures. How often do you get this view above the crowds? It was very nice.

Our exciting and unique lunch at Club 33 was just perfect, except for one thing... the bill. See our horrified reactions below:

After ignoring how much of our savings we tossed down for lunch, we had a fun day at Disneyland going on rides with the Devards. Later that night, Brian and I saw the lighting ceremony at the castle and got to swing dance at Carnation Plaza.

New Year's Eve

We had a quiet New Year's Eve at home, playing games with our friends, the Devards. We actually made it to midnight, even though I was starting to get sick.

However, Eli didn't seem to care about the celebration. He spent the New Year fast asleep.