Disneyland converts former Dream Suite into 21 Royal private dining experience
By Seth Kubersky
If you want to experience the ultimate exclusive evening inside Disneyland, the park is now taking reservations for the 21 Royal private dining experience, located in the former Dream Suite.
21 Royal occupies the space in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square above Pirates of the Caribbean that was originally intended as an apartment for Walt and Lillian Disney. The rooms were open to the public as the Disney Gallery for many years before being redecorated according to Dorothea Redmond’s original designs as the Dream Suite, where contest winners were allowed to sleep overnight during the 2008 “Year of a Million Dreams” promotion.
The 21 Royal venue was converted into a dining area during the recent renovation of Club 33, and has been exclusive to its members until now. For the first time, ordinary guests who aren’t in the notoriously difficult to join club can now book a dinner at 21 Royal and get the royal treatment, providing they can afford a king’s ransom.
The 21 Royal experience starts when a party of up to 12 guests arrives at the Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, where they will be greeted by the hotel’s valets and given a VIP escort into Disneyland Park. Guests are welcomed by the 21 Royal staff with signature cocktails are served by professional butlers in the salon, overseen by sommelier Matt Ellingson. A casual cocktail reception on the patio follows, with time to explore the different rooms of the venue and their “magical features.”
Guests next take their seats around a lavish table covered in white linens, fresh flowers and set with gold-plated dinnerware and fine crystal, for the highly customized seven course dinner prepared by executive chef Andrew Sutton and chef de cuisine Justin Monson. Using a chosen theme for the evening as inspiration, the team prepares a unique menu that represents “Disney storytelling at its delicious best.” The chefs work directly with premier suppliers—both local and international — including farmers, fishermen and other sustainable sources, then match them with the pairings from the extensive 21 Royal wine collection.
21 Royal guests can end their evening with a grand finale dessert on the private balcony, which features a view of the Rivers of America, and on certain nights, prime viewing of the park’s nighttime entertainment.
The price for all this pampering (as reported by The Robb Report) is $15,000, including tax, gratuity, valet and theme park admission. For the maximum party size of 12, that translates to $1,250 per person; there’s no discount for fewer guests, so the per-head cost skyrockets with every empty seat.
If the price tag doesn’t scare you off, you can reserve your 21 Royal party by calling the concierge at (714) 300-7749. Or take a peek inside Club 33 for free with this Photo Finds video:
