As members of Disney’s exclusive Club 33, Scott and Diana Anderson visited the two Anaheim theme parks 60 to 80 times a year. The private club, with its wood-paneled trophy room and other amenities, was the center of their social life. They brought friends, acquaintances and business associates. As a couple, they went on the Haunted Mansion ride nearly 1,000 times. The club’s yearly dues were $31,500, and with travel and hotel expenses, the Arizona couple were spending close to $125,000 annually to get their Disney fix.

All of it came to an end in 2017, when Disney revoked their membership in the club after an allegation that Scott Anderson was drunk in public. Diana Anderson, a hardcore Disney aficionado since childhood, called it “a stab in the heart.” The Andersons, both 60, have spent the years since then — and hundreds of thousands of dollars — trying to get back into Club 33. On Tuesday, an Orange County jury rejected their claim that Disney ousted them improperly. It had taken the Andersons more than a decade to gain membership in Club 33, which includes access to exclusive lounges, dining, VIP tours and special events. They finally made it off the waiting list in 2012.

“My wife and I are both dead set that this is an absolute wrong, and we will fight this to the death,” Scott Anderson, who owns a golf course in Gilbert, Ariz., told The Times. “There is no way we’re letting this go.” He said the lawsuit has cost him about $400,000. “My retirement is set back five years,” he said. “I’m paying through the nose. Every day, I’m seeing another bill, and I’m about to keel over.” He said he will appeal. His wife said she wants to keep fighting. “I’ll sell a kidney,” Diana said. “I don’t care.”

  • Wertheimer [any]@hexbear.net
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    15 days ago

    In the original complaint they claimed it was because they “were retaliated against for criticizing sexual harassment and other problems that arose as a result of new management.”

    But there may have simply been more money in getting rid of them. There’s a waiting list to join, and initiation fees are $50,000.

    2017 article

    • Awoo [she/her]@hexbear.net
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      15 days ago

      were retaliated against for criticizing sexual harassment and other problems that arose as a result of new management

      Ok so they were threatening Disney’s ability to market the club and potentially bringing harm to Disney. They took the first opportunity available to cut them via the “drunk in public” excuse.

      I can believe that Disney would consider allegations of sexual harrassment in a club with membership of this price to be worth more than $125k per year from one couple. Especially if they were crusading about it among other patrons because of a personal feud with new management or whatever.

      Assuming the evidence for the allegations was flimsy and not something management could act on the easiest thing to do is to cut the source of the complaint. This will also ensure that other patrons don’t complain too hard and understand that their membership can and will be revoked. Keeps them in line.

        • Awoo [she/her]@hexbear.net
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          15 days ago

          Yeah I’m not endorsing it. Just seems like the most likely reasoning. I have a little bit of experience with private club type stuff in the UK among the rich farmer crowd and the same kind of dynamic would play out there. They also tend to have the same taste in private members only environments and country clubs as the decour of this place.