Scott and Diana Anderson: What Really Happened with the Club 33 Lawsuit

Imagine spending $400,000 on a legal battle just to get back into a dinner club. Honestly, for most people, that sounds like a fever dream or a very expensive typo. But for Scott and Diana Anderson, it was a seven-year crusade to reclaim their spot in Disney’s most elite inner circle: Club 33.

They weren't just casual fans. They were "Disney Adults" in the most dedicated sense of the term. For years, the Arizona couple lived a life that many Disney enthusiasts only see in blurry Instagram photos taken from the outside of a green door in New Orleans Square. Then, in 2017, it all vanished.

The story isn't just about a revoked membership. It’s a weirdly fascinating look at what happens when your entire social identity is tied to a corporate-run "secret" society. It’s about migraines, red wine, and a legal fight that Scott Anderson famously said he would take "to the death."

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The $125,000 Annual Disney Habit

Before the lawyers got involved, Scott and Diana Anderson were living the dream. They spent twelve years on a waiting list before finally getting the call in 2012.

Membership isn't cheap. We’re talking about an initial initiation fee that can hit $50,000, followed by annual dues of around $31,500. When you add in the travel from Arizona to Anaheim, the hotels, and the high-end meals, the Andersons were dropping roughly $125,000 a year on their Disney fix.

They visited 60 to 80 times annually. They rode the Haunted Mansion nearly 1,000 times. Club 33 was their living room, their country club, and their social hub.

Why the Club Matters

For the uninitiated, Club 33 is the only place in Disneyland Park that serves alcohol (historically speaking, before Oga's Cantina changed the game). It offers:

• Access to the 1901 Lounge in California Adventure.
• Private dining that makes you feel like royalty.
• Rubbing elbows with celebrities like Tom Hanks or Nicolas Cage.
• A chance to use Walt Disney’s personal bathroom.

But exclusivity has a price, and it’s not just financial. It comes with a strict code of conduct.

The Night Everything Changed

The beginning of the end happened on September 3, 2017. Security guards at Disney California Adventure found Scott Anderson near the entrance. According to court testimony, he was slurring his speech, had trouble standing, and smelled strongly of alcohol.

Disney’s stance was simple: Public intoxication is a violation of the rules. Period. They revoked the membership shortly after.

Scott and Diana Anderson didn't take this lying down. They sued. Their argument was that Scott wasn't drunk—he was having a medical emergency.

The Vestibular Migraine Defense

Scott claimed he’d had about two or three drinks over several hours. He argued that his disoriented state was actually a "vestibular migraine," a condition that causes severe vertigo. He said the episode was triggered by red wine he’d drank earlier.

The legal battle became a "he-said, she-said" (or rather, "they-said, Disney-said") involving neurologists and security experts. Disney’s lawyers pointed out that Scott had slurred speech and couldn't stand up. The Andersons’ lawyer, Sean Macias, countered that Disney never did a Breathalyzer or blood test. They just made a snap judgment.

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A "Stab in the Heart" and the Aftermath

Diana Anderson called the expulsion a "stab in the heart." It’s hard for some to understand why someone would spend $400,000 in legal fees to fight for the right to pay more money to a corporation.

But for Diana, this was her childhood dream. She even told the Los Angeles Times she’d sell a kidney to get back in.

The lawsuit wasn't just about the club; it was about reputation. Scott didn't want to be "the drunk in the park." He wanted his name cleared.

The Jury's Verdict

In late 2024, after years of discovery and delays, an Orange County jury took just 45 minutes to side with Disney. They decided the company was within its rights to terminate the membership.

It was a crushing blow. The Andersons didn't just lose the case; they lost the $231,000 they were seeking in damages and the $400,000 they spent on the fight. Scott noted that the ordeal had pushed his retirement back by five years.

The Reality of Private Clubs

What the Scott and Diana Anderson saga really highlights is the precarious nature of "buying" your way into a community. When you belong to a club owned by a massive corporation, you aren't a "member" in the way you are at a non-profit lodge. You are a guest with a contract.

Contracts can be terminated.

The Andersons also spilled some tea during their interviews with The Hollywood Reporter after the trial. They claimed the club had "gone downhill," and that celebrities were allowed to break rules—like taking photos in restricted areas—while regular high-paying members were scrutinized.

It paints a picture of a place that is less a "magical retreat" and more a high-stakes corporate environment where one wrong move can cost you everything.

Lessons for the High-End Hobbyist

• Read the Fine Print: In exclusive clubs, "conduct unbecoming" is often a catch-all term that gives the organization total power.
• Documentation is Key: If you have a medical condition that mimics intoxication, having medical records or an "In Case of Emergency" card on you is vital.
• The Sunk Cost Fallacy is Real: Sometimes, it’s better to walk away than to spend your retirement fund fighting a battle against a company with infinite legal resources.

The Andersons' story is a cautionary tale about the intersection of fandom, status, and corporate policy. While they’ve vowed to keep fighting, the 2024 ruling makes it clear that the gates to Club 33 likely remain closed for them.

If you're looking to protect your own memberships or understand the risks of "elite" status, the best move is to keep a clear paper trail of any medical issues and always stay within the literal lines of the code of conduct. Exclusivity is a privilege that can be revoked in a heartbeat.

Next Steps for Readers
To avoid similar situations in private memberships, ensure you have a "Medical Alert" digital ID on your phone if you suffer from conditions like vestibular migraines. Familiarize yourself with the "Rules of Conduct" for any subscription or membership you hold, as most modern contracts allow for termination without a refund for behavior-based violations.