Disneyland superfans spend £300,000 in legal fees trying to get back into secret club after being kicked out
Two Disney 'superfans' have spent a hefty sum on legal fees in a vain attempt to regain access to Disneyland's elite club after being kicked out.
Scott and Diana Anderson, both 60 and from Arizona in the US, have forked out $400,000 (roughly £300,000) for a lawsuit in an attempt get back into Disneyland's secret Club 33 after they saw their $31,000-per-year membership revoked over alleged public drunkenness.
Only signalled by a number 33 on a small plaque, the original Club 33 clubhouse in Anaheim, CA, is where the Andersons spent their vacations over the five years they were members.
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Priced at a $33,000 to join, plus an additional $15,000 in yearly fees, Club 33 membership grants access to VIP lounges, special events, celebrity hangouts, and various other perks across all Disney resorts, including enjoying meals cooked by world-renowned chefs.
The Andersons saved up for 20 years before being able to afford the membership, and spent a further ten years on the club's waiting list.
After finally being admitted into the small, exclusive clique of Mickey Mouse mega fans in 2012, Scott and Diana visited Anaheim between 60 and 80 times each year. They paid an estimated sum of $125,000 for their trips to the 'happiest place on earth'.
Scott also claimed to the New York Post that they had made friends with some famous faces, including Kurt Russell and Dick Van Dyke.
But their fairytale came crashing down in 2017 when the pair had their membership revoked immediately after Scott was accused of being drunk in public at Disneyland.
Scott denied being drunk, though he admitted having had a 'few beers' and some wine during his stay at Anaheim's park. He also said his wobbliness was a consequence of his vestibular migraine, a condition he's had for years.
The pair have spent the last seven years trying to get their memberships back and have spent tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees in an attempt to win their case.
They sued Disney asking for $10,500 in unused membership time, as well as $231,000 in compensation for the seven years they have spent on the Club 33 blacklist.
But last week, the couple lost their lawsuit against Disney when an Orange County, California judge ruled in favour of the Walt Disney company.
According to the judge, Disney was within its rights to decide to ban the couple from their VIP clubs across their amusement parks.
Scott, who owns a golf course, has explained that paying for the legal fees will push back his retirement by five years - though he said he doesn't regret the lawsuit, despite him telling the Los Angeles Times it has cost him around $400,000 (£300,000).
As for his wife, Diana has vowed to keep fighting to be readmitted to Club 33, telling the LA Times she would 'sell a kidney' to appeal the decision and be able to go back.
According to Disney attorney Jonathan E Phillips, Scott's actions 'cost his wife of 40 years her lifetime dream of having access to Club 33'.
"They did not want to pay the consequences of failing to follow the rules," Phillips told jurors, the LA Times reports.
They're currently considering other legal options to have Disney let them back into Club 33.
Topics: US News, Disneyland, Disney
Stefania Sarrubba